What we say about the firm's legal practice in Cayman Islands
Corporate and commercial
Within Corporate and commercial, Conyers Dill & Pearman is a second tier firm,
'Fast and fairly priced firm' Conyers Dill & Pearman was rejoined by recently promoted partner Gene DaCosta, who had been seconded to the Hong Kong office for a year. The team advised on the Cayman law aspects of Kosmos Energy's reorganisation. Office head Richard Finlay and Olivaire Watler are recommended. Kevin Butler is 'an excellent lawyer'.
Dispute resolution
Within Dispute resolution, Conyers Dill & Pearman is a third tier firm,
Conyers Dill & Pearman specialises in commercial litigation in courts of first instance and appellate courts including the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, as well as trust disputes and other disputes involving fiduciaries. Team head Nigel Meeson QC achieved a notable victory on behalf of Hibistar Pte before the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands, and in the process broke new ground in funds insolvency law. Associate Stephen Leontsinis 'is plainly going places'.
Insurance/reinsurance
Within Insurance/reinsurance , Conyers Dill & Pearman is a third tier firm,
'Excellent firm' Conyers Dill & Pearman's insurance practice is complemented by experienced corporate, trust and litigation lawyers, the latter advising in insurance and reinsurance litigation. The practice represented AIG in evaluating a potential sale of 100% of the stock of Delaware-based American Life Insurance Company. Kevin Butler is a principal contact.
Investment funds
Within Investment funds, Conyers Dill & Pearman is a second tier firm,
Conyers Dill & Pearman's practice set up a sizeable Cayman Islands segregated portfolio company that is intended to have thirty or more segregated portfolios, each of which will feed into a separate master fund. The team also established an umbrella fund structured as a unit trust with 15+ sub-funds. Gene DaCosta was promoted to partner and Kevin Butler is a private equity fund expert. Richard Finlay heads the group.
Legal market overview
Within Legal market overview,
For some clients, Maples and Calder is 'without question the best law firm in the Cayman Islands', with international offshore practices Appleby, Conyers Dill & Pearman, Ogier Mourant Ozannes and Walkers all aggressively chasing. Campbells is, overall, the strongest of the local firms, with Solomon Harris also a serious contender.
Real estate
Within Real estate , Conyers Dill & Pearman is a third tier firm,
Conyers Dill & Pearman advises on purchasing, leasing, development and finance, but also handles all aspects of arbitration and litigation in connection with residential and commercial property. The practice advised a major financial institution in the financing of the largest tourism and resort facility located in the Cayman Islands. Richard Finlay is recommended.
Trusts/private client
Within Trusts/private client, Conyers Dill & Pearman is a second tier firm,
Conyers Dill & Pearman's 'service is excellent'. The trust disputes and private client team was created in September 2009 and receives instructions from prominent UK and US firms on both contentious and non-contentious matters. The team advised on the establishment of a highly bespoke sharia-compliant Cayman Islands-registered private trust company and underlying trust for an UHNW Dubai settler and his family. Litigation head Nigel Meeson QC leads the group and the 'extremely competent' David Pytches specialises in all areas of non-contentious private and commercial trusts law, wills and succession planning; Pytches is 'an excellent trust lawyer and a very safe pair of hands'. Contentious trust expert Bernadette Carey 'demonstrates an in-depth appreciation of trust issues'. Clients say that although Sara Collins' retirement from the practice was 'a sad loss to the firm, the excellence of its trust advice remains undimmed'.