Restructurings, insolvencies, and litigation arising therefrom are the main focus of Harneys‘ dispute resolution practice, which is adept in multi-jurisdictional cases, particularly those involving Chinese businesses. The practice also has a broader offering spanning commercial litigation, including allegations of fraud, and shareholder disputes. Jessica Williams is an experienced litigator whose practice focuses on insolvency and restructuring and contentious trusts. She co-leads the department with Ben Hobden, who joined the firm in September 2023 and has a track record in major restructurings and worked on the Abraaj litigation. Nick Hoffman has a longstanding Cayman Islands practice and has been involved in a large number of the high profile matters involving Asian companies. Gráinne King is a younger partner to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘We have been using Harneys, specifically Nick Hoffman and Grainne King, on several high profile litigation matters. They have gone beyond the call in providing outstanding legal advice and advocacy in the Caymen Islands, and helping us explain Cayman law to a Delaware court.’

  • ‘I have dealt with other firms and lawyers in the Caribbean for sure, all of whom are quite good. But Nick Hoffman and Grainne King stand out, for the dedication to the client and out-of-the-box thinking.’

  • ‘Very good. Good strength in depth, diverse, knowledgeable and commercial. One of the few law firms in Cayman that I recommend.’

  • ‘Grainne King, Nick Hoffman - both responsiveness and legally/commercially astute.’

  • ‘Harneys Cayman team has true diversity with two strong leading female partners and strong diverse team. They are very well connected between Asia and the Caribbean. They are extremely responsive and deliver clear advice on a very timely basis.’

  • ‘Grainne King, Jessica Williams, Ben Hobden are the key people that I work with and would be the people that I would contact first for any advice on contentious issues. They provide straight forward clear advice and have assisted to bring matters to swift resolution.’

  • ‘Impressive profile, creative and high level of involvement in major matters. Extremely effective firm who we favour working with. ’

  • ‘Ben Hobden - excellent blend of commercial and technical approach, go-to individual for FTI on insolvency related dispute matters. Jessica Williams - considered and thoughtful style, very easy to work with, highly effective. Nick Hoffman - excellent strategist and practice leader.’

Key clients

  • Shang Peng Gao Ke, Inc. SEZC, SPGK Pte Ltd, Growth Today Inc., Scuderia Bianco Pte Ltd and Ryunosuke Yoshida
  • Trustbridge Partners
  • Baidu Holdings Limited
  • The Joint Official Liquidators of BGA Holdings Limited (BGAH)
  • China Aoyuan Group Limited
  • General Partner of One Thousand & One Voices Africa Fund I, L.P.
  • Joint Official Liquidators of Pioneer Merger Corp. (In Official Liquidation)
  • Joint Official Liquidators of VPC Impact Acquisition Holdings II
  • Sina Corporation
  • American International Group (AIG)
  • New Frontier Health Corporation
  • Oakwise Value Fund SPC
  • Joint Official Liquidators of the Saad Investments Finance Company (SIFCO 5)
  • Joint Receivers of Axiom Legal Financing Fund, SP (a Segregated Portfolio of JP SPC 1) and Axiom Legal Financing Fund Master, SP

Work highlights

  • Acted for Yi Zhang, the founder of the biopharmaceutical corporation, YS Biopharma, representing him in relation to a hostile injunctive action taken by the company's directors.
  • Acting as lead global counsel for the SPGK Group in a multi-jurisdictional dispute relating to money generated by its business.
  • Acting for Trustbridge Partners III L.P., Trustbridge Partners V, L.P. and Baidu Holdings Limited in their capacity as investors/ redeeming creditors in China Medonline Inc, including obtaining injunctive orders in relation to the company’s actions.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Jessica Williams, Ben Hobden

Other key lawyers

Gráinne King, Nick Hoffman