Adam Crane

Partner

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"He is a standout in the market for his expertise in complex restructuring, insolvencies, and commercial disputes. He is very easy to work with, deeply committed, and sharp." – Legal 500, 2025

Adam Crane is a Partner at Broadhurst LLC, focussing on asset recovery, commercial litigation and contentious insolvencies and restructurings. With over 14 years of experience, Adam is recognized by clients and peers alike as a commercial operator who cuts through legal complexity to deliver tangible results.

Adam’s practice is defined by his involvement in some of the world's most high-profile disputes and recovery efforts. Most notably, he acted in the international asset recovery efforts related to the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB fraud scandal. Adam also secured the first-ever winding-up order against a cryptocurrency exchange (AAX) in the Cayman Islands. He regularly acts for liquidators, creditors, bondholders, investors, directors and other key stakeholders in disputes and insolvency proceedings.

Core Areas of Expertise:

  • Fraud & Asset Recovery: Utilizing urgent injunctive relief, disclosure orders (Norwich Pharmacal/Bankers Trust), and other tools to trace and recover assets / value.
  • Contentious Insolvency: Utilising insolvency proceedings such as winding-up proceedings and provisional liquidations as tools for strategic value recovery.
  • Complex Commercial Litigation: Advising on high-stakes disputes involving investment funds, shareholder conflicts, joint ventures, and other corporate disputes.
  • Digital Assets: Navigating the evolving legal landscape of crypto-asset disputes and recovery.
  • Enforcement: Cayman recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards, and managing non-performing loan (NPL) enforcement strategies.

Adam is a recognized leader in the global insolvency community. He is an INSOL Fellow, a former Chair of the International Insolvency Institute’s (III) NextGen Program, and a current Co-Chair of the III’s Regional Committee for the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. His leadership extends to the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), where he recently served as Co-Chair of the International Committee.

Representative Work

  • AAX Cryptocurrency Exchange: Acted for a group of investors to obtain the first-ever winding-up order against a cryptocurrency exchange in the Cayman Islands, setting a significant precedent for digital asset insolvency in the jurisdiction.

  • 1MDB Fraud: Led Cayman Islands specific asset recovery efforts and contributed to the global recovery strategy regarding the multi-billion dollar 1MDB sovereign state wealth fund fraud.

  • XiO Fund I LP: Acted for the Hong Kong court appointed interim receivers of a multi-billion dollar Cayman Islands domiciled private equity fund, where he advised the interim receivers on all aspects of their appointment including the recognition of their appointment in the Cayman Islands, complex litigation and arbitration proceedings, the recovery of assets and documentation, as well as regulatory, data protection and confidentiality issues.

  • AHAB v Saad: Acted for the Joint Official Liquidators of several Cayman subsidiaries of Bahraini Awal Bank in complex and cross-border liquidation and commercial litigation proceedings (AHAB v. Saad), which involved the defence of a US $9 billion (reduced to US $6 billion) fraud claim against the subsidiaries and other defendants.

Recognition & Testimonials

Adam is consistently ranked as a leading lawyer in the offshore market.

  • Chambers and Partners: Ranked as "Up and Coming."
  • Lexology Index (formerly Who's Who Legal): Recognized as a "Thought Leader" in both Restructuring & Insolvency and Asset Recovery, and a "Future Leader" in Commercial Litigation.
  • Lexology Client Choice Awards: Winner for Commercial Litigation (Cayman Islands) in 2025 and 2026.

What Clients and Directories Say

"A commercial operator who doesn't waste clients' time getting too deep in legal rabbit holes. He is easy to work with and makes himself available." – Chambers and Partners, 2025

"Adam Crane is responsive, flexible and understands the needs of his clients. He is a calm presence in contentious matters." – Chambers and Partners, 2025

"Adam Crane stood out for his high-quality counsel and adaptability." – Global Investigations Review, GIR 100 2025

"Adam Crane was prompt and efficient at cutting through the issues and getting us to a result." – Chambers and Partners, 2024

"Adam Crane has a strong rapport with the Cayman Islands judiciary and is a joy to work with." – Chambers and Partners, 2024

“great to work with, very responsive and dedicated.” – Global Restructuring Review, GRR 100 2023

Professional Memberships, Qualifications & Education

  • International Insolvency Institute (III): Co-Chair, Regional Committee (United States, Canada, and Caribbean); Former Chair, NextGen Program.

  • INSOL International: INSOL Fellow; Co-Leader of the INSOL Short Course on Asset Tracing and Recovery.

  • American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI): Former Co-Chair, International Committee.

  • RISA (Cayman): Member, Education Committee.

  • Admissions: Cayman Islands, Attorney-at-Law; Nova Scotia, Canada, Barrister and Solicitor (Non-Practising).

  • Education: Juris Doctor (Business Law Specialization), Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.