Caroline Williams
Partner
Cayman Islands
Caroline is based in our Cayman Islands office and is a partner in the firm's Global Investment Funds Group.
She has a broad private funds practice specialising in both hedge funds and private equity. Caroline has extensive experience advising private equity fund sponsors on the structuring and formation of funds and co-investment and alternative investment vehicles and the completion of transactions undertaken by them.
Caroline has broad experience advising on the sale and purchase of portfolio investments and advising on secondary transactions. Her practice also encompasses advising on initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate reorganisations and capital call financing. Caroline acts for leading financial institutions, investment managers, including institutional sponsors of private equity and hedge funds, and also boutique and start-up managers.
Caroline has broad experience advising on the sale and purchase of portfolio investments and advising on secondary transactions. Her practice also encompasses advising on initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate reorganisations and capital call financing. Caroline acts for leading financial institutions, investment managers, including institutional sponsors of private equity and hedge funds, and also boutique and start-up managers.
A "very highly regarded lawyer" who "has a lot of experience" and is "very thoughtful and commercial."
Experience and recent work
Caroline joined us from Linklaters where she advised on a range of capital markets transactions. This is also where she trained as a solicitor and, after qualifying in 1996, worked in their International Finance department. There Caroline advised on a range of capital markets and structured finance transactions. In 1998 she spent some time on secondment to JP Morgan Securities, where she worked in the Structured Products Department co-ordinating similar structured transactions.
Qualifications
Admitted in:
- Cayman Islands
- England and Wales (not practising)
Education:
- Honours Degree in Law, University of Cambridge, England
Caroline is a founding member and Director of Cayman Classical Performances, a non-profit organisation dedicated to bringing classical performing arts to the Cayman Islands. She is also a member of the Law Society of England and Wales and a frequent speaker at industry events:
- Practising Law Institute (PLI) - Hedge Fund Management 2018 - Hedge Fund Structures, 15 November 2018, New York City, New York
- Women's Alternative Investment Summit 2018 - Focus on The Private Equity, Venture Capital and Real Estate Fundraising Environment in 2019, 9 November 2018, New York City, New York
- Walkers Fundamentals - New Trends, New Solutions, 6 November 2018, New York City, New York
- Women's Alternative Investment Summit 2017 - Fund Finance: Bridging and Beyond, 3 November 2017, New York City, New York
- Practising Law Institute (PLI) - Hedge Fund Management 2017 - Hedge Fund Structures, 13 September 2017, New York City, New York
- Practising Law Institute (PLI) - Hedge Fund Management 2016 - Hedge Fund Structures, 15 September 2016, New York City, New York
- Practising Law Institute (PLI) - Hedge Fund Management 2015 - Hedge Fund Structures, 15 September 2015, New York City, New York
- The International Bar Association's 16th Annual International Conference on Private Investment and Funds - Regulatory Enforcement, 9 March 2015, London
- Walkers Fundamentals – Global Outlook, 20 November 2014, San Francisco
- Walkers Fundamentals – Global Outlook, 18 November 2014, New York
- Walkers Fundamentals – Global Outlook, 8 October 2014, London
- Practising Law Institute (PLI) - Hedge Fund Management 2014: Hedge Fund Structures, 11 September 2014, New York City, New York
- Practising Law Institute (PLI) - Hedge Funds 2013: Strategies and Structures for an Evolving Marketplace: Hedge Fund Structures, 12 September 2013, New York City, New York
- The International Bar Association’s 14th Annual International Conference on Private Investment Funds: Conflicts and Other Ethical Issues for Fund Counsel, 11 and 12 March 2013, London
- Practising Law Institute (PLI) - Hedge Funds 2012: Strategies and Structures for an Evolving Marketplace: Hedge Fund Structures, 5 September 2012, New York City, New York
- Practising Law Institute (PLI) - Hedge Funds 2011: Strategies and Structures for an Evolving Marketplace: Hedge Fund Structures, 21 September 2011, New York City, New York
