The London-based international law firm Spencer West LLP now calls Bermuda home through its Bermuda affiliate, Spencer West (Bermuda) Limited.

But they have already “laid down the law”.

Senior partner Orchid Lee said her firm will approach issues differently.

She said: “We are not like traditional law firms, and we make no apologies for that. We want to service our clients with integrity and in a very approachable and transparent manner.

“There is an element of distrust of lawyers in our community and I hope that we can make a difference.”

Senior partner Cameron Hill said the firm will focus on the marginalised, but will be a leader in the use of modern technologies, including blockchain.

The full-service international law firm, with 150 partners, advises businesses and individuals across Britain and globally, with offices in France, Spain, Pakistan, the Cayman Islands and the United Arab Emirates.

It also has a presence in Hong Kong and Singapore through association with law firms in those jurisdictions and the firm is developing a rapidly expanding footprint of international offices around the world.

“Spencer West Global’s core values promote collaboration, entrepreneurship and excellence, with experienced lawyers who are recognised experts in their fields from leading city, national and international law firms and senior in-house positions,” an introductory statement said.

“Spencer West (Bermuda) Limited consists of a very dynamic and strong offering of Bermuda lawyers to the Bermuda local and international business market and has the advantage of being attuned to the local and global needs of its clientele.

“Orchid Lee, a triple-called, double-qualified barrister and solicitor, called to the UK, Cayman Islands and Bermuda Bar, with over 19 years’ experience in the private client trusts and estates arena, is the founding and managing partner of Spencer West (Bermuda) Limited.”

She said: “The way I see it, Spencer West Bermuda is a disrupter in the law firm market.

“We offer a very high level of service akin to the larger firms, while maintaining a user-friendly, grassroots and welcoming approach to our client service without sacrificing international high standards and quality.

“Our team of lawyers are well known for their body of work in the Bermuda community, and we wish to continue to foster great relationships with local and international businesses in Bermuda.”

The firm said Mr Hill has been a practising barrister and advocate since 1996, working in jurisdictions such as London, Scotland and Paris (and is a fluent French speaker), specialising in commercial dispute resolution as well as a wider range of commercial matters, including insolvency.

He has been lead counsel in a large number of Bermuda commercial cases, including issues relating to common law recognition of foreign office holders, obtaining evidence from abroad in aid of Bermuda proceedings (including arbitrations) and many others.

Mr Hill said: “We, with the full support of Spencer West, have embraced the Government’s suggestion that there are many of our fellow citizens who are not getting a fair shake of the stick and we are aiming to do our part to redress that imbalance.

“Coupled with our Bermuda-based and international-based experience, Spencer West Bermuda is ideally poised to make important inroads into developing the newer technologies including blockchain, synthetic risk transfer instruments and other complicated derivatives.”

The firm said new hires will install Spencer West as the most experienced and qualified experts in blockchain, cyber currencies and data protection.

Mr Hill said: “I, personally, am very very excited about what could potentially happen in Bermuda and even more excited in our placement to take advantage of those developments.

“Any similarly minded individual or firm should contact us and we can discuss how best to develop in this brave new world.

“Spencer West Bermuda has a genuine team developed for just this purpose over two years. The time is ripe to open our doors, formally.“

The statement said Heidi Daniels-Roque, has spent 15 years advising clients on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters including investment funds, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, corporate and debt restructurings, BSX listings, as well as more general corporate transactional business, work permits and trusts.

She also specialises in Bermuda trademark registrations and renewals.

The press statement added that Paul Wilson is a highly experienced, well-known criminal litigator, practising in Bermuda since 2006, and has a wide range of dispute resolution expertise, covering Bermuda-based commercial dispute resolution in the Bermuda courts.

Mr Wilson is also experienced in matters involving governmental issues and white-collar related disputes and has been developing a matrimonial practice and insolvency practice, together with Mr Hill.