At this new practice, there is no shortage of work -- especially when one practitioner insists he will continue to make house calls.

No, it's not a medical practice. It's the Island's newest law firm -- but with two familiar Bermudian faces.

Smith & Scott will have something else that the largest law firms on the Island don't have -- an office in the West End at 10 Mangrove Bay Road, Sandys Parish.

It is designed to complement the efforts being made at the main city office at 34 Parliament Street.

Michael Smith and Sen. Lawrence Scott have taken differing routes to get here, but they will be all smiles this afternoon as Government Senate Leader E.T.

(Bob) Richards officially opens the firm.

The significance of that is not lost on them. Sen. Richards' late father, Sir Edwin Richards, Bermuda's first Premier, operated his law practice from the same building many years ago.

And this April, the firm of Smith & Scott will be, perhaps, the smallest law firm represented at the 36th (RIMS) Risk & Insurance Management Society, Inc.

Annual Conference in San Diego, California.

Mr. Smith said flying the flag for Bermuda was always a positive experience, but it was also an opportunity to make contact with clients.

His new direction comes out of the break-up of Smith, Barnard & Diel, which officially ended on Friday. He had been with the firm for 13 years having previously worked in London.

His practice involves corporate administration and civil litigation, including matrimonial matters.

Mr. Smith said: "We are already a not insignificant player in the international company market. We have some international companies and we already have instructions to incorporate a few more.

"We are definitely interested in that market.'' Mr. Scott worked at Richard Hector's chambers for about six months, before forming a law firm in Sandys with his brother, Michael Scott.

Three and a half years later he is starting a second firm where he can concentrate on conveyancing work and a criminal practice. But during his young years on the legal beat, he has literally made house calls.

Mr. Scott said: "I have always had an inclination for conveyancing. I learned it way back when I worked for Conyers, Dill & Pearman under Sir Bayard Dill and Irene Gabor.

"This opportunity of being centrally located with Michael Smith is a good opportunity. Location was one of the problems when I was in Somerset.

"The way I got over it was by telling people to clear their kitchen tables and I would go to their homes -- even if it meant going to St. George's. Many times, clients in their own home are much more comfortable than if they were in a legal office.'' Legal fees in Bermuda can often range from $200 to $400 an hour, but the principals of the new firm said they intend to focus on value for money.

Mr. Smith said: "We have an administrative staff of three. We are busy already. My day is completely blocked up.

"We are starting with a solid client base. And it is not just business that followed us here. But you know that a lawyer is distinguished by his or her reputation. So it is important to us to maintain a good one.'' The Sandys office, staffed by one person, will also offer weekend appointments. In fact, all client meetings there are expected to be by appointment only.

But while the legal team believes that West End presence as important, they have been very busy since January 1, effecting massive renovations required at their second storey, city premises.

Five corporate lawyers called to the Bar: Page 11 NEW PARTNERSHIP -- Michael Smith (left) and Sen. Lawrence Scott.

Graphic file name: SMITTOCS BUSINESS BUC