Our People

Founder

Dr. Omar Zerafa

Dr. Zerafa has obtained the degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta, following which he has also graduated from the University of Leicester with a Masters in European Union Law specialising in Commercial Law. 

Prior to establishing Zerafa Advocates, Dr. Zerafa has worked as an associate with one of the leading financial services law firms in Malta where he was also admitted to partnership, responsible for the structuring and licensing of collective investment schemes, investment vehicles, investment services licence holders including asset management companies and financial institutions. Specialist areas of practice include UCITS, non-UCITS retail funds, AIFs, professional investor funds, corporate finance, investment products, listing of collective investment schemes, online forex trading companies, competition law and cross-border mergers. He was instrumental in redomiciling a number of funds into Malta and has successfully licensed several funds, fund managers and a Forex trading platform. He has also handled the application process of one of the first Binary Options trading platforms in Malta and has served as a Director, Compliance Officer and MLRO on a local Investment Management company.

Dr. Zerafa has a Foundation Certificate in Trust Law and Management awarded by the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners and is a member of the Chamber of Advocates, the International Bar Association, the Institute of Financial Services Practitioners and the Financial Services Lawyers Association (UK). 

Associate

Dr. Daniel Cachia

Dr. Daniel Cachia graduated from the University of Malta with a Bachelor of Laws Degree in 2020 and a
Master in Advocacy in 2021. Subsequently, Dr. Cachia obtained his warrant to practice advocacy in the
courts of Justice in 2022.

His dissertation entitled “The Notion of Un-Appealability from Decisions Concerning Article 402
Companies Act: Time to Consider a Change?” focused on the principle of the lack to the right of appeal
at law within the “Protection of Shareholders Against Unfair Prejudice” section of the Companies Act.
Dr. Cachia has a Foundation Certificate in Trust Law and Management awarded by the Institute of
Financial Services Practitioners and is appointed as a designated person on Zerafa.io, following MFSA
approval.

Dr. Cachia’s areas of interest in law are primarily driven from the Financial Services field and this attests
in his current line of work with the firm. Other notable areas of practice include Investment Services,
Financial Institutions and Collective Investment Schemes.

Associate

Dr. Silvio Vella

Dr. Silvio Vella graduated from the University of Malta with a Bachelor of Laws and a Masters in Advocacy.

In his term paper entitled: “Is the Virtual Financial Assets Act satisfactory in creating a regulatory framework for Initial Virtual Financial Asset Offerings and in providing protection for investors?”, Silvio focused on the regulatory regime provided for ICOs in Malta. Notably, he received the Best Consumer Dissertation Award from the Faculty of Laws for his work on the 12th December 2019.

As an associate, Silvio is primarily focusing on investment services, financial institutions and collective investment schemes.

Associate

Dr. Nicole Debrincat

Dr. Nicole Debrincat graduated from the University of Malta with a Bachelor of
Laws in 2021 and a Master of Advocacy in 2022.

In her term paper entitled: “Are Loot Boxes a form of Gambling?”, Nicole
focused on a comparison of gaming laws from around the world and how the
concept of a loot box fell within the definition of “gambling”.

Prior to joining Zerafa Advocates, Nicole worked at Maltese law firm where she
gained extensive experience in the gaming and financial services sectors.

As an associate, Nicole is primarily focused on Fintech and Gaming.

Associate

Dr. Samuel Buttigieg

Samuel obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree in 2021 and a Master of Advocacy Degree in 2022 from the
University of Malta.

Samuel has joined our law firm in 2021 as a legal intern, where he gained knowledge, exposure, and
experience within the financial services industry. He then joined us as an associate upon completing his
studies in 2022.

As an associate, Samuel is primarily focusing on crowdfunding, virtual financial assets, and investment
services.

Accountant

Ms. Lynn Gauci

Lynn has graduated from the University of Malta with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accountancy
and Marketing in 2013 and a Master in Accountancy in 2015.

Lynn is a Certified Public Accountant with over six years of experience in advising and assisting a varied
portfolio of local and international businesses operating in several industries. At Zerafa Advocates, Lynn
is primarily involved in the preparation of the management accounts for the internal companies.

Office Administrator

Ms. Martha Rizzo

Ms. Martha Rizzo has a Diploma in Administrative, Personal Assistant and Secretarial Duties.​

She has a vast experience in administrative duties, coordinating and preparing meetings, handling clients and managing documents and files. She is in charge of the overall smooth running of the office.