A “highly-respected” family law partner has announced her retirement after a quarter-century of service, while seven other colleagues have celebrated promotions.
Viberts described Rose Colley’s time with the firm as an “illustrious career dedicated to supporting clients and advancing the practice of family law in Jersey”.
Ms Colley was admitted as an English Solicitor in 1980 and in following years, set up the Kent Injunction Network – a group of lawyers who advised victims of domestic abuse.
“An example to us all”
In 1997, she completed her MBA in Legal Practice and moved to Jersey. She qualified as an Advocate of the Royal Court in 2000 and joined Viberts soon after.
The firm said Ms Colley played an “integral role” in establishing its family law team, and has gained a reputation for being a “formidable family lawyer”.
She has been recognised in The Legal 500’s “Hall of Fame” and was elected as the first female President of the Jersey Law Society; a position she held from 2017 to 2024.
Zoe Blomfield, Viberts’ Managing Partner, said Ms Colley’s contribution to Viberts and the wider legal community in Jersey has been “beyond measure”.
“Her dedication to her clients, her mentorship of colleagues, and her expertise in family law have been an example to us all and have helped to make family law in Jersey fit for a 21st century society.”
Ms Colley will work as a part-time consultant for Viberts and will continue to service her client base.
The firm added that Ms Colley looks forward to pursuing new opportunities outside of the legal profession and spending time with her children and grandson.
Seven recognised in latest promotion round
Elsewhere, seven lawyers and solicitors at Viberts have received promotions.
Emily Paris-Hunter, Advocate in the property team; Karla Summers-Shaw, Advocate in the private client team; Michelle Cabot, Advocate in the dispute resolution team; Nic Le Breuilly, Advocate in the banking and finance team; and Oliver Hughes, English Solicitor in the corporate law team, have all been promoted to Managing Associates.
Jessie Filipponi and Rebecca Gueno, English Solicitors in Viberts’ dispute resolution department, have been promoted to Associates.
Ms Blomfield said the latest promotions are a “response to the standard of their work”, noting their “willingness to make every effort to help clients and colleagues alike, and to deliver a first class service”.
“Lawyers must carry out their duties to the court and the administration of justice, to their clients and to their colleagues, all while helping their firm flourish.”
She continued: “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.”