Bio
Miriam Smyth is Counsel in the Corporate department where she specializes in financial services regulation. She has over 15 years of experience in financial regulation and compliance management spanning across private practice, consultancy and public service.
Miriam advises a diverse range of clients, including banks, insurers, securities businesses, alternative lenders, and fintech companies, on both contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters. Before joining Appleby in July 2021, Miriam worked in the Financial Services Regulatory Group at McCann FitzGerald in Dublin, a top five law firm. Her earlier career included a tenure at the Enforcement Division in the Central Bank of Ireland where she was involved in the first Central Bank inquiry into the operation of an Irish financial institution.
Miriam is an active contributor to legal publications offering insights on new regulatory developments and compliance with existing regulatory measures. She also actively participates in various industry boards and committees focused on new regulatory developments and initiatives focusing on private sector and regulator engagement.
Miriam’s extensive experience and in-depth knowledge make her a valuable asset to clients navigating the ever-evolving financial services regulatory landscape.
Bio
Miriam Smyth is Counsel in the Corporate department where she specializes in financial services regulation. She has over 15 years of experience in financial regulation and compliance management spanning across private practice, consultancy and public service.
Miriam advises a diverse range of clients, including banks, insurers, securities businesses, alternative lenders, and fintech companies, on both contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters. Before joining Appleby in July 2021, Miriam worked in the Financial Services Regulatory Group at McCann FitzGerald in Dublin, a top five law firm. Her earlier career included a tenure at the Enforcement Division in the Central Bank of Ireland where she was involved in the first Central Bank inquiry into the operation of an Irish financial institution.
Miriam is an active contributor to legal publications offering insights on new regulatory developments and compliance with existing regulatory measures. She also actively participates in various industry boards and committees focused on new regulatory developments and initiatives focusing on private sector and regulator engagement.
Miriam’s extensive experience and in-depth knowledge make her a valuable asset to clients navigating the ever-evolving financial services regulatory landscape.
“Miriam Smyth has a deep understanding of our needs and legal matters. She is proactive in communication and her commitment to excellence consistently exceeds expectations.”
Recognition
Miriam’s contribution has been acknowledged by IFLR1000, Legal 500 and Chambers Global.
She was ranked as Associates to Watch: Financial Services Regulatory in the 2026 Chambers Global Guide. She is described as “very reliable and experienced, with a strong ability to understand and anticipate a client’s needs.” Clients also commend her “deep understanding of our needs and legal matters,” noting that she is proactive in her communication and that her commitment to excellence consistently exceeds expectations.
In past Chambers Global she has been recognised as being “extremely impressive,” with one source noting, “She is qualified in multiple jurisdictions and goes above and beyond on every assignment”. Clients also praised her for providing “solutions that not only address the immediate issues but also lay the foundation for future progress and stronger relationships with the regulator”.
She was ranked as a ‘Notable Practitioner’ in ILFR1000 2025.
In Legal 500 2025, she was described as: ‘We have worked with Miriam Smyth over the years and she has become a key point of contact for regulatory classifications and remediation work with the DITC. She has a strong understanding of the Cayman regulatory framework and applies it in a sensible and commercial manner. Miriam is responsive during busy filing seasons, particularly during economic substance notification reporting, and coordinates directly with clients to ensure deadlines are met.’
Miriam’s contribution has been acknowledged by IFLR1000, Legal 500 and Chambers Global.
She was ranked as Associates to Watch: Financial Services Regulatory in the 2026 Chambers Global Guide. She is described as “very reliable and experienced, with a strong ability to understand and anticipate a client’s needs.” Clients also commend her “deep understanding of our needs and legal matters,” noting that she is proactive in her communication and that her commitment to excellence consistently exceeds expectations.
In past Chambers Global she has been recognised as being “extremely impressive,” with one source noting, “She is qualified in multiple jurisdictions and goes above and beyond on every assignment”. Clients also praised her for providing “solutions that not only address the immediate issues but also lay the foundation for future progress and stronger relationships with the regulator”.
She was ranked as a ‘Notable Practitioner’ in ILFR1000 2025.
In Legal 500 2025, she was described as: ‘We have worked with Miriam Smyth over the years and she has become a key point of contact for regulatory classifications and remediation work with the DITC. She has a strong understanding of the Cayman regulatory framework and applies it in a sensible and commercial manner. Miriam is responsive during busy filing seasons, particularly during economic substance notification reporting, and coordinates directly with clients to ensure deadlines are met.’
Qualifications & Education
Miriam is admitted as a solicitor with the Law Society of Ireland (non-practising) and with the Law Society of England and Wales (non-practising).
- University College Dublin
- University College Cork
- Law Society of Ireland
Miriam is admitted as a solicitor with the Law Society of Ireland (non-practising) and with the Law Society of England and Wales (non-practising).
- University College Dublin
- University College Cork
- Law Society of Ireland
Memberships & Associations
- Member of the Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association
- Member of the regulatory committee of the Cayman International Reinsurance Companies Association
- Member of the Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association
- Member of the regulatory committee of the Cayman International Reinsurance Companies Association