Several of Bermuda's high-flying legal eagles and their firms have been named by a leading London publishing company that produces guides to the world's top legal fraternities.

Chambers & Partners Publishing began as general book publishers in 1969 and now produce guides to the legal profession. The guides are based on interviews with law firms' clients.

In the latest guide, the leading firms in Bermuda are; in first place Conyers Dill & Pearman (CD&P), in second place Appleby Spurling & Kempe (AS&K), and in joint third Cox Hallet Wilkinson and Mello Jones and Martin.

Chambers & Partners said of CD&P: “In a division of its own in Bermuda agree our interviewees, the firm boasts an enviable international following and a niche in practising Caribbean-wide law.

“Focusing upon insurance, mutual funds and financial transactions, the team is noted for its commercial outlook.

“It also specialises in advice on company formation, M&A and asset financing, including aircraft and ship financing.”

Chambers & Partners also said securities expert John Collis, who heads CD&P's corporate department, is “the most vital lawyer in the country.

Also of CD&P David Cooke was described as “a great asset to the firm” while insurance specialist David Doyle was praised for his experience in Bermudian law.

CD&P spokesman Ross Webber said yesterday: “It is extremely pleasing that our capabilities have been recognised by our clients, and it is the clients who give the recommendations to journals such as Chambers & Partners. It is all well and good us saying that we are one of the pre-eminent corporate law firms in the offshore world, it is significantly more satisfying when that is reflected by other people.”

Appleby Spurling and Kempe were ranked second of the Bermuda law firms and Chambers & Partners said the firm was perceived by its competitors as an “entrepreneurial” outfit, undertaking “top class work.” With a full service branch in Hong Kong, AS&K was dubbed “a truly international insurance practice,” by those responding to the survey.

AS&K's corporate and commercial practice areas include insurance, asset-finance, securities and financial services with a growing niche in IT and e-commerce.

Chambers & Partners said of AS&K: “The company law department is led by “client-friendly” Peter Bubenzer who “always has a good grasp of the issues,” and they said David Lines has been noticed by market commentators as “a head above the rest.”

Cox Hallet and Wilkinson was highly regarded in the market according to Chambers & Partners who said: “The firm is better known by some interviewees as a litigation outfit, and has advised on various corporate deals this year. It acted on behalf of a major European power company on the acquisition of a local licensed telecoms carrier.”

Chambers & Partners also said a growth area this year for Cox Hallet & Wilkinson had been film financing work, in particular partnership and leaseback arrangements for UK film companies.

The firm's Ernest Morrison, with expertise in mutual funds and insurance work was endorsed by peers as “easy to work with.”

Mello Jones & Martin was described as: “A small, strong team for international commercial matters, fielding big hitters such as the serious and capable head of the international corporate practice Peter Martin. Offering a wide range of corporate expertise, including take-overs and M&A and listing securities on the Bermuda Stock Exchange. The commercial litigation team is particularly rated by the market.”

Chambers & Partners also mentioned other notable practitioners and said: “As an associated office of Ernst & Young, Hollis & Co has produced two practitioners who stand out in the corporate and commercial market. Wendell Hollis (managing partner) receives regular instructions from Fortune 500 clients and has been applauded for his straightforward style. He is currently working on the restructuring of Norwegian Cruise Line. New to the tables this year is the talented Julie Stanton, who has impressed interviewees with the standard of her corporate expertise, in particular with mutual funds and investment arrangements.”