Walkers Celebrates 25 Years in Europe

This year Walkers is celebrating 25 years of Walkers operating in Europe – a milestone the firm is proud to mark, reflecting its commitment to the European market and to its ever-expanding European client base.

The firm’s European story began with the opening of its London office in March 2001, as Walkers’ first international office, establishing a presence in one of the world’s most important financial centres. This laid the foundations for the integrated European platform the firm has today, advising on the laws of the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Jersey, Guernsey and Ireland.

Since 2001, and in particular during the past ten years, the firm has invested significantly into its London, Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey businesses. This investment has been combined with a consistent focus on bringing together market leading lawyers and professionals across all of its disciplines who believe in providing clients with top tier service in a responsive, coordinated and jurisdictionally agnostic manner.

The growth in scale of the firm’s European business has been phenomenal. The firm’s four European offices are now home to over 600 legal and professional services personnel, delivering specialist, integrated advice relating to all aspects of asset management & investment funds, private capital & trusts, banking & finance, corporate, dispute resolution, insolvency & restructuring, employment and regulatory matters, across its six laws, as well as specialist Irish tax advice.

The firm is delighted to see that the market leading strength of its European offering, and the coordinated approach it takes to client service, are consistently recognised by its clients as well as the legal directories.

In addition to marking 25 years in Europe, this year also sees key milestones across each of the firm’s European businesses, including 20 years in Jersey, 10 years in Guernsey and 10 years of Walkers Professional Services in Ireland. Together, these reflect the depth of the firm’s long-term investment in Europe and the strength of its integrated offering.

Commenting on the milestones, Hughie Wong, managing partner of Walkers’ London office, said:  ‘Celebrating 25 years in Europe is a proud moment for all of us. London was our first step outside the Caribbean and it set the tone for how we operate internationally: operating in the same time zone as our clients, collaborating across offices and focusing on delivering consistently strong outcomes.’

‘As we look ahead, we will continue to invest in our people and our platform so we can support clients at the most complex end of the market.’

Fraser Hern, head of Walkers’ Channel Islands business, added:  ‘This year is particularly meaningful for our Channel Islands practice as we mark 20 years in Jersey and 10 years in Guernsey. Our Channel Islands offices form a crucial part of our European platform, supporting clients on complex multi-jurisdictional matters while remaining closely connected to the wider Walkers network. These milestones reflect not only the strength of our local teams, but the benefits of operating as part of an integrated European business.’

Jonathan Sheehan, managing partner of Walkers’ Ireland office, said:  ‘As we celebrate the milestone anniversaries across our European business, it is a timely opportunity to reflect on the depth of the commitment of our Ireland office to the region. Ireland has become a vital hub within our European offering, and our continued growth here is closely linked to the strength of the platform we have built across the region.’

The firm will recognise these milestones throughout the year, including hosting a client event to celebrate the relationships that have shaped its European journey and continue to drive its success.

As the firm moves into the next chapter, it remains focused on strengthening its European offering and continuing to play a leading role in supporting clients with sophisticated, multi-jurisdictional advice.