Walkers has announced 129 promotions across its global business in 2025, more than in any time in the firm’s 60-year history.
It has also announced a record number of promotions across its Channel Islands business, which include seven partners, two senior counsel, three senior associates, and one in business services.
In Guernsey and Jersey, Walkers has expanded its partner bench to 35 partners, with the promotion of:
- Jamie Bookless who advises on regulatory matters involving regulated businesses and structures in Guernsey. Jamie has been in private practice for 20 years and working in investment hub jurisdictions since 2015.
- Advocate Kirsten Faichnie (pictured), who specialises in investment funds, corporate and M&A. Kirsten has been in private practice since 2010, has a huge amount of experience working for market leading clients in Jersey, as well as in London.
- Advocate Louise Hamilton, who specialises in real estate financing, general secured lending and sharia-compliant and acquisition financing matters. Prior to Walkers, Louise worked at a boutique corporate law firm in Scotland, before moving to Jersey in 2015.
- Sian Langley, who specialises in financial services regulation & risk advisory matters, and co-leads Walkers dedicated Regulatory & Risk Advisory practice. Prior to Walkers, Sian held a senior role with a leading domestic Irish law firm, as well as the Irish financial services regulator.
- Helena Lavin who specialises in contentious trust and insolvency matters. Helena has been practising in Guernsey for eleven years.
- Gemma Palmer, who specialises in financial services regulation & risk advisory matters, and co-leads Walkers dedicated Regulatory & Risk Advisory practice. Gemma has a significant amount of regulatory experience in Jersey having worked for market leading clients since 2017, prior to which she worked for a leading firm in the UK.
- Laurent Thibeault who specialises in trust, finance and insolvency, and corporate disputes. Laurent has practised in Paris and London.
In addition, Marcél Treurnicht (Private Capital & Trusts) and Charlotte Yates (Insolvency & Dispute Resolution) have been promoted to senior counsel and Adam Diamond (Investment Funds & Corporate), Kellie Sherwill (Insolvency & Dispute Resolution) and Robert White (Banking & Finance) to senior associate.
Ry Williams from the firm’s business services team was also promoted to senior HR manager.
Matt Sanders, managing partner of Walkers’ Guernsey office, said: “On behalf of everyone in the Walkers partnership in Guernsey and the entire office, I am delighted to congratulate Jamie, Helena and Laurent on being made up to partner. I am also very pleased to see Marcél, Kellie and Robert recognised for their significant contribution to the firm which has helped strengthen our business.”
Jonathan Heaney, managing partner of Walkers’ Jersey office, said: “I am delighted to congratulate Louise, Kirsten, Sian, Gemma, Charlotte, Adam and Ry on behalf of the entire Walkers team. Their dedication has helped strengthen our Jersey business as we continue to grow. Each of those promoted has had a significant impact on their individual teams and the service our clients receive.”
Fraser Hern, head of Walkers’ Channel Islands business, added: “The record-breaking promotion round for the firm is a bold signal of its long-term growth strategy and talent-first culture. It comes as the firm continues to strengthen its global reach to better support clients across all practice lines. I am delighted to see the promotion of so many talented people in our business, including in Jersey and in Guernsey. Given that we are a business that is fortunate to continue to grow and prosper at record levels, that is a very strong indication of the regard in which the Jersey and Guernsey practices are held, and the contribution that they make. We look forward to seeing more of the same next year.”
