Maples and Calder in Hong Kong drive

Maples and Calder, the largest law firm in the Cayman Islands and a major player in marketing Caymans, British Virgin Islands and Jersey Island-based hedge funds in Asia and Japan, says it is now the largest offshore firm operating in Hong Kong, having added three senior appointments.

The firm's Hong Kong office has just celebrated its 10th anniversary by bringing its total of lawyers to 20, nearly double the 11 lawyers it had a year ago.

Everton Robertson, senior associate, has transferred from the Caymans to Hong Kong in a new role to focus on debt and capital markets work. The firm has also hired John Trehey from Herbert Smith to head up the Cayman and BVI litigation and insolvency practice in Asia. And Sophie Crocker, corporate commercial attorney, has joined from Travers Smith Brathwaite to support the IPO practice.

Earlier this year, Barry Mitchell transferred from the BVI office to Hong Kong to head up the Asian BVI practice.

"The appointment of John Trehey is particularly significant," says Christine Chang, managing director in Hong Kong. "This will be the first time that the firm will have an insolvency specialist permanently located in Hong Kong."