Walkers BVI > Tortola, British Virgin Islands > Firm Profile
Walkers BVI Offices
171 MAIN STREET, PO BOX 92
ROAD TOWN
TORTOLA VG1110
British Virgin Islands
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Walkers BVI > The Legal 500 Rankings
British Virgin Islands > Dispute resolution Tier 1
Walkers BVI is the preferred destination for a diverse clientele, including high-net-worth individuals, private equity and hedge funds, and other institutional clients, fielding a ‘formidable team of lawyers’. The group excels in shareholder disputes, corporate litigation, ultra-high-value asset cases, fraud, and contentious insolvency matters, frequently appearing in Commercial Court, Court of Appeal, and Privy Council proceedings. Specialising in fraud and asset tracing claims, Oliver Clifton is ‘hugely experienced in BVI litigation, with a strong instinct for the merits and strategy’. Clifton jointly leads the group with the ‘legally and tactically brilliant’ Rosalind Nicholson, a well-known barrister and a key contact for shareholder disputes and insolvency proceedings. Murray Laing is another ‘great member of the team’ and has a ‘superb eye for detail and strategic judgment’. Other noteworthy members of the team include Iain Tucker, a ‘very experienced and efficient litigator’ with a particular focus on contentious and insolvency-related mandates in the fintech space; and Cate Barbour, who acts for Central Asian and Middle Eastern clients.Practice head(s):
Oliver Clifton; Rosalind Nicholson
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Walkers BVI are top of their game: a boutique firm that lands prominent instructions in every big ticket piece of litigation on island, and with a formidable roster of talented lawyers.’
‘Rosalind Nicholson: she is the standout company lawyer in the BVI. Legally and tactically brilliant. A huge asset to Walkers – and a huge thorn in the side of any opposing legal team. Murray Laing: exceptionally diligent committed and kind, Murray is that rare kind of law partner who genuinely cares for the best interests of his client. Your faith in him will be repaid in spades. A class act.’
‘Oliver Clifton: hugely experienced in BVI litigation, with a strong instinct for the merits and strategy. Brilliant in cross border commercial litigation and a real heavyweight in this jurisdiction.’
‘Oliver Clifton is the real rain-maker in this team, which he leads with great energy and panache.’
‘Rosalind Nicholson has a wealth of experience which really makes her stand out above the crowd in her knowledge of the law, tactical judgment and how to manage litigation. On top of that she is a real pleasure to deal with.’
‘Walkers BVI are undoubtedly one or the major players in the BVI dispute resolution space. They are a large team with considerable combined experience and expertise.’
‘A genuine offshore heavyweight with strength across jurisdictions and populated by seriously talented people who are a joy to work with. Walkers offers a seamless service across the international dispute resolution arena. I love working with them.’
‘Iain Tucker – a clever lawyer with an eye on the detail. Able to bring a fresh perspective to a case in a way that makes his client’s position seem like the only sensible answer. A pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
Pfizer Inc.
FTX Trading Ltd. and associated debtors
HSBC
SinoJet (Beijing) Ltd
Richcourt Allweather Fund
Nokian Shina LLC
BlockFi International Ltd
Broad Idea International Limited
Multi-Bank Group, Dubai
Formal Holdings Limited
Work highlights
- Acted as BVI counsel to Pfizer Inc. on its $11.6bn cash acquisition of Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd.
- Representing MBFX in ongoing disputes with Von Der Heydt S.A. MBFX as part of the Multibank Group.
- Represented HSBC in the application to appoint Provisional Liquidators to two BVI subsidiaries of NewOcean Energy Holdings, a Bermudan company, listed on the HK Stock Exchange.
British Virgin Islands > Trusts/private client Tier 1
Walkers BVI‘s team of specialist lawyers is sought out by a host of entrepreneurs, wealthy families, and institutional and individual trustees for its expertise in non-contentious issues and contentious matters before the BVI Courts. Company law and corporate litigation specialist Rosalind Nicholson leads the practice together with David Pytches, who splits its time between Cayman and BVI and leads on multi-billion-dollar trust restructuring matters. Pytches is also noted for his expertise in the fintech sector and has advised on various BVI trusts in the blockchain space. Oliver Clifton regularly appears in proceedings involving fraud and asset tracing issues as well as oligarch-related litigation.Practice head(s):
David Pytches; Rosalind Nicholson
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Intertrust
Rawlinson & Hunter
Trident Trust
Nerine Trust Company (BVI) Limited
Formal Holdings Limited (FHL)
Work highlights
- Acted for an individual in a long-running dispute regarding the ownership of shares in a significant PRC pharmaceutical company and other group companies held by a BVI company called Endushantum through a complex trust structure.
