Cox Hallett Wilkinson has strengthened its litigation practice with the appointment of two senior attorneys, adding expertise in commercial disputes and employment law.

The Bermudian-based law firm announced that Craig Deuchrass and Cheri Wainwright have joined as counsel in its litigation department.

Mr Deuchrass brings more than 20 years of experience in complex commercial litigation and cross-border dispute resolution in several offshore jurisdictions.

He began his legal career in New Zealand at the Crown Law Office, working for the Solicitor-General, before qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales in 2011. He later practised with American law firm Bryan Cave in London, as well as Signature Litigation and Collyer Bristow, before relocating to Bermuda.

According to the firm, Mr Deuchrass has represented multinational corporations, financial institutions, high-net-worth individuals, liquidators, investor groups and shareholders. His practice includes fraud claims, trust disputes, asset tracing and recovery and international arbitration.

Ms Wainwright has more than a decade of experience in private client and trusts, regulatory and employment law.

Called to the Bermuda Bar in 2011, she has worked at two leading Bermuda law firms and also held an in-house legal role with a local insurer. For the past six years, she has focused on employment law, advising employers and employees on both contentious and non-contentious workplace matters. She has also served as a member of the Employment and Labour Relations Tribunal.

Craig Rothwell, chief executive of Cox Hallett Wilkinson Ltd, said the firm was delighted to welcome both lawyers, noting that Ms Wainwright was returning after about a decade away.

“We were very excited that both Craig and Cheri were keen to join our firm and, in Cheri's case, actually rejoin our firm after a decade away,” he said.

Mr Rothwell said Mr Deuchrass had already demonstrated his ability to guide clients through complex local and international disputes, while Ms Wainwright had made an immediate impact on the firm's employment practice by advising both employers and employees on a broad range of workplace issues.

He added: “We very much look forward to continuing to work with them for many years to come and together working to provide the service and assistance that all our valued and loyal clients have come to expect from us.”