Corporate and finance lawyer Claire McConway has been appointed Of Counsel within the British Virgin Islands (BVI) practice of multi-jurisdictional offshore law firm Carey Olsen.

Key facts:

•          In this London-based role, Ms McConway will focus on developing the firm’s Russian practice.

•          Ms McConway practised corporate law for nine years at leading international UK and US firms in London.

•          Specialist in advice on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity and equity capital markets work.

•          Four years with an offshore law firm in Bermuda, Moscow and London where she managed the Moscow office.

•          Particular expertise in corporate and finance transactions involving Russia and the CIS, which often utilise BVI companies.

•          Instructed on many of the most noteworthy Russian deals in recent years.

QUOTES:

Managing partner of Carey Olsen’s BVI office Clinton Hempel said: “Claire’s significant track record in international deals and her depth of BVI expertise will be a valuable resource for our global client base and for our clients in Russia and the CIS utilising the BVI.”

Ms McConway said: “Carey Olsen’s reputation for excellence and its commitment to developing the global reach of its BVI business appeal to me.  I am excited to be joining this dynamic and talented team.”

•          Carey Olsen’s London office: Three partners, 12 lawyers and 7 professional support employees are based in our London office at 8-10 Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2DL.

•          Carey Olsen’s BVI office: Two partners, 5 lawyers and 5 professional support employees are based in our BVI office at Rodus Building, Road Reef Marina, PO Box 3093, Road Town, Tortola.

•          Recent examples of the most noteworthy Russian corporate and finance deals Claire McConway has been instructed on include:

o          Advising Baring Vostok Capital Partners on its private equity co-investment in Karo Film through a BVI vehicle (winner of, among others, “M&A Deal of the Year” in its category in the 2013 M&A Advisor International M&A Awards);

o          Advising Alfa CTC Holdings on the $1.1 billion sale of its 25.1% beneficial interest in CTC Media, Inc., Russia’s leading independent television broadcaster listed on NASDAQ, to Telcrest Investments Limited;

o          Advising  one of the joint venture owners of the NetByNet internet services business on its c.$270 million sale to MegaFon;

o          Advising  Sberbank on its US$3.2 billion facility to Altimo Coöperatief U.A. in connection with the conversion of the borrower’s preferred shares in Vimpelcom Ltd (then listed on the NYSE) and the related security package; and

o          Advising  Alliance Oil Company Ltd. on its US$500 million Eurobond issuance and its December 2013 takeover by the Bazhaev family and convertible bond repurchase.

About Carey Olsen

•          Carey Olsen is a market leading offshore law firm. We deliver exceptional services to our clients from the key offshore financial centres of the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey. We also have an established presence in Cape Town and the City of London.

•          We are consistently the firm of choice for our clients and for advisers who refer work to our jurisdictions. Our firm offers a partner-led service. We employ 300 people and our 42 partners head up a total complement of 185 fee earners.

•          We provide legal services in relation to all areas of corporate and finance law, investment funds and dispute resolution as well as to private clients.

•          We work with an extensive range of clients including directors, global financial institutions, investment funds, private equity houses, corporations, trustees, governments and private individuals including entrepreneurs.

•          We also routinely work with leading legal advisers elsewhere on international transactions and cases involving our jurisdictions.

•          For further information about Carey Olsen visit www.careyolsen.com or email [email protected]