Law firm of Conyers Dill & Pearman (CD&P) recently hired three new fund lawyers with two of the attorneys recruited to augment its London operation and another to "bolster" its team in Hong Kong.

Christopher Johnson-Gilbert joined CD&P's London practice from Linklaters where he had been practising corporate law as a partner since 1986. From 1988 to 1991 he was a partner in the Hong Kong office of Linklaters and at that time was admitted to practise in Hong Kong.

Christopher specialises in investment funds and CD&P said he was "for many years been involved in advising companies incorporated in Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and the BVI".

Kieran Loughran, who trained at Norton Rose and gained experience at Ashursts, joined CD&P in London after spending the last four years as an attorney in a Cayman Islands firm where he reportedly had a varied corporate law workload with a focus on mutual funds.

Piers Alexander joined the Hong Kong Office of Conyers Dill & Pearman as an Associate in November of 2002. He read English at the University of West of England in Bristol and qualified as a solicitor in England in 1995. Piers trained at Clifford Chance in London and worked for Clifford Chance in London and later, Clifford Chance in Hong Kong.

Mr. Alexander was said to have extensive experience of mutual funds law, and will continue to specialise in that area at CD&P.

Speaking of the appointments, Martin Lane, head of Conyers Dill & Pearman's London office said: "We are delighted to have secured the services of Christopher and Kieran to enhance further our offshore funds practice in London. Christopher's extensive experience of the London investment funds market and our ability to assist in the establishment of funds in Bermuda, BVI and Cayman allow us to offer a truly unique service to clients of the Firm." Meanwhile Lilian Woo, head of CD&P's Hong Kong office, said: "We are delighted to have a person of Piers' expertise and experience with us. He will undoubtedly strengthen our rapidly expanding funds practice in Asia."

Endurance Specialty Insurance Ltd., a global provider of property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, has hired two experienced underwriting executives in its Professional Lines group. Endurance's Professional Lines group focuses on coverage for Directors & Officers, Errors & Omissions and Employment Practices liabilities. Mary Lou Douglas joins Endurance as Vice President, Professional Lines, and Catherine Bennett also joins as vice president, Professional Lines. "We're assembling a Professional Lines team that helps us focus on underwriting discipline and careful risk selection," said David Cabral, executive vice president, Excess Casualty and Professional Liability at Endurance. "Mary Lou and Catherine bring proven experience and leadership to our team."