Rising Stars

Firms To Watch: Banking, finance and capital markets

Collas Crill‘s banking and finance practice is headed by Jo Hossack, who routinely advises corporates, financial institutions, issuers and sponsors. Natalie Bell leads the capital markets practice, and is noted for advising on funds finance matters.

Banking, finance and capital markets in Cayman Islands

Appleby

Appleby has a leading role in the market, and is regularly sought by blue-chip underwriters for its expertise in SPACs, CLOs and lender-side fund financing deals. Coordinating between offices in Cayman, Bermuda and Jersey, the group houses a robust team that includes structured finance lead Benjamin Woolf and head of banking and asset finance Caroline Barton, who specialises in aircraft and vessel financing. Simon Raftopoulos leads the local corporate practice and is a member of the corporate finance and private equity teams, and Jacob MacAdam has expertise in regulatory work. Senior associate Tamanna Keir has extensive experience on leveraged financing, securities lending transactions, and cross-border M&A, while Georgina Pullinger is also highly recommended for fund and corporate finance work.

Practice head(s):

Simon Raftopoulos


Other key lawyers:

Benjamin Woolf; Caroline Barton; Tamanna Keir; Georgina Pullinger; Jacob MacAdam


Testimonials

‘The team was very commercial and good to work with. They understood the complexities of the deal, and what was required from a Cayman perspective.’

‘My go-to firm on a large volume of CLOs and other Cayman-specific work.’

‘Ben Woolf – ALWAYS responsive and gets deals done. Very practical.’

Key clients

Natixis, New York Branch


Bear Mountain Park CLO, Ltd.


Morgan Stanley Eaton Vance CLO 2022-18, Ltd.


Madison Park Funding LV, Ltd.


WESTERN ALLIANCE BANK


FIRST REPUBLIC BANK


Guatemala Power Enterprises Ltd.


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.


INVESTEC BANK PLC


PNC Bank, National Association


Société Générale


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.


Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation


Royal Bank of Canada


Trane Technologies plc


Various lenders to GTT Communications Inc.


Höegh LNG Ltd


Caribbean Utilities Company, Ltd.


BlueOrchard Impact Investment Managers


Work highlights


  • Acted for Natixis, New York Branch (as lender), in relation to a credit facility with a large US private equity investment company with around $60bn under management and a strategy of business acquisition and enhancement (as borrower).
  • Acted as Cayman counsel to the issuer, Morgan Stanley Eaton Vance CLO 2022-18, Ltd. on a $394.8m CLO issuance transaction.
  • Provided Cayman legal advice to Höegh LNG on a new ten-year $685m loan to refinance the two floating storage and regasification units provided by leading international banks.

Maples Group

With offices in key jurisdictions, the Maples Group is a key player in corporate, commercial, finance, and investment funds, and houses a specialised team advising on an array of issues, spanning asset finance work, banking issues, structured and fund financings, and insurance-linked securities. Global finance head Scott Macdonald is particularly active in CLOs, structured funds and fund derivative products, while finance team lead Tina Meigh is an expert in the fund finance space. Alongside her specialism in repackaging and structured finance transactions, Wanda Ebanks also handles ship and aircraft finance and registration issues, and regularly works with European and Latin American export credit agencies. Both asset finance co-chair Jonathon Meloy and debt capital markets specialist Anthony Philp are noted for their expertise in aircraft financing and corporate finance transactions. James Reeve‘s focus is on structured finance transactions, while head of the CSX-listing practice Amanda Lazier is a specialist in the CLO space.

Practice head(s):

Tina Meigh; Scott Macdonald


Other key lawyers:

Jonathon Meloy; Wanda Ebanks; Anthony Philp; James Reeve; Amanda Lazier; Robin Harding


Testimonials

‘Maples is the biggest and the best. They are on top of latest developments.’

‘The Cayman Islands office of Maples continues to be at the forefront of market practices and developments. They are unquestionably most clients’ first choice. The teams are experienced, sophisticated, and understand client needs.’

‘Tina Meigh continues to maintain her stellar reputation with company and financial institution clients. She is responsive, always well informed, and knowledgeable of the marketplace and its trends.’

‘Jonathan Meloy and Anthony Philp are both truly outstanding Cayman lawyers who have a deep understanding of local law.’

‘Very responsive. They work with us extensively to address our needs promptly.’

‘Wanda Ebanks is particularly helpful and a great partner to have on a transaction.’

‘Excellent in depth knowledge, fast speed of response and very personable team.’

‘Robin Harding – Partner – extremely responsive, in-depth knowledge and very effective at summarising the key issues and requirements.’

