Profile

Laura is a partner in Kennedys’ Bermuda office and a member of the commercial litigation team, handling matters involving financial services, insurance, professional negligence, insolvency and trusts. She has recently been recognised in the Legal 500 Caribbean as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ in the field of dispute resolution, having previously been recognised as a ‘Rising Star’.

Laura has a broad commercial practice with a particular focus on trusts disputes and on litigation and arbitration involving the financial services and insurance industries. Many of her cases have a multi-jurisdictional element, including in relation to the UK, US, Brazil, Hong Kong and others. She is an associate member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (“STEP”) and is working towards full TEP status. She is also a member of the Restructuring and Insolvency Specialists Association of Bermuda (“RISA Bermuda”) and an honorary overseas member of the English Commercial Bar Association (“COMBAR”).

Prior to joining Kennedys, Laura practised as a barrister in London for five years, during which time she was regularly instructed as sole counsel at every stage from pre-action advice through to final determination at trial or on appeal, as well as acting as junior counsel alongside leading counsel.

Laura is a particularly strong advocate and has been consistently praised by clients and judges alike for her outstanding advocacy skills, for which she has won various awards and prizes.

Laura Williamson is outstanding. She’s smart, responsive and incredibly hard-working.

Market recognition

  • Next Generation Partner and recommended lawyer for 'Dispute Resolution (Bermuda)'
    "We also work with Laura Williamson who has recently been made up and who we think very highly of. We think she is a future star in Bermuda."
    The Legal 500 Caribbean 2024
  • Recommended lawyer for 'Insurance/Reinsurance (Bermuda)'
    "Laura Williamson is outstanding. She’s smart, responsive and incredibly hard-working."
    The Legal 500 Caribbean 2024
  • Rising Star and recommended lawyer for 'Dispute Resolution (Bermuda)'
    "Laura Williamson is reputed for her 'enviable sense of judgment' in insurance arbitrations and professional liability matters."
    The Legal 500 Caribbean 2023
  • Recommended lawyer for 'Insurance/Reinsurance (Bermuda)'
    "Laura Williamson is hard-working, thorough and committed in her work and shows an enviable sense of judgment in her practice."
    The Legal 500 Caribbean 2023
  • Recommended lawyer for 'Dispute Resolution (Bermuda)'
    "Laura Williamson plays a key role in the department."
    The Legal 500 Caribbean 2022
  • Recommended lawyer for 'Insurance/Reinsurance (Bermuda)'
    The Legal 500 Caribbean 2022

Work highlights

  • Representing various beneficiaries to three discretionary trusts in relation to a “momentous decision” application by the trustee
  • Advising a former beneficiary in relation to his rights in respect of the family trust
  • Representing a former director in relation to a claim concerning the alleged misuse of the company’s confidential information
  • Representing a law firm in a high value claim for professional negligence in relation to a high-profile property development scheme
  • Representing shareholders in the largest appraisal action to be brought in Bermuda to date
  • Representing an insurer in a Bermuda Form arbitration concerning a coverage dispute with a major pharmaceutical company
  • Advising a big four accountancy firm on sensitive regulatory matters involving different Bermuda regulators
  • Advising an insurer on the prospects of avoiding the policy for material non-disclosure and misrepresentation
  • Various applications for anti-suit injunctions (including non-contractual anti-suit injunctions) to enforce compliance with arbitration agreements
  • Coverage counsel in respect of various matters, including a high-value dispute between social media companies and UK recognition proceedings in respect of a solvent Bermudian winding-up

Presentations and publications

  • Mini-series on letters of wishes in discretionary trusts:
    • Part one: “Your wish is not my command”: letters of wishes and their use in discretionary trusts
    • Part two: Amending a letter of wishes
    • Part three: Beneficiaries’ access to the letter of wishes
  • Removal of an arbitrator for bias in a Bermuda arbitration (according to a New York court)
  • Bermuda: Restructuring & Insolvency 2021 (International Comparative Law Guides)
  • Bermuda: Private Client 2021 (International Comparative Law Guides)
  • Bermuda: International Arbitration 2020 (International Comparative Law Guides)
  • Investment fund administrators: liability for ‘gross negligence’
  • Piercing the privilege: beneficiaries’ right to obtain legal advice provided to a trustee