Sam is head of Carey Olsen's dispute resolution and insolvency and restructuring practice in the Cayman Islands. He has extensive experience litigating with a primary focus on the financial services sector. Sam also has particular expertise in the field of insolvency and restructuring and is regularly instructed to act for liquidators and receivers (including foreign appointees), management, security holders, investors, and unsecured creditors in relation to both contentious and non-contentious matters. Sam is ranked consistently by the independent legal directories and is quoted as being "an accomplished litigator" who is "responsive, proactive and gives good advice". Sam is also noted for being a "really good operator in Cayman, he knows the jurisdiction" (Chambers Global and Who's Who Legal).
Carey Olsen
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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘This is a very well run, dynamic litigation team. They are market leaders in dispute resolution in the Cayman Islands. This is because the team is knowledgeable, efficient and pragmatic, and client-focused in everything they do.’
‘Sam Dawson leads the practice. Immensely experienced, calm and collaborative. He is the safest pair of dispute resolution hands on the island.'
'Bernadette Carey displays a depth of understanding of what makes a first-class trust and estate litigator that is rare to find. She displays the sensitivity and charm that makes her the very best in the field. She is very much liked and admired in the trust world both in Cayman and internationally.'
- ‘Sam Dawson and Denis Olarou - Excellent lawyers and strategists.’
‘Sam Dawson is great at overseeing a team to deal with substantial and complex cases and brilliant with clients. He is held in high regard by his colleagues in many firms. Peter Sherwood is a formidable lawyer and also good at managing substantial and complex litigation.’
'Carey Olsen has risen in the list of Cayman attorneys you would want to instruct if involved in a trust or estate dispute. The rise has been largely attributable to the drive and enthusiasm of partner Bernadette Carey.'
'Peter Sherwood - very hardworking with an excellent legal mind. Peter is great to work with, forms part of the team and gets stuck in on matters, always adding value and providing clear guidance.'
Key clients
- China Shansui Cement Group Limited
- Babel Holding Limited
- ECM Straits Fund I, LP
- Ad Hoc Group of Holders of Notes issued by Logan Group Company Limited
- Al Nahla Group
- Savanah Energy Investments Limited
- Interpath
- FFP
- MBC Group Holdings Limited
- San Miguel Holdings Corp.
- Kroll
- Grant Thornton
- Alvarez and Marsal
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Burlington Loan Management / Davidson Kemper
- Deloitte
- FTI Consulting
- Catalyst Investment Management Company
- EFG Bank
- Daiwa Capital Markets
- Rawlinson & Hunter
- Genesis Trust & Corporate Services Ltd
- Ritchie Capital Management LLC
- Oasis Capital Management
- T.Rowe Price
Work highlights
- Advised the Joint Official Liquidators of Abraaj Holdings (PwC) in proceedings concerning payments totalling $300m made prior to the appointment of JOLs in June 2018, at a time when Abraaj Holdings was already insolvent.
- Acting for China Shanshui Cement Group Limited in the long-running and high-profile just and equitable winding up proceedings in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.
- Acted for a group of dissenters in the management buyout of 51job, Inc., in a merger valued at approximately $4.3bn.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Next Generation Partners
Peter is a partner in the dispute resolution and litigation team in the Cayman Islands. He advises on all aspects of insolvency litigation, general banking and commercial litigation and non-contentious insolvency and restructurings.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Sam Dawson