Firm Profile > Maples Group > Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Maples Group Offices
PO BOX 309
UGLAND HOUSE, SOUTH CHURCH STREET,GEORGE TOWN
GRAND CAYMAN KY1-1104
Cayman Islands
Profiles
Maples Group > The Legal 500 Rankings
Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 1
Maples Group is 'a market leader and market-setting firm in the Cayman Islands', and fields a practice, which specialises in aircraft and shipping finance, banking work, structured finance, fund finance, insurance-linked securities, listings and regulatory advice. Recent highlights include structured finance expert Scott Macdonald acting as Cayman counsel to GoodGreen 2019-1, the Cayman issuer of $225m green bonds backed by a portfolio of property-assessed clean energy assets. Mark Matthews is global finance head, Tina Meigh heads up the fund finance group, Wanda Ebanks specialises in repackagings and structured finance transactions, and Jonathon Meloy has extensive experience in international capital markets and corporate finance transactions. Also key to the practice are shipping specialist Sherice Arman, John Dykstra, who has expertise in catastrophe bonds; structured finance expert Nicola Bashforth, Anthony Philp and James Reeve, while Amanda Lazier and Lucy Sleep are the associates to note. Dale Crowley joined Boddens.
Testimonials
‘Always competently responsive and the practice’s insight transcends the four corners of any issue presented, enabling the firm to advise in holistic fashion without missing a thing‘.
‘Dedicated legal team that has broad finance experience and a willingness to provide creative solutions to sometimes challenging assignments’.
‘Top-notch responsiveness:, both on transaction-specific terms and generally keeping in touch‘.
‘Mark Matthews has been in the business a long time and is a trusted adviser to many securitisation sponsors‘.
‘Tina Meigh is very committed and loyal‘.
‘James Reeve is service-oriented, very bright, and a pair of safe hands even in fast-paced transactions‘.
‘Wanda Ebanks is extremely responsive and incredibly knowledgeable‘.
‘Sherice Arman is very well regarded‘.
‘Scott Macdonald is a leader in the industry.‘
Key clients
Ares Management
Avolon
Bain Capital
Blackstone
Goshawk Aviation
Prudential
TPG
Transocean
Ygrene
Zephyrus
Corporate and commercial Tier 1
Maples Group's team is 'spearheaded by senior industry figures with close knowledge of local and international initiatives'. The group advises on the full range of corporate and commercial matters including domestic and cross-border M&A transactions, formations and constitution work, general company administration issues, regulatory compliance, substance requirements, corporate governance practices, share capital issuances, directors' duties work and shareholders' rights. In a recent highlight, Suzanne Correy and Daniel Lee acted for Sedgwick Claims Management Services on KKR's sale of its stake in the company to Carlyle Group. Matthew Gardner heads up the Cayman corporate group, and Kieran Walsh and Simon Firth co-head the Latin America team. Other noteworthy practitioners include offshore investment fund expert Christopher Capewell, energy sector specialist Michael Johns, Shari Seymour and newly promoted partner Finn O’Hegarty.
Testimonials
‘Definitely the leading law firm in Cayman; the team is extremely responsive with high levels of technical knowledge. The partners and associates are very engaged with world developments and discussions that can impact investments from and into other countries‘.
‘By hiring them, clients are not just getting knowledge of the law as it currently stands but also what it is likely to be. They have unrivalled experience and an ease of manner that cuts through the complexities and gives the client the appropriate explanation with well-rehearsed comfort‘.
‘Matthew Gardner is an exceptionally bright and knowledgeable lawyer, who can interpret and apply the voluminous areas of company law to practical situations with the ease of an expert and the grace of a surgeon‘.
‘Kieran Walsh has outstanding and comprehensive knowledge of legal and business matters‘.
‘Simon Firth is very knowledgeable and proactive‘.
Key clients
Banorte
Blackrock
CDH Fund
Francisco Partners
LGT Bank
LCM Asset Management
Lima Metro
Marfrig Global Foods
Nord Anglia Education
Odebrecht
Reebonz
SK Capital Partners
TermoCandelaria
Transocean
Dispute resolution Tier 1
Maples Group's practice handles a wide variety of international commercial disputes spanning insolvency and restructuring issues, fund disputes, finance-related claims, shareholder litigation, fraud and asset tracing issues, and maritime disputes. In a recent highlight, Mac Imrie successfully defended Vista Del Mar Development against a Privy Council appeal against its application for specific performance of an option to repurchase land. Aristos Galatopoulos is global head of the dispute resolution and insolvency practice, Colin McKie QC is an international disputes specialist, and Morven McMillan heads up the trusts and private client practice in Cayman. Also key to the group are James Eldridge, Caroline Moran and of counsel Nick Herrod. Luke Stockdale was made partner in 2019.
