With the largest practice in the Cayman Islands, Maples Group maintains an accordingly strong market share, advising a myriad of world-leading private equity funds and single-manager hedge funds on a considerable volume of new fund registrations, downstream-spend deals, and capital market transactions. The group is headed up by newly-appointed global head Michael Richardson, a trusted adviser to numerous investment managers and financial institutions on big-ticket establishments and restructurings. Global managing partner Jonathan Green specialises in trust structures and hedge fund formations, while global private equity chair Iain McMurdo focuses on all manner of fund matters and resulting downstream transactions, an area in which Sheryl Dean is also a key port of call for some of the firm’s largest clients. Gwyneth Rees is a seasoned practitioner who serves as the global relationship client for some of the biggest asset managers in the market, advising on a steady stream of high-value fund launches. Christina Gordon, who was promoted to partner in December 2021, is recommended for the breadth of her expertise spanning registered mutual funds, hedge funds and private equity funds. Other key names to note include Jeremy Bomford, Tim Coak, Lee Davis and Stephen Watler. Jon Fowler and Philip Millward have retired.

Walkers‘ sizeable investment funds practice is routinely engaged by a stellar roster of blue-chip asset managers, which turn to the team for its eminent capabilities in big-ticket financings, listings, SPAC launches, and other fund formations. Global managing partner Ingrid Pierce is particularly noted for her niche expertise in advising funds on managing distress in volatile markets. Cayman managing partner Tim Buckley‘s recent highlights include multi-billion-dollar business combinations and SPAC IPOs, while Caroline Williams‘ diverse work encompasses private equity fund formation and portfolio investment deals. Rolf Lindsay is noted for his expertise in alternative investment funds and all associated transactions, while Melissa Lim is experienced in a diverse range of investment fund structures, including technology and venture capital funds, cryptocurrency funds, and unit trusts. Other key figures in the practice include cross-border M&A specialist Jason Allison, capital markets-focused Andrew Barker, PE fund specialist Theo Lefkos, and private funds expert Bicrom Das. Senior counsels Christine Ballantyne-Drewe and Matt Bernardo are also recommended. Caroline Heal has left the practice, while Ed Pearson has relocated to the firm’s London office.

A significant number of market-leading fund managers turn to Ogier for its expertise in a range of transactional and regulatory matters, including new formations, mergers, and AML compliance reviews. Practice chair James Bergstrom has decades of experience in the space, with recent highlights including a run of high-value private equity fund establishments. Nick Rogers is also noted for his expertise in private equity matters, where he coordinates the team’s efforts on a host of fund formations. Giorgio Subiotto spearheads the firm’s Latin American practice, while Bradley Kruger heads up the digital, blockchain and fintech desk. Joanne Huckle‘s regulatory expertise makes her a key port of call for clients seeking assistance with AML regime compliance, particularly in the private equity realm. Justin Savage specialises in corporate governance, whereas Emma Sutherland is best known for her experience in hedge and private equity structuring. Counsel Barry McEwan is noted for his Middle Eastern focus, and senior associate Gemma Cowan joined the team from Mourant in 2022. Dave Sherwin has left the practice.

Roundly praised by clients for its ‘top-notch practical advice‘, Campbells is particularly well-versed in venture capital fund formations, ranging from technology and emerging economy-focused entities to fintech and crypto-asset funds. Practice chair Alan Craig advises various funds on a host of corporate and financing transactions, while Simon Thomas‘ expertise lies in the establishment of private equity funds and related investment vehicles. Richard Spencer, who heads up the firm’s fintech and blockchain practice, variously advises on the launch of crypto hedge funds and other tokenised investment fund products. Senior associate Jennifer Reilly is praised by clients for her ‘smart, responsive, and creative‘ approach to fund formation and restructuring matters, and fellow senior associate Aoife Tuohy is also recommended.

