Gavin Woods > Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited > Hamilton, Bermuda > Lawyer Profile

Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited
Rosebank Centre, 5th Floor
11 Bermudiana Road
Pembroke HM 08
Bermuda

Work Department

Corporate; Banking and Finance; Listing Services; Regulatory; Private Client

Position

Gavin advises on all aspects of Bermuda commercial and corporate law, specializing in corporate finance and corporate structuring. He has extensive experience in insurance-related matters, including the licensing and ongoing regulatory requirements of insurance companies and insurance intermediaries, as well as mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing and alternative risk financing transactions (including cat bonds, insurance-linked securities and side-cars) involving insurers and insurance groups.  In addition, Gavin regularly advises on investment fund matters, Bermuda Stock Exchange listings, segregated accounts, the migration of companies to/from Bermuda, and a wide variety of general and structured finance transactions.

Gavin represents a significant number of international insurance companies headquartered, or with substantial operations, in Bermuda providing a full suite of corporate, regulatory and finance advice as well as bespoke training to these clients. Gavin also acts for numerous global financial institutions on finance and regulatory matters.

Recognised for his insurance expertise in the most recent edition of Chambers and Partners, Gavin is singled out for his work on insurance-linked securities as well as transactional and regulatory insurance mandates as “very strong” and “responsive”. Gavin is also recognised by Legal 500 Caribbean as a “leading individual” in the Insurance/Reinsurance category.

Gavin participates regularly at conferences and seminars and provides commentary to international and local media on the Bermuda insurance industry as well as all other aspects of Bermuda law.

Career

Prior to joining Carey Olsen, Gavin was a partner at another law firm in Bermuda.  Prior to his arrival in Bermuda in 2010, he practised in New York and London for international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2007, the New York State Bar in 2008 and the Bermuda Bar in 2012.

Lawyer Rankings

Bermuda > Regulatory and compliance

Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited‘s versatile practice covers a wide range of both contentious and non-contentious regulatory and compliance issues, with core strengths in providing transactional and non-transactional regulatory guidance for new businesses and advising on ongoing compliance. Michael Hanson, managing partner and co-head of the practice, specialises in multi-jurisdictional crisis management, regulatory investigations, and complex executive disputes. Steven Rees Davies, an expert in the fintech and digital asset sector, and Gavin Woods, renowned for his ‘knowledgeable and tailored’ approach in the insurance sector, also co-head the team. Kyle Masters contributes his expertise in regulatory matters in the telecoms and energy sectors, and in connection with corporate disputes. Other team members include senior counsel Michael Frith, whose experience spans the full spectrum of Bermuda corporate law, and counsel Ashley Fife, who similarly assists with a wide range of corporate and regulatory matters, with a particular focus on private and commercial trust structure transactions.

Bermuda > Banking, finance and capital markets

(Leading individuals)

Gavin WoodsCarey Olsen Bermuda Limited

Praised for its ‘depth of knowledge,’ the multidisciplinary team at Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited advises on a wide range of high-profile matters encompassing leveraged financings, restructurings, asset issues and bilateral and syndicated lending mandates. Gavin Woods, who has extensive experience in insurance and investment fund matters, co-heads the practice alongside Steven Rees Davies, a renowned specialist in the fintech and digital asset sector, and Matthew Grigg, who advises on all forms of corporate and finance transactions. The firm’s roster of key contacts also includes counsel Charissa Ball, who has particular expertise in corporate reorganisations, redomiciling issues and debt and equity offerings; senior associate Michelle Falcucci, whose focus lies on insurance and investment fund law; and counsel Max Tetlow, who possesses experience in the (re)insurance investment fund, financial services and private equity sectors.

Bermuda > Corporate and commercial

The expansive corporate practice at Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited provides comprehensive guidance across a diverse array of areas, encompassing restructurings, M&A, financings and digital assets-based matters, with extensive experience in high-value, cross-border commercial transactions. Gavin Woods, an expert in corporate finance and structuring work, co-leads the practice with a particular emphasis on insurance matters, including licensing and regulatory issues. Fellow co-head Steven Rees Davies lends his expertise as a fintech and digital assets specialist, having played a pivotal role alongside the Bermuda government in crafting its regulatory framework, while co-head Matthew Grigg handles the entire spectrum of corporate and finance transactions across the banking, funds, and insurance sectors. The firm also fields a cadre of other notable contacts, including Charissa Ball, Michelle Falcucci and Max Tetlow, who are all highly proficient in various aspects of commercial and corporate law.

Bermuda > Insurance/reinsurance

(Leading individuals)

Gavin WoodsCarey Olsen Bermuda Limited

Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited is highly regarded for its ‘knowledgeable, responsive, and commercial‘ advice, offering comprehensive guidance on all facets of the Bermuda insurance industry, with a specific emphasis on company formations, licensing issues and regulatory compliance for insurance companies and intermediaries across various classes and categories. At the helm of the team, Gavin Woods specialises in insurance transactions and regulatory matters with a wealth of experience in insurance company licensings, alternative risk financings, and debt and equity financings. Further key names include Michelle Falcucci, who is a specialist in the licensing and regulation of insurance companies and intermediaries; Max Tetlow, who excels in advising private listed and overseas entities; and Alexander Collis, whose expertise extends to incorporations, M&A, reorganisations and restructurings.