Firms To Watch: Investment funds

Spanning fund formation, maintenance and registration work, Campbells provides comprehensive advice to fund managers, advisers, administrators and other entities with investment businesses in the BVI. Fintech and blockchain matters are further areas of expertise for the firm.

Investment funds in British Virgin Islands

Conyers

Conyers‘ investment funds practice stands out in the BVI market for its expertise in advising top-tier hedge fund sponsors and private equity houses on formation, structuring, establishment and management issues relating to segregated portfolio companies and hybrid funds. Transactional law expert Robert Briant leads the practice and routinely acts for hedge funds and private equity funds seeking to establish joint venture companies and investment vehicles. Another key contact is Anton Goldstein, who is noted for advising on some of the largest deals in the BVI. A broad spectrum of corporations, leading international banks and financial institutions turn to Rachael Pape for her specialism in investment funds and cross-border regulatory guidance, while counsel Nicholas Kuria’s practice focuses on the technology, media and telecoms, financial services and insurance sectors.

Practice head(s):

Robert Briant


Other key lawyers:

Anton Goldstein; Rachael Pape; Nicholas Kuria


Key clients

Kawa Capital Management


Adler Kawa and Adler Real Estate Partners


King Street Funds


ACE & Company


Baron Capital


Work highlights


  • Advised Kawa Capital Management with respect to its BVI-domiciled funds with over $1.5bn assets in aggregate under management.
  • Acted as ongoing BVI counsel to the Baron Funds group, with in aggregate of $49bn in assets under management, with respect to its BVI-domiciled fund Baron USA Partners Fund Ltd.
  • Acted as ongoing BVI counsel to the King Street group with respect to four BVI-domiciled funds, including the flagship fund King Street Capital Ltd.

Harneys

Harneys' highly regarded investment funds expertise spans various investment vehicle structures, including companies, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, unit trusts and segregated portfolio companies. Issues relating to the cryptocurrency-focused manager space, blockchain and digital assets are further core workflows of the practice, led by virtual assets expert Philip Graham, a prolific adviser experienced in all types of fund vehicles, including private equity and hedge funds, limited partnerships, and start-ups operating in the fintech sector. Ayana Hull is noted for her deep knowledge of BVI legislation and routinely advises on investments and assets including large-scale development and infrastructure projects. Senior associate Kimberly Seagojo focuses on the formation, licensing, maintenance and restructuring of offshore funds as well as regulatory matters.

Practice head(s):

Philip Graham; Ayana Hull


Other key lawyers:

Kimberly Seagojo


Testimonials

‘Very knowledgeable and responsive to client needs.’

Key clients

Inclusive Capital Partners


OurCrowd


Wave Financial


Work highlights


  • Assisted an individual client with a fund formation of a BVI approved manager and fund.
  • Assisted Inclusive Capital Partners with the formation and launch of Inclusive Capital Partners Spring Fund II – forming a BVI feeder and master vehicle and assisting with FSC regulation of same.
  • Provided guidance to OurCrowd in both BVI and Cayman on launching numerous new venture capital SPVs.

Maples Group

Fielding a team of experts in the BVI licencing and regulatory space, Maples Group is a leading choice for a deep roster of market-leading asset managers and private equity houses seeking advice on complex investment fund and licencing mandates, including fund set-up and ongoing licensing and regulatory requirements, as well as contentious winding-up proceedings. Richard May leads the practice with significant expertise in handling private investment funds and economic substance work for a range of US and UK asset managers. Christopher Newton is noted for his focus on downstream acquisition work and subscription line financings, while Ruairi Bourke is regularly instructed by international clients to handle a variety of corporate, banking and finance transactions. Associate Amel Wehden is another key name for assistance with the establishment and maintenance of hedge funds and private equity funds.

Practice head(s):

Richard May


Other key lawyers:

Christopher Newton; Ruairi Bourke; Amel Wehden


Carey Olsen

Carey Olsen is the go-to choice for a host hedge fund groups, asset managers and institutional investors seeking advice on fund launches and regulatory applications, anti-money laundering and terrorist financing requirements, economic substance issues and digital assets. Practice head Clinton Hempel notably focuses on BVI financings and investment structures, takeovers, joint ventures, M&A and public and private equity transactions. With specialist expertise in economic substance advice, licence applications and virtual assets, Elizabeth Killeen is also highly recommended, while counsel Jude Hodge is sought out by a litany of leading arrangers, financial institutions, corporates, borrower groups and investment managers for advice on BVI investment and regulatory vehicles, CRS and FATCA requirements, and data protection regimes. Counsel Katrina Lindsay is noted for her expertise in virtual assets.

