Maples Group Maintains Top Tier Rankings in 2021 Legal 500 Caribbean Guide

Across its British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands practices, the firm received a remarkable number of individual lawyer rankings with 62 of its lawyers being recognised this year. Of those, 19 partners received the ‘Leading Individual’ distinction, with partners Jonathon Meloy, Michael Johns and Caroline Moran entering the elite category. A further eight partners received the ‘Next Generation Partner’ recognition, while 10 associates were acknowledged for their outstanding expertise in the ‘Rising Star’ category.

Impressively, the firm received nine Tier 1 rankings and, throughout the guide, clients endorsed the firm as a “market leader” with “experience in the Cayman Islands with complex, multi-jurisdictional” matters and a “deserved reputation for quality outcomes.” Notably, it was the only law firm to receive a Tier 1 placement in the Cayman Islands Corporate and Commercial category, further demonstrating the true strength and depth of its practice along with the growing distance between it and other firms operating in the region.  A welcome addition to this year’s guide was the introduction of a Regulatory and Compliance category where the firm’s Regulatory & Financial Services practice excelled. In response to an evolving regulatory landscape, the firm recently expanded its specialist regulatory offering, appointing Chris Capewell to lead the Tier 1 practice. In addition to Chris’ recognition as a ‘leading individual’, Tim Dawson, Sarah Farquhar and Anna Whaley were also highlighted as notable lawyers in the regulatory space.

Commenting on the rankings, Global Managing Partner, Jonathan Green said, “We are delighted to see even more of our deep bench of talented lawyers listed in this year’s guide.  2020 has been an extraordinarily challenging year for all professionals seeking to perform at the very highest levels in their fields and, on behalf of the firm, I would like to thank our clients and industry stakeholders for recognising our unwavering commitment to client service and excellence during this period.”

For over 30 years, The Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research programme revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market.  Its research is based on submissions from law firms, interviews with leading private practice lawyers and feedback from over 300,000 clients worldwide.

An extract of some of the testimonials received can be found below.

“The best legal team for funds in Cayman in my view. Very knowledgeable, creative when needed. Work product is very high quality, typically. They have a very strong name recognition in the industry.”

“Maples are best in class in Cayman. Excellent partners and associates, accessible, responsive and most importantly transparent and accurate billing.”

“Maples are the market leader and are outstanding in all areas when supporting our Cayman business. The response times, quality of first drafts, technical support and advisory support are all market leading.”

“The team is led by well-respected senior practitioners who bring years of relevant experience from their time in both onshore and offshore jurisdictions.”

“The senior team members are well supported by a dedicated on-island team who are well known in the local market and are adept at running case files in an efficient and technically sound manner.”

“The team has a seamless connection with their international colleagues and is able to leverage those connections to provide jurisdictional specific advice whilst being cognisant of how such advice interacts with the engagement as a whole.”