have submitted resignations from the firm.

The resignations could severely hurt the firm, which is part of the legal team representing the liquidator in the Bermuda Fire & Marine Insurance Co. Ltd.

suit.

Jan Woloniecki, Rod Attride-Stirling, Kehinde George, and Barclay Simmons have submitted resignations. Mr. Woloniecki has been representing Milligan-White & Smith at the Bermuda Fire civil suite in Supreme Court.

Ian Kawaley, one of two lawyers left in the litigation department, has been appearing on occasion in his absence. Mr. Kawaley is being made a partner in the 12-lawyer firm.

The Royal Gazette understands the four are leaving to set up their own firm.

According to a source they are dissatisfied with the way the law firm is being run by the partners.

Ms George said she had no comment to make when contacted yesterday.

Partner John Milligan-Whyte referred the question of whether the firm would still remain part of the Bermuda Fire legal team to the company's liquidator.

The Royal Gazette was unable to contact the liquidator's lawyers yesterday.

Mr. Milligan-Whyte disputed claims the loss of lawyers at a critical moment would harm the firm.

"We are hiring new litigation lawyers,'' he said. "There are no hard feelings on our side. People decide to do their own thing and this is the way it is. We are in a period of growth.''