Carey Olsen > Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands > Firm Profile
Carey Olsen Offices

WILLOW HOUSE, PO BOX 10008
CRICKET SQUARE
GRAND CAYMAN, KY1-1001
Cayman Islands
Carey Olsen > The Legal 500 Rankings
Cayman Islands > Dispute resolution Tier 2
Leveraging its close-knit collaborative ties with its wider global network, particularly in Hong Kong and Singapore, Carey Olsen handles a considerable volume of multi-jurisdictional disputes, including big-ticket liquidations, fraud claims, and dissenter-side merger disputes. The practice is chaired by Sam Dawson, a highly regarded cross-border litigator with a keen focus on the financial services sector. Bernadette Carey is a highly active trust litigator who routinely appears before the Grand Court on multi-party disputes and cross-border private client matters. Peter Sherwood is noted for his experience in acting for liquidators in high-profile insolvency and restructuring proceedings, most recently for clients with significant operations in China and the Middle East. Denis Olarou, who was promoted to partner in July 2021, is praised for his ‘impressive expertise‘ in insolvencies, fraud litigation, and international arbitrations.Practice head(s):
Sam Dawson
Other key lawyers:
Peter Sherwood; Bernadette Carey; Denis Olarou; Nigel Smith
Testimonials
‘Carey Olsen’s team are able to deliver effective and pragmatic advice whilst remaining conscious of the nuances of a globally recognised, offshore jurisdiction. With an excellent level of professionalism, their people maintain a friendly and approachable attitude which all in the industry can appreciate.’
‘Working closely with Sam Dawson and Nigel Smith, it is clear that they provide a high level of professionalism and expertise through which they are able to deliver high quality work and advice within short timelines.’
‘Denis Olarou is extremely responsive and provides clear, well-developed advice. Denis approaches disputes in a very practical manner and promotes commercial solutions, where appropriate, to difficult issues. He displays impressive expertise and knowledge of the offshore industry.’
Key clients
Stonehill Capital Management
Great Simplicity Investment Corporation
San Miguel Holdings Corp.
Kroll
Grant Thornton
Alvarez and Marsal
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Burlington Loan Management / Davidson Kempner
Deloitte
FTI Consulting
Catalyst Investment Management Company
EFG Bank
Daiwa Capital Markets
Rawlinson & Hunter
Genesis Trust & Corporate Services Ltd
Ritchie Capital Management LLC
Oasis Capital Management
T. Rowe Price
Work highlights
- Acting for the Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders holding the majority of the $460m convertible senior notes issued by Luckin Coffee Inc. in relation to its provisional liquidation and successful restructuring by way of a Cayman Islands scheme of arrangement.
- Acting for Abraaj Holdings and its liquidators in relation to antecedent transaction claims and related litigation concerning payments totalling $300m made prior to the commencement of the liquidation.
- Acting for a group of dissenters in the management buyout of 58.com, in a merger valued at approximately $8.7bn.
Cayman Islands > Trusts/private client Tier 2
A diverse roster of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, wealth management companies and financial services providers turn to the team at Carey Olsen for assistance with big-ticket mandates, including trusteeship transfers, family office formations, and wealth structuring issues. ‘Superb‘ practice head Bernadette Carey is well-versed in both contentious and non-contentious matters, appearing before the Grand Court in respect of private client disputes, and advising on succession planning and wealth structuring. Counsel Graham Stoute is noted for his capabilities in estate administration and advisory work, while fellow counsel Chris Duncan regularly handles restructuring projects for the firm’s trustee client base.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Strong on trusts, trust law and trust structures and at the cutting edge of structuring.’
‘Chris Duncan is very responsive and excellent with clients and advising on complex structures and assets, with hands-on experience of crypto.’
‘They are professional, high energy, pleasant, approachable and overall excellent to deal with. It is really the people at Carey Olsen that distinguish the firm. Their client service culture is superior.’
