Magic Circle Partner heads offshore: Mourant charge on Cayman front continues

Mourant du Feu & Jeune, part of Mourant, has hired two Partners, Richard de Basto and Matthew Feargrieve, for its Cayman Funds and Finance practice groups.

Richard joins from Allen & Overy, where he was a partner for close to eight years, working in their London, Hong Kong and Amsterdam offices. Richard has extensive experience in the field of asset, construction and project finance, and specialises in advising clients on major and complex finance transactions. His current practice includes: Islamic Finance, Restructuring and Insolvency, Leveraged Finance, Global Loans, Securitisation and Real Estate Finance.

Based in the Cayman Islands, Richard will focus on further advancing Mourant du Feu & Jeune’s Cayman Finance practice.

Matthew joins from Maples and Calder, where he was senior associate in the London office, advising on Cayman and BVI investment fund structures for hedge and private equity funds. In his current practice, Matthew works with onshore counsel in the US, EU and MENA on multi-jurisdictional transactions.

From Mourant du Feu & Jeune’s London base (one of the largest offshore law offices in the City), Matthew will advise on Cayman law and build upon the strong reputation of the Cayman Funds practice. He will work alongside the Cayman-based Funds team as headed by Partner and noted investment funds specialist, Neal Lomax.

Stephen Ball, CEO, Mourant du Feu & Jeune, said: "We are delighted to welcome Richard and Matthew to Mourant, as they join us on our Cayman offensive: building on the capabilities and strengths of our expanded Cayman practice, following our merger with Cayman firm Quin & Hampson in 2007.

"Mourant is clearly a dynamic and ambitious group; and our plans for international expansion see us growing
organically, acquiring and/or merging – leaving no stone unturned. As the head of the group’s law firm, it’s a very exciting place to be; and for our new Partners, Richard and Matthew – the right time to join us."
The wave of new Cayman senior hires is set to continue with more announcements to come.