Key clients
Vantage Drilling Company
Premium Point funds
Deutsche Bank Trust Company of the Americas
Scottish Re Group
Vista Del Mar Development
China Shanshui Cement Group
Ascot Fund
Waypoint Leasing Holdings
Bristow
TPG
Investment funds Tier 1
Maples Group is a go-to firm for large and complex matters providing advice across the spectrum of fund and investment management products including hedge funds, fund of funds, master-feeder funds, liquid alternatives, credit funds, hybrid funds and unit trusts. Clients also benefit from the group's Irish desk, which advises on EU regulated funds and Irish law. Jonathan Green leads the Cayman funds and investment management team, Jon Fowler is global funds and investment management group head, and Iain McMurdo heads up the global private equity practice. In recent work, Michael Richardson led advice to iCapital on its acquisition of a Bank of America business, which administered alternative feeder funds; Julian Ashworth assisted One Equity Partners Fund with the fund raising for its seventh fund; Sheryl Dean acted for Bain Capital on the closing of its Asia buyout fund; and Christie Walton led on the $1bn launch of Cinctive Capital Management. Tim Coak is also a key partner, while at senior associate level, Michelle Richie and Lee Davis are experienced advisers.
Key clients
Neuberger Berman
CVC Capital Partners
The Blackstone Group
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co
TPG Capital
Warburg Pincus
Advent International
Apollo Global Management
Citigroup
Credit Suisse
Morgan Stanley
Bain Capital
Vista Equity Partners
Goldman Sachs
Silver Lake
Brookfield Asset Management
I Squared
Trusts/private client Tier 1
Maples Group's international trust law experts count global financial institutions, foreign governments, financial centres, and some of the world's wealthiest individuals as clients. The group assists with Cayman private wealth structures and contentious issues, and also advises on the use of trusts in the context of securitisation transactions, collective investment structures, special purpose vehicles, employee benefit and management schemes, and pension funds. Morven McMillan heads up the trusts and private client team, which also fields trust disputes expert Colin McKie QC and associate Maxine Bodden.
Insurance/reinsurance Tier 2
Maples Group's practice encompasses insurance-related M&A and corporate matters, regulatory compliance work, the licensing of insurers, managers and brokers, capital insurance issues, catastrophe bond work and other special purpose insurer, reinsurance and corporate advisory matters. The firm's litigation team also assists with insurance-related disputes. Group head Tim Frawley handles the formation of new insurance companies, insurance-related corporate and regulatory advice, substantive insurance law, and alternative risk transfer structures; John Dykstra is highly regarded for catastrophe bond transactions; and Abraham Thoppil focuses on insurance regulatory matters, licensing work, restructuring mandates, insurance M&A and motor vehicle insurance.
Testimonials
‘The firm’s staff is professional and makes itself available for discussions‘.
Key clients
United Insurance Company
Signature Insurance
Scottish Annuity & Life Insurance Company (Cayman)
Cayman First Insurance Company
Oxbridge Reinsurance
Nassau Re
Crosswinds Re
Island Heritage Insurance Company
Brac Insurance Associates
Magni Re
Nomadic Insurance
Real estate Tier 3
Maples Group's property and projects and construction teams have particular expertise in the sale and purchase of commercial properties, hotel and tourism law, property financing issues, strata title law, construction matters, tendering and procurement work, and real estate-related dispute resolution. Associate George Loutas heads up the practice.
Key clients
Atlantic Star
Bank of the Ozarks
Butterfield Bank (Cayman)
Grupo Dolphin
Island Heritage
Kimpton Hotel Group
Port Authority of the Cayman Islands
Remax Cayman Islands
Vista Del Mar Development
Wells Fargo Bank
Maples Group > Firm Profile
The Maples Group, through its leading international law firm, Maples and Calder, advises global financial, institutional, business and private clients on the laws of the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Ireland, Jersey and Luxembourg. With offices in key jurisdictions around the world, the Maples Group has specific strengths in areas of corporate commercial, finance, investment funds, litigation and trusts. Maintaining relationships with leading legal counsel, the Group leverages this local expertise to deliver an integrated service offering for global business initiatives. For more information, please visit: maples.com.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance | Chris Byrne | chris.byrne@maples.com | +44 1534 671 311 |
| Corporate | Paul Burton | paul.burton@maples.com | +44 1534 671 312 |
| Funds & Investment Management | Simon Hopwood | simon.hopwood@maples.com | +44 1534 671 314 |
Staff Figures
: :Languages
English (fluent)Other
Other offices : British Virgin Islands Other offices : Dubai Other offices : Dublin Other offices : Hong Kong Other offices : Jersey Other offices : London Other offices : Luxembourg Other offices : Singapore Contacts : Jonathan Green, Global Managing PartnerMaples Group > Firm Profile
The Maples Group is a leading service provider offering clients a comprehensive range of legal services on the laws of the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Ireland, Jersey and Luxembourg, and is an independent provider of fiduciary, fund services, regulatory and compliance, and entity formation and management services. The Maples Group distinguishes itself with a client-focused approach, providing solutions tailored to their specific needs. Its global network of lawyers and industry professionals are strategically located in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East to ensure that clients gain immediate access to expert advice and bespoke support, within convenient time zones. For more information, please visit: maples.com.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment funds | Jon Fowler | ||
| Corporate and commercial | Edward Miller | ||
| Finance and banking | Mark Matthews | ||
| Litigation | Aristos Galatopoulos |
Staff Figures
Number of Global partners : 132 Number of other Global fee-earners : 214Other
Other offices : Cayman Islands Other offices : Dubai Other offices : Dublin Other offices : Hong Kong Other offices : Jersey Other offices : London Other offices : Luxembourg Other offices : Singapore Contacts : Alasdair Robertson, Global Managing PartnerTop Tier Firm Rankings
- Banking, finance and capital markets
- Corporate and commercial
- Dispute resolution
- Investment funds
- Trusts/private client