Cayman Islands > Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial
Corporate and commercial
Maples and Calder advised Brazil's development bank, BNDES, on the extension of its $1bn bond issue. Clients view the firm as: 'the number one go to firm in Cayman, with strength and depth across the board'. Particularly strong on the funds side the firm has 'unparalleled expertise', according to clients with David Brooks, head of the funds team, described as 'very, very good'. Maples and Calder recently hired investment funds expert Iain McMurdo from Walkers. Prominent partners include Henry Smith, Jon Fowler and Alasdair Robertson. Having had a strong year on Latin American work, the firm was most notably involved in Braskem's $500m debt offering, having advised the company on the Cayman Islands aspects of the deal. 'They have strength and depth, as well as number and quality of people', one client commented. Other clients include HSBC and Goldman Sachs.
Walkers recently acted as Cayman counsel to First Reserve as adviser to funds that indirectly acquired Abbot Group for approximately $3.1bn. Fielding 'a phenomenal team of partners', the firm mainly focuses on finance (structured finance and capital markets, lending, asset finance, restructuring and regulatory), private equity, hedge funds and trusts. Some of the firm's best known individuals include the 'outstanding' Philip Paschalides, the 'always reliable' Julian Black, 'excellent practitioner' and head of private equity Ian Ashman, the 'extremely professional' Guy Locke and 'up and coming' Ingrid Pierce, who spearheads the firm's hedge funds group. Mark Lewis is 'well-known within the funds industry' and Jonathan Tonge also receive praise from clients. The firm recently hired David Collins, a regulatory specialist, who joined as partner in July, from Linklaters LLP. Clients include GLG Partners and Farallon Capital Management.
Appleby's 'experienced and able' corporate and finance team recently advised Enbridge in the $417.8m sale to Ecopetrol of all of its shares in Oledoducto Central. The 'very bright' Sherice Arman led the matter. Simon Raftopoulos and Stephen James led the team that acted as Cayman counsel to a syndicate of leading Indian banks in a landmark $868m loan to Sanmar group to fund its Egypt plant, TCI Sanmar Chemicals. Other clients include Oak Pacific Interactive and Middle Kingdom Alliance.
Fielding fee-earners including five partners, Ogier is widely praised as 'a top notch firm'. Highlights include representing Mayer Brown International LLP as Cayman counsel on a $450m multi-jurisdictional secured revolving credit facility provided by West AG (New York). While James Bagnall, head of banking and finance, is regarded as a 'remarkable lawyer', managing partner and co-head of the firm's global investment funds practice James Bergstrom receives praise for being a 'first-class practitoner'. Also highly recommended are the 'superb' Peter Cockhill, the 'very knowledgeable' Colin MacKay, and the 'fine practitioner' Giorgio Subiotto, co-head of Ogier's Latin American practice. Ogier also acted as Cayman legal counsel to FRM Capital Advisors on the establishment of the FCA Catalyst Fund structure.
Mourant du Feu & Jeune's 'excellent' Cayman Islands team is regarded as 'one to watch'. The firm maintains good relationships with a number of top international law firms for funds work, including Dechert LLP and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. With a strong focus on hedge funds, private equity, banking and M&A, the 'always available and highly professional' Neal Lomax and the 'very knowledgeable' Richard de Basto receive high praise from clients. Transactional highlights include advising on various Cayman insolvency issues arising from the financial difficulties of Sigma Finance. The firm also acted for Natixis on the Cayman aspects of the financing of the construction and operation of four oil rigs.
Solomon Harris owes much to the 'outstanding reputation' of both Sophia Harris and Paul Scrivener. The 'very commercial' Remo Dalimonthee worked alongside Norton Rose LLP on a multi-millon dollar placing of a sharia compliant hedge fund on the AIM market, the first sharia complaint multi-asset class fund to gain admission to AIM. The firm continues to act for Société Générale and Lyxor asset management on the set up of a number of alternative investment funds. Other clients include Harcourt Investment Consulting Marsh Management and Banco Itaú.
Mostly known for its contentious capability, Campbells has built up impressive expertise on a broad range of corporate and finance issues, from investment funds, to secured lending, M&A, and debt and equity listings. John Wolf receives praise for his 'good working relationship with clients', and Robert Searle is regarded as 'very capable and responsive'. The firm acted for CBS in its $110m acquisition of International Outdoor Advertising. Other highlights include advising a major international financial institution on a $8bn restructuring, as well as representing a global investment bank on the launch of funds in the Cayman Islands.
Charles Adams, Ritchie & Duckworth has received a number of instructions from major financial institutions and international law firms, and has also worked closely with several fund promoters. Antony Duckworth, one of the firm's best-known individuals, focuses on corporate commercial, banking, insurance and trusts. Corporate partner Alan de Saram is also recommended.
At Turner & Roulstone Alan Craig stand out for his experience in hedge funds and private equity investment vehicles, as well as insurance. The firm has represented a wide range of clients, including international law firms, large financial institutions and global investment banks, on corporate issues, funds, insurance, structured finance and trusts.
One of the fastest growing teams in Cayman, Conyers Dill & Pearman has lawyers, and spans corporate finance and investment vehicles, as well as structured finance, project financing, private placements and public offerings. The 'bright and easy to do business with' Richard Finlay and Kevin Butler are two of the firm's best-known practitioners. Highlights include acting for a major US investment bank on the sale and restructuring of its investment management division.
Ritch & Conolly offers experience in a broad range of matters and is particularly recommended for its expertise in property-related matters. While founding partner David Ritch is a 'prominent practitioner' in Cayman, Robert Jones also receives praise for being 'able and skilful'.
Stuarts, Walker Hersant Attorneys-At-Law has advised a number of leading international law firms, investment managers, investment companies and high-net-worth individuals on a broad range of corporate and finace issues. Partners Andrew Hersant and Chris Humphrie stand out.
The incorporation of new firm Higgs Johnson Truman Bodden & Co follows the merger between Bahamian firm Higgs & Johnson and local Caymanian firm Truman Bodden & Company. Gina Berry and Chris Narborough are the firm's best known individuals. While Berry specialises in conveyancing and property law, probate and estate administration, planning and development law, Narborough spans general company and commercial law, banking, insurance and trusts. Clients include Fortune companies, multinational corporations, financial institutions, law firms, banks, trust and insurance companies as well as private clients.