The Legal 500 > Caribbean > Bermuda > Banking, finance and capital markets

Appleby regularly advises ship and aircraft owners, lessors and lessees, and joint venture and project developers on all matters related to banking, international real estate and asset finance. The team's expertise encompasses syndicated loan facilities, reviewing facility and security documentation, regulatory advice, and acting on the financing of power projects, telecoms ventures, and oil and gas projects globally. The group also assists with a range of emerging technologies including blockchain, virtual currencies, financial technologies, and digital technology and e-commerce products. In a recent highlight, the team advised China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings on the local law aspects of China Aircraft Global's $790m senior secured commercial aircraft portfolio financing. The names to note are Bermuda managing partner Tim Faries, Tammy Richardson-Augustus, Clive Langley, Jerome Wilson , Gary Harris and counsel Tiffany Boys. David Clark recently moved to Bermuda from the firm's BVI office; he is an expert in banking, project finance, capital markets, structured finance and restructuring matters.

Conyers Dill & Pearman is highly rated for its expertise in IPOs, M&A, insurance, securitisation, shipping and aircraft financing, and corporate restructuring; the practice has also recently been active in the offshore energy and shipping sectors in Norway, Asia, and North America. Sophia Greaves led advice to Textainer Group Holdings, a global lessor of intermodal containers, on an amendment by its wholly-owned subsidiary to its existing revolving credit facility; and Neil Henderson, together with the Cayman office, acted for Start and Start Holding as issuers on an asset-backed securitisation that comprised three tranches of notes, which were secured against a portfolio of 24 in-production aircraft. Graham Collis leads the Bermuda corporate department and has a particular focus on insurance, securities and financing issues, and David Cooke has notable expertise in securities work, asset financing and M&A. Other highly regarded directors include Marcello Ausenda, Jason Piney and Guy Cooper, along with Victor Richards, Chiara Nannini and Niel Jones. Counsel Angela Atherden and associate Edward Rance are also experienced advisers.

Carey Olsen launched its Bermuda office in late 2017, with the banking and finance department established in 2018 when practice head Mary Ward joined from Conyers Dill & Pearman and Gavin Woods was recruited from Appleby. Ward is experienced in securities law and equity and debt financings for insurers and insurance groups (including private placements, listed debt offerings and IPOs), while Woods is recognised for high-profile insurance-linked securities work, investment fund issues and catastrophe bond structures. Adam Bathgate, who relocated to Bermuda from the firm's Cayman Islands office, is the key counsel to note.

Cox Hallett Wilkinson Limited's 'responsive and commercial practice' has notable expertise in property financings, infrastructure projects, asset finance work and transactions in the insurance sector. The group's client base spans a range of industry sectors and includes captive insurance, natural resources, aviation, shipping, investment fund, retail and telecoms companies. Managing director Ernest Morrison is experienced in banking, finance and capital markets work including regulatory issues, private and public offerings, and asset finance issues. Janice Gutteridge and Kathleen Moniz are noteworthy senior associates; Moniz recently joining from Conyers Dill & Pearman.

MJM Limited fields experts in asset and ship finance, with a particular focus on the Norwegian shipping and offshore drilling sector, and also regularly handles international equity offerings and listings. Other areas of strength span international banking and finance mandates, real estate finance work including hotel, club and resort matters, and corporate borrowing transactions. Former director Peter Martin recently stepped down from a management role and is now counsel, with newly promoted director Jeremy Leese now leading the corporate and finance department. Senior associate Brian Holdipp is also singled out.

Wakefield Quin is singled out for its banking and structured finance expertise, and also handles public and private offerings of debt and equity securities. Erik Gotfredsen is recommended for finance and capital market transactions including offerings, banking and financial services matters, structured deals, project finance work, and secured lending issues; and Ian Stone's experience includes project finance mandates, IPOs, and public company and capital markets transactions. Managing partner Nicholas Hoskins also contributes to the group.