Training a new generation of lawyers to meet the demands of Bermuda's international business sector is essential if the Island is to remain competitive as an offshore destination, according to Mello Jones and Martin partner Andrew Martin.

Mr. Martin, whose firm is recognising its 20th anniversary this month, sat down with The Royal Gazette yesterday to discuss trends in the profession and the challenges it faces going forward.

"There have been changes in the way we have had to practise," said Mr. Martin, when asked how MJM has evolved since its inception. "A number of things have influenced those changes. Obviously there was a large period of expansion in international business in Bermuda in the 1990s, and that contributed significantly to the growth of the type of work that we do."

Today, work relating to the international business constitutes one half of the firm's activity. For that reason, Mr. Martin and his partners keep a wary eye on threats to the industry — both from onshore regulators and emerging competitors.

"Obvious we do try to be responsive to those type of pressures and changes. It's very difficult because we don't control them. We have to keep ourselves at least aware of what those changes are, or are likely to be," he said.

"Clearly there is going to be pressure on all offshore jurisdictions by onshore regulators. That's here to stay, we've got to learn to live with it and learn to benefit from it."

Now Bermuda's third largest practice, MJM began in 1990 as a merger between two existing firms — including Mr. Martin's Hollis and Co.

Reflecting on the changes he has witnessed in the profession since his call to the Bermuda Bar in 1983, Mr. Martin points to the rise of technology.

"The amount of material that is sent electronically, and the speed at which it can be transmitted, has put an enormous pressure on the local profession to keep up and compete with all of the other offshore jurisdictions," he said.

The firm has even launched a pilot project to manage files without any paper whatsoever — though Martin says it could be some time before this becomes a norm.

"There are more people looking to enter the profession than there were 20 years ago. I think the law does offer a very satisfying career opportunity and also a basis for training to go in to all sorts of other professions as well."

Mr. Martin said the firm was committed to recruiting promising Bermudian talent.

"Sometimes easy to think Bermuda is a professional backwater. In fact, you are dealing — in many cases — the top commercial brains in London, New York, Zurich. If there isn't a commitment to training our next generation of lawyers and sustaining the profession, it will become very difficult for us to compete."

As for MJM, Martin says it will likely move toward a limited liability status.

"I think most professional practices will end up moving to limited liability status... there's no doubt that a limited liability structure is much more flexible and much more amenable to a modern business model," he said.

Mr. Martin said the firm has no plans at present to expand overseas like some of its Hamilton rivals, noting its practice is "firmly grounded in Bermuda."

Asked for his outlook on the future of the international business sector and, by extension, the legal profession that depends on it — Mr. Martin said he saw a future of "continuing challenges" which Bermuda was well-equipped to meet.

"We already have a very well-established infrastructure. That is something you cannot build overnight. It is what has sustained Bermuda and I think will continue to sustain Bermuda as long as we look after it."