A “passionate and driven” woman said her Call to the Bar was testament to supporters who recognised that measurements of success were not always the same.

Ligaya Sanchez-Wilson, an associate at Appleby, lives with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and reached the milestone in her legal career last month in front of Chief Justice Narinder Hargun.

The firm said she had broad practice in dispute resolution, as well as non-contentious regulatory and risk advisory work.

It added that the Bermudian had experience working with clients on the island and overseas within the insurance, investment business, funds and digital asset sectors, and had a keen interest in privacy and data protection frameworks.

Ms Sanchez-Wilson said: “I am thrilled to officially join the esteemed legal community of Bermuda.

“As someone who has lived with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder my whole life, the world has often appeared to me as one that required tangible evidence before providing opportunities to prove intangible excellence.

“Being called to the Bermuda Bar is not just a celebration of my success but a tribute to the many amazing individuals who recognised that success cannot always be measured by a one-size-fits-all approach.

“By embracing neurodivergent abilities, those who have supported and guided me along the way have demonstrated the profound impact of unconventional mentorship.”

She added: “I thank my parents and my husband, friends, family, mentors, colleagues and the Appleby Bermuda team for being a part of my story.

“You have all played a role in illuminating a path where others may find their own unique brilliance, hidden in the tapestry of diversity.

“To those who are searching for that path, know that there are people ready to support you on your journey too — don’t ever be afraid to ask for help.”

Ms Sanchez-Wilson worked with other firms before she joined Appleby in September.

The firm said: “Before her legal career, she served as a biomedical scientist with various public and private healthcare institutions in Bermuda and abroad for nearly a decade, attaining board certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology to practice as an International Medical Laboratory Scientist.

“Ligaya holds a graduate diploma in law from The University of Law, and a postgraduate diploma in Bar professional training from City Law School at the University of London.”

It added that Ms Sanchez-Wilson was a non-registered barrister of England and Wales and had earned a bachelor of science in medical technology from the University of Santo Tomas, in Manila.

She is also a certified information privacy manager with the International Association of Privacy Professionals and holds an associate in risk management from the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters.

John Wasty, the head of Appleby’s Dispute Resolution practice in Bermuda, said: “Ligaya’s legal expertise, coupled with her unique and varied experience and training, adds to our team’s capabilities and knowledge and continues to reflect our ongoing commitment to further diversify and develop our market-leading dispute resolution practice in Bermuda.

“My first interaction with Ligaya was a half-hour telephone call. In that brief span of time, we learned that we had both started out in the scientific field before transitioning into careers in law.

“She is a very passionate and driven individual — characteristics that came through clearly in our conversations.

“I congratulate Ligaya on this significant milestone in her legal career and welcome her to the Bermuda Bar.”