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A key focus for the team continues to be the promotion of Jersey as an important offshore centre for corporate finance, banking and asset finance, structured finance and investment funds. In addition to working with Jersey-based clients, the group is particularly focused on assisting clients in the world’s leading international financial centres. As well as the more traditional sources of offshore work in the UK, Europe and North America, the team will focus on developing business in the Middle East and Asia with a particular focus on the Chinese and Indian markets. The Corporate and Commercial group works closely with colleagues across our global network of twelve offices, including London, Bahrain, Hong Kong and Zurich, and other offshore centres. The ability to deliver this global solution is one of the reasons Appleby was named “Offshore Law Firm of the Year” at The Lawyer Awards held in London on 22 June 2010.James Gaudin specialises in all areas of offshore corporate, finance, and restructuring work. His extensive experience covers banking and asset finance, real estate investment structures, public and private debt and equity issues, securitisations, repackagings and initial public offerings, as well as structures involving Jersey limited partnerships and unit trusts. More recently, James has advised on some of the largest corporate restructurings to have occurred in the Jersey market. He also advises banks and other global financial institutions in relation to the Jersey elements of complex cross border insolvencies.
James is included in Chambers, IFLR and Legal 500 and has been commended for his “practical advice”, “availability” and “excellent responses”.
He qualified as a Barrister of England and Wales in 1996, and re-qualified as a Jersey Advocate in 2005. Prior to joining Appleby, James spent six years in the capital markets and structured finance team at Mourant, before joining Walkers where he was a Group Partner and Head of Corporate in Jersey. Before returning to Jersey, James worked with Hemmington-Scott in London for four years, latterly as Head of Treasury and Banking.
James has contributed to numerous publications, and regularly presents to conferences, seminars and clients. He also participates in numerous industry steering and consultation groups.
Simon Tait most recently worked in James’ team at Walkers, and previously worked at Harwood Andrew in Australia where he qualified. Simon has a background in finance and general corporate work.
Michael O’Connell, Managing Partner of the Jersey office commented, “On behalf of the firm, I am delighted to welcome James to the Partnership. He has a wealth of experience and is a significant addition to our strong Corporate and Commercial practice group, further enhancing our offering in Jersey. I am also looking forward to welcoming Simon when he joins in October”. He added, “One of our key strategic goals for 2010 is to continue our substantial investment in the right individuals to underscore our market leading position and our ability to offer clients a range of jurisdictions and services unequalled by any other offshore firm”.
This announcement co-incides with the secondment of Associate Francis Katamba to Jersey Finance for six months commencing on 6 September 2010. Francis will be with Jersey Finance on a full time basis for this period as Technical Manager, working closely with Technical Director Heather Bestwick.
Mark Lewis, Appleby Partner and Corporate and Commercial Group Head in Jersey continued, “This is an exciting time for our team in Jersey. The secondment to Jersey Finance is a great opportunity for Francis which will broaden his knowledge and skill set, and enhance our offering to clients in the long term”.
