Nov 2024
Conyers is pleased to announce Celine Collis has been called to the Bermuda Bar. The ceremony took place at the Commercial Court on Friday, 8 November before Hon. Chief Justice Larry Mussenden.
Celine is an Associate in the Corporate Practice at Conyers. Addressing the Court, Conyers Director Sophia Greaves described Celine as “an individual of outstanding character with all the markings of a talented lawyer.”
Celine’s determination to excel as a corporate lawyer is evident in both her academic achievements and professional background. She earned her Bachelor of Science at Trinity College in Toronto, Canada, double majoring in conservation biology and biodiversity, and ethics, society and law. She then became an Oxford scholar, completing her master’s degree with distinction for her thesis on underwater cultural heritage governance in Bermuda.
Celine began her legal career in London, training and qualifying as an associate at Reed Smith LLP, where she specialised in aircraft leasing, vessel portfolio financings, and cross-border commercial finance. In addition to her commercial practice, Celine has been actively involved in pro bono work. She co-led a team of over 40 lawyers on pro bono projects for Lawyers without Borders, focusing on anti-human trafficking, forced labour, and child labour legislation.
After four years at Reed Smith, Celine returned to Bermuda and joined Conyers in September 2024. In her address to the Court, she spoke of her excitement to give back to the Bermuda community.
Celine comes from a family deeply connected to the legal profession. Her father Graham Collis was a Director in Conyers’ Corporate practice for 30 years. He congratulated his daughter and told the court, “She is smart, she is affable, she is dedicated, hard-working, diligent, and most of all, caring.”
Celine expressed her gratitude to Marcello Ausenda, Jennifer Panchaud, Sophia Greaves, Neil Henderson, Jason Piney, Chiara Nannini, Guy Cooper, David Stubbs and Sarah Lusher for their support and mentorship. She also thanked her family, friends and fiancé for their patience and selflessness.
Celine’s call to the Bermuda Bar is a testament to her hard work and dedication. Celine looks forward to contributing to the Bermuda legal profession, stating, “I will do my absolute best to uphold the standards of this honourable profession and strive to meet the high bar set by those who have come before me.”