Walkers

Congratulations to our 129 newly promoted colleagues across the Walkers global network, effective from 1 July.* This year marks our largest-ever promotions round – a significant milestone in the firm's 60-year history. Our senior promotions are comprised of 20 partners, 15 senior counsels, 14 senior promotions in Walkers Professional Services (WPS) and nine across business services. Each appointment reflects a deep commitment to our clients, our values and the standard of excellence that defines Walkers. This moment belongs to them - join us in celebrating their success. Read more about the news here: https://bit.ly/4kfIQus * Proposed promotions are subject to work permits or other regulatory approvals and will only become effective once the relevant approvals are obtained.

Are you ready to dive into the rapidly evolving world of Fintech? With clients increasingly expecting well-regulated, scalable and compliant offshore solutions, jurisdictions are constantly reviewing and enhancing their regulatory frameworks to keep pace with industry trends. Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent webinar in partnership with Mondaq "Digital assets | Innovation vs compliance: Emerging offshore jurisdictional trends – How legal advisers' roles will change" led by our experts Iona Wright, Chris Brett Young and Rachel Nightingale. Our team shared insights into the future of the global #fintech landscape, with a special focus on Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands and the Cayman Islands as jurisdictions of preference. Each of these jurisdictions have evolved and continue to adapt to meet the demands of the growing digital assets sector while balancing innovation, regulation, and client expectations. To learn more, read the full overview here: https://lnkd.in/etAvpGDA

We are delighted to share that Joanna Taylor has been appointed as Country Lead for Walkers Professional Services (WPS) in Ireland with responsibility for the strategic direction, leadership and growth of the business as it continues to expand. Joanna will continue to work closely with senior vice presidents Nicola Byrne, Anthony Finegan and Colm O Murchadha to drive the strategic management of WPS in Ireland, which now has 67 colleagues based in Ireland. Learn more about her appointment here: https://lnkd.in/e5saDaa5

On 30 June 2025, ESMA published its final report on the 2023–2024 CSA on the integration of sustainability risks and disclosures in the investment fund sector. The report sets out ESMA’s analysis and conclusions, including its assessment of market participants’ adherence to sustainability risk and disclosure requirements, and provides specific recommendations to NCAs and market participants. ESMA also issued a thematic note on sustainability-related claims in non-regulatory communications, focusing on ESG credentials. Our Asset Management & Investment Funds team in Ireland has prepared an advisory on the key takeaways: https://lnkd.in/evXAAAHj Nicholas Blake-Knox, Damien Barnaville, Aongus McCarthy, Emmet Quish, Claire Winrow, Jennifer Brady, Michael Dyulgerov, Eimear O'Flynn Joe Mitchell Julia Noonan 

Guernsey’s flexible framework supports bespoke structures for investors seeking their own, tailored portfolio as well as optimising the use of solo vehicles for multiple investors looking to invest together into a single mandate.   These generally unregulated structures provide fund managers and investors alike with efficiency, flexibility and commercially pragmatic solutions.   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eVcbm-mF   Craig Cordle, Chris Hutley-Hurst, Matt Sanders, Annaliese McGeoch

Congratulations to our Investment Funds partner Dilmun Leach who has been named vice-chair of the Jersey Funds Association (JFA).    Dilmun, who was already a member of the committee and marketing sub-committee of the JFA, has taken on a three-year term as vice-chair.   He is consistently recognised by Chambers and Partners, Legal 500 and IFLR1000 for the quality of his advice and his ability to help clients establish and restructure investment funds in various asset classes.   Learn more about Dilmun's appointment here: https://lnkd.in/eMV5enCF

Our Corporate team advised ReserveOne, Inc, a first of its kind digital asset venture, on its business combination with Cayman Islands SPAC M3-Brigade Acquisition V Corp. The transaction supports an anticipated US$1 billion capital raise. The team was led by partner Chris Brett Young, with support from Samuel Buchan. Read the full release here: https://lnkd.in/e5eBqc_x

On 26 June 2025, ESMA published its final report providing technical advice to the European Commission on the review of the Commission Directive 2007/16/EC on UCITS Eligible Assets. The report assesses EAD implementation across member states and makes proposals aimed at ensuring regulatory clarity as well as uniformity across jurisdictions. A central element of ESMA's advice is the application of a look-through approach as a fundamental criterion for determining the eligibility of asset classes i.e. for at least 90% of a UCITS portfolio. The Commission will now commence its review of ESMA's proposals to ascertain whether any proposed amendments are required to the EAD and/or the UCITS Directive. Our Asset Management & Investment Funds team in Ireland have prepared an advisory outlining ESMA's proposed changes to the UCITS framework: https://lnkd.in/eU4MEDc5   Nicholas Blake-Knox, Damien Barnaville, Aongus McCarthy, Emmet Quish, Claire Winrow, Jennifer Brady, Michael Dyulgerov, Eimear O'Flynn, Joe Mitchell, Demi Mullen, Cian Carton 

As Walkers Professional Services (WPS) commemorates 10 years globally, we're taking a moment to celebrate our WPS talent who seek to deliver the very best in service to our clients across the world. Congratulations to our 16 WPS colleagues who were promoted in Ireland in our recent record-breaking promotion round. In Ireland we have 67 dedicated WPS colleagues, with our Irish business led by Joanna Taylor, together with Nicola Byrne, Anthony Finegan and Colm O Murchadha. WPS has over 300 colleagues across six global offices who are dedicated to the provision of specialist corporate, fiduciary and managing agent services. Sarah Beattie, Aoife Byrne, Jeena Cardenas, Emma Coman, Linda Galligan, Alison Galvin, Iwona Halpin, Wenzhuo Hu, Mohammed Ibnan , Adithya Sivaraman, Cailean Keaveney, Anina Lotscher, Enda Maguire, Hazel Malit, Elizabeth Ogundero, Emma Smith

Our Corporate team recently acted as Cayman Islands counsel to ProKidney (Nasdaq: PROK) on its successful domestication from the Cayman Islands to the U.S. State of Delaware, effective 1 July 2025. This follows our earlier role advising on ProKidney's 2022 business combination with Social Capital Suvretta Holdings Corp. III (now ProKidney Corp.), highlighting our cross-border and local law expertise. Well done to the Walkers team led by Chris Brett Young and Samantha Currie with support from Nick Dunne and Rupert Bell Read our full release here: https://lnkd.in/eye2_zn8