Gary Smith

Gary is a Partner in, and leads/coordinates, the firm’s Investment Funds Group. He worked as a Private Equity/M&A attorney in England for many years before moving to the Cayman Islands in 2009 to work as a Corporate/Investment Funds attorney.

Chambers & Partners Global has ranked Gary Smith in the top tiers of Investment Funds lawyers in the Cayman Islands and he is described by sources as: “a bright guy, a team player, and a hard worker” (Chambers 2014) and appreciated for maintaining “strong client-relationships and is highly regarded by sources in North America and Asia” (Chambers 2017). “his knowledge impresses me and his creativity is very good. He is also very patient and intelligent” (Chambers 2018)

Gary has the following experience and expertise:

• Gary has given expert evidence in the United States Federal Bankruptcy Court Southern District of New York relating to Cayman investment funds. He has also authored a wide range of articles and other publications on Cayman Islands and BVI law matters, including: “Fund Management – Cayman Islands” published by Lexology, 2021/2022;  and “Cayman Islands – Cryptoassets and Blockchain” published by Lexology, 2024. In 2022, he was ranked in Asia Business Law Journal’s A-List of the top offshore lawyers. The list is based on extensive research conducted and nominations received from in-house counsel in Asia, and Asia-focused partners from domestic and international law firms. https://law.asia/the-a-list-top-offshore-lawyers-2022/. He is ranked in IFLR1000 as “Highly Regarded” for in the Practice Area of Investment Funds.
• Gary’s practice focuses principally on (i) Cayman Islands and BVI Investment Funds formation and launch, particularly hedge funds, private credit funds, private equity funds, venture capital funds, and funds investing in digital assets, (ii) M&A including Privatisations, (iii) Capital Markets including IPOs, SPACs, De-SPACs, and ongoing advisory, (iv) Corporate including joint ventures,  and PE/VC portfolio investments. He provides Cayman Islands law and BVI law advice to large corporates, companies, investment fund managers, allocators, sponsors, in-house counsel, onshore counsel, high net worth individuals, banks, and insurance companies in Asia (including the Middle East) and the Americas (U.S. Canada, Brazil, Argentina and elsewhere in Latin America) to deal with day-to-day legal issues and complex, strategic matters.