Law firm Conyers Dill & Pearman (CD&P) last week announced the appointment of Christopher Garrod, Peter Pearman and Kevin Butler as partners effective from April 1.

Peter Pearman joined the firm as an associate in the Trust & Private Client Department in November, 1996. A graduate of Buckingham University in 1994 with a First Class Honours LLB Law Degree he also obtained a BA in International Business from Eckard College, Florida in 1991. He was admitted to practice in England & Wales in 1995 and in Bermuda in 1996. Mr. Pearman is a member of Middle Temple and the Bermuda Bar Association and the author of several articles on Trust and Estate Planning.

His practice includes all aspects of trusts and estate planning with specialist expertise in the use of purpose trusts in commercial transactions and local Bermudian estate planning. His practice also includes immigration law, local tax law and the formation of private trusts and Bermuda companies.

Alec Anderson, head of CD&P's Trust and Private Client department said: “Peter has built up a very respectable practice in the field of offshore trust law and has garnered much respect in the process. I am extremely pleased and grateful to have him join me as a partner in the department.”

Chris Garrod joined CD&P as an associate in the corporate department in December, 1997. He obtained a BA degree with first-class honours in Anthropology and Geography from University College London and obtained a diploma in Law and post-graduate diploma in Legal Practice with commendation from the College of Law in London. He is a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales and was called to the Bermuda Bar in 1998. Mr. Garrod worked at the London law firm Denton Hall (now Denton Wilde Sapte) for two years before joining CD&P.

His practice includes all aspects of corporate law with specialist expertise in insurance and reinsurance matters, and has advised on the establishment of many of the Island's prominent reinsurance companies, as well as numerous captive insurance companies.

John Collis, the head of CD&Ps Corporate department said: “The Bermuda insurance practice is a major part of our full corporate service. Chris is highly regarded in the insurance industry and his dedication and contribution to this area of practice has been significant. He is fully deserving of his appointment to partner.”

Kevin Butler joined the Cayman office of CD&P in July, 2004 and was called to the Cayman bar in August 2004. Prior to moving to Cayman, Mr. Butler spent seven years with CD&P's Bermuda office. Mr. Butler graduated in 1987 from the University of Western Ontario with a BA in Economics and obtained his LLB in 1993 from the University of British Columbia. Prior to joining CD&P, he worked for the Canadian law firm of Stikeman Elliott in their Vancouver and Montreal offices.

His practice includes all aspects of corporate and commercial law, specialising in securitisations, reorganisations, mergers and acquisitions, project financing, private placements and public offerings.

Richard Finlay, partner and head of the Cayman office said: “This promotion to partner is a deserved reflection of Kevin's contribution to the success of Conyers Dill & Pearman. Kevin's corporate expertise, coupled with his proven understanding of the nuances of offshore law, will continue to provide our clients even more access to the quality offshore advice they have come to expect from CD&P. This is yet another indication of how seamless our global operation is.

“CD&P is committed to providing the best advice relating to Cayman Islands corporate law and Kevin's appointment will augment what is already an impressive and experienced team of corporate lawyers.”