The Bermuda office of global law firm Kennedys has appointed two new partners.

Simon Benedek is former principal at Benedek Lewin, a boutique corporate law firm on the island, and specialises in all aspects of banking, finance and corporate law.

Newly promoted partner, Laura Williamson, is a former London barrister who joined Kennedys in 2019.

Mr Benedek qualified in the UK and worked in London for several years before moving to the island in 2005, where he has been involved in some of Bermuda’s biggest and most strategically important deals, Kennedys said.

They include the public-private partnership refinancing of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, the sale and purchase of a number of major hotel developments, plus advising government on the development of Bermuda’s first commercial-scale solar facility.

The firm said Ms Williamson had quickly established a successful commercial litigation and arbitration practice in Bermuda, advising and representing clients in relation to a broad range of commercial disputes, including trusts, corporate, insolvency, and insurance matters, with a particular focus on multi-jurisdictional issues.

Kennedys said she had risen through the ranks at the firm due to her straightforward commercial advice, sound legal judgment and outstanding advocacy skills.

Mark Chudleigh, lead partner in Bermuda, said: “We are delighted to welcome Simon, whose enviable reputation precedes him, having been involved in numerous high-profile and high-value corporate transactions in Bermuda.

“I’d also like to congratulate Laura on her deserved promotion. She has developed a much sought-after practice in Bermuda and over the four years since joining Kennedys Laura has earned the respect of Kennedys’ clients as well as her colleagues and peers at the Bermuda Bar.”

Nicholas Miles, a partner in the Bermuda office, said: “Simon’s expertise in banking and finance makes him a valuable asset to Kennedys’ commercial division, further cementing the firm’s international banking offering and enabling us to meet the growing demand from clients.

“Having worked alongside Laura these past few years, I have come to admire her straightforward and sound commercial advice and I am delighted to have her as a partner.”