IngridPierce Opalesque Industry Update - International law firm Walkers announced it will be re-entering the corporate and fiduciary services business with the launch of Walkers Professional Services in mid-June. The firm will also be expanding its global legal footprint to Bermuda, where it plans to open an office, becoming the first major international offshore firm to enter that market as a new entrant. Walkers Professional Services’ core focus will be on providing registered office, corporate and company secretarial services. The new unit will also provide fiduciary services to structured and asset finance vehicles to service the needs of its clients. Tim Buckley, a partner in Walkers' Cayman office and who has taken the lead in developing Walkers Professional Services said, "Many of our clients have told us unequivocally that they want Walkers to provide certain corporate and structured finance services and that is the genesis of this new business. Our aim is to be 100% responsive to client demand and tailor our services accordingly. We have made a conscious decision to focus on those areas which are complementary to our legal services offering. We have made a significant investment in technology and resources and we believe that Walkers Professional Services will set a new bench-mark in the quality of these types of services.” Walkers expands to Bermuda The firm has also announced that it intends to open an office in Bermuda, making Walkers the first major international offshore firm to enter the Bermuda market. Walkers will offer clients a full service operation in Bermuda, encompassing a broad range of practice areas, including: litigation, insolvency, corporate, investment funds, finance, insurance and trusts. With its network of nine offices around the world, Walkers will provide multijurisdictional legal services to clients who require legal advice on any combination of Bermuda, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Irish and Jersey law. Subject to obtaining licenses and approvals, Walkers expects to open in Bermuda by the end of this year. "Our clients have long told us that they would value the expansion of Walkers' service offering to include Bermuda legal advice. As with our other global offices, we intend to become a major force in the legal services industry in Bermuda and to grow and develop talent in that jurisdiction,” said John Rogers, Walkers' Singapore office managing partner. Ingrid Pierce, Walkers’ Global Managing Partner added, “2015 has been an exceptionally strong year for Walkers and these decisions are aligned with our on-going strategy of targeted expansion. Starting new and different businesses is an exciting place to be and we are committed to long term investment in these projects.” |
Industry Updates
Law firm Walkers to enter fiduciary services business, expands to Bermuda
Thursday, May 21, 2015
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