November 2025
Lennox Paton elevates two attorneys to Senior Associate
Lennox Paton is proud to announce the elevation of Valdere Murphy and Wilfred Ferguson Jr. to Senior Associate effective November 2025. Both attorneys serve as key members of the firm’s Litigation team.
On the appointments, Lennox Paton Senior Partner, Brian Simms KC noted, “We are delighted to announce the promotion of Wilfred and Valdere to Senior Associate within our Litigation Department. Both began their careers with us as pupils and have grown into exceptional practitioners through dedication, resilience, and a commitment to excellence. Their progression is a testament not only to their hard work, but also to the strength of our training program, which continues to develop talented young lawyers into leaders of the future. I am proud of their achievements and look forward to their continued contributions to the firm and to our clients.”
About Valdere Murphy
Valdere was called to the Bar in 2018 and joined the firm that same year. He regularly appears as junior counsel before the Supreme Court. Valdere has also appeared as lead Counsel on occasion in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. Valdere has a keen interest in insolvency and restructuring, asset tracing, injunctive relief, corporate and contractual disputes, admiralty and trust litigation.
Valdere completed his Bar Training at the Eugene Dupuch Law School, where he graduated as valedictorian. His academic accomplishments include receiving awards for top performing student in trial advocacy, legal drafting and interpretation and the law of evidence.
Valdere is skilled in representing both individual and institutional clients at all stages of litigation, including interlocutory applications (such as injunctive relief), at trial and on appeal. Valdere has also gained noteworthy experience in complex cross-border insolvency and restructuring matters since joining the firm, and has assisted lead counsel Sophia Rolle-Kapousouzoglou acting on behalf of the Joint Official Liquidators of FTX Digital Markets Ltd.
Valdere currently holds the position of Chair of the Young Lawyers Group of Multilaw for the Caribbean/Offshore Region. Valdere has been ranked as a “Leading Associate” by the Legal 500 Directory for the years 2025 and 2026.
On his new appointment, Valdere commented, “I am honoured by my recent elevation to Senior Associate. Having started with the Firm as a summer intern, I am grateful for the exceptional training and mentorship I have received throughout the years. It is a privilege to be part of a such a robust and dynamic Firm, which provides exceptional value to clients both domestic and international in an ever-changing global market. I hope to continue contributing to this in the years to come.”
About Wilfred Ferguson Jr.
Wilfred was called to the Bar in 2018 and joined the firm that same year. He works directly under Brian Simms KC, Senior Partner and Head of Litigation. Wilfred’s practice focusses on insolvency and restructuring, trust disputes, commercial litigation, personal injury, contractual disputes and fraud cases. He is a member of The Bahamas Bar Association, The Bar of England and Wales and The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.
Wilfred has appeared as junior counsel in both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal of the Bahamas. Notably, he has assisted senior counsel with research on the ongoing contentious and high profile Volpi v Delanson Services Ltd matter. This significant trust dispute, involves the jurisdictional limits of the Supreme Court to assist in trust-related arbitrations. Additionally, Wilfred sites acting as junior counsel on behalf of the trustee in a contentious trustee-removal application as being a significant professional opportunity. The matter engages several complex and developing issues in Bahamian trust law, including the scope and enforceability of no-contest clauses and the Court’s inherent supervisory jurisdiction; the proper effect of anti-Bartlett clauses on a trustee’s oversight obligations; and the extent of a trustee’s duty to disclose documents relating to trust-owned companies to its beneficiaries. It also raises important questions concerning the balance between the privacy traditionally afforded to trust disputes and the principle of open justice, as well as the management of highly contentious beneficiary disputes. He notes that it has been a privilege to assist in addressing these significant issues, which lie at the core of modern trust administration and litigation.
On his appointment, Wilfred noted, “I am grateful to be promoted to Senior Associate. My career at the firm has provided invaluable exposure to complex, contentious litigation, including the opportunity to serve as junior counsel in a recent ongoing multibillion-dollar contentious trust dispute. Over the years, I have developed a strong and growing practice in complex trust and estate litigation, and I am committed to delivering strategic, results driven advice in this highly specialized area. I am thankful for the confidence placed in me by the partners and for the experience that has shaped my development as a litigator. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the firm’s outstanding litigation practice and to delivering exceptional results for our clients.”
Lennox Paton recognizes that the key to its continued success is its people. The firm remains committed to the ongoing recognition and advancement of its team of legal experts.
Download the PDF here: Lennox Paton Senior Associate Elevations