‘Bernadette Carey is very responsive. Time is money and her response time makes a big difference. She spends time up front to understand the client needs, which reduces non-productive time later in the process. Able to ask tough questions in a very nice way. Intellectually curious and cares about the client experience as much as the quality of work being provided.’
‘Carey Olsen are a breath of fresh air. Innovative and highly commercial. Their team comprises like-minded individuals that implement a client driven approach.’
‘Bernadette Carey is superb to work with.’
Cayman Islands > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 3
Fielding a seasoned team of experienced practitioners, Carey Olsen LLP is noted for its proficiency in bank-side financing matters ranging from large-cap funds and domestic projects to Latin American fast-growth company funding rounds. The practice is jointly led by Cayman managing partner Nick Bullmore; investment fund specialist Jarrod Farley; aviation and shipping finance focused Richard Munden; and Alistair Russell, noted for his burgeoning fund finance practice. Counsel Dylan Wiltermuth is a prolific adviser in debt and equity capital markets matters.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team works like a perfectly tuned piece of machinery, each member knows the work that they have to do and one does not have to chase them, work flows seamlessly. The team is used to working with very high profile clients and co-counsel so they always deliver the best work-product possible. The firm has many resources to be able to provide top-notch quality services.’
‘Each and every single member of the team is perfectly qualified to do the work at their respective level and position. Each one of them takes ownership of their assignments and follows up until completion.’
‘Working with Alistair Russell has been a delight, I’ve never encountered a partner that is so responsive and attentive. He takes the time to address each and every single one of our concerns and always provides excellent advice.’
Key clients
Hertz
DP Cap Acquisition Corp. I
Global Technology Acquisition Corp. I
GFL Environmental
Work highlights
- Advised DP Cap Acquisition Corp I, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), on its initial public offering on the NASDAQ Global Market.
- Advised certain clients on the secondary offering of subordinate voting shares in GFL Environmental Inc.
- Advised a client on the sale of certain shares in Hertz as part of the car rental company’s recent re-IPO.
Cayman Islands > Investment funds Tier 3
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.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team are incredibly responsive and very calm under pressure.’
‘Jarrod Farley is extremely knowledgeable and very commercial.’
‘Jarrod Farley and Shane Westin have been providing us with great legal advice for many years, they’ve always been extremely professional, efficient and helpful.’
‘Top-notch responsiveness and market knowledge.’
‘Pleasant to work with, very knowledgeable of their areas of practice and efficient.’
‘Emily Cornhill is very responsive and detail-oriented.’
Cayman Islands > Regulatory and compliance Tier 3
Carey Olsen works with various financial services corporations, asset managers, energy providers and fintech companies on a mix of contentious and non-contentious instructions. Jarrod Farley frequently advises on the establishment of both regulated and unregulated investment funds, while Richard Munden is particularly well-versed in compliance implications in the fintech and broader digital assets sector.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Cayman Islands > Corporate and commercial Tier 4
Carey Olsen’s ‘deep experience and practicality’ in corporate matters makes it a strong choice for a number of early-stage and established companies seeking assistance with high-value transactions. The practice is jointly led by investment funds specialists Nick Bullmore and Jarrod Farley; aviation finance expert Richard Munden, and the ‘highly recommended‘ Alistair Russell, an experienced adviser who draws superlative praise from clients. Counsel Dylan Wiltermuth is recommended for his capabilities in financial services and energy sector deals.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They work with many of our mutual start-up clients that are domiciled in the Cayman Islands and have deep experience and practicality in working with very early stage companies through late stage companies and are able to scale their offering accordingly.’
‘Extremely responsive; extremely business minded and practical; accessible and human; do not get hung up on impracticalities. Alistair Russell is the best Cayman Islands lawyer I have worked with. Highly recommended.’
Key clients
Hertz (shareholder)
Global Technology Acquisition Corp. I
GFL Environmental (shareholders)
CertiK
Advent International
Inventa Holdings
Kavak
Nuvemshop
Konfio
Jambo
Work highlights
- Advised a shareholder of Hertz on all Cayman legal aspects of a stock sale and re-IPO.
