For Bermudian Mr. Anthony Whaley, new partner at law firm Conyers, Dill & Pearman, success came after a mixture of work, recognising a career early, and a measure of luck.

Mr. Whaley and Mr. Graham Collis, were earlier this month made partners of the firm.

The new partners will continue to focus their efforts on corporate law.

Taking a suggestion from the vice chancellor of the University of Kent to heart meant Mr. Whaley took the fast track to law school by foregoing a pre-law degree.

While attending Bermuda College the vice chancellor visited the Island and noted more Bermudians could go directly to law school in the UK instead of first obtaining non-law degrees elsewhere.

Calling it "being in the right place at the right time,'' the young man, son of Mr. Anthony Whaley and Mrs. Guerlaine Whaley, picked up on the advice and chose to forego a pre-law degree in Canada or the US.

He had even filled out forms to apply to Canadian universities.

At 21 he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in law from the University of Kent in England. Between university years he worked summers at CD&P.

In 1986 he was called to the Bar of England and Wales.

Now 30, he is the first black partner in CD&P's 67-year history.

He believes it could mean more black youths will see the profession as more accessible and he is willing to respond to inquiries from students.

"Approaching any company or firm can be intimidating. Being here to answer questions and being able to speak honestly and candidly about the profession is important,'' Mr. Whaley said.

Mr. Whaley's other community endeavours include membership on the Bermuda International Business Association's (BIBA) local marketing committee and on the Human Rights Commission.

"Work toward your goals and there are no limitations,'' he added.

After pupillage in London, he worked for two years with Slaughter & May in their London office then in their Hong Kong office corporate department where he specialised in corporate and commercial matters.

He joined CD&P as an associate lawyer in August 1991. It was in that year he was called to the Bermuda Bar.

Mr. Whaley received his early education at Warwick Academy and the Bermuda College.

As a Rhodes Scholar, he attended Oxford University in 1986 and 1987 and obtained his Bachelor of Civil Law degree.

"The road continues as before. I continue to deal with clients through mutual funds, unit trusts, partnerships and general ongoing advice to companies,'' he said.

Mr. Collis, 35, joined the partners as an associate in January 1992.

He was educated at Saltus Grammar School and Rugby School in Britain before proceeding to the University of Toronto where he gained a Bachelor of Commerce degree with honours.

Mr. Collis, son of CD&P senior partner and former Senator the Hon. Charles Collis, continued his education at Corpus Christi College, Oxford University before reading for the Bar and being called to the Bar at Middle Temple in 1986.

Prior to returning to Bermuda in 1992, he was with the London law firm Macfarlanes in their company, commercial and banking department, and was seconded to Maitland & Co. in Luxembourg.

Mr. Collis is the third member of the Collis family to become a partner at CD&P. Mr. Collis' brother, Mr. John Collis, is also a partner.

CD&P, with offices in the Clarendon House in Hamilton, was formed in 1928 when the firm of Mr. N. Bayard Dill and Mr. James Pearman, both of whom were later knighted, merged operations with Sir Reginald Conyers.

Of the about 200 people with CD&P, one of the Island's largest law firms, 15 are partners while 26 are associate lawyers.

NEW CD&P PARTNERS -- Mr. Anthony Whaley, left, and Mr. Graham Collis on April 1 became the newest partners at the law firm of Conyers, Dill & Pearman.