Carey Olsen > Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands > Firm Profile

Carey Olsen
WILLOW HOUSE, PO BOX 10008
CRICKET SQUARE
GRAND CAYMAN, KY1-1001
Cayman Islands

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:

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.

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):

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 recommendedAlistair 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.

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
From Carey Olsen LLP‘s London office, ‘very responsive‘ office managing partner Jasmine Amaria advises a broad range of clients on BVI and Cayman issues with a particular focus on corporate, fund and finance work, acting for clients based throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Richard Brown is the key contact for contentious work and insolvency-related matters connected to the BVI; he works closely with Jan Golaszewski, who recently relocated from the firm’s Cayman office to London and is an expert in multijurisdictional litigation, arbitration and insolvencies. Counsel Sheba Raza also attracts praise from clients.
With a ‘dominant position‘ across Asia Pacific, Carey Olsen Hong Kong LLP‘s managing partner Michael Padarin handles BVI, Cayman and Bermuda-related work with a notable focus on the formation, operation and restructuring of a range of funds. Also in Hong Kong, Jeremy Lightfoot leads the dispute resolution practice and leverages his previous on-island experience in the BVI to handle high-profile commercial litigation, while James Webb focuses on debt transactions, and Henry Tucker regularly appears before the Bermuda Supreme Court. In Carey Olsen Singapore LLP, James Noble leads the litigation practice in Asia and is the only Cayman and BVI admitted litigator in Singapore, while office managing partner Anthony McKenzie handles a variety of corporate and commercial work. Tom Katsaros leads the funds team in Singapore and is also admitted to practice in Cayman.

Practice head(s):

Jasmine Amaria; Michael Padarin; Anthony McKenzie

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).

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.

DepartmentNameEmailTelephone
Banking and finance Nick Bullmorenick.bullmore@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2012
Corporate and commercial Nick Bullmorenick.bullmore@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2012
Investment funds Nick Bullmorenick.bullmore@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2012
Trusts and private wealth Bernadette Careybernadette.carey@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2025
Dispute resolution and litigation Sam Dawsonsam.dawson@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2035
Restructuring and insolvency Sam Dawsonsam.dawson@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2035
Corporate and commercial Jarrod Farleyjarrod.farley@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2004
Investment funds Jarrod Farleyjarrod.farley@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2004
Banking and finance Alistair Russellalistair.russell@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2013
Corporate and commercial Alistair Russellalistair.russell@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2013
Investment funds Alistair Russellalistair.russell@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2013
Corporate and commercial Richard Mundenrichard.munden@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2026
Restructuring and insolvency Peter Sherwoodpeter.sherwood@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2002
Dispute resolution and litigation Peter Sherwoodpeter.sherwood@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2002
Private Client Bernadette Careybernadette.carey@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2025
Property Law Bernadette Careybernadette.carey@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2025
Relocation Bernadette Careybernadette.carey@careyolsen.com+1 345 749 2025
PhotoNamePositionProfile
Nick Bullmore photo Nick BullmoreNick is Managing Partner of Carey Olsen’s Cayman Islands office. He advises…
Bernadette Carey photo Bernadette CareyBernadette is the head of our Cayman Islands trusts and private wealth…
Emily Cornhill photo Emily CornhillEmily is a senior associate in Carey Olsen’s corporate team in the Cayman…
Jasmin Davies photo Jasmin DaviesJasmin is a senior associate in Carey Olsen’s dispute resolution, insolvency and trusts…
Sam Dawson photo Sam DawsonSam is head of Carey Olsen’s dispute resolution and insolvency and restructuring…
Mark Dowds photo Mark DowdsMark has acted in a wide range of disputes and contentious, non-contentious…
Chris Duncan photo Chris DuncanChris Duncan is counsel in our trusts and private wealth practice in…
James Eggleton photo James EggletonJames is counsel in the dispute resolution and litigation team in the…
Jarrod Farley photo Jarrod FarleyJarrod is a partner in Carey Olsen’s Cayman Islands office. He advises…
Sarah-Jane Hall photo Sarah-Jane HallSarah-Jane is an associate in Carey Olsen’s Trusts and Private Wealth team.…
Henry Harford photo Henry HarfordHenry joined Carey Olsen as a consultant in January 2016. Henry is…
Brian Jacomb photo Brian JacombA member of our real estate practice in the Cayman Islands, Brian…
Jason Mbakwe photo Jason MbakweJason Mbakwe is an associate in Carey Olsen’s dispute resolution and litigation…
Trevor McCabe photo Trevor McCabeTrevor is a senior associate in the corporate group in Carey Olsen’s Cayman…
Richard Munden photo Richard MundenRichard is partner in the corporate department and advises on a wide…
Denis Olarou photo Denis OlarouDenis is a partner in the firm’s dispute resolution, litigation and insolvency practice.…
Kristina Ostertag photo Kristina OstertagKristina is an associate in Carey Olsen’s corporate team in the Cayman…
Alistair Russell photo Alistair RussellAlistair is a partner in the corporate and finance group of Carey…
Peter Sherwood photo Peter SherwoodPeter is a partner in the dispute resolution and litigation team in…
Peter Sherwood photo Peter SherwoodPeter is a partner in the dispute resolution and litigation team in…
Nigel Smith photo Nigel SmithNigel is a senior associate in the dispute resolution and litigation team…
Evan Stitt photo Evan StittEvan is an associate in the corporate group of Carey Olsen’s Cayman…
Graham Stoute photo Graham StouteGraham is based in Carey Olsen’s Cayman Islands office and advises private…
Richard Sykes photo Richard SykesRichard is a consultant in our corporate practice in the Cayman Islands. Richard…
Shane Westin photo Shane WestinShane is counsel in Carey Olsen’s corporate, commercial and property law groups…
Jenna Willis photo Jenna WillisJenna is counsel in the corporate and finance group of Carey Olsen’s…
Dylan Wiltermuth photo Dylan WiltermuthDylan is counsel in Carey Olsen’s banking and finance practice. His practice focuses…