News and Insights
News
|1 February 2025
Viberts announces the promotion of five lawyers to the position of Managing Associate. They are Advocates Karla Summers-Shaw, Emily Paris-Hunter, Michelle Cabot, Nic Le Breuilly and English Solicitor Oliver Hughes.
Viberts also announces the promotion of English Solicitors, Jessie Filipponi and Rebecca Gueno to the post of Associate with the firm.
This announcement marks a significant milestone both for the lawyers concerned and for Viberts in general as the firm consolidates its position as the largest law firm advising exclusively on matters of Jersey law.
The practice of Jersey law is a demanding and a fulfilling career. Viberts has therefore introduced a series of thoughtfully defined steps for its talented young lawyers to take on a career path leading to the goal of partnership within the firm.
Zoe Blomfield, Managing Partner said:
“These promotions recognise the impressive competence and dedication of the lawyers promoted. They are a response to the standard of their work and their willingness to make every effort to help clients and colleagues alike, and to deliver the first class service for which Viberts is recognised. Lawyers must carry out their duties to the court and the administration of justice, to their clients and to their colleagues, all while helping the firm of which they are a member to flourish. We are proud of the way these young lawyers have responded to the demands made of them. They are well on their way to becoming tomorrow’s leaders of the firm. Their commitment allows us to feel sure Viberts will be in safe hands for the years and indeed decades to come. I am confident they will all excel in their new roles and continue to play an integral part in the future of Viberts”
The new Managing Associates are:
Emily Paris-Hunter qualified first as a Scottish solicitor and then as a Jersey Advocate. She joined Viberts’ property team in 2020 with ten years PQE specialising in commercial property law. Emily works alongside Viberts’ commercial property partner, Paul Harben, on complex acquisitions, sales and leases of all types of commercial premises such office space, banks, hospitality venues and retail and light industrial premises together with all aspects of their financing and securitisation. Emily is well known for her pragmatic and commercial approach, and for getting deals across the line on time. Clients rate her kindness of approach and sense of humour.
Karla Summers-Shaw joined Viberts ten years ago and has progressed from Legal Assistant to Managing Associate over this period. Karla is an Advocate in the Private Client team with expertise in complex and cross border estate planning, probate, trusts and capacity matters.
Karla manages the largest local Private Client team in Jersey alongside Advocate Zoe Blomfield and combines a strong reputation for technical expertise with an approachable and dependable manner, both amongst her colleagues and clients. Karla is the go to lawyer for many financial institutions and high net worth clients in Jersey.
Michelle Cabot joined Viberts in 2024 and is an Advocate in its Dispute Resolution team. She deals with a very wide range of contentious matters including litigation before the courts, regulatory work, trust law, data protection and personal injury. Michelle has a reputation for delivering excellent service to her clients in a highly pressurised litigation environment, and this whilst also assisting with the management and supervision of the Dispute Resolution department, which is the largest department of the firm. Prior to joining Viberts, Michelle represented the Government of Jersey in the significant Independent Jersey Care Inquiry.
Nic Le Breuilly is an Advocate in Viberts’ Banking and Finance team. He joined Viberts in October 2023 following several years in a larger local law firm. He specialises in local and cross border company mergers, sales and acquisitions and the financing of these transactions, often advising the banks on the security needed when investing in or lending against companies and their assets. Such work frequently involves teams of lawyers working in several jurisdictions at once. Nic takes pride in insuring that the Jersey element of these transactions runs smoothly and so reinforces the island’s reputation as a top tier finance centre. Nic is renowned for being an extremely popular and stimulating ‘LinkedIn’ commentator.
Oliver Hughes joined Viberts in March 2020. He now has over 12 years’ experience of Jersey commercial law acting for both private individuals and businesses and accompanying them through the wide range of challenges confronting a modern business, with particular interests in IT, regulatory and employment matters and Jersey Private Funds. ‘Ollie’ is a prolific and insightful commentator on his area of law reaching readers in the Jersey and business communities abroad with his ‘Expresso’ series of Linked-In essays providing both clarity and direction on often complicated subjects. Oliver is currently studying to become a Jersey Advocate and has just three exam papers left to complete.
The new Associates are:
Jessie Filipponi is an English Solicitor working in Viberts’ Dispute Resolution department. Jessie joined the firm in 2018 and primarily deals with personal injury and clinical negligence claims, including road traffic accidents, stress at work and public liability claims. Jessie is currently assisting on a high-profile action for a significant number of claimants against the Government of Jersey. Jessie predominately represents claimants and provides clear and sensitive advice to people often in great need. She is well known for her compassionate and understanding approach to her clients.
Rebecca Gueno joined Viberts in 2020 and is an English Solicitor based in Viberts’ Dispute Resolution team. Rebecca completed her Law Degree at Durham University in 2013 and her master’s degree in international legal Practice in 2014. Rebecca then returned to Jersey where she has worked in several contrasting contentious fields including crime, fraud, insolvency, personal injury and medical negligence, family law and property litigation. Rebecca is well on the path to becoming a Jersey Advocate and will soon be representing her clients before the Royal Court. Rebecca is an extremely tenacious litigator who leaves no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice for her clients.
These promotions are effective as from the 1 February 2025.