Ramesh Maharaj

Overview

I'm a Partner in our Cayman Islands office, specializing in private equity, non-contentious restructuring and corporate finance transactions.

I advise on corporate transactions relating to Cayman Islands entities (companies, partnerships, LLCs), such as take-overs/take-private, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, shareholder/investor arrangements, injection of capital, return of funds to investors, SPACs and IPOs.

In my non-contentious or consensual restructuring practice, I advise upon the myriad of options from the Cayman Islands restructuring toolkit, including: debt to equity swaps, golden share rights, participations, warrants, options, redemptions, repurchases, surrenders, contributions, amalgamations, de-mergers and anything else relevant to achieve the intended goal.

On finance and security transactions, I advise upon the granting of valid security, perfection, enforcement of security, repo transactions, swap transactions and Cayman Islands legal opinions.

I have been a practising Cayman Islands attorney since May 2007, and prior to then was a corporate finance and M&A lawyer in the City of London, UK for Denton Wilde Sapte (now Dentons) and Hogan & Hartson (now Hogan Lovells).

Professional qualifications

• Admitted in the Cayman Islands
• Admitted in England & Wales (currently non-practising)
• Admitted in New York (currently non-practising)
• Admitted in Trinidad & Tobago (currently non-practising)
• Law Degree with Honours, University of Durham, England
• Post-Graduate Training for Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law

What the directories say

In Chambers and Partners Global 2024, Ramesh is ranked Band 1 in Corporate and Finance. A source says: "Ramesh Maharaj is very down to earth, can explain complex matters in simple commercial terms, and is good at identifying and explaining risk."

In Legal 500 Caribbean 2024, Ramesh is ranked as a Leading Individual in both Corporate and Commercial and Banking, Finance and Capital Markets. A source praises his "bespoke understanding of clients’ financial positions and willingness to find practical solutions" as well as his "excellent rapport with clients."

In Chambers and Partners Global 2023, Ramesh is individually ranked in Corporate and Finance. A source in the guide says: "Ramesh is one of the most responsive lawyers I work with. He is able to quickly analyse a situation to provide thoughtful, actionable advice."

In Legal 500 Caribbean 2023, Ramesh is recognised as a Leading Individual for Banking, Finance and Capital Markets and Corporate and Commercial, and is praised for being "seasoned, hugely experienced on all offshore related matters" and "a great person to ideate with and work with".

Ramesh is recognised as a Rising Star in IFLR1000 in 2022.

"He can get to the nub of what I really need to know. His guidance is very good in that way." "He can tell me what the risk factors are and how to mitigate them." Chambers and Partners Global, 2022. 

Chambers and Partners Global 2021 state Ramesh "is very knowledgeable and highly responsive. He cares deeply about his clients' needs and is extremely personable."

Chambers and Partners Global 2019 state that Ramesh is a "very good operator who works well with clients." One client highlighted: "He doesn't miss things and tells you everything you need to know."

Ramesh is listed by Legal 500 2019 as a Leading Individual.