Bermudian lawyer Lilla Zuill is settling into a new life in Hong Kong after being seconded to the Orient by Bermuda law office Harneys.

Ms Zuill is to spend a year in the Harneys office on secondment in a bid to build business links between the island and Asia.

She said: “I am excited by the possibilities that this secondment presents.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to gain greater experience while promoting Bermuda to different cultures, clients and markets, which drive a significant amount of business to Bermuda.”

She added: “I am excited to bring specialist Bermuda litigation skills to Hong Kong with a view to developing business for Bermuda during a crucial economic period for the island.

“I’m grateful to Harneys for providing me with this opportunity to develop my career in such a diverse market.”

Ms Zuill, a specialist in commercial litigation and insolvency, will work in the Hong Kong offices’ litigation team.

Sarah-Jane Hurrion, managing partner of Harneys Bermuda, said: “Harneys is pleased to be part of the effort to enhance Bermuda’s reputation internationally and we are equally delighted to provide this opportunity to a Bermudian.

“A Hong Kong secondment will equip Lilla with a wealth of knowledge that will benefit both Harneys Bermuda and the jurisdiction as a whole as she will bring this experience back to the island when she returns.”

International firm Harneys, which has a global network of offices, merged with island law practice Hurrion & Associates in September of last year.

The firm has already expanded to a staff of more than 22, including nine lawyers, and has further plans to increase its Bermuda presence.

Ms Hurrion said: “Harneys is committed to building a leading full-service Bermuda legal and fiduciary practice.”

Ms Zuill was a business reporter at The Royal Gazette and later worked at Reuters in New York, where she covered global insurance and reinsurance markets.

She later took a law degree in England and is a member of the Bermuda Bar Association and the International Association of Restructuring, Insolvency and Bankruptcy Professionals.