- Acted for an individual and Formal Holdings Limited as defendants in a claim brought by the Trustees of the Erica Trust against multiple defendants relating to the transfer of a substantial portion of the trust’s assets to FiHAG, a Swiss Company.
British Virgin Islands > Banking, finance and capital markets Tier 2
Jointly led by BVI managing partner Matthew Cowman and cross-border finance transactions specialist Omonike Robinson-Pickering, Walkers BVI‘s team is sought out by a varied client base, including fintech businesses, for advice on general bank financings, leasing issues, securitisations, M&A restructurings and joint ventures, as well as debt, equity and asset-backed securities work. The group's asset finance expertise is also highlighted, with particular knowledge of private vessel and aircraft matters. Senior associate Lauren Williamson focuses on banking and finance transactions, corporate restructurings and M&A work.Practice head(s):
Matthew Cowman; Omonike Robinson-Pickering
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Walkers have a very skilled and qualified team, client oriented service, and with fast response to any inquiry.’
‘Matthew Cowman is by far the best lawyer I had worked in the BVI. He is diligent, gives great advice and works fast with excellent work product.’
Key clients
The Central America Bottling Corporation
NCL Corporation
Work highlights
- Acted as a counsel to NCL Corporation Ltd, a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, on issuing up to $1bn of senior secured notes guaranteed by certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including its BVI entity.
- Represented The Central America Bottling Corporation in the first US dollar-denominated Sustainability-Linked Bond by a bottling company in the Americas.
British Virgin Islands > Corporate and commercial Tier 2
Walkers BVI's corporate, finance and funds practice is ‘well-resourced and attentive to client needs’, and acts for a substantial roster of asset managers, financial services companies and multinational conglomerates. Matthew Cowman leads the practice and garners praise as a ‘highly skilled’ adviser with cross-border expertise. Corporate finance expert Omonike Robinson-Pickering leverages her experience gained in the firm’s offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and Cayman to provide advice on cross-border finance transactions from a BVI perspective. ‘Extremely competent’ senior counsel Alex Drysdale is recognised for his knowledge of Latin American markets, while senior associate Lauren Williamson is active in restructurings and financing transactions.Practice head(s):
Matthew Cowman
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Walkers BVI are invested in their clients’ success. Their experience, collaboration, precise advice, and commercial acumen set a new benchmark for legal services. They provide unparalleled legal expertise in the BVI jurisdiction.’
‘Well resourced and attentive to client needs, deliverables are prompt and of exceptional quality and clarity.’
‘Matthew Cowman is an accomplished adviser and leader in corporate and commercial practice. Highly skilled, he adeptly approaches complex issues with singular ingenuity and commercial nous. Matthew never loses focus of the client’s over-arching business imperatives and macro concerns while he leads his team in providing meticulous end-to-end advice. Matthew is approachable, responsive and a pleasure to deal with.’
‘More than a legal expert, Matthew Cowman is a strategic partner with a keen eye on the deal.’
‘Alex Drysdale is extremely competent, helpful, thoughtful, responsive, creative and commercial.’
Key clients
Pfizer Inc.
The Central America Bottling Corporation
NCL Corporation
Convoy Global Holdings Limited
Uber
FTX
AEA Investors LP
Work highlights
- Represented Pfizer in its $11.6bn acquisition of NYSE-listed Biohaven Pharmaceutical, and in the subsequent restructuring of the Pfizer group companies.
- Represented Uber in the spin-off of its Middle East non-rides businesses held by its BVI subsidiary, Careem.
- Advising the FTX group on BVI and Cayman law matters pursuant to Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings brought in the US.
British Virgin Islands > Investment funds Tier 2
A litany of hedge fund groups, private equity houses, asset managers, institutional investors and onshore law firms turn to Walkers BVI's investment funds practice for advice on fund formations and capitalisations, financings, buyouts, regulations and downstream transactions. Particularly strong in the open-ended funds space, the team continues to handle a range of BVI incubator issues spanning small crypto incubators and large institutions. Hedge fund and private equity fund expert Paul Waldron is noted for working with managers and service providers in the fintech space, advising on the full spectrum of pre-formation strategies, launches and governance issues. Waldron is assisted by senior counsel Iona Wright, whose broad practice spans investment funds, investment managers, crypto regulation and digital assets.Practice head(s):
Paul Waldron
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Deep knowledge of the specific jurisdictions. Amazing people and very helpful.’
