Here’s everything you need to know about one of the world’s largest offshore law firms that was included in the Paradise Papers leak.

What is Appleby?

  • Recommended reading
  • Appleby was set up in 1898
  • It is a prestigious offshore law firm that has won several awards:
    • Corporate law firm of the year in 2015
    • Has won Offshore Law Firm of the Year
    • Sees itself as an Industry leader
      It’s part of the Offshore Magic Circle (an informal collection of the world’s biggest offshore law firms that jostle for the same business).
  • It makes $100 million in revenue per year annually
  • Has more than 400 employees globally
  • It is “hard-working” and “friendly.” according to clients

What does Appleby do?

  • Sets up shell companies
  • Establishes trusts
  • Drafts wills
  • Litigates for workplace accidents
  • Divorce settlements
  • Advises corporations

Where does Appleby work?

  • Founded in Bermuda
  • Majority of its work is in North America (each of the 50 states)
  • Hong Kong office established in 1990
  • Office in most tax havens: Cayman Islands, Isle of Man, Mauritius
  • First offshore law firm to open an office in mainland China

Who are Appleby’s clients?

  • KPMG
  • EY (formerly Ernst & Young)
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers
  • Uber
  • Apple
  • Nike
  • Glencore
  • In 2014, its top 20 clients included these major banks:
    • Citigroup
    • Bank of America
    • HSBC
    • Credit Suisse
    • Wells Fargo

Want more? Read about Appleby’s record of compliance failures.