Trusts/private client

Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited

For Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited, contentious and non-contentious trusts and private wealth matters are core areas of focus, and the practice is praised by one client as ‘exceptionally strong in dealing with international complex trusts, wealth and succession planning’. Its client base is broad ranging and encompasses ultra-high-net-worth families and professional and lay trustees, as well as banks, financial institutions, and charities. Practice head Keith Robinson is widely recognised as a ’go-to adviser in Bermuda for complex international trust matters’, and he has represented clients before the Supreme Court of Bermuda. Senior counsel Claire van Overdijk KC boasts expertise in cross-border trusts and estates disputes, while counsel Stephanie Bernard is skilled in international and local estate planning arrangements, wealth management structures, and trust restructurings. Counsel Ashley Fife is a trust structuring expert, and litigator and counsel Oliver MacKay is another name of note, as is the ‘simply brilliant’ senior associate Laura Kearns, who has expertise in the establishment and ongoing administration of trusts.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Keith Robinson, Laura Kearns, Ashley Fife and Stephanie Bernard are all outstanding to work with, they always provide solutions that meet the exact needs of my clients or provide documentation and advice that are of the highest quality and standard. They are also very quick and efficient which is a great plus in this industry.’
‘Keith Robinson and Stephanie Bernard are both excellent lawyers, quick to respond, practical and thorough. It is also extremely helpful that the team is connected seamlessly with its Cayman team as it is often the case that issues come up in both jurisdictions and it is so helpful to take advantage of the seamless service Carey Olsen offer.’
‘The team are exceptionally strong in dealing with international complex trusts, wealth and succession planning. They stand out for being highly collaborative, solutions oriented and for being able to develop long-term trusted adviser relationships with their clients. Not only are they exceptional on advisory work but are also extremely strong on contentious matters.'
‘Keith Robinson is without doubt my go-to adviser in Bermuda for complex international trust matters. Keith is exceptionally intelligent, highly commercial and a formidable strategist, but wears his knowledge lightly. He is a natural problem-solver with a keen eye for detail and collaborative style on advisory matters.'
'Laura Kearns is simply brilliant. She is incredibly knowledgeable and extremely capable when it comes to handling significant international trust matters. Laura is very astute, cuts through complex technical matters and delivers pragmatic solutions. She is highly focused and a great pleasure to work with.’
‘Ashley Fife is that ideal combination of clever, practical and focused on solving problems. He is a joy to work with.’
‘We have worked closely with Keith Robinson and Laura Kearns on many issues affecting trusts governed by Bermuda law. We have found them both a joy to work with. They are efficient at dealing with questions and offer practical and sensible advice. Our go-to people on all trust issues in Bermuda.’
‘Keith Robinson is hugely experienced in trust matters, whether it is advising on making an application to the Bermuda court or setting up a complex trust structure. He is a team player. Clients value him for his clear, pragmatic and commercial advice. Laura Kearns is a more junior member of the team but again, we have found her to be efficient in dealing with questions and provides clear and commercial advice.'

Key clients

BCT Limited
Lauretta Stoneham

Work highlights

Advised BCT Limited on a matter concerning a very substantial Bermuda trust (worth US$billions) of which a US resident beneficiary has been embroiled in what the press have called the 'largest ever tax evasion case against an individual in the US'.
Represented Lauretta Stoneham in proceedings in the Bermuda Supreme Court concerning Ms Stoneham's late mother's estate, and brought an application seeking to set aside the last two Wills made by Ms Stoneham's mother on the basis that the deceased lacked testamentary capacity and that they were executed under the undue influence of the deceased's son.