Michael Richardson
Maples GroupMaples Group fields the largest investment funds team in the Cayman Islands and can draw on an enviable wealth of talent whose expertise covers all aspects of the practice area. Per one client, the team is ‘an absolute pleasure to deal with on CIMA issues, fund formation issues, and regulatory issues in the funds space’, and the practice assists the majority of major private equity firms and the largest hedge fund managers. Overseeing the department are Sheryl Dean, who leads advice to a host of the firm’s standout clients in this area; and Michael Richardson, global head of the practice who has extensive experience advising on transactional and restructuring issues relating to offshore investment funds. Julian Ashworth focuses on private equity, hybrid and hedge fund structures and has a strong track record in some of the largest fundraises and significant downstream transactions. Jo Cunningham advises on all aspects of Cayman Islands investment funds and is regularly leads counsel on complex fund and upper tier reorganisations, including for spin outs and succession planning. Private equity and closed ended funds are the focus for Jeremy Bomford, while Gwyneth Rees is one of the key partners for hedge funds. Tim Coak assists emerging and long-standing investment managers with structuring and launching fund products, and Andrew Keast has an impressive, broad practice across the spectrum of investment funds. Alex Howard, Stephen Watler and Lee Davis are among the up-and-coming partners to note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘We have worked closely with Maples on multiple fund products in different sectors and they're an absolute pleasure to deal with on CIMA issues, fund formation issues, and regulatory issues in the funds space.’
‘Julian Ashworth, Patrick Head, and Ian Kirwan are all fantastic.’
‘Alex Howard, Jeremy Bomford and team are extremely knowledgeable and extremely responsive. They are able to react quickly to questions that come from our PE clients and always do so in a commercial and practical manner.’
‘I have been working with both Jeremy Bomford and Alex Howard for years and continue to rely on them heavily as they are both amazing practitioners who are always available to help at the drop of a hat.’
‘Very strong private funds practice and clearly the leading practice in the Cayman Islands. In terms of knowledge, experience and staffing, there is clear blue water between Maples and every other firm in the Caymans.’
‘Alex Howard is an exceptional private funds partner. Extremely knowledgeable, always available and capable of distilling complex legal matters into readily understood terms.’
‘They are very competent and responsive.’
‘We work with Andrew Keast. He is a very competent and knowledgeable in his field, scrupulous and reliable. He is prompt and responsive. ’
Key clients
- Ares
- Antares
- Blackrock
- Citadel
- DE Shaw
- Goldman Sachs
- GCM Grosvenor Capital
- Man Group
- Sculptor Capital
- Vista Equity Partners
Work highlights
- Acted for Thoma Bravo, and its newly formed acquisition entities, on Cayman Islands aspects of its recommend cash acquisition of Darktrace plc.
- Advised Clayton, Dubilier & Rice on the set up and initial closings of CD&R Fund XII.
- Advised KKR's K-PEC and K-PRIME platforms on the Cayman Islands aspects of their innovative deal acquisition structures.
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.
Sheryl Dean, Michael Richardson