Bio
Simon Raftopoulos is the Corporate Practice Group Head in the Cayman Islands and a member of the Corporate Finance and Private Equity teams.
He represents clients in a wide variety of capital market and finance transactions, including private equity and fund finance, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, initial and secondary public offerings and private placements of equity and debt securities. Simon also represents clients on large private equity and large capital market transactions.
For over a decade in the Cayman Islands, Simon has provided pro bono work to the community as a whole and is a recipient of the Lee Friedman Award for his unselfish dedication and time given to the Family Resource Centre, Legal Befrienders Service.
Bio
Simon Raftopoulos is the Corporate Practice Group Head in the Cayman Islands and a member of the Corporate Finance and Private Equity teams.
He represents clients in a wide variety of capital market and finance transactions, including private equity and fund finance, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, initial and secondary public offerings and private placements of equity and debt securities. Simon also represents clients on large private equity and large capital market transactions.
For over a decade in the Cayman Islands, Simon has provided pro bono work to the community as a whole and is a recipient of the Lee Friedman Award for his unselfish dedication and time given to the Family Resource Centre, Legal Befrienders Service.
Recognition
Simon is currently recognised by Who´s Who Legal 2024 as one of the World´s leading banking and M&A lawyers and is named in the Asia Business Law Journal’s A-List of top 50 offshore lawyers. Since 2012, he has consistently been ranked and is highly rated globally across all leading legal directories.
He is ranked in the Chambers Global Guide 2025 as Band 1: Corporate & Finance, with clients describing him as “a very well-rounded, business-minded, and sophisticated attorney,” while also praising him as “a longstanding legend in the industry.” He is commended for his approachability, with one client noting, “Simon is always available to answer questions, and he excels at explaining details in lay terms. I regularly leverage Simon for feedback on broader market concepts and legal updates.”
Past Chambers Global Directories have reported that clients laud him for his skills and describe him as “…extremely supportive, responsive and always provides sound guidance on all manner of things” as well as being “…practical and creative.” He was described as a “brilliant lawyer, with excellent and creative ideas for complex issues.” He has earned his praise within the legal industry for his “precise and definitive advice” and as a “great banking lawyer who is extremely practical.” Legal 500 reported him as being “a technically brilliant global private equity head.”
Simon is currently recognised by Who´s Who Legal 2024 as one of the World´s leading banking and M&A lawyers and is named in the Asia Business Law Journal’s A-List of top 50 offshore lawyers. Since 2012, he has consistently been ranked and is highly rated globally across all leading legal directories.
He is ranked in the Chambers Global Guide 2025 as Band 1: Corporate & Finance, with clients describing him as “a very well-rounded, business-minded, and sophisticated attorney,” while also praising him as “a longstanding legend in the industry.” He is commended for his approachability, with one client noting, “Simon is always available to answer questions, and he excels at explaining details in lay terms. I regularly leverage Simon for feedback on broader market concepts and legal updates.”
Past Chambers Global Directories have reported that clients laud him for his skills and describe him as “…extremely supportive, responsive and always provides sound guidance on all manner of things” as well as being “…practical and creative.” He was described as a “brilliant lawyer, with excellent and creative ideas for complex issues.” He has earned his praise within the legal industry for his “precise and definitive advice” and as a “great banking lawyer who is extremely practical.” Legal 500 reported him as being “a technically brilliant global private equity head.”
Coverage & Insights
Simon participates regularly at conferences and seminars, and provides commentary to international and local media. He has been a contributing author to the Global Legal Insights Fund Finance publication since its inception. Simon currently sits on the board of Cayman Finance and the US Advisory Committee for the Fund Finance Association.
Simon participates regularly at conferences and seminars, and provides commentary to international and local media. He has been a contributing author to the Global Legal Insights Fund Finance publication since its inception. Simon currently sits on the board of Cayman Finance and the US Advisory Committee for the Fund Finance Association.
Qualifications & Education
- Blackhall Place (Ireland)
- University of Johannesburg (South Africa)
- Blackhall Place (Ireland)
- University of Johannesburg (South Africa)
“Simon is a longstanding legend in the industry who provides great service and is a pleasure to work with.”