‘Willing to go the extra mile and really work with you as a client.’
British Virgin Islands > Regulatory and compliance Tier 2
Spearheaded by fintech regulation expert Lucy Frew from Cayman, Walkers BVI assists a varied client base across the banking, insurance and reinsurance, and investment sectors on a host of financial regulation and risk management issues, as well as contentious and advisory matters. Data protection, cross-border compliance and risk management specialist Sara Hall is based in London and is known for advising on OECD compliance, while senior counsel Iona Wright, who is the primary contact based in the BVI, is praised by clients for her knowledge of financial services regulatory matters, governance work and corporate transaction regulatory support.Practice head(s):
Lucy Frew
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘From start to finish, the Walkers team demonstrated an unparalleled level of professionalism, expertise, and dedication that truly set them apart.’
‘‘Throughout the legal process, Lucy Frew (Partner) demonstrated an impressive blend of professionalism and approachability. She was available to address my questions and concerns, providing timely updates and ensuring that I was well-informed every step of the way. Their communication skills are truly commendable and her advice was very commercial.’
‘Iona Wright and her team were very thorough, diligent and detail oriented. They had a good pulse on the current regulatory environment as well as what changes to keep an eye out for. The sector our company operates in is fast changing and often volatile, but the Walkers team we worked with was well versed in supporting us.’
‘Iona Wright was excellent to work with!’
‘Right from the initial consultation, it was clear that Walkers was invested in understanding my unique situation. The attorneys took the time to listen attentively, ask insightful questions, and gather all the necessary details. This personalised approach immediately put me at ease, as I knew I was in capable hands.’
‘Throughout the entire legal process, Walkers showcased an impressive depth of knowledge in their field. They explained complex legal jargon in a way that was easy for me to understand, ensuring that I was always well-informed and empowered to make the best decisions for my case. It was evident that they had a comprehensive grasp of the law and were well-prepared for any challenges that arose.’
‘Excellent team providing commercial and efficient advice. They are my go to firm in BVI.’
‘Sara Hall is excellent.’
Walkers BVI > Firm Profile
The firm: Walkers is a leading international law firm that provides legal, corporate, fiduciary and compliance services to global corporations, financial institutions, capital markets participants and investment fund managers. Clients include Fortune 100 and FTSE 100 companies, as well as the most innovative firms and institutions across the financial markets. Walkers’ lawyers are experienced, entrepreneurial, committed to client service and held in high regard by clients for their ability to deliver outstanding legal advice.
Walkers is experienced in all types of international and cross-border transactions, covering a broad range of sectors, with a particular focus on both contentious and non-contentious corporate and finance law, investment funds, private equity, structured products, capital markets, private capital and trusts. Walkers delivers excellent, clear, practical advice based on an in-depth knowledge of the legal, regulatory and commercial environment in Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Jersey and Ireland. The firm is consistently ranked in the top tier of leading global legal directories. Clients describe Walkers as “a top-class firm,” and “stellar,” adding: “They are dedicated and responsive…”
Corporate: Walkers’ corporate group advises global corporations on a wide variety of company, commercial and corporate law matters. It has extensive experience advising on all corporate matters including mergers, acquisitions and disposals, corporate re-structuring, joint ventures, shareholders’ agreements and commercial contracts and agreements of every nature.
Contacts: Matthew Cowman, Omonike Robinson-Pickering
Finance: Walkers has a market-leading finance practice and regularly represents the main US and European banks, as well as corporate, private equity and hedge fund borrowers. The team is especially active on a range of secured banking and finance matters including fund financing, corporate lending, margin loans, corporate bond issuances, resource based project financings and asset finance transactions
Contacts: Matthew Cowman, Omonike Robinson-Pickering
Insolvency and dispute resolution: Walkers advises companies, directors, general partners and insolvency practitioners on all aspects of litigation, corporate recovery, restructuring, insolvency and dispute resolution. The team is internationally recognised as having the premier practice for dispute concerning ultra-high-value assets and fraud disputes. Walkers is also known for its unrivalled expertise in corporate litigation, shareholder and boardroom disputes, and related advice on strategy, risk management and issues of corporate governance, contested takeovers, and contentious and non-contentious restructuring. They advise creditors, debtors, private equity and hedge funds and other stakeholders and have worked with many of the leading international law and accounting firms.