- Practising Law Institute (PLI) - Hedge Funds 2010: Strategies and Structures for an Evolving Marketplace: Hedge Fund Structures, 6 October 2010, New York City, New York
- Practising Law Institute (PLI) - Eleventh Annual Private Equity Forum: U.S. Tax Issues Driving Private Equity Fund Structuring, 12-13 July 2010, New York City, New York
- Financial Research Associates, LLC (FRA) - Hedge Fund Regulation and Compliance: Investor Concerns: Redemptions, Gates and Side Letters, 2 February 2010, New York City, New York
- Financial Research Associates, LLC (FRA) - The Investment Management Industry’s Executive Summit on Creating and Delivering High-Impact Marketing Communications: Marketing Funds for Alternative Investments in Europe and Offshore Exchange Listings, 29-30 October 2007, New York City, New York
- Financial Research Associates, LLC (FRA) Webinar Series - Offshore Funds: Selecting Structure and Jurisdiction to Optimise Fund Operations - Structuring Offshore Funds and Side Letters, 25 July 2007
2025 Legal 500 – Leading Partner – Investment Funds
2024 Chambers Global – Band 1 – Investment Funds - "Caroline Williams is always thoughtful, commercial and open to thinking through creative solutions to any challenges." - "Caroline is great to work with, and is always helpful and responsive." - "Caroline is simply the best Cayman attorney that I work with. I reach out to her for everything Cayman-related. She is always responsive and is sharp in her analysis."
2024 Legal 500 – Leading Individual – Investment Funds – "I have worked with Caroline Williams for almost 20 years, and she is among the best in the business."
2024 IFLR1000 - Market Leader
2024 IFLR1000 - Women Leaders
2023 Chambers Global - Notable Practitioner - Investment Funds
2023 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Investment Funds
2022 IFLR1000 Women Leaders
2022 Chambers Global - Notable Practitioner - Investment Funds
2022 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Investment Funds
2022 Who's Who Legal - Global Leader - Private Funds - Formation - 'Caroline Williams is renowned for her considerable experience of portfolio investments acquisition, private equity fund formation and IPOs.'
2022 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - Corporate & Commercial
2021 IFLR1000 - Market Leader
2021 IFLR1000 - Women Leaders
2021 Chambers Global Guide - Notable Practitioner - Investment Funds - Commentators acknowledge her as a "very highly regarded lawyer" who "has a lot of experience" and is "very thoughtful and commercial."
2021 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Investment Funds
2021 Who's Who Legal - Recommended - Private Funds - Formation
2020 IFLR1000 Women Leaders
2020 Who's Who Legal - Global Leader - Private Funds - Formation
2020 Chambers Global Guide - Notable Practitioner - Investment Funds - "One market insider "highly recommends her" saying: "She is tremendously good, knowledgeable and easy to deal with."
2020 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Investment Funds
2020 IFLR1000 - Market Leader
2019 IFLR1000 Women Leaders
2019 Chambers Global Guide - Notable Practitioner - Investment Funds - "Caroline is "who I choose for big-ticket stuff," said one client. Further interviewees state that she is a "terrific" and "very dependable" lawyer in this space."
2019 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Investment Funds
2019 IFLR1000 - Market Leader
2019 Who's Who Legal - Private Funds (Recommended Lawyer)
Caroline is a faculty member of Practising Law Institute (PLI), New York.
2018 IFLR1000 Women Leaders
2018 Chambers Global Guide - Notable Practitioner - Investment Funds - "Sources describe Caroline Williams as "hugely well respected in the funds market." She has a client-friendly style. She also has plenty of experience and some very considerable client relationships with major asset managers."
2018 Who's Who Legal - Private Funds (Recommended Lawyer)
2018 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - Corporate & Commercial
2018 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - Investment Funds
2018 IFLR 1000 - Market Leader
2017 Chambers Global Guide - Notable Practitioner - Investment Funds - "Caroline Williams is a seasoned practitioner with expertise advising on the formation of large private equity funds for investment in numerous sectors including real estate and mining. One source said: 'She's terrific. One of our go-tos in the Cayman, and I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending her to a client'."
