Praised for its ‘deep legal expertise and practical, business-focused advice’, Ogier’s banking, finance, and capital markets team is led by Michael Killourhy. Killourhy is principally focused on public and private M&A, while Christian Burns-Di Lauro is skilled at real estate, Islamic, and corporate financing. Stuart Fee is a key port of call for fund managers, while Tiffany Tolliss is another key team member.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Profile
Work Department
Partner Corporate and Commercial
Position
Partner
Career
Michael advises on a broad range of corporate and corporate finance transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt capital markets, financings and complex corporate restructuring. Michael is widely recognised as one of the BVI's leading public company experts and its pre-eminent special purpose acquisition company expert. Michael's expertise in this area has been recognised internationally with him being invited to take prominent speaker roles in the SPAC industry's premier international convention, as well as being frequently published in leading capital markets journals.
While Michael has been a leading adviser on BVI financial services regulation and investment business for some time, more recently he has led in building Ogier's Tech practice in the BVI to become the pre-eminent one in the BVI. Michael and his team have now advised on newer innovative Tech, Web3 and other virtual asset businesses than any other firm in the BVI. He is the co-chair of Ogier's Technology and Web3 practice group.
With a client list including Coca-Cola, Hyatt Hotels, United Airlines, Western Union and Texas Pacific Group, Michael is highly regarded and respected by both clients and peers in the BVI's legal community. A standing which has led him to be sought out for industry and government advisory appointments in the Territory.
Michael is also a market leading adviser on complex corporate and finance reorganisations and reconstructions. He lead the BVI corporate teams on Constellation Overseas' 2019 ground breaking "soft touch" provisional liquidation and subsequent 2020 BVI scheme of arrangement, as well as the mammoth financial reorganisation of UK-Nigerian oil and gas group Severn Energy's note programmes.
Michael is a former member of the board of directors of BVI Finance and the long standing chairman of BVI Finance's Corporate Business Advisory Group. He is a leading adviser to both industry and government bodies in the BVI on the interpretation and application of the BVI's Economic Substance Law. As a thought leader and key figure in the BVI's embrace of FinTech and other new innovative financial services products Michael also sits on the BVI Financial Services Commission's Financial Services FinTech.
Admitted in:
2012 – British Virgin Islands
2002 – England and Wales (non practising)
Memberships
Chairman of BVI Finance’s Team BVI, Corporate Business Advisory Group
Sits on the BVI Financial Services Commission's Financial Services FinTech
Education
Michael studied at BPP Law School, London, University of Oxford and Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
He has since been admitted in BVI (2012) and England and Wales (2002).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘This practice stands out for its exceptional client service, deep legal expertise, and practical, business-focused advice. The team is highly responsive, collaborative, and consistently delivers results, making them a trusted partner rather than just legal counsel.'
'I found them to be efficient, professional, and a pleasure to collaborate with, qualities that truly distinguish them in the legal field.’
‘I had the pleasure of working with Tiffany Tolliss, who consistently demonstrated exceptional responsiveness, professionalism, and courtesy. She reliably delivered high-quality work within tight deadlines, showcasing her dedication and efficiency even under pressure.’
Key clients
- Constellation Oil Services Holding S.A CTRL Group Limited National Energy Services Reunited Corp Barclays Bank PLC Yondr Group JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A IDC Overseas, Ltd Topland Group
Work highlights
Represented Constellation Oil Services, the leading Brazilian offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling operator, on an issue of US$650 Million Senior Secured Notes due 2029.
Advised mobile games marketing and advertising specialist CTRL on its Initial Public Offering on Nasdaq.
Advised Barclays Bank PLC on their refinancing of a £150,000,000 single currency term and revolving facilities agreement made available to Tritax Big Box REIT plc.