Practice head(s):

Clinton Hempel


Other key lawyers:

Elizabeth Killeen; Jude Hodge; Katrina Lindsay


Testimonials

‘Carey Olsen is renowned for its exceptional legal services and unwavering commitment to its clients. With a distinguished team of attorneys, the firm consistently demonstrates a profound understanding of complex legal matters. Their proactive and insightful approach to legal challenges sets them apart, ensuring that clients receive tailored solutions that address even the most intricate issues.’

‘Carey Olsen’s reputation for professionalism, expertise, and client-centred advocacy is a testament to their dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes. Whether in transactional work, dispute resolution, or regulatory affairs, Carey Olsen attorneys exhibit a remarkable blend of academic rigour and practical acumen, making them a top choice for individuals and businesses seeking legal representation.’

‘Carey Olsen distinguishes itself from its competitors through a combination of rigorous expertise, a client-centric approach, and a proven track record of delivering exceptional legal solutions. What truly sets them apart is their commitment to in-depth research and thorough analysis, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of each case’s nuances. This meticulous attention to detail allows them to offer innovative and effective strategies that stand out in the legal landscape.’

Key clients

Platform Investment Partners


Haramos Technologies Inc.


Invisto


i-Vision Fund Limited & Dame Fund Limited


Storm Partners & DBS Fund Ltd.


Nickel Digital Asset Management & Cleveland Digital Ltd.


FXAQ Ltd.


Brainwin Investment Management Company Limited


Zonff Partners Management Ltd.


AlphalO (BVI) Limited


Cumulus Capital Ltd


IDEG Asset Management (BVI) Limited


Caprilla Asset Management Limited


SNebula Limited


Manifold Trading & Manifold Capital Partners Fund I Ltd.


Signa Equity Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Platform Investment Partners, Fiber Manager Limited & U.S. Fiber Investments Limited on the preparation and review of the required offering documentation for each of U.S. Fiber Investments Limited (which is now recognised as a BVI private investment fund) as well as Fiber Manager Limited (which is now recognised as a BVI approved investment manager).
  • Advised Haramos Technologies on fund structures with the preparation of its fund documents to achieve its commercial aspirations in the digital asset space.

Ogier

With offices in the BVI and the Channel Islands, Ogier‘s BVI funds practice is routinely instructed by investment managers on hedge fund, private equity, real estate, venture capital and crypto asset matters. Practice chair Simon Schilder divides his time between Jersey and the BVI, and is noted for his involvement in the drafting of the BVI investment fund legislation, while fellow co-chair Michael Killourhy is a key figure in the digital asset and blockchain sector.

Practice head(s):

Simon Schilder; Michael Killourhy


Key clients

ARC Group Ventures Limited


Joint Liquidators of Three Arrows Capital, Ltd. (in Liquidation)


Mojo Digital Limited


Westbrooke Capital Management


Appaloosa LP


AEW Capital Management


Bank Julius Baer & Co Ltd


Passport Capital


Digital Asset Capital Management


Atlantic Investment Management


Geometric Management Ltd


Man Group


Graham Capital


Molecule Ventures


Idylian Capital


Geometric Management Ltd


Orbis Investment Management


Savanna Investment Management


GBV Investment Fund (JPG Wealth)


Volpe Capital Management Ltd


Global Sigma Group


Valiance Asset Management Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised on the establishment and registration of a new BVI Private Investment Fund (structured as a segregated portfolio company) and related Approved Manager for Westbrook Capital Management.
  • Provided direct BVI investment funds and investment business law advice and support to the Joint Liquidators of the collapsed giant crypto-hedge fund Three Arrows Capital, Ltd.

Walkers BVI

A litany of hedge fund groups, private equity houses, asset managers, institutional investors and onshore law firms turn to Walkers BVI's investment funds practice for advice on fund formations and capitalisations, financings, buyouts, regulations and downstream transactions. Particularly strong in the open-ended funds space, the team continues to handle a range of BVI incubator issues spanning small crypto incubators and large institutions. Hedge fund and private equity fund expert Paul Waldron is noted for working with managers and service providers in the fintech space, advising on the full spectrum of pre-formation strategies, launches and governance issues. Waldron is assisted by senior counsel Iona Wright, whose broad practice spans investment funds, investment managers, crypto regulation and digital assets.

Practice head(s):

Paul Waldron


Other key lawyers:

Iona Wright


Testimonials

‘Deep knowledge of the specific jurisdictions. Amazing people and very helpful.’

‘Willing to go the extra mile and really work with you as a client.’