- Advised Advent International on its acquisition of a majority stake in Encora.
- Advised Kavak on its successful Series D funding round of $485m.
Hong Kong > Offshore law firms
Foreign-based expertise > Leading firms
‘Standing out as a hallmark of quality in every jurisdiction in which it operates‘, Carey Olsen has ‘a compelling balance between legal excellence, commercial understanding and top-notch service‘. With practitioners spread across the UK and the Asia Pacific region, the firm’s ‘absolutely amazing global coverage‘ encompasses the full spectrum of BVI and Cayman-related work with notable expertise in corporate, finance and contentious mandates. For more information on specific regions, please click on the tabs below- UK
- Asia Pacific
Practice head(s):
Jasmine Amaria; Michael Padarin; Anthony McKenzie
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The Carey Olsen brand stands out as a hallmark of quality in every jurisdiction in which it operates. It is a firm which attracts lawyers of the highest calibre. It has developed a dominant position in Hong Kong and Singapore, providing a gateway for litigation in the Cayman Islands, the BVI and Bermuda for clients from East Asia, particularly the PRC. Its global network, including an office in London, enables it to provide a truly 24/7 service, giving it the edge for time-critical case preparation.’
‘A compelling balance between legal excellence, commercial understanding, competitive and transparent pricing, and top-notch service.’
‘Absolutely amazing global coverage. First-rate firm.’
‘James Noble – head of litigation in Singapore – hugely knowledgeable and experienced, he provides clients who generally have previously not encountered Caribbean litigation with the reassurance that their cases are in the best possible hands.’
‘Richard Brown – in the London office, his extensive knowledge and experience of Caribbean litigation enables him to co-ordinate the most complex of cases to provide a seamless 24/7 service which is second to none.’
‘Jeremy Lightfoot – head of litigation in Hong Kong, an intellectual heavyweight whose urbane charm makes him a firm favourite with clients.’
‘Michael Padarin is technically excellent but also a very commercial lawyer. He is responsive and takes a no-nonsense approach to any matter – leading to useful practical results that are cost effective.’
‘I worked with Sheba Raza who is based in London but dual qualified and has helped us with BVI work. She is responsive and comes back very promptly.’
Key clients
Ad Hoc Group of bondholders in Luckin Coffee Inc.
Global Cord Blood Corporation
Great Simplicity Investment Corporation
Virgin Active group of companies
Stoneway Capital Corporation
The Federal Republic of Nigeria
InterEnergy Group
SuperSeed Capital Limited
Tencent Holdings Limited
Block.one
Bullish Global
Carbon Growth Partners
Fullgoal Asset Management (HK) Limited
Huaxing Growth Capital
IDEG Investment Management Limited
Permira
AXA Investment Managers
Caldicott Worldwide Ltd
China Merchant Bank
CN Energy
Fintonia Group
Formation Group
G Medical Corporation Limited
Global Cord Blood Corporation
Landing Point Limited
Philip Street Partners
Red Wolf Resources Limited
Smarter Electronics
The Bank of East Asia, Limited
The Carlyle Group
Work highlights
- Acting as Cayman legal counsel on a significant de-SPAC transaction for Bullish, a blockchain software developer and virtual asset exchange operator.
- Acting as offshore (Cayman/BVI) counsel to Permira in respect of its divestment of the Tricor Group of companies by way of sale to funds affiliated with Baring Private Equity Asia.
- Acted as Cayman and BVI legal counsel in connection with the STAR market listing of Jinko Solar Co Ltd.
Bermuda > Banking, finance and capital markets
Carey Olsen‘s multidisciplinary team advises major financial institutions on a diverse spectrum of high-profile matters, including leveraged debt financing, securities enforcements and digital asset transactions. The practice is jointly led by securities expert Mary Ward and corporate finance specialist Gavin Woods, whose recent work includes multi-billion dollar, cross-border deals in the insurance sector. TMT specialist Steven Rees Davies provides expertise in fintech and digital assets, while counsel Kent Smith's focus encompasses insurance, private equity and structured finance deals. Derivatives expert Matthew Grigg joined the practice from Clifford Chance LLP in June 2022.Practice head(s):
Mary Ward; Gavin Woods; Steven Rees Davies; Matthew Grigg
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A credible and, often superior, challenger to the traditional Bermudian firms, Carey Olsen brings a City quality service with a focus on value.’
