Estera introduces legal services in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands

Estera, a global provider of corporate, fund and trust services including to reinsurance and insurance-linked securities (ILS) markets, is branching out to add legal services to its offering from key locations Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.

Estera is a global provider of funds, corporate administration and trust services and an active service provider to the ILS and reinsurance markets with a strong presence in offshore jurisdictions.

Named Estera Law, the legal services division of the firm will provide offerings in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands that are aligned to their clients’ individual objectives and preferences.

Estera Law will deliver on a number of different practice areas, including corporate and commercial, regulatory, insurance and investment funds related legal work.

Estera said it is responding to the demands of its clients for services that support their strategic and operational priorities in a world where regulatory, jurisdictional and market environments are rapidly evolving.

The addition of Estera Law offers the firms clients a one-stop-shop for legal, corporate and fiduciary services.

Estera hopes to broaden and deepen its relationships with clients in the Americas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong through the provision of legal services, alongside its core offering.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the launch of legal services in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands,” explained James Maitland, Regional Head of Americas, Bermuda and Caribbean at Estera. “We are resolutely focussed on enhancing our services and providing our clients flexible, expert solutions. We also remain dedicated to strengthening our collaborative relationships with our existing partners and intermediaries in the Americas, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and Hong Kong. This expansion further demonstrates our commitment not only to Bermuda and the Cayman Islands, but to our clients within the region.”

Estera already has experienced legal staff, with some having significant experience.

Alison Dyer-Fagundo will lead the legal team as the Managing Partner of new unit Estera Law (Bermuda) Limited.

Dyer-Fagundo was previously a partner at a global offshore law firm, so has significant experience across private equity transactions, derivatives, public and private company M&A activity, equity and debt markets, corporate governance, and partnerships in relation to both their formation and on-going transactions.

Dyer-Fagundo added, “This is a truly exciting development for our firm as clients now have the option of instructing us for both their legal and fiduciary services. We are incredibly flexible and will continue to work with a wide range of other advisers to provide our clients with the services that best suit their requirements.”

In the Cayman Islands, Estera has entered into a business affiliation relationship with U Law Limited which has now been renamed as Estera Law (Cayman) Limited. Kendra Foster, the founding principal of U Law and previously a partner at an offshore law firm in Cayman, is set to lead the legal team as its Managing Partner.

Foster said, “I am thrilled that U Law Limited is joining forces with the Estera Group and looking forward to partnering with Managing Director, Richard Gordon and the whole Estera team to develop Estera‘s Cayman Islands legal services offering by delivering a quality experience for clients focused on adding value.”

In July we reported that Estera had recently been acquired and will combine with corporate administration and fiduciary service provider Ocorian.

The addition of legal services is the first sign of expanding ambitions at Estera, which will provide more choice in terms of service provider for ILS and reinsurance market participants.