Key clients

Ares Management


Avolon


Bain Capital


Blackstone


Goldman Sachs


Goshawk Aviation


KKR


Octagon


Prudential


TPG


Work highlights


  • Advised TPG Rise Climate Fund in relation to a financing facility associated with its $7.3bn fund.
  • Advised KKR/Altavair in relation to its $1.15bn commitment to expand its global portfolio of leased commercial aircraft in partnership with Altavair.
  • Advised KoBold Metals in relation to its investment to develop the Mingomba copper mine in Zambia.

Walkers

Walkers‘ finance and corporate practice fields a market-leading team of finance lawyers, which routinely advises leading financial institutions on all types of finance transactions, including cross-border syndicated, acquisition and project finance work and derivatives mandates. In the capital market and structured finance space, James Burch stands out as a key player, and regularly handles CLOs, securitisations and secured note programme structures alongside Philip Paschalides, whose expertise ranges from debt capital market issuances to catastrophe bonds and insurance-linked securities. Rob Jackson regularly handles cross-border project finance transactions, hedge funds and private equity financings. Joanne Ziegler‘s expertise spans structured finance and securitisation transactions, CLOs, aircraft ABS transactions and CSX listings, while Sarah Humpleby‘s knowledge of the aviation and asset finance industry allows her to navigate complex transactions. Fund finance transaction specialist Justin Hart and subscription finance expert Hugh Anderson are also highly recommended. Newly promoted partner Olga Sologub and David Collins‘ expertise in bilateral and syndicated lending add to the team.

Other key lawyers:

Rob Jackson; David Collins; Philip Paschalides; James Burch; Hugh Anderson; Justin Hart; Sarah Humpleby; Joanne Ziegler; Adeola Adeyemi; Olga Sologub


Testimonials

‘Walkers has the ability to handle multiple Caribbean jurisdictions seamlessly and with ease. The lawyers are extremely responsive and hardworking, and very familiar with international finance structures.’

‘Hugh Anderson is extremely responsive and business-minded. He is able to complete complex security arrangements in a short period of time and can be trusted to provide meaningful input without over-complicating a transaction.’

Key clients

AASET 2022-1 Limited, Carlyle Aviation Management


Airborne Capital Limited


EJF Acquisition Corporation


Spirit Airlines, Inc.


Warburg Pincus LLC


Work highlights


  • Advising EJF (a Cayman Island SPAC) on its listing and subsequent $8.5bn business combination with Pagaya.
  • Advising Spirit Airlines, Inc. on the issuance by Spirit IP Cayman and Spirit Loyalty Cayman of an additional $600m of 8% senior secured notes due 2025, guaranteed by its ‘Free Spirit’ loyalty programme and brand intellectual property.
  • Acted as Cayman legal counsel to AASET 2022-1 Limited, a bankruptcy remote SPV which was the issuer of the asset-backed securities.

Mourant

Mourant‘s team of experienced banking and finance lawyers advises leading asset managers and investment banks on a wide range of transactions spanning leveraged finance issues, fund financings, CLOs, securitisations and warehousings. Catherine Pham and Alexandra Woodcock jointly lead the finance team; Woodcock routinely advises leading financial institutions and private fund sponsors on the structuring and execution of finance transactions, while also handling high-profile cross-border restructurings. Senior partner in the corporate and finance practice Neal Lomax is the go-to choice for multinational corporations and international banks, while Ramesh Maharaj's specialism in private equity matters, restructurings and corporate finance transactions further strengthens the practice. Former head Hayden Isbister continues to advise on joint venture arrangements and other corporate deals, such as SPACs, while newly promoted partner Finn Howie navigates complex structured finance transactions and distressed debt restructurings.

Practice head(s):

Catherine Pham; Alexandra Woodcock


Other key lawyers:

Ramesh Maharaj; Neal Lomax; Hayden Isbister; Finn Howie


Testimonials

‘Ramesh Maharaj has a very bespoke understanding of clients’ financial positions and a willingness to find practical solutions. Excellent rapport with clients and trustworthy as a practitioner and resource.’

‘The team I work with at Mourant (including Alexandra Woodcock and Finn Howie) is amazing. The team members consistently demonstrate expertise on matters of Cayman law, are very responsive and are consistently able to resolve issues. The team is very good at explaining Cayman law to non-Cayman counsel and clients.’

‘Mourant has delivered superior client service in our transactions. We’ve never looked for another counsel in Cayman.’

