Founded in 1962,
Maples Group is an international firm boasting 19 offices
on three continents.
The firm splits its Caymans practice between two
locations on the island of Grand Cayman.
The firm is
among Cayman Islands’ premier commercial firms, advising clients in a variety of financial and corporate matters.
The firm is also active in
capital markets, specifically in the structured finance sphere wherein the team
advises regularly on CLO’s and securitizations.
Maples’ capital markets work also encompasses
equity-side
involvement including IPO’s and
debt-side bond issuances.
The firm’s corporate work more precisely includes representation on acquisitions, mergers and
privatizations, as well as a
variety of other general corporate matters.
In the financial space,
the team
attends to a variety of fund financings on both the lender and borrower side.
The firm is also noted for its work in the investment funds space where the
team represents investment
vehicle managers in the creation and maintenance of funds.
In addition to
practicing under Cayman Islands law, the firm
also advises in connection with the statutes of the British Virgin Islands, Ireland, Jersey and Luxembourg.
Key
firm clients include American Airlines, BlackRock, The Blackstone Group, CVC Capital Partners, KKR, LATAM Airlines Group, Neuberger Berman and Prudential.
Research period review: 32nd edition (2021 / 2022)
Over the research period, the firm was most active in banking, capital markets, investment funds and M&A.
In banking, the firm advised several borrowers in connection with acquisition and asset
financing.
In capital markets, the firm was most active on the debt side including several bond issues and also advised on an IPO. Notably,
the firm’s team represented Credit Suisse
- Platinum Securities Cayman SPC in its issuance of $364 million
worth of secured packages pass-through notes
in connection with the largest marine conservation blue notes issuance in global history.
In the investment funds space, the Maples team carried out several multi-billion-dollar fund formations on
the behalf of
prominent investment management firms.
The firm was particularly active in M&A, providing local counsel to numerous acquirers. Several of the transactions overseen by the firm in this regard were multi-billion dollar
cross-border transactions.
Among the firm’s M&A clients this year were several prominent entities in banking and investment management.
Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2021 / 2022)
Altimeter Growth Corporation $40 billion merger
Credit Suisse – Platinum Securities Cayman SPC $364 million secured packaged pass-through bond
issuance
United Airlines $10 billion
bond issuance
Client feedback: 32nd edition (2021 / 2022)
"They are responsive and well-connected. They know the market better than anyone. They are also competitive with fee estimates and maintaining those estimates."
"Responsive; knowledgeable; pragmatic."
"Maples has always been a reliable contractor. They provide both legally nuanced advice and practical ways to comply with it, all within very good timeframe.”
Capital markets:
structured finance and securitization
"Overall best in the market for financial services; responsive, thorough, knowledgeable and commercial. Broadest range of services in Cayman and the best overall team. They provide practical, market-driven solutions to the most sophisticated
deals."
Investment funds:
private equity funds
"It is the largest Cayman law firm, very broad team, very in-the-know on existing Cayman law and proposed changes."
"The team is responsive, thoughtful and very consistent in terms of quality."
"The whole team is exceptional - they are quick to respond and quick with commercial advice even when the issues are sticky. I greatly enjoy working with all of them and hope to again
in the future regularly."
"They are very prompt and responsive, very professional, very reliable."
"Very professional, very quick to respond, very friendly."
Investment funds: hedge funds
"The lawyers we work with at the firm are experts in Cayman financial regulatory matters. They are also keenly aware of issues that impact US regulated investment managers when structuring offshore investment fund vehicles. "
"The firm provides excellent service. Its professionals are responsive and detail-oriented. They are very helpful and insightful."
"Knowledgeable, commercially minded, practical, responsible and patient. Iain operates as a one stop shop for all our Cayman needs - he can usually advise, and if he cannot, he will refer us to the right team member and assist in implementation."
"Knows our business and is solution focused."
"He is friendly, commercial, responsive. He is an expert in his field but also extremely easy to work with. He is the full package."
Tim Coak
"He has deep expertise in Cayman financial services industry and the regulation of investment funds. His knowledge and sensitivity to US securities laws allows him to provide innovative solutions to US-based investment managers seeking to set up offshore fund structures."
"Excellent lawyer, very knowledgeable, great interpersonal and communication skills."
"He is really our trusted Cayman adviser. He's extremely knowledgeable about Cayman rules and their application to various fund structures."
"He is the best restructuring lawyer in Cayman."
"He is responsive and trustworthy. He knows how to motivate his team. He provides excellent advice and is always helpful on transactions."
"He is highly responsive and assembles his team quickly. He is knowledgeable and trustworthy. He and his team produce high-quality work product."
Andrew
Keast
"He is very professional, responsive and a pleasure to work with."
"Very professional and very responsive."
"He is the best finance lawyer in Cayman."
"Simply put - the best finance lawyer in Cayman. Practice experience
second to none. Smart, thorough and practical with a deep knowledge of Cayman legal and regulatory matters."
Tina Meigh
"She knows everyone. She is a thought leader in the industry. She is engaged in industry-related conferences and activities. She is smart, responsive and able to problem-solve in the most efficient and commercially reasonable manner."
"She has good responsiveness and excellent understanding of pulse of the market trends and most recent legal structures; she has been involved with my financial institution clients for almost two decades and has deep understanding of their needs and high standards."