‘Carey Olsen have a great team. One of the most entrepreneurial and vibrant firms on the island. Their ability to harness young talent and nurture it is stand out.’
Key clients
Avianca Holdings
Blackstone Alternative Credit Advisors
Blockchain.com Group Holdings
Coöperatieve Rabobank UA
The Joint Provisional Liquidators for World on Wireless Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Avianca Holdings on all the key Bermuda aspects of its $1.7bn restructuring.
- Advised Blackstone Alternative Credit Advisors on the provision of financing to BC Partners in connection with BC Partners’ acquisition of the Davies group.
- Acted as Joint Provisional Liquidators in the sale of the business and certain assets of World on Wireless Limited (WoW) to TeleBermuda International Limited (TBi).
Carey Olsen > Firm Profile
The firm: With a heritage that dates back to 1898, Carey Olsen is one of the most established and distinguished offshore law firms, advising on Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey law across a global network of nine international offices.
The Cayman Islands practice is managed by partner Nick Bullmore, supported by senior lawyers with significant Cayman Islands and international experience. The team has been hand-picked to bring together leading specialists in investment funds, corporate and commercial, finance, insolvency, dispute resolution, real estate, trusts and local business licensing.
The office has grown rapidly since its launch in 2012, quickly establishing its credentials with leading onshore law firms and with both institutional and non-institutional clients in the Cayman Islands and internationally.
We work with an extensive range of clients including directors, global financial institutions, investment funds, multi-lateral lending agencies, private equity houses and private individuals, including entrepreneurs and trustees.
Our clients have become accustomed to a responsive, partner-led service that provides timely and high-quality legal advice, grounded in commercial reality.
We also have Cayman Islands-qualified lawyers in our Hong Kong and Singapore offices ensuring we are able to provide legal advice to our clients in Asia in their own time zones.
Areas of practice: The firm offers a comprehensive range of legal services for all aspects of corporate/transactional, dispute resolution and private client work.
The firm’s dispute resolution and litigation group represents clients on the full spectrum of contentious and advisory work. Together with commercial litigation services, its practice offers focused advice on banking and finance, corporate disputes, contentious trusts and regulatory matters.
The firm’s private clients rely upon it for services that include estate planning, residential property, relocation, wills and inheritance.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Banking and finance | Nick Bullmore | nick.bullmore@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2012 |
Corporate and commercial | Nick Bullmore | nick.bullmore@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2012 |
Investment funds | Nick Bullmore | nick.bullmore@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2012 |
Trusts and private wealth | Bernadette Carey | bernadette.carey@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2025 |
Dispute resolution and litigation | Sam Dawson | sam.dawson@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2035 |
Restructuring and insolvency | Sam Dawson | sam.dawson@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2035 |
Corporate and commercial | Jarrod Farley | jarrod.farley@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2004 |
Investment funds | Jarrod Farley | jarrod.farley@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2004 |
Banking and finance | Alistair Russell | alistair.russell@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2013 |
Corporate and commercial | Alistair Russell | alistair.russell@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2013 |
Investment funds | Alistair Russell | alistair.russell@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2013 |
Corporate and commercial | Richard Munden | richard.munden@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2026 |
Restructuring and insolvency | Peter Sherwood | peter.sherwood@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2002 |
Dispute resolution and litigation | Peter Sherwood | peter.sherwood@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2002 |
