Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1

At Maples Group, the 'market-leading' team is particularly active in high-end structured financing transactions and is engaged on a large proportion of the region’s US collateralised loan obligation (CLO) deals with Cayman issuers. In a recent highlight led by 'brilliant' fund finance practice head Tina Meigh and James Reeve, the group acted for Bain Capital in a novel $501m deal - the first CLO in which a Cayman LLC was employed as the note issuance vehicle. Finance lawyers in the team also specialise in banking regulations, fund finance issues, insurance-linked securities, listings and asset finance mandates, particularly aircraft and shipping finance work. The group also receives instructions involving debt and equity capital markets, with Anthony Philp particularly effective in this field. Scott Macdonald heads up the firm’s global finance offering, while Jonathon Meloy and Sherice Arman are co-heads of the firm’s asset finance team in the region. Mark Matthews, Wanda Ebanks and John Dykstra are further names to note at partner level; Amanda Lazier and Lucy Sleep are highly regarded associates.

Corporate and commercial Tier 1

With a team of ‘quality, seasoned lawyers’, Maples Group has ‘unparalleled depth of expertise’ in Cayman corporate matters including domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, formations and constitution work, corporate restructurings, corporate governance practices and other general corporate and commercial advisory matters. The department focuses on assisting financial services, pharmaceuticals, media and energy clients and fields a dedicated Latin America group. Kieran Walsh, who co-heads the Latin America group, advised XP Inc. on the Cayman aspects of its $2.3bn IPO including handling the significantly complex shareholder arrangement negotiations. Managing partner Matthew Gardner leads the local corporate group, which includes M&A expert, Michael Johns, public company specialists Suzanne Correy and Daniel Lee, Simon Firth and regulatory practice head Christopher Capewell. Other names to note are Shari Seymour and Finn O’Hegarty.

Dispute resolution Tier 1

Attracting praise for its expertise in complex multi-jurisdictional matters, the ‘skilled and responsive’ team at Maples Group has a ‘deserved reputation for quality outcomes’ in Cayman litigation. Singled out as ‘probably the most experienced offshore litigator’ in Cayman, Aristos Galatopoulos sits as global head of the dispute resolution and insolvency practice, which handles a broad range of international commercial disputes. Key areas of strength include insolvency and restructuring issues, fund disputes, finance-related claims, shareholder litigation, fraud and asset tracing issues, and maritime disputes. In a recent stand-out matter, consultant Mac Imrie represented Nord Anglia Education in the Cayman's largest fair value proceedings to date valued at $1.2bn concerning shares owned by dissenting shareholders. Elsewhere, James Eldridge specialises in insolvency-related issues, particularly distressed funds, and Caroline Moran is noted for her expertise in restructuring mandates. Luke Stockdale, of counsel Nick Herrod and associate Adam Huckle are further names to note in the team. Colin McKie QC retired in late 2020.

Investment funds Tier 1

With a substantial number of the world’s largest private equity firms and hedge funds as clients, Maples Group advises across the spectrum of fund and investment management products. Within this area, it is a go-to practice for assisting with hedge funds, fund of funds, master-feeder funds, liquid alternatives, credit funds, hybrid funds and unit trusts. Jon Fowler is global head of the firm’s funds and investment management team and Michael Richardson heads up the local Cayman group, while Iain McMurdo, who is the global head of private equity, focuses on the formation of private equity funds and the resulting downstream transactions. Alongside Sheryl Dean, Gwyneth Rees, Tim Coak, Jeremy Bomford, Jonathan Green and Julian Ashworth, all of whom are vastly experienced in the space, Jo Cunningham is particularly active on major mandates; in a recent stand-out matter, Cunningham advised Fortress Investment Group LLC on the launch of its first direct lending fund valued at $2bn. Of counsel Stephen Watler is also noted, while at senior associate level, Michelle Richie and Lee Davis are highly regarded.

Regulatory and compliance Tier 1

Maples Group fields a team of dedicated regulatory specialists, which advises on a multitude of financial services regulatory frameworks, particularly the conduct and business obligations of regulated entities including banks, investment managers, trust companies and fund administrators. Working closely with the firm’s funds, finance and corporate departments, the group frequently advises on anti-money laundering issues and sanctions compliance, data protection laws and Economic Substance mandates. The team is headed by Christopher Capewell, who also advises a range of offshore vehicles on the Securities Investment Business Law, the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, the OECD Country-by-Country Reporting regime and the EU’s Mandatory Disclosure Regime. Promoted to partner in 2019, Tim Dawson is a member of a number of government regulatory working groups. Another name to note is Sarah Farquhar, who was previously a senior executive at HSBC in London and joined the team as an associate in 2019.

Trusts/private client Tier 1

Headed up by contentious and non-contentious trusts expert Morven McMillan, Maples Group advises world-leading financial institutions, foreign governments, high-net-worth individuals, families, charities and other trust companies on local private wealth structures. As well as being active in trust disputes, which increasingly involve associate Adam Huckle, the department advises clients on complex cross-border estate and succession planning matters and also the use of trusts as part of international commercial transactions. Promoted to of counsel in late 2019, Maxine Bodden specialises in advising on the establishment and administration of Cayman trusts including unit trusts, pension and employee benefit trusts, and charitable trusts. Experienced litigator Colin McKie QC retired in late 2020.

Insurance/reinsurance Tier 3

Maples Group’s insurance team, which is led by Tim Frawley, is particularly active in insurance-related M&A and corporate matters and regulatory compliance work. As well as advising on the licensing of insurers, managers and brokers and capital insurance issues, the group also has experience in insurance-related disputes. Abraham Thoppil and John Dykstra are other key lawyers in the group; Dykstra is highly adept at dealing with catastrophe bond transactions.

Real estate Tier 4

Associate George Loutas heads up Maples Group's property and construction team, which is primarily involved in the sale and purchase of high-value commercial properties. The team also has a track record in hotel and tourism law, property financing issues, strata title law, construction matters, tendering and procurement work, and real estate-related dispute resolution.