via PRESS RELEASE
Claritas, a boutique law firm and regulatory compliance firm, is the newest professional services firm in the Cayman Islands. Launching in June 2022, Claritas is the only boutique law firm in the Cayman Islands specializing solely in regulatory law and litigation, and the only firm providing anti-money laundering compliance services to both Cayman companies and to governments that need to enhance their compliance with the Financial Action Task Force standards.
Claritas was founded by local experts Elisabeth Lees, Justine Plenkiewicz and Katie Pearson.
Elisabeth Lees served as National Coordinator to the Anti-Money Laundering Steering Group of the Cayman Islands from 2019 until January 2022 advising on all aspects of the regulatory and law enforcement framework. In January 2022 she was awarded a Certificate and Badge of Honour for Legal Services Rendered to the Cayman Islands Government. Elisabeth is a criminal barrister by background, with two decades of court experience, including financial crime and international cooperation.
Justine Plenkiewicz served as Deputy National Coordinator to the Anti-Money Laundering Steering Group of the Cayman Islands from 2019 until 2021 advising on all aspects of supervision of regulated entities. She is a qualified Canadian lawyer with fifteen years regulatory experience, having worked from 2007 to 2019 at the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, where she served as Head of Policy and Development.
Katie Pearson is an experienced Cayman Islands litigator, who was called to the Bar of the Cayman Islands in 2009. Prior to launching Claritas she was a partner at leading offshore litigation firm, Harneys.
The regulatory landscape in the Cayman Islands has changed beyond recognition in recent years. Elisabeth, Justine and Katie’s combined knowledge of the Cayman Islands regulatory regime, and their experience of litigating complex, cross-border commercial disputes as well as serious criminal matters, is unparalleled.
Elisabeth Lees said: “I am pleased to combine my court experience and regulatory expertise to offer legal advice and representation in the Cayman Islands and to continue to enhance compliance with the FATF standards both locally and internationally.”
Justine Plenkiewicz said: “Regulatory compliance obligations often seem complex and forever changing. We are excited about using our regulatory knowledge to make it easier for our clients to understand and implement their regulatory obligations.”
Katie Pearson said: “I am excited to partner with Elisabeth Lees to provide regulatory litigation advice and representation as well as to continue to provide commercial litigation and insolvency advice from an independent, conflicts-free platform.”
Claritas website: www.claritaslegal.com
Claritas LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/company/claritas-compliance/
Elisabeth Lees LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabeth-lees-9b06a5231/
Justine Plenkiewicz LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justineplenkiewicz/
Katie Pearson LinkedIn profile: www.linkedin.com/in/katiepearsoncayman
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