Appleby Spurling & Kempe and Hunter & Hunter announced today that the two law firms will unite their business operations on April 1, 2004, creating the first law firm with a major presence in both Bermuda and the Cayman Islands — two of the world’s leading offshore business centres. The combined group, to be known as Appleby Spurling Hunter, will have an expanded presence in the British Virgin Islands and the major financial centres of Hong Kong and London, giving it a very broad and unique reach among offshore law firms, providing powerful benefits to clients.
Partners of the two firms voted unanimously in December, 2003, to approve the creation of the new enterprise, which will be a combined entity of approximately 430 lawyers and staff worldwide. This combination will result in one of the largest offshore providers of legal and business services.
“Joining Appleby Spurling & Kempe and Hunter & Hunter together creates an optimal situation for clients,” said AS&K Managing Partner, Peter Bubenzer. “They will benefit from a broader and deeper array of services in all of our locations and have dispassionate guidance regarding the selection of the most appropriate offshore jurisdiction,” he noted. “The range of our expertise will be greatly enhanced, so we will be able to offer access to even greater resources.”
“Our two firms are already leaders in their respective jurisdictions,” said Bruce Putterill, Senior Partner of Hunter & Hunter, “and we share a common vision of providing impeccable quality and outstanding service for those doing business offshore. The combination of firms strengthens each of our historical footholds and opens the door to an even greater presence in other offshore jurisdictions. Also, with offices in major business locations such as London and Hong Kong, we provide access to, from and among key financial centres.”
The combined group will continue to focus on the historical strengths of each firm: general company and corporate advice, insurance, funds and investment services, asset finance and banking, telecommunications, dispute resolution, insolvency and restructuring, capital markets and financial structures, trusts and real property. Additionally, the legal offerings are complemented by trust, corporate administration and company management services.
