| Cayman Islands
Michael has developed a specialist regulatory and litigation practice during his 30 years as a Cayman Islands attorney, including licensing, regulation and dispute resolution in relation to corporate commercial law, real estate, banking, mutual funds, partnerships, government relations, labour law, and aircraft and shipping. He also advises on the formation of trusts and ongoing duties of trustees. Michael is a former President of the Cayman Islands Law Society and a widely published author of articles on many aspects of Cayman Islands law.
Thorp Alberga is a boutique Cayman Islands law firm providing a comprehensive service for all types of offshore transactions including hedge funds, asset finance, structured finance, capital markets, private equity, litigation, general corporate and commercial matters and insolvency. We also advise on the laws of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) from our Hong Kong office.
Our partners are highly experienced Cayman Islands lawyers with a deep understanding of all aspects of offshore structuring gained over many years of practice with the major offshore firms. We use our expertise to make all transactions cost-effective, straightforward and efficient from start to finish. We now have ten partners in our Cayman Islands and Hong Kong offices, seven of whom were formerly partners/heads of department at one or more leading Cayman Islands law firms.
Our partnership is based on equality, trust, professionalism and high ethical standards. We share like-minded goals and ambitions which contribute to a highly motivated partnership. This results in a focused and dynamic working atmosphere for us and our staff which we translate into a professional, cost effective and personal service for our clients.
As former colleagues and friends, we have created a true partnership where mutual respect and high ethical standards within the firm, and between us and our clients, are of paramount importance. It is our goal to provide the highest level of professional service.
Our business model differs significantly from that of our competitors – the key elements which we believe distinguish us from other firms are:
•We dedicate the personal attention of a highly experienced partner to each transaction so that clients have constant direct partner involvement on all transactions.
•We operate with a ratio of partners to associates far above that of our major competitors.
•We rule out the conflicts of interest that otherwise necessarily arise with law firms which provide directors and fiduciary services to offshore structures.
•Clients receive rapid, accurate and decisive advice without wasteful internal layering.
•Partners have proven track records, typically of at least 15 years legal experience, often with relevant industry experience as well, and most partners were formerly heads of department and/or partners at the largest Cayman Islands law firms.
•Our fee levels are extremely favourable when compared to those of our major competitors, and we can offer more flexible fee arrangements for clients.
•We work seamlessly with (and do not compete with) onshore lawyers.
•As an emerging firm, Thorp Alberga is rarely legally conflicted.
The firm was established in 1978 as a partnership between James McDonald and Darryl Myers. Bryan Ashenheim and Michael Alberga joined the partnership shortly after. On James McDonald’s retirement in 1985, the firm changed its name to Myers & Alberga.
In March 2009, the firm was restructured on the retirement of Darryl Myers (who remains a consultant to the firm) and Bryan Ashenheim from the partnership. Richard Thorp and Ruth Hatt joined the new partnership, along with Melanie Myers-Khouri and the firm was renamed Thorp Alberga. The firm has been expanding steadily since and now comprises 10 partners.
The firm opened its Hong Kong office in 2009.