‘Ramesh Maharaj is an excellent attorney – prompt, professional and an expert in his field. We have benefited from his guidance on capital markets and structuring matters for a number of years and our attorneys and clients rely on him completely.’

Key clients

Lloyd’s Bank


Nordic Aviation Capital


Republic Financial Holdings


Work highlights


  • Advised Lloyds Bank plc in connection with amendments to its £1.5bn term loan and revolving credit facilities and related inter-creditor matters with the Flutter Group of companies.
  • Advised the unsecured private placement noteholders in connection with the restructuring of $337m of outstanding debt issued by Nordic Aviation Capital.
  • Acted for Republic Bank in connection with its acquisition credit facility provided to Goddard Enterprises in connection with its multi-jurisdictional acquisition of International Meal Company Panama S.A.

Ogier

Ogier‘s banking, finance and capital markets practice fields an experienced cross-disciplinary team which regularly guides clients through the full scope of banking, finance, and capital markets work, ranging from debt and equity issues, to loan facilities, note issuances and SPAC IPOs. The firm's fund finance practice is also recommended for a varied lender-side client base. The fund finance team is led by James Heinicke, who specialises in matters stemming from Latin American jurisdictions, while Bradley Kruger concentrates on capital markets work and advises on IPOs, SPACs, M&A transactions and joint ventures. Alongside his specialism in asset finance, aviation and shipping matters, Mark Santangeli represents borrowers and lenders alike in all types of fund financing products; and Angus Davison is a key name for corporate finance work. Cynthia Anandajayasekeram operates across several areas and is a member of the private equity team.

Practice head(s):

James Heinicke


Other key lawyers:

Mark Santangeli; Angus Davison; Bradley Kruger; Cynthia Anandajayasekeram


Testimonials

‘The team was excellent and provided timely and sound legal advice. The team was a true partner and was always willing and able to meet our tight deadlines.’

Key clients

JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.


Golden Path Acquisition Corporation


Venus Acquisition Corporation


ETAO International Group


Zura Bio Limited


Energem Corp.


ICONIQ Holdings Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. in respect of (i) a revolving credit facility of $500m (ii) a 5-year term loan facility of $1.1bn (iii) senior secured notes of $450m (iv) a 5-year bridge to notes facility of $750m and (v) a 7-year bridge to notes facility of $750m in connection with LATAM’s proposed exit financing from Chapter 11 proceedings.
  • Advised with respect to matters of Cayman and BVI laws, ICONIQ Holdings Limited on its $2.5bn business combination with East Stone Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company incorporated in the BVI.
  • Acted as Cayman counsel to Energem Corp. on its listing and advising on its proposed business combination with Graphjet Technology Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian private limited company for $1.49bn.

Campbells

Headed by fund finance expert Alan Craig, Campbells‘ practice is regularly sought out by financial institutions, lenders and corporate borrowers for advice on a wide range of banking, finance, and capital markets transactions, including debt and equity listings, asset financings, fintech structures and SPACs. With knowledge of asset and structured finance work, Edward Rhind is the go-to choice for banks, lessors, funds and private equity companies, and joined from Maples Group in mid-2023; he also handles structures involving commercial shipping and aviation assets. Alexandra Clynes focuses on structured financings, debt and equity capital markets issues, restructurings and corporate governance work, while Kate Hewitson‘s capabilities are most notably concentrated on advising clients on cross-border and multi-jurisdictional transactions.

Practice head(s):

Alan Craig


Other key lawyers:

Edward Rhind; Kate Hewitson; Alexandra Clynes


Key clients

Klym Management Company


Banco de Brasil


Infracommerce


Work highlights


  • Advised Banco do Brasil in relation to its $20bn Euro Medium Term Note Programme.
  • Advised Klym Management Company, Limited in relation to the series B round of financing led by IFC (World Bank) and JP Morgan.
  • Advised Infracommerce (a Brazilian listed entity) on its acquisition and financing of Ecomsur, a Chilean based e-commerce entity.

Carey Olsen

Carey Olsen‘s proficiency lies in representing a wide spectrum of entities, including banks, lessors, airlines and funds across a range of work spanning acquisition, aviation and fund financing mandates. The specialist team of practitioners includes Cayman managing partner Nick Bullmore and investment fund specialist Jarrod Farley. Richard Munden‘s expertise is in aviation finance work and asset-backed securitisations, while Alistair Russell routinely advises clients on financings, private equity issues and debt and equity capital markets matters; the latter is an area in which counsel Dylan Wiltermuth is also notably active.

