Maples 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.

Walkers remains a renowned name for advice to investment funds at the very highest level, handling the gamut of matters, from fund formation and capitalisation, to financing, regulation, and downstream transactions. The firm’s complementary offering in regulatory matters bolsters its broader investment funds work and stands it out in the market. Caroline Williams remains the go-to practitioner in this area for a host of large, institutional private equity clients, for whom she leads on fund formation and downstream transactional work. Ingrid Pierce assists global asset managers, banks and trust companies, and is widely recognised as a leader in investment funds law. Melissa Lim is a further senior contact with a strong practice at the intersection of funds and tech matters, while James Melen specialises in the formation and life cycle of investment and private equity funds. Tim Ludford-Thomas is another name to note, and Bicrom Das comes with client praise for his broad practice in funds. Andrew Barker regularly acts for leading investment managers and private equity sponsors, and Christine Ballantyne-Drewe stands out among the market’s more junior partners.

Ogier fields a substantial investment funds team in which ‘everyone is capable of handling complex deals on a daily basis‘. Hedge, private equity, real estate, venture capital, credit, debt, infrastructure, energy, and crypto funds are all featured in the department’s extensive client list, for which it acts on the gamut of matters, including funds litigation, and the team is especially notable for its relationship with Latin American clients. On that front, Giorgio Subiotto is the main contact, while Joanne Huckle and Nick Rogers jointly lead the private equity group. Global head of the firm’s investment funds team James Bergstrom continues to counsel some of its biggest clients on day-to-day matters. Justin Savage is a client favourite for his ‘priceless‘ expertise, and Emma Sutherland is one of the up-and-coming lawyers in the market for fund formation, operation and regulatory matters. Tim Cone is another key contact when it comes to Latin America matters, and among a deep bench, Graeme Loarridge and Gemma Cowan are particularly active.

Across primarily private equity, hedge, credit and distressed funds, the team at Mourant is held in high regard, fielding a number of experienced practitioners in the Cayman Islands. The department is sought after by leading asset managers and fund promoters, as well as startups, while on the investor side, clients include top financial institutions, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and pension funds. 'Very knowledgeable' and 'practical in her approach', Catherine Pham heads the team, and Cayman office managing partner Hayden Isbister is a further experienced name to note, as well as Neal Lomax; all three being well versed in acting for the largest investment fund managers and sponsors. The more junior partners to note are Chris Nixon and Rhiannon Williams who both excel in fund formation, management and restructuring.

Campbells‘ investment funds group assists with the structuring, formation and launch of a wide range of investment funds and sits within the firm’s wider corporate law offering, collaborating closely with other related practice areas to provide what clients view as ‘a premier one-stop shop for comprehensive legal services‘. Head of the corporate team Alan Craig is well versed in advising funds managers on the capital raising process; he oversees the investment funds group with Simon Thomas, specialist in advice on fundraising and ongoing regulatory obligations. Hedge fund managers and private equity firms look to Richard Spencer for reliable counsel, and more junior partner Kristy-Anne Leith is praised for her ‘knowledge and attention to detail‘. Michelle Richie and Myfanwy Leggatt are indicative of the team’s strength in depth.

The 'knowledgeable, efficient and responsive' investment funds practice at Carey Olsen is well versed in the launching of various types of funds, as well as transactional, financing and compliance matters. The department is led by Jarrod Farley, who has a strong recent track record establishing macro and master feeder hedge funds. Nick Bullmore and Alistair Russell are corporate partners active in this area, and support comes from Shane Westin and Emily Cornhill, who comes with client recommendation.

Sailaja Alla leads the funds and investment services division of Appleby‘s corporate law department and has considerable experience in the structuring, formation, and operation of offshore hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, and crypto funds and investment fund platforms. The group also now benefits from the commercial expertise of Matt Mulry, who joined from Dillon Eustace in April 2024. Alexandra Low is a further name to note, acting for both public and private companies, sponsors, investment funds and asset managers.

Conyers makes for a robust choice of counsel whether for ongoing advice to investment funds and managers, or in specific issues ranging from fund formation, structuring and restructuring, to regulation and compliance, de-registration, and termination. Theo Lefkos focuses his practice on formation and operation of private equity and credit funds and their downstream activities. He leads the department, supported by corporate law department head Matthew Stocker. Fund finance is the area of strength for Michael O’Connor, while London-based partner Nicholas Pattman is a key contact for venture capital, private equity and hedge fund work in the Cayman Islands. Matthew Harkness and Nick Ward are additional names to note.

Active in matters spanning the entire lifecycle of funds and the supporting industry, Harneys fields an investment funds group that assists a diverse range of investment fund managers. The firm stands out in the market for its knowledge of Latin American jurisdictions, and is also a strong choice for digital assets. Christopher Hall oversees the department, while James Smith is the lead lawyer on the majority of mandates and is especially experienced in matters involving Brazilian stakeholders. Alla Segal and Pamela Edwards are additional contacts to note.

'Well versed in closed end and open end funds', Stuarts Humphries assists a global client base with fund formation, structures, regulation, de-registration, liquidation and ongoing matters. It is also a reliable destination for regulatory issues, which have seen a recent increase. The 'excellent' Chris Humphries chairs the practice group and has vast experience in multiplex fund structuring for private and listed clients. One client singles out Megan Wright as 'one of the most thoughtful, thorough, and experienced funds lawyers in the space', and banking and regulatory expert Jonathan McLean is another key figure in this area. Joseph Bates provides further support.

Bedell Cristin is counsel of choice for a number of institutional investors, US fund managers, and other foreign funds, and the team is well versed in assisting over the full life cycle of funds it has set up. Joss Morris heads the practice group and maintains a strong longstanding client base including names in the US, UK and the Middle East. Stephen Nelson is the other name to note, drawing on broad funds and regulatory applications expertise to advise fund managers, private equity structures, startups, listed technology companies and digital asset funds.

Specialising in emerging markets and managers from the US and Asia, Collas Crill assists with formation, licensing, financing, and restructuring mandates, as well as contentious matters such as suspensions and sanctions. Natalie Bell leads the practice as part of her role overseeing the firm's financial services and regulatory team. Chantelle Day is experienced in structuring both hedge funds and private equity funds, and Janeen Aljadir is equipped to assist throughout the life-cycle of funds.

As part of its robust offering in the Cayman Islands’ law aspects of international corporate, investment, and finance transactions, Loeb Smith Attorneys continues to grow its client base in investment funds, acting on fund launches as well as restructuring. The team is led by Gary Smith, who is well versed in assisting funds of all asset classes and strategies, including hedge, private equity, venture capital, distressed, and web3.0 infrastructure. Robert Farrell and Elizabeth Kenny are further contacts to note.