Jonathan Betts

Jonathan Betts

Partner

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M +1 441 525 1511

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Jonathan Betts is a partner* and head of the Corporate, Finance, Funds & Insurance Group at Walkers' Bermuda office.

Jonathan joined Walkers in 2016 and has since led the team, advising Bermuda-based and international clients on a broad range of corporate matters. His practise is focussed primarily on mergers and acquisitions, where he advises both buyers and target entities on listed and private company transactions, private equity investments, particularly in the (re)insurance space, and advising financial institutions and borrowers on syndicated, bilateral, secured (particularly in the shipping and aviation spaces) and unsecured finance transactions.

With 25 years' legal experience (over 15 of these practising in Bermuda), Jonathan has become a trusted legal adviser to a number of large corporates, investment funds, financial institutions and insurers and regularly advises on matters of corporate governance and complex Bermuda law transactional and commercial issues.

*The title of "partner" is used to refer to an employee of Walkers (Bermuda) Limited with equivalent standing and qualifications.

Prior to joining Walkers, Jonathan worked in the banking and finance practice of Clifford Chance and SJ Berwin’s private equity group in London. He also previous worked at another offshore law firm in Bermuda.

Admitted In:
Bermuda
England & Wales (not practising)

Qualifications:
Postgraduate Certificate in Sports Law, University of London, UK
Legal Practice Course, College of Law, London, UK
Common Professional Examination, College of Law, London, UK
BSc (Hons), Banking and Finance, Loughborough University, UK

2023 Chambers Global  - Notable Practitioner - Corporate & Finance - "He is a terrific lawyer who is highly responsive and knowledgeable. He is able to offer guidance on very complex transactions and is definitely a first choice for the future in this jurisdiction."

2023 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Corporate & Commercial 

2023 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Banking, Finance & Capital Markets

2022 Chambers Global - Notable Practitioner - Corporate & Finance - "Jonathan has guided us through the ins and outs of Bermuda corporate law for many years. He has a great working knowledge of the law and is always very practical in its analysis and application."

2022 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Corporate & Commercial - '…has a strong reputation for local infrastructure transactions in the renewable energy, hotel and leisure, and insurance sectors.'

2022 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Banking, Finance & Capital Markets

2021 IFLR 1000 - Market Leader

2021 Chambers Global Guide - Notable Practitioner - Corporate & Finance - "He is very detail-minded," [and] is a "fine attorney" with a "good standing and name in the market."

2021 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Banking, Finance & Capital Markets 

2021 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Corporate & Commercial

2020 IFLR 1000 - Highly Regarded

2020 Chambers Global Guide - Notable Practitioner - Corporate & Finance - "a go-to lawyer in Bermuda." Also praised by commentators as "very responsive."

2020 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Banking, Finance & Capital Markets

2020 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Corporate & Commercial

2020 IFLR 1000 - Market Leader

2019 Chambers and Partners - Notable Practitioner - Corporate & Finance - "One client said they valued his "very helpful and timely advice and his deep involvement in our transaction."

2019 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - Banking, Finance & Capital Markets

2019 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Corporate & Commercial

2019 IFLR 1000 - Market Leader

2018 Chambers Global Guide - Notable Practitioner - Corporate & Finance

2018 Legal 500 - Leading Individual - Corporate & Commercial

2018 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - Banking, Finance & Capital Markets

​2018 IFLR 1000 - Market Leader - “Diligent, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with. I have great trust in his advice and ability to think proactively about my legal needs in Bermuda.”

2017 Chambers Global Guide - Notable Practitioner - Corporate & Finance - "Clients acknowledge his resourcefulness, describing him as 'a problem solver' and 'someone who can make things happen'."

2017 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer

2016 Chambers Global Guide - Leading Lawyer - "Jonathan Betts has significant experience acting for natural resources companies on a range of issues, including restructurings and capital markets. Sources praise his responsiveness and commerciality."

2016 IFLR 1000 - Leading Lawyer - "Jonathan Betts has made a name for himself in the offshore legal realm and beyond through his role in many of the most important deals. A client gives the following assessment: 'Jonathan Betts is a very good lawyer, he’s highly practical and commercial'."

2015 Chambers Global Guide - Ranked Lawyer - "Jonathan Betts has established a distinguished reputation for his expertise in funds-related work, as well as corporate and finance matters."

2015 IFLR 1000 - Leading Lawyer - "Jonathan Betts is described by a client at a global company as meticulous, thoughtful and a go-to guy for a lot of companies and onshore firms."

2014 Chambers Global Guide - Ranked Lawyer

2013 IFLR 1000 - Leading Lawyer - "Jonathan Betts is praised by clients and competitors for good business and legal sense."

2013 Chambers Global Guide - Ranked Lawyer

2013 IFLR 1000 - Leading Lawyer

2012 Chambers Global Guide - Ranked Lawyer - "Jonathan Betts is well known for giving sound commercial advice and has a pragmatic and forward-looking approach."

2012 IFLR 1000 - Leading Lawyer

Jonathan is a member of the Asset Management Committee of the Bermuda Business Development Association.

He is a regular contributor to legal and business publications and has published articles in The Lawyer, HFM Week, Captive Review and Bermuda Re + ILS. He has also contributed the Bermuda chapter of multiple Practical Law Company guides and the International Legal Guide to Alternative Investment Funds.

Jonathan is also a director of the Bermuda asthma charity, Open Airways.

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