Contacts: Oliver Clifton, Rosalind Nicholson
Investment funds: Walkers’ investment funds group is one of the largest specialist investment funds teams worldwide. They advise many of the world’s most prominent asset managers, fund promoters and institutional banks and investors on all aspects of offshore investment funds including fund formation, structuring, regulation, fund restructuring, fund re-domiciliation, termination and on-going general advice to investment funds and managers.
Contacts: Matthew Cowman, Paul Waldron
Private capital and trusts: Walkers’ private capital and trusts group is a multijurisdictional team of specialist lawyers that focuses on serving the needs of wealthy families, entrepreneurs, family offices, professional trustees and onshore advisers. The team’s work includes establishing private capital investment funds, direct investing, private and commercial trusts, wealth and succession planning, wills and probate, charitable and philanthropic trusts and entities, trust litigation and a broad range of corporate services designed to support back office operations. Clients have come to rely on Walkers as a trusted advisor for its unmatched expertise, discretion and individually tailored advice with a long-term, multi-generational perspective.
Contact: David Pytches
Private equity: Walkers’ private equity group acts for most of the world’s largest and most successful private equity firms. It advises on all aspects of fund formation and capitalisation of investment vehicles, public and private mergers and acquisitions and down-stream transactions, capital call and subscription line financing, leveraged buy out, group restructuring, secured lending, take-private and IPO formation and due diligence.
Contact: Matthew Cowman
Regulatory and risk advisory: Walkers’ regulatory and risk advisory team comprises dedicated specialist financial regulatory and risk management advisory lawyers who bring unique insight from having worked inside various national regulators, including the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority. The team regularly advises non-regulated and regulated financial institutions on the interpretation and application of regulatory rules, policies and procedures. Clients include a wide range of businesses in the banking, insurance and reinsurance, investment fund, administrator, fiduciary and investment management, advice, broker-dealer and arranger sectors.
Contact: Lucy Frew
Restructuring: Walkers’ restructuring team offers clients a premier restructuring service for companies in financial difficulty. The team consists of experts drawn from top tier international law firms and chambers, and includes the corporate expertise of Rosalind Nicholson, offering a unique crossover in the BVI between litigation and corporate law (with many years’ experience as one of the UK’s leading company law barristers) on both contentious and non-contentious restructuring initiatives.
Contact: Rosalind Nicholson
Global managing partner: Ingrid Pierce
BVI managing partner: Matthew Cowman
Number of BVI partners: 8
Number of partners worldwide: 124
Number of BVI lawyers: 20
Number of lawyers worldwide: 420
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corporate, Finance & Funds | Matthew Cowman | matthew.cowman@walkersglobal.com | +1 284 852 2208 |
| Insolvency & Dispute Resolution | Oliver Clifton | oliver.clifton@walkersglobal.com | +1 284 852 2246 |
| Regulatory & Risk Advisory | Lucy Frew | lucy.frew@walkersglobal.com | +1 345 814 4676 |
| Insolvency & Dispute Resolution | Murray Laing | murray.laing@walkersglobal.com | +1 284 852 2226 |
| Insolvency & Dispute Resolution | Rosalind Nicholson | rosalind.nicholson@walkersglobal.com | +1 284 852 2237 |
| Private Capital & Trusts | David Pytches | david.pytches@walkersglobal.com | +1 345 814 6831 |
| Corporate, Finance & Funds | Omonike Robinson-Pickering | omonike.robinson-pickering@walkersglobal.com | +1 284 852 2222 |
| Insolvency & Dispute Resolution | Iain Tucker | iain.tucker@walkersglobal.com | +1 284 852 2230 |
| Corporate, Finance & Funds | Alex Dysdale | alex.drysdale@walkersglobal.com | +1 284 852 2262 |
| Corporate, Finance & Funds | Paul Waldron | paul.waldron@walkersglobal.com | +1 284 852 2249 |
Staff Figures
BVI partners : 8 Partners worldwide : 124 BVI lawyers: : 20 Lawyers worldwide : 420Languages
EnglishMemberships
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