Michele Gavin-Rizzuto
Profile
Michele is a Senior Associate in the dispute resolution team in Kennedys’ Bermuda office specialising in commercial litigation.
Michele’s practice encompasses a broad range of commercial, trusts and insolvency matters. Many of his cases have an international element, often in relation to the United States. He has particular experience of high-value, complex litigation, including a number of matters where he has worked as part of multi-jurisdictional legal teams. These have included a matter which involved a trial before the Supreme Court lasting several months and various appeals to the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council. Recent cases include a claim against a company’s former officers based on the alleged theft and misuse of confidential information, acting for the liquidators of a Bermuda life insurance company, a large shareholder appraisal matter, and a high-value multi-jurisdictional trust dispute.
Michele joined Kennedys in May 2023. He previously worked for another leading law firm in Bermuda for over 3 years. Prior to that, he practised as a barrister in London.
Qualifications and admissions
- Barrister & Attorney, Bermuda - 2021
- Barrister, England & Wales – 2011
- LLM (commercial law), Cantab.
- LLB (law with European law), University of Nottingham
Market recognition
- Recommended Lawyer for 'Dispute resolution (Bermuda)'
The Legal 500 Caribbean 2025
Work highlights
- Representing a former officer in relation to claims concerning the alleged theft and misuse of confidential information by a reinsurance company.
- Acting for the liquidators of a Bermuda life insurance company in relation to potential claims arising out of a merger concerning the company prior to its liquidation.
- Defending a director of a Bermuda company in relation to enforcement action taken by the Bermuda Monetary Authority.
- Acting for the Petitioners in relation to an application under s.25 of the Insurance Act 1978 concerning the transfer of long-term insurance business.
- Representing dissenting shareholders in a large appraisal action under s.106 of the Companies Act 1981 in relation to a pharmaceutical company.
- Advising trustees in relation to a high-value multi-jurisdictional dispute concerning the recovery of trust assets.
- Representing trustees in an application for Beddoe relief.