Alison Maxwell
George Town,Cayman Islands
Summary
Senior Cayman-qualified attorney with over a decade of experience advising boards, executives, and senior management on commercial, regulatory, and governance matters. Proven track record operating in highly regulated and infrastructure-adjacent environments, translating legal and regulatory risk into clear, commercially practical advice. Experienced in contentious and non-contentious matters, contract review, regulatory compliance, dispute management, and external counsel oversight. Recognised for sound judgment, discretion, and the ability to support decision-making in politically and commercially sensitive contexts.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Associate Regulatory Counsel / Assistant General Counsel
Utility Regulation and Competition Office
Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands
01.2017 - Current
- Senior legal adviser to the regulator across the ICT, energy, fuels, and water sectors, advising on matters with significant commercial, operational, and public-interest implications.
- Advise the Board, CEO, and senior leadership on complex legal, regulatory, governance, and commercial risk issues affecting regulated entities and infrastructure projects.
- Provide solutions-focused legal advice to support executive decision-making, balancing statutory obligations with commercial realities and reputational considerations.
- Draft, review, and advise on contracts, agreements, policies, regulatory instruments, and consultation documents with material commercial impact.
- Lead the management of contentious and non-contentious matters, including regulatory disputes, judicial review exposure, enforcement strategy, and settlement positioning.
- Instruct, coordinate, and manage external counsel on litigation and advisory matters, ensuring proportionality, cost control, and alignment with organisational strategy.
- Act as a principal interface between the regulator, government ministries, regulated entities, and external advisers, navigating competing legal and commercial interests.
- Contribute to organisational governance, internal decision-making frameworks, and sector reform initiatives.
- Member of the Senior Management Team.
- Former Secretary and Assistant Secretary to the Board of Directors.
- Regular adviser on governance, procedural fairness, and decision-making risk under the Public Authorities Act.
- Led development of Administrative Fines and Penalties Guidelines, establishing proportional and risk-based enforcement principles.
- Played a central role in drafting the proposed Consumer Protection Regulations (CPR) across ICT, Fuels, and Energy & Utilities sectors.
- Managed legal strategy and negotiation in the licensing processes.
- Led drafting and consultation on the proposed Dispute Resolution Regulations and Truth in Advertising Standards.
- Contributed to drafting of Data Protection Regulations.
- Conducted legal research to support regulatory policy development.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to resolve regulatory disputes effectively.
- Trained new staff members on legal and regulatory processes.
Legal Analyst
Information and Communications Technology Authority
Cayman Islands, Cayman Islands
10.2016 - 01.2017
- Provided legal advice on ICT regulatory matters, licensing frameworks, and compliance with statutory obligations.
- Supported policy formulation and regulatory decision-making within the ICT sector.
- Provided legal support during the development of new ICT regulations and legislative initiatives.
Associate Attorney – Criminal Litigation
Stenning & Associates
Cayman Islands , Cayman Islands
04.2016 - 08.2016
- Advised clients on criminal proceedings, advocacy preparation, and litigation strategy.
- Supported case preparation and court-related matters in complex proceedings.
Associate – Civil & Commercial Litigation
Kobre & Kim (Cayman)
Cayman Islands , Cayman Islands
05.2013 - 02.2016
- Worked on high-value, cross-border civil and commercial litigation and enforcement matters involving institutional and government clients.
- Supported litigation strategy in complex, multi-jurisdictional disputes involving asset recovery, corporate control, and enforcement of judgments exceeding USD $100 million.
- Worked closely with senior counsel and external stakeholders on sensitive and high-profile matters.
Education
Postgraduate Diploma - EU Competition Law
King’s College London
United Kingdom01-2022
LL.M - Commercial & Corporate Law
Queen Mary University of London
United Kingdom 01-2011
Legal Practice Course -
The University of Law
United Kingdom 01-2009
LL.B (Hons) -
University of Derby
United Kingdom 01-2008
Skills
- Contract review and risk allocation
- Stakeholder engagement
- Legal drafting
- Data protection
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Regulatory compliance and enforcement
- Dispute strategy and counsel management
- Executive and senior management advisory
- Government engagement and relations
- Governance and decision-making frameworks
- Legislative drafting and interpretation
- Risk management strategies
- Pragmatic problem-solving skills
- Legal advice for non-lawyers
- Negotiation and settlement strategies
Affiliations
• Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (North America)
• Member, Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association
• Club Service Director ('25-26), Rotary Central Cayman Islands
• Member, Cayman Islands Legal Practitioners Association
• Club Service Director ('25-26), Rotary Central Cayman Islands
Professional Development And Specialist Training
- Utility Regulation & Strategy – Public Utility Research Center (PURC) / World Bank
- EU Competition Law & Telecommunications Regulation
- Strategic Policy Planning & Legislative Processes – International Center of Parliamentary Studies
- Cybersecurity & Data Protection Awareness
- Intellectual Property (Trademarks & Copyright)
- Leadership & Management – ILM Level 3
Certification
Certifications:
• Queen Mary University of London and SIA/CIArb Arbitration Award Writing Certificate (November 2010)
• UK Mediation's Mediation Practitioner’s Certificate (June 2010)
• Queen Mary University of London and SIA/CIArb Arbitration Award Writing Certificate (November 2010)
• UK Mediation's Mediation Practitioner’s Certificate (June 2010)
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Associate Regulatory Counsel / Assistant General Counsel
Utility Regulation and Competition Office
01.2017 - Current
Legal Analyst
Information and Communications Technology Authority
10.2016 - 01.2017
Associate Attorney – Criminal Litigation
Stenning & Associates
04.2016 - 08.2016
Associate – Civil & Commercial Litigation
Kobre & Kim (Cayman)
05.2013 - 02.2016
Postgraduate Diploma - EU Competition Law
King’s College London
LL.M - Commercial & Corporate Law
Queen Mary University of London
Legal Practice Course -
The University of Law
LL.B (Hons) -
University of Derby