Lauded for its ‘top-notch responsiveness and market knowledge‘, Carey Olsen is regularly engaged by some of the market’s leading institutional investors and asset managers for assistance with high-value fund formations. The practice is jointly led by office managing partner Nick Bullmore, noted for his expertise in fund financing, and Jarrod Farley, roundly praised for his ‘extremely knowledgeable and very commercial‘ approach to both regulated and unregulated investment funds. Counsel Dylan Wiltermuth is a seasoned corporate adviser with ample experience in private equity and listed fund work. Senior associate Shane Westin and ‘responsive and detail-oriented‘ associate Emily Cornhill are also recommended.

Working closely with the firm’s finance and regulatory teams, Mourant‘s cross-disciplinary investment practice handles a steady stream of high-value formations and secondary transactions. Newly appointed funds head Catherine Pham is praised by clients for her capabilities in downstream transactions and fund structuring across a range of asset classes. Hayden Isbister, who regularly partners with onshore firms on matters involving private equity and hedge funds, is a key contact for US clients. Global investment fund co-chair Alex Last is well-versed in fund finance matters, while Neal Lomax‘s recent engagements include a number of multi-billion-dollar establishments and restructurings. Counsels Chris Nixon and Rhiannon Williams are also recommended. Gemma Cowan has left the practice.

Drawing on its cross-disciplinary ties with the firm’s technology group, Appleby regularly works on the establishment and structuring of a variety of funds in the digital assets space, particularly in the Asian markets. Practice head Sailaja Alla is highly experienced in the structuring, formation and operation of all manner of fund platforms. Christian Victory‘s capabilities in mutual funds and private hedge funds encompasses FATCA compliance, shareholder rights, and bespoke share classes, while Sheila Crosby, who joined the team from Maples Group in October 2021, is recommended for her knowledge of corporate governance and regulatory compliance matters.

Steered by corporate head Matthew Stocker and office managing partner Kevin Butler, Conyers‘ interdisciplinary funds practice works closely with the firm’s litigation and restructuring teams on a host of high-value contentious and non-contentious matters. Nicholas Pattman‘s broad cross-border capabilities are mostly keenly concentrated on the Latin American jurisdictions, and Brazil in particular. Anna-Lise Wisdom, who joined the team from Appleby in February 2022, specialises in fund finance, and associate Matthew Harkness works with a mix of start-ups, family offices and established fund managers on the full scope of corporate and finance matters. Craig Fulton has left the practice.

Harneys acts for a wide array of investment managers on fund formations, restructurings and advisory matters. The team is headed up by Christopher Hall, a knowledgeable adviser whose recent engagements include multi-millio-dollar fund launches. Matthew Taber routinely leads on the formation of a variety of master and feeder fund structures, while Daniella Skotnicki works with a number of the firm’s biggest clients on high-value launches and fintech related matters. James Smith, who was promoted to partner in 2022, is particularly focused on Latin American mandates.

Bedell Cristin‘s cross-disciplinary financial services practice acts for a varied roster of institutional investors on high-value fund formations, often with unique considerations, such as Shariah-compliant financing. Joss Morris is an experienced adviser who regularly advises on the launch of pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and family office structures, among others. Stephen Nelson is a key port of call for private equity and digital asset fund managers seeking assistance with CIMA registration and licensing issues. Associate Kimberly Wood, who joined the team from Maples Group in November 2021, is also recommended.

Collas Crill‘s interdisciplinary corporate, finance and funds team handles an accordingly broad array of fund sector matters, ranging from new formations to restructurings and regulatory reviews. Practice head Alan De Saram is noted for his expertise in investor-side advice, working with a mix of high-profile sovereign wealth funds and major institutional players on a litany of corporate and commercial matters. Various financial institutions turn to Natalie Bell for her capabilities in licensing and regulatory obligations, including anti-money laundering compliance and sanctions regimes. Associate Laura Oseland possesses key experience in corporate governance matters.

Loeb Smith Attorneys‘ Cayman funds practice is underpinned by key ties with a wider global network of offices. Steered by the ‘outstanding‘ Gary Smith, the team is particularly adept at fund formations and launches involving Hong Kong, PRC, and US entities. Senior associate Elizabeth Kenny is noted for her wide-ranging capabilities across various asset classes.