Walkers' Global Private Capital & Trusts ("PC&T") practice has been highlighted in the independent Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Guide for 2020 for its Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey practices. Walkers' Cayman office was ranked as a jurisdiction-leading practice having received an overall Band 1 rating, with clients commenting:
"[Walkers] is a big-name brand and has a loyal client following, they have the strength and resources to do this work on a global scale;" and "If I could pick any team in Cayman I'd go to them."
Walkers' Jersey and Guernsey teams also ranked and, in total, seven of Walkers' PC&T lawyers have been ranked in the directory.
The ranking comes just six months after Walkers was named Law Firm of the Year for the Caribbean at the prestigious 2020 Citywealth International Financial Centre Awards ceremony, a designation that highlights excellence in private wealth advisors and managers in major international financial centres.
The following members of the PC&T practice were highlighted by Chambers & Partners:
Monique Bhullar, Cayman Islands: "is "a very good lawyer" who advises on complex trust matters. One industry source says: "She is extremely bright, practical and has good business sense with regard to wealth structuring and high-value trust matters." Another peer remarks: "She has a very good attitude, is driven and pleasant to deal with," adding that "she is a real expert in unit trusts."
David Pytches, Cayman Islands and BVI "expert based abroad": "is well regarded for his broad range of expertise in offshore trust matters. He is highly responsive and gives excellent legal advice, but he also has good commercial nous," observers a trusts expert, who continues: "What distinguishes him from other lawyers is that he is someone who can advise us beyond just the legal issues." A US attorney notes that "he has a brilliant legal mind and is a very cerebral lawyer."
Shelley White, Cayman Islands: "is "a brilliant lawyer" who is "an excellent litigator" according to sources. One market insider notes: "She is incredibly bright and has real intellectual rigour. She can cut through legal issues very incisively and she also brings good commercial acumen," adding that "she brings both sides of the coin to the table." Another source remarks that "she fights your corner until the bitter end."
Lucy Diggle, Cayman Islands: "is "a standout attorney worthy of recognition," says a source, and another interviewee notes: "She has intellectual rigour and real common sense." An industry expert says: "She is very personable and very intelligent," adding that "she is easy to work with and friendly." "She can always see the broader picture to give you the right overview and put complex pieces together," comments a London adviser."
Rajah Abusrewil, Guernsey: "is described as a well-regarded trusts attorney with a "very good reputation". A private client adviser reported that "Technically, she is very personable, and good with clients."
Rupert Morris, Guernsey: "is head of the private capital and trusts team in Guernsey. A source says he is "a very good contentious lawyer who can also handle trust planning work," and another reports that "he has a strong reputation here and people know he is good."
Robert Dobbyn, Jersey: "is "very knowledgeable, very commercial and has a very broad range of experience", says an offshore expert, who also remarked that "he is good in understanding the intricacies of structuring laws and rules in Jersey, as well as other markets."
Over the last year, Walkers has steadily grown its global PC&T practice. The Cayman team saw the promotions of Monique Bhullar and Clive Thomas to the partnership, and Jo-Anne Stephens to senior counsel. Meanwhile, in Guernsey, trust and fiduciary expert Rajah Abusrewil joined the firm as a Group Partner. All 10 of Walkers' offices are accredited as a STEP Employer Partner, a partnership that supports the professional development of its team members in the trusts and estates industry.
The PC&T team at Walkers spans the globe with lawyers on the ground in the Cayman Islands, BVI, Guernsey and Jersey, who collaborate closely with colleagues in London, Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore. Because of its strategic locations, Walkers is able to consider factors such as language barriers and time zones, and address them by choosing what's most appropriate and convenient for the client.
"We are often instructed on matters involving multiple jurisdictions providing a single point of contact for the client," commented Philip Paschalides, lead partner of the PC&T group. "But, our group structure also allows us to remain agile and recommend the jurisdiction which best suits the client's needs."
