Ogier is delighted to announce that its newest associates Samantha Conolly and Kayla Lewis have been admitted as attorneys at law in the Cayman Islands, following completion of their Article Clerkships in Ogier’s Cayman Islands office.

As a result of the continued Covid-19 lockdown, the swearing in of the Islands’ newly qualified lawyers took place on meeting platform Zoom with over 75 family, friends and colleagues joining online to watch the ceremony.

Both Samantha and Kayla joined Ogier’s Articled Clerkship programme, which aims to foster, support and develop local talent in the Cayman Islands, in September 2018. Kayla had previously been a summer intern at the firm.

Samantha has joined Ogier’s Private Wealth team. She came to Ogier with a raft of degrees and having already had a distinguished career as a pharmacist in the Cayman Islands. She still serves as the Deputy Chair of the Pharmacy Council at the Health Practice Commission of the Cayman Islands. Samantha’s degrees include a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Prince Edward Island,  a Bachelor of Pharmacy from the University of Toronto, a Masters in Human Resources with Honours from the University College of the Cayman Islands, a law degree from the University of Liverpool and a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Studies with distinction from Oxford Brookes University.

Upon qualification, Kayla has joined Ogier’s Investment Funds team. She joined Ogier with an impressive educational background, having obtained a Cayman Qualifying Law Degree from the Truman Bodden Law School, a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice with Distinction from Oxford Brookes University, a Juris Doctorate from the Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and European Studies (with a focus on French language and classical studies) from York University in Toronto. Kayla excelled at every stage of her education; she was awarded the O.L. Panton Memorial Prize for best performance over the Professional Practice Course, the Attorney General’s Trophy for best performance in the Qualifying Examination and was recognised on York University Dean’s Honour Roll.

Practice Partner James Bergstrom said: “We are not just looking for technical expertise from those keen to join our programme but also the curiosity and confidence to be innovative and to enjoy working as part of a team. Both Samantha and Kayla have dedicated themselves to their learning and development and have become valued members of the Cayman Islands team. I look forward to seeing their careers progress with us.”

Samantha said: “Ogier’s training programme is unrivalled. They have an open door policy which means that everyone shows an interest in your success and helping you on your journey.”

Kayla said: “I have received a first class training experience from a firm that has truly made my learning and development a priority and I am elated to be joining the firm as an associate in the investment funds team. The mentoring and the help I have received from colleagues has been instrumental in helping me choose the next direction in my career.”

Ogier Cayman’s Articled Clerk programme provides Caymanians looking to join the legal profession with comprehensive practical training in the main areas of legal work undertaken by the firm. Articled Clerks work alongside partners and associates to gain exposure to top-tier international work, develop their expertise across Ogier’s main service lines and work on cases and transactions on a rotations basis. In addition to gaining exposure to transactional work, each Articled Clerk is encouraged to develop their skills in other areas such as business development, client care, and financial management. The development of these skills and qualities is important to equip each Articled Clerk to provide the business-orientated service expected by clients and to play a part in developing and managing Ogier’s business.