2017 International Who's Who of Private Funds Formation Lawyers - Thought Leader - "one of Cayman's strongest funds lawyers"
2017 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer (Investment Funds)
2017 Legal 500 - Key Adviser (Corporate and Commercial)
2017 Euromoney's Expert Guides - Women in Business Law - Leading Investment Funds Practitioner
2017 Euromoney's Expert Guides - Guide to the World's Leading Banking & Finance Experts - "One of the very best Private Equity, Investment Funds and Banking and Finance practitioners"
2017 IFLR1000 - Leading Lawyer
2016 Chambers Global Guide – (Corporate & Finance) A Notable Practitioner - "Caroline Williams 'is especially well regarded in the private equity sphere'."
2016 Chambers Global Guide – Notable Practitioner - Investment Funds - "I value and respect her advice in relation to complex structuring matters."
2016 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - "Caroline Williams ‘can both advise on complex issues and defuse difficult situations’"
2016 International Who's Who of Private Funds Formation Lawyers
2016 IFLR1000 - Leading Lawyer
2015 Chambers Global Guide – Notable Practitioner - Investment Funds - "She has a great personality and is a pleasure to work with - she handles difficult situations very well,"
2015 Chambers Global Guide – (Corporate & Finance) A Notable Practitioner
2015 IFLR1000 – Leading Lawyer – Investment Funds and M&A
2015 International Who’s Who Private Funds Lawyers – “Caroline Williams is ‘brilliant’ in all regards’”
2015 Legal 500 (Investment Funds) – “Caroline Williams has an ‘especially strong work ethic’”
2015 Legal 500 (Corporate) – “Caroline Williams is ‘phenomenal, she is incredibly responsive, commercial and knowledgeable’”
2014 Legal Media Group's Banking, Finance and Transactional Expert Guide - Leading Private Equity Attorney
2014 Chambers Global Guide (Investment Funds) - "Caroline Williams rises in the rankings, following widespread recognition of her 'great reputation' in the investment funds field."
2014 Chambers Global Guide (Corporate) - "Caroline Williams is esteemed for her broad profile, which covers both investment funds and corporate matters."
2014 Finance Monthly Global Awards - Private Equity Lawyer of the Year – Cayman Islands
2014 Legal 500 (Investment Funds) - "Caroline Williams is ‘phenomenal’."
2014 Legal 500 (Corporate) - "Caroline Williams is ‘incredibly responsive’."
2014 IFLR1000 - "Partner Caroline Williams is highly regarded by clients who praise her...high quality client service. 'Her service and expertise was superb, she is our first go to person.'"
2014 Lawyer Monthly Leading Lawyer Global 250 Guide - Leading Lawyer
2013 Chambers Global Guide - "Caroline Williams wins high praise from clients, who consider her to be 'really a wonderful lawyer – very hard-working, smart, and really knows the private equity market.' Sources add: 'You just know you're in good hands with Caroline – she blew our socks off'."
2012 & 2013 Legal Media Group’s Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law - named as one of the world’s outstanding practitioners in private equity
2012 & 2013 Legal Media Group's Guide to the World's Leading Banking Finance and Transactional Attorneys - named as one of the world's outstanding practitioners in private equity
2012 IFLR1000 - Leading Cayman Islands Lawyer
2012 Chambers Global Guide - “Caroline Williams offers a ‘high level of excellence’ in her work.”
2011 Legal 500 Guide - “Clients have ‘nothing but the highest praise’ for Caroline Williams.”
2010, 2011 & 2012 PLC Which Lawyer? - Leading Cayman Islands Lawyer
2010 Legal Media Group’s Expert Guide to the World’s Leading Investment Funds Lawyers - named as one of the world’s leading investment funds lawyers.
2008-2014 International Who’s Who of Private Funds Lawyers.
Team Members
Other team members with related expertise
