Carey Olsen > Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands > Firm Profile

Carey Olsen > The Legal 500 Rankings

Cayman Islands > Dispute resolution Tier 2

Carey Olsen’s global litigation team routinely handles multi-jurisdictional disputes spanning general commercial litigation, contentious trust and estate disputes, fraud claims and big-ticket liquidations. The practice is led by insolvency and restructuring specialist Sam Dawson, who is particularly noted for his experience in financial services litigation, while Peter Sherwood is a ‘formidable’ adviser with a keen focus on insolvency litigation. Denis Olarou is noted for his broad experience in insolvency proceedings, fraud litigation and international arbitrations, while Bernadette Carey frequently appears before the Grand Court in multi-party trust disputes, estate litigation and other cross-border private client disputes.

Cayman Islands > Trusts/private client Tier 2

Carey Olsen’s team is equipped to advise a varied client base including high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients on trust structuring and restructuring issues, wealth management arrangements, contentious trusts matters and court applications. Praised as a ‘shining light within the industry’, Bernadette Carey leads the practice and routinely advises on both non-contentious and contentious matters, including cross-border, multi-party litigation and high-profile trust disputes before the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. On the non-contentious side, Cayman and BVI-qualified Graham Stoute is noted for his knowledge of STAR and VISTA trusts, private trust companies, commercial trust arrangements and charitable trusts; and with expertise in advising founders in the fintech and crypto space using trusts and foundation companies on digital assets, Chris Duncan is also highly recommended.

Cayman Islands > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 3

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.

Cayman Islands > Corporate and commercial Tier 3

Carey Olsen‘s Cayman corporate practice provides comprehensive advice on complex private and public M&A transactions, as well as general commercial and corporate matters. Nick Bullmore is particularly active in structured finance work (including CLOs) and joint ventures, while Jarrod Farley focuses on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters and regulatory issues, particularly investment fund-related work. Richard Munden‘s expertise spans joint ventures, shareholder arrangements, and aviation and other asset financings. Alistair Russell advises on all aspects of commercial and corporate law, while counsel Dylan Wiltermuth‘s focus is on corporate restructurings, especially involving structured finance, private equity and financial services elements.

Cayman Islands > Investment funds Tier 3

At Carey Olsen, a trio of senior corporate and commercial specialists comprising managing partner Nick Bullmore, and Jarrod Farley and Alistair Russell, focuses on mandates relating to both regulated and unregulated investment funds in Cayman. The team’s workload ranges from assistance with fund establishments, to transactional, financing and compliance matters, including local business licensing issues.

Cayman Islands > Real estate Tier 3

Carey Olsen‘s real estate practice is sought out by major developers and lenders, landlords, vendors, investors and purchasers for its in-depth knowledge of commercial and residential real estate and development projects. The team includes practice head Richard Sykes, who focuses on complex real estate transactions and structuring work; Richard Munden, who handles real estate financing, hotel issues and other M&A transactions; and hospitality project expert Nick Bullmore. Alistair Russell concentrates on development work and issues involving ultra-high-net-worth individuals, while Kristina Ostertag is a key contact at associate level.

Cayman Islands > Regulatory and compliance Tier 3

Carey Olsen provides comprehensive advice to global financial institutions, investment funds, fund administrators and fintech companies on a wide range of regulatory and compliance issues. The practice houses a team of experienced lawyers including Richard Munden, who focuses on the tech sector and virtual assets; Jarrod Farley, who is noted for advising on the establishment of both regulated and unregulated investment funds; and ‘phenomenal’ counsel Chris Duncan, who has recently been involved in several registration applications under the VASP Act.

Hong Kong > Offshore law firms

Foreign-based expertise > Leading firms

Overview Leveraging the expertise throughout its UK and Asia offices, Carey Olsen’s ‘incredibly responsive and effective’ global Caribbean-focused practice draws on ‘deep reservoirs of expertise and experience’ to field ‘the A-Team of all offshore practices operating today’. The firm’s team is spread across its London, Hong Kong and Singapore offices, covering Bermuda, BVI and Cayman law with particular experience in corporate, finance, funds and insolvency work, and litigation. For more information on specific regions, please click on the tabs below.

Bermuda > Banking, finance and capital markets

Praised for its ‘depth of knowledge,’ the multidisciplinary team at Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited advises on a wide range of high-profile matters encompassing leveraged financings, restructurings, asset issues and bilateral and syndicated lending mandates. Gavin Woods, who has extensive experience in insurance and investment fund matters, co-heads the practice alongside Steven Rees Davies, a renowned specialist in the fintech and digital asset sector, and Matthew Grigg, who advises on all forms of corporate and finance transactions. The firm’s roster of key contacts also includes counsel Charissa Ball, who has particular expertise in corporate reorganisations, redomiciling issues and debt and equity offerings; senior associate Michelle Falcucci, whose focus lies on insurance and investment fund law; and counsel Max Tetlow, who possesses experience in the (re)insurance investment fund, financial services and private equity sectors.

Bermuda > Corporate and commercial

The expansive corporate practice at Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited provides comprehensive guidance across a diverse array of areas, encompassing restructurings, M&A, financings and digital assets-based matters, with extensive experience in high-value, cross-border commercial transactions. Gavin Woods, an expert in corporate finance and structuring work, co-leads the practice with a particular emphasis on insurance matters, including licensing and regulatory issues. Fellow co-head Steven Rees Davies lends his expertise as a fintech and digital assets specialist, having played a pivotal role alongside the Bermuda government in crafting its regulatory framework, while co-head Matthew Grigg handles the entire spectrum of corporate and finance transactions across the banking, funds, and insurance sectors. The firm also fields a cadre of other notable contacts, including Charissa Ball, Michelle Falcucci and Max Tetlow, who are all highly proficient in various aspects of commercial and corporate law.