Bermudian firm Marshall Diel & Myers Ltd  has expanded its litigation team with the appointment of Laura Vernon and Caitlin Conyers.

Ms Vernon moved to Bermuda earlier this year and joins MDM as a senior associate in the Litigation department, bringing with her over 16 years’ post-qualification experience of practising law in England.

She has extensive experience in resolving complex disputes and has spent the majority of her career specialising in property litigation, predominantly in large international firms.

Ms Vernon’s background is in advising clients on a full range of property and land disputes, including commercial and residential landlord and tenant matters; dilapidations and forfeiture; real property issues including boundary disputes, adverse possession, rights of way and restrictive covenants; and development-related disputes.

The firm said Ms Vernon is solutions-driven and direct, and takes a constructive, pragmatic approach.

Ms Conyers, a Bermudian, joins MDM as an associate, having been called to the Bermuda Bar in 2017. Following a successful career competing as a professional cyclist, Ms Conyers is excited to return to the practice of law, the firm said.

Ms Conyers is building a practice in civil litigation with a particular interest in property disputes, human rights, employment and judicial review.

She holds a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics, where she focused on human rights, and spent a year working in constitutional and human rights law in South Africa.

Ms Conyers also previously worked as a senior investigation officer at the Information Commissioner's Office, handling matters involving access to information rights.

Katie Tornari, managing director of MDM and leader of the firm’s commercial and civil litigation team, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Laura and Caitlin to the MDM family.  They each bring something distinctive to our litigation team.

“Caitlin brings the drive and discipline of an elite athlete back to legal practice, and we are delighted to support a Bermudian lawyer as she builds her career. Investing in Bermudians in particular is central to who we are as a firm.

“Laura’s depth of experience in dealing with complex disputes adds real strength in an area that matters to so many of our clients, both in court and alongside our Property and Estate Planning team. Our growing team, with a wealth of experience, is well placed to handle the most complex disputes on the island.”

The new hires take the civil and commercial litigation team up to 14  lawyers plus support staff, reflecting the continued growth of the practice.

MDM  also has a property and family and matrimonial  teams on the island with a majority Bermudian team comprising 19 lawyers and a total staff of 39 based in the firm’s Hamilton office.