Private Client | Bernadette Carey | bernadette.carey@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2025 |
Property Law | Bernadette Carey | bernadette.carey@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2025 |
Relocation | Bernadette Carey | bernadette.carey@careyolsen.com | +1 345 749 2025 |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Nick Bullmore | Nick is Managing Partner of Carey Olsen’s Cayman Islands office. He advises… | View Profile |
![]() | Bernadette Carey | Bernadette is the head of our Cayman Islands trusts and private wealth… | View Profile |
![]() | Emily Cornhill | Emily is a senior associate in Carey Olsen’s corporate team in the Cayman… | View Profile |
![]() | Jasmin Davies | Jasmin is a senior associate in Carey Olsen’s dispute resolution, insolvency and trusts… | View Profile |
![]() | Sam Dawson | Sam is head of Carey Olsen’s dispute resolution and insolvency and restructuring… | View Profile |
![]() | Mark Dowds | Mark has acted in a wide range of disputes and contentious, non-contentious… | View Profile |
![]() | Chris Duncan | Chris Duncan is counsel in our trusts and private wealth practice in… | View Profile |
![]() | James Eggleton | James is counsel in the dispute resolution and litigation team in the… | View Profile |
![]() | Jarrod Farley | Jarrod is a partner in Carey Olsen’s Cayman Islands office. He advises… | View Profile |
![]() | Sarah-Jane Hall | Sarah-Jane is an associate in Carey Olsen’s Trusts and Private Wealth team.… | View Profile |
![]() | Henry Harford | Henry joined Carey Olsen as a consultant in January 2016. Henry is… | View Profile |
![]() | Brian Jacomb | A member of our real estate practice in the Cayman Islands, Brian… | View Profile |
![]() | Jason Mbakwe | Jason Mbakwe is an associate in Carey Olsen’s dispute resolution and litigation… | View Profile |
![]() | Trevor McCabe | Trevor is a senior associate in the corporate group in Carey Olsen’s Cayman… | View Profile |
![]() | Richard Munden | Richard is partner in the corporate department and advises on a wide… | View Profile |
![]() | Denis Olarou | Denis is a partner in the firm’s dispute resolution, litigation and insolvency practice.… | View Profile |
![]() | Kristina Ostertag | Kristina is an associate in Carey Olsen’s corporate team in the Cayman… | View Profile |
![]() | Alistair Russell | Alistair is a partner in the corporate and finance group of Carey… | View Profile |
![]() | Peter Sherwood | Peter is a partner in the dispute resolution and litigation team in… | View Profile |
![]() | Peter Sherwood | Peter is a partner in the dispute resolution and litigation team in… | View Profile |
![]() | Nigel Smith | Nigel is a senior associate in the dispute resolution and litigation team… | View Profile |
![]() | Evan Stitt | Evan is an associate in the corporate group of Carey Olsen’s Cayman… | View Profile |
![]() | Graham Stoute | Graham is based in Carey Olsen’s Cayman Islands office and advises private… | View Profile |
![]() | Richard Sykes | Richard is a consultant in our corporate practice in the Cayman Islands. Richard… | View Profile |
![]() | Shane Westin | Shane is counsel in Carey Olsen’s corporate, commercial and property law groups… | View Profile |
![]() | Jenna Willis | Jenna is counsel in the corporate and finance group of Carey Olsen’s… | View Profile |
![]() | Dylan Wiltermuth | Dylan is counsel in Carey Olsen’s banking and finance practice. His practice focuses… | View Profile |
Comparative Guides
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Cayman Islands: Private Client
Published: January 2023
Authors: Bernadette Carey Chris Duncan Sarah Jane Hall
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Private Client laws and regulations that may occur in Cayman Islands.
-
Guernsey: Private Client
Published: January 2023
Authors: Natasha Kapp Russell Clark Laila Arstall Patricia Montgomery
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Private Client laws and regulations that may occur in Guernsey.
-
Jersey: Private Client
Published: January 2023
Authors: Keith Dixon Elizabeth Le Guillou
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Private Client laws and regulations that may occur in Jersey.
-
British Virgin Islands: Private Client
Published: January 2023
Authors: Bernadette Carey Graham Stoute Chris Duncan Sarah Jane Hall
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview to Private Client laws and regulations that may occur in British Virgin Islands.