Bio
Adam is a Partner in the Corporate and Property practice groups at Appleby.
He has a wealth of experience across multiple disciplines, including: all aspects of commercial and residential real estate acquisition, finance, development, leasing and disposal; corporate banking; whole loan portfolio transactions; project finance; M&A; outsourcing; and other major commercial transactions.
Prior to joining Appleby, Adam was a partner at another law firm where he built a strong reputation for advising on the real estate, finance and corporate aspects of investment into and within the Cayman Islands, particularly in the hotel and tourism sector. Notably, in 2017 Adam led the legal team advising the purchaser on the largest real estate deal in the jurisdiction.
In addition to his legal practice, Adam leads the real estate module of the Truman Bodden Law School Professional Practice Course, gives seminars on business development strategy on behalf of the Caymanian Bar Association.
Prior to moving to the Cayman Islands, Adam practiced at Eversheds Sutherland in the UK and was senior in-house counsel at a leading financial services group.
Bio
Adam is a Partner in the Corporate and Property practice groups at Appleby.
He has a wealth of experience across multiple disciplines, including: all aspects of commercial and residential real estate acquisition, finance, development, leasing and disposal; corporate banking; whole loan portfolio transactions; project finance; M&A; outsourcing; and other major commercial transactions.
Prior to joining Appleby, Adam was a partner at another law firm where he built a strong reputation for advising on the real estate, finance and corporate aspects of investment into and within the Cayman Islands, particularly in the hotel and tourism sector. Notably, in 2017 Adam led the legal team advising the purchaser on the largest real estate deal in the jurisdiction.
In addition to his legal practice, Adam leads the real estate module of the Truman Bodden Law School Professional Practice Course, gives seminars on business development strategy on behalf of the Caymanian Bar Association.
Prior to moving to the Cayman Islands, Adam practiced at Eversheds Sutherland in the UK and was senior in-house counsel at a leading financial services group.
Recognition
Adam is ranked as a Band 1 real estate lawyer in Chambers Global.
In 2025, Adam Johnson received strong praise from clients, with one stating, “I am a great fan of Adam Johnson. He is thorough, great to work with, and his advice is very commercial and straightforward. He is always responsive, clear, and precise.” Clients also highlighted his deep understanding of Cayman transactions, noting, “His knowledge of how transactions are to be conducted in Cayman is second to none. He is a skilled lawyer with great technical ability, as well as strong commercial awareness.” One client even called him “by far the best real estate lawyer I have dealt with in the Cayman Islands.” Another praised Adam for being “very knowledgeable and readily available to hash out even the most complex problems,” adding, “He has a very strong reputation in the local legal community.”
In previous year, the directory praised his “outstanding reputation” and referring to him as “honestly one of the most efficient, proactive and supportive lawyers I have come across,” adding that he is “incredibly well versed in real estate law”. They also commended him for being “practical, insightful and creative”, an “excellent technical lawyer” and “extremely resourceful and thorough at what he does.”
Legal 500 has ranked Adam as a “Next-Generation Partner” from 2020 to 2023, being described in the directory as “second to none in terms of knowledge, commerciality, and his rapport with clients”, “incredibly knowledgeable and responsive” and “pragmatic and reassuring to deal with.”
In the 2024 edition of Legal 500, Adam was ranked as a “Leading Partner”.
Adam is ranked as a Band 1 real estate lawyer in Chambers Global.
In 2025, Adam Johnson received strong praise from clients, with one stating, “I am a great fan of Adam Johnson. He is thorough, great to work with, and his advice is very commercial and straightforward. He is always responsive, clear, and precise.” Clients also highlighted his deep understanding of Cayman transactions, noting, “His knowledge of how transactions are to be conducted in Cayman is second to none. He is a skilled lawyer with great technical ability, as well as strong commercial awareness.” One client even called him “by far the best real estate lawyer I have dealt with in the Cayman Islands.” Another praised Adam for being “very knowledgeable and readily available to hash out even the most complex problems,” adding, “He has a very strong reputation in the local legal community.”
In previous year, the directory praised his “outstanding reputation” and referring to him as “honestly one of the most efficient, proactive and supportive lawyers I have come across,” adding that he is “incredibly well versed in real estate law”. They also commended him for being “practical, insightful and creative”, an “excellent technical lawyer” and “extremely resourceful and thorough at what he does.”
Legal 500 has ranked Adam as a “Next-Generation Partner” from 2020 to 2023, being described in the directory as “second to none in terms of knowledge, commerciality, and his rapport with clients”, “incredibly knowledgeable and responsive” and “pragmatic and reassuring to deal with.”
In the 2024 edition of Legal 500, Adam was ranked as a “Leading Partner”.
Coverage & Insights
Qualifications & Education
Adam is a member of the Law Society of England and Wales and the Cayman Islands Law Society, having been admitted as solicitor to the Supreme Court of England & Wales in 2008 (non-practicing) and as an Attorney-at-Law in the Cayman Islands in 2015.
- University of South Wales (LLB (Hons), PgDip Legal Practice)
Adam is a member of the Law Society of England and Wales and the Cayman Islands Law Society, having been admitted as solicitor to the Supreme Court of England & Wales in 2008 (non-practicing) and as an Attorney-at-Law in the Cayman Islands in 2015.
- University of South Wales (LLB (Hons), PgDip Legal Practice)
Memberships & Associations
He serves on the education subcommittee of the Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association.
He serves on the education subcommittee of the Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association.
“Adam is by far the best real estate lawyer I have dealt with in the Cayman Islands. He understands what is trying to be achieved in a transaction and adds value in seeing that goal reached.”