Multi-jurisdictional law firm Conyers Dill & Pearman was named Offshore Law Firm of the Year at The Lawyer Awards held in London on Tuesday, 23 June.
According to the judges’ criteria, the award is presented to the firm which demonstrates superior strategic clarity, growth of market share, technical legal excellence and quality of service. Conyers fulfilled each of those categories and was commended for an “outstanding year”.
The Cayman Islands practice was highlighted, with reference made to the instruction of Nigel Meeson QC to advise on offshore aspects of the unwinding of Madoff’s Ponzi scheme.
Christopher Johnson-Gilbert, managing partner of Conyers’ London office, collected the award at the ceremony held at Grosvenor House and attended by over 1000 lawyers.
Mr Johnson-Gilbert said, “We are delighted to receive this award, which reflects the hard work of everyone across the firm over the past year in providing the highest quality legal advice to the leading offshore jurisdictions of the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda and Mauritius. Our strategic purpose and our balanced business model have seen continued success even in times of global difficulties.”
Richard Finlay, managing partner of Conyers’ Cayman Islands office, said, “This award is a great achievement for us as we continue to grow in the Cayman Islands, particularly with recent additions to our litigation team. We have also seen an increased flow of work from our London office following the move of Richard Fear, who worked for many years in the Cayman Islands before moving to London office to strengthen our Cayman Islands capabilities there. Additionally, our provision of Cayman Islands legal advice continues to facilitate international business growth in the Asian markets, and has seen Conyers win Offshore Law Firm of the Year Awards for work in both China and South East Asia from Asian Legal Business this year.”
The past year has been one of significant expansion for Conyers, during which it has advised on a number of high profile deals, consolidated its position in relation to the BRIC markets with new offices in Moscow and São Paolo, and the addition of a Mauritius office and a global Mauritius practice. Conyers has also gained market share in the Cayman Islands.
Conyers continues to expand with new hires, and now numbers nearly 600 staff with over 150 lawyers located in 11 offices worldwide.