Appleby, Conyers Dill & Pearman make redundancies in Bermuda

Appleby and Conyers Dill & Pearman have both made redundancies in their Bermuda offices as work flows remain sluggish in the offshore jurisdiction.

Appleby, the world’s largest offshore law firm, confirmed it had made nine members of staff and two lawyers redundant from its Hamilton office last week.

Bermuda managing partner Shaun Morris said the firm had taken the step “reluctantly and after a lengthy period of review”.

Group managing partner Peter Bubenzer added that the impact of the global recession had not been spread evenly across the jurisdictions in which the firm operates. “In light of this we have needed to reduce headcount in the Bermuda office to reflect the work available,” said Bubenzer.

Meanwhile Bermuda-headquarters Conyers confirmed it had made 13 redundancies, including six lawyers. A spokesperson said: “We do not have any plans to make any additional staff in Bermuda redundant for the foreseeable future.”

Appleby’s Morris called on the Bermudian government in collaboration with the private sector to convey a message “to different constituents in the global marketplace that Bermuda is open for business and that its value proposition is strong”.

Bermuda is currently suffering more than some of its offshore competitors as a result of the recession. The country’s most recent annual employment report, published in August 2010, said total employment had dropped by 2 per cent between 2008 and 2009. In the international business sector, employment had dropped by 7 per cent, from 4,761 jobs in 2008