Practice head(s):

Nick Bullmore; Jarrod Farley; Richard Munden; Alistair Russell


Other key lawyers:

Dylan Wiltermuth


Key clients

Transocean


Work highlights


  • Handled multiple transactions for Transocean related to $1.2bn senior secured notes offerings and joint venture.

Conyers

Conyers' active practice spans multi-jurisdictional fund, structured and asset finance work and also has expertise in the insurance market. Practice head Matthew Stocker specialises aircraft and vessel financings, while also handling capital markets transactions and acquisition finance matters. Leading the firm's multi-disciplinary insurance finance team is Derek Stenson, who excels in fund finance matters and handles complex and high-profile structured finance and insurance finance transactions. Cora Miller is active in capital markets work and counsel Barnabas Finnigan concentrates on aviation and shipping finance transactions. Fund finance specialists Anna-Lise Wisdom and Michael O’Connor are also highly recommended.

Practice head(s):

Matthew Stocker


Other key lawyers:

Derek Stenson; Cora Miller; Barnabas Finnigan; Anna-Lise Wisdom; Michael O’Connor


Testimonials

‘Conyers are committed, react quickly and our single point of contact takes care of the details in all jurisdiction in which the firm is involved. I am always impressed by their substantive expertise in so many jurisdictions. They are just great.’

‘Cora Miller and the team have worked with us for several years. They are knowledgeable in our subject matter, but perhaps more importantly, they are able to get assistance from qualified colleagues when we get out of their subject matter expertise. They carefully guide us to the right folks at Conyers to get all of our queries answered.’

Key clients

Prime Group Holdings


Bedell Cristin

Bedell Cristin‘s team operates across a wide range of banking, financial and capital markets matters spanning fund financings, secured lending issues, debt financings, CSX listings and listings on international stock exchanges. Group head Joss Morris is noted for his expertise in investment funds and corporate matters, while Stephen Nelson navigates financings, restructurings and CSX-listing matters, with a focus on Islamic finance transactions.

Practice head(s):

Joss Morris


Other key lawyers:

Stephen Nelson


Key clients

Yate Shopping Centre Unit Trust


Work highlights


  • Acted as Cayman counsel to Yate Shopping Centre Unit Trust (English Unit Trust) on an English law governed sterling term loan facility agreement (including English subordination security and finance documents), which was valued at $37.2m.

Harneys

Harneys‘ banking, finance and capital markets team provides comprehensive advice on loan finance issues, debt issuances, and lease financings, with practice head Christopher Hall advising on all types of Cayman hedge and private equity funds, as well as banking and finance matters. Matt Taber helps clients with all aspects of investment funds, investment management issues and fund financings, while James Smith‘s particular focus is on Latin America, where he advises Brazil-based managers on offshore fund structures.

Practice head(s):

Christopher Hall; Matt Taber


Other key lawyers:

James Smith


Key clients

BDT Capital Partners LLC


Impact Investment Exchange


Bank of America


Citigroup


Credit Suisse


Deutsche Bank


Goldman Sachs


Merrill Lynch


HSBC


JP Morgan Chase


Morgan Stanley


Standard Chartered Bank


UBS


Work highlights


  • Assisted with setting up the Cayman vehicle for BDT Capital Partners LLC.
  • Acted as Cayman Counsel to Impact Investment Exchange on its $50m IIX Women’s Livelihood Bond 5.
  • Advised AURA FAT Projects Acquisition Corp., a SPAC co-sponsored by Singapore-headquartered Aura Group and Fat Projects, on raising $115m in its IPO on the Nasdaq Global Market.

Stuarts Humphries

Stuarts Humphries is regularly sought out by banks, financial institutions and businesses for advice on all aspects of banking and finance matters, including assistance with secured and unsecured, domestic and multi-jurisdictional financing mandates, financial structuring transactions involving debt, equity and structured products, aircraft financings, and CDO issues. The group is jointly led by investment funds and fintech expert Chris Humphries and banking and regulatory practice head Jonathan McLean, and also includes corporate head Megan Wright, who regularly advises leading US, European and South American banks and investment managers, and has substantial knowledge of cryptocurrencies and fintech issues.

Practice head(s):

Chris Humphries; Jonathan McLean


Other key lawyers:

Megan Wright


Testimonials

‘Wide spectrum of services and deep knowledge of the law.’

‘Excellent availability and gets things done.’

Key clients

Banco Sofisa


Citibank


Valens Pay Global


Work highlights


  • Acting as local counsel to Banco Sofisa on a number of banking transactions and reviews.
  • Acting as local counsel to Citibank on a number of commercial banking and loan transactions.
  • Acting as lead counsel to Bullion FX with regards to structural and other fintech legal matters.