Ingrid Pierce
Global Managing Partner
Cayman Islands
Ingrid is our Global Managing Partner. She fosters a high achieving and supportive culture, driving the firm to be client focused and solutions orientated.
She is a pivotal figure in the asset management industry and leads our Cayman Investment Funds Group – also holding top tier rankings in every leading legal directory.
She counsels many of the Who's Who of asset managers, banks and trust companies and has helped to launch and advise the largest ever start-up hedge fund in history.
She specialises in:
She also has considerable experience with contentious matters and has acted in connection with the acquisition, restructuring and winding down of various high-profile funds.
You will see Ingrid frequently speaking at industry events and on various media platforms, including Bloomberg, CNBC and Fox Business. She is also a Member of Lex Mundi's Board of Directors.
She counsels many of the Who's Who of asset managers, banks and trust companies and has helped to launch and advise the largest ever start-up hedge fund in history.
She specialises in:
- directors' and trustees' duties and responsibilities
- issues related to succession planning for principals and private clients
- how to manage distress in volatile markets
- fund formation and restructuring.
She also has considerable experience with contentious matters and has acted in connection with the acquisition, restructuring and winding down of various high-profile funds.
You will see Ingrid frequently speaking at industry events and on various media platforms, including Bloomberg, CNBC and Fox Business. She is also a Member of Lex Mundi's Board of Directors.
Widely revered as "a global leader" with "expertise launching multi-billion dollar hedge funds."
Experience and recent work
Ingrid practiced as a barrister in London for nearly a decade before moving to Walkers, where she litigated financial services disputes before the Cayman Islands and BVI courts.
Qualifications
Admitted in:
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- England and Wales (not practising)
Education:
- Honours Degree in Law, University College, University of London
- Certificate in Company Direction
- TEP Qualification (STEP)
Ingrid is a member of the Lex Mundi Board of Directors. Lex Mundi is the world's leading network of independent law firms with 150+ member firms and more than 22,000 lawyers worldwide. She is also a Full Member of STEP, a member of the Legal Peer Advisory Group of 100 Women in Finance, a member of the Economic Club of New York and a member of the Institute of Directors.
In addition, Ingrid is a contributing author to the Wells Fargo Prime Services Quarterly Report and a frequent speaker at industry events. Some of her recent speaking engagements include:
In addition, Ingrid is a contributing author to the Wells Fargo Prime Services Quarterly Report and a frequent speaker at industry events. Some of her recent speaking engagements include:
- Corporate Counsel Business Journal - In House Warrior Podcast - The General Counsel’s Dilemma (November 2021)
- Citywealth interview on law firm leadership (October 2021)
- International Bar Association Legal Business Development & Marketing – Client Relationships (September 2021)
- Women in Asset Management Spring Summit (May 2021)
- American Bar Association World Forum (January 2021) - How Global Women Leaders Lead Differently Around the World
- Operational Leaders with Terrance J. O'Malley - The Cayman Connection - Podcast (December 2020)
- Walkers' Virtual Fundamentals 2021 - Cayman Islands (November 2020)
- Walkers Fundamentals 2020 – New York (November 2019)
- GAIM Ops – Panellist - Building a Modern Compliance Programme (April 2019)
- GAIM Ops – Keynote Interview with Kevin O'Connor (April 2019)
- Walkers Fundamentals 2019 – New York (November 2018)
- Regulatory Compliance Association - Women in Asset Management (November 2018)
- GAIM Ops – Panellist - Manager/Investor Town Hall (April 2018)
- Walkers Fundamentals 2018 – New York (November 2017)
- GAIM Ops – Panellist - Leading More While Having Less (March 2017)
- Walkers' Funds in Focus 2017 - New York (November 2016)
- Walkers' Funds in Focus 2016 - New York (November 2015)
- Arthur Bell CPAs Alts Update - Panellist - International Considerations for U.S. Managers in a Global Industry (November 2015)
- GAIM Ops – Panellist - The Hedge Fund Debate (April 2015)
- Operations for Alternatives - Strategies for Managing the Alphabet Soup of Fund Regulatory Requirements - Palm Beach Florida (February 2015)
- Walkers Fundamentals 2014 – London, New York, San Francisco (Oct/Nov 2014)
- World Alternative Investment Summit Canada – Canadian and Global Regulatory Hot Topics: Panel Discussion – Niagara Falls (September 2014)
- SALT – Cut to the Chase: Navigating Alternative Investments through the New Regulatory Era, Las Vegas (May 2014)
- GAIM Ops – Moderator - State of Affairs Debate: Managers and Investors Share their Perspectives (April 2014)
- Walkers Fundamentals 2013 – New York, San Francisco (Nov 2013)
- Alternative Investment Management Association - New and Emerging Managers Series Part 3: Offshore Structuring - Toronto (September 2013)
- World Alternative Investment Summit Canada – Canadian and Global Regulatory Hot Topics: Panel Discussion – Niagara Falls (September 2013)
- SALT – The Inside Stuff: The Perils of an Information Advantage, Las Vegas (May 2013)
- GAIM Ops – Conference Chairperson – General Counsel Panel; Is Your Organisation Prepared, Cayman (April 2013)
- Walkers Fundamentals – Fundamental Change, San Francisco (November 2012)
- Walkers Fundamentals – Fundamental Change, New York (November 2012)
- World Alternative Investment Summit Canada – Canadian and Global Regulatory Hot Topics: Panel Discussion – Niagara Falls (September 2012)
- Annual Conference on Globalisation of Investment Funds – AIFM Directive, Boston (June 2012)
- SALT – A Balancing Act: Current Trends in Alternative Asset, Las Vegas (May 2012)
- STEP Caribbean Conference - The benefits of International Financial Centres to the Global economy, Cayman (May 2012)
- RCA Regulation & Thought Leadership Symposium - Escalating Allocator Requirements on Fund Governance and Due Diligence - New York (April 2012)
- GAIM Ops – Conference Chairperson – Corporate Governance Oversight, Cayman (April 2012)
- NYSSCPA Investment Companies Conference, New York (November 