The Cayman Islands Law Society (“Law Society”) held its officer elections at an EGM on Tuesday, 2 October 2012 to vote in the newest board members. Alasdair Robertson, a partner at Maples and Calder, was elected President. He succeeds Charles Jennings, who has served in the post for a total of 10 years, from 2001-2006 and again from 2008-2012. A new slate of officials was installed, including Vice Presidents, Antonia Hardy, Kevin Butler and James Bagnall, who retains his previous role. Huw Moses will take up the position of Secretary and Treasurer.

Speaking to his appointment, Alasdair Robertson said, “I am honoured to accept the role of President of the Law Society and I look forward to working closely with my fellow officials and indeed the membership as a whole to represent the legal profession to the best of my abilities.”

“We are very focused on the core mission of the Society which is to make representations on matters of concern to the profession as well as contribute our legal expertise in matters which benefit the Cayman Islands and its community.”

“We aim to constructively engage with all stakeholders to achieve this mission. The Cayman Islands legal profession boasts a talented pool of individuals and it is important that we continue to utilise our people to the betterment of the Islands.

Members present at the EGM also took time to thank Charles Jennings for his outstanding service and leadership over the years, having been President for a longer period than any of his predecessors.  Alasdair Robertson commented, “Charles has led the Law Society through a period of time which has seen many challenges to the profession and the Islands generally. It has required a lot of skill and countless hours to successfully guide the Law Society through those challenges. I wish to personally thank him for his selfless devotion and leadership.”

Alasdair Robertson is global head of the Finance practice of Maples and Calder and sits on the Cayman office management committee.

Alasdair has been actively involved with the Law Society for six years, serving as Secretary and Treasurer under the presidency of both Charles Jennings and Charles Quin QC (now Justice Quin QC).

Antonia Hardy is the managing partner of Walkers’ Cayman Islands office and a member of the firm’s global management committee. She has been a leading contributor in the Law Society sub-committee dealing with the Legal Practitioners Bill.

Kevin Butler joined Conyers Dill & Pearman in 1997 and is a director and Head of the firm’s Cayman Islands office. Kevin has been involved in a number of sub-committees for the Law Society, bringing his expertise and over 15 years’ experience as an attorney in both Canada and Bermuda before being admitted in the Cayman Islands as an attorney-at-law in 2004.

Ogier partner, James Bagnall, joined the firm in 1993. In addition to his role with the Law Society, where he’s been a council member since 1995, James also teaches the exempted limited partnership law course for the professional qualifying exam at the Cayman Islands Law School.

Huw Moses OBE, former managing partner of Appleby, has now set up HSM Chambers, a new law firm, with Derek Jones, former managing partner of Higgs & Johnson. He is currently the chairman of the Labour Appeals Tribunal, and is on the Board of Directors of Trustees of the Cayman Islands National Recovery Fund.

Outgoing President, Charles Jennings, said of the elections, “I would like to thank everyone for their help over the years, particularly past presidents Michael Alberga and David Ritch for their staunch support, Peter Broadhurst, vice president James Bagnall, former treasurer George Giglioli, and my friend and successor, Alasdair Robertson. I wish the best of luck to Alasdair, Antonia, Kevin, James and Huw in their roles. They are an excellent team and the Law Society will benefit greatly from their leadership.”

About the Cayman Islands Law Society

The Cayman Islands Law Society is a professional association representing the entire legal profession of the Cayman Islands. Membership is open to persons who are admitted as Cayman Islands attorneys-at-law, and the organization currently boasts over 400 members. The main role of the Society is to make representations on matters of concern to the profession, and in particular to provide input to the Cayman Islands Government on legislation and other matters that may affect its members or the Cayman Islands.

The Cayman Islands Law Society is a member of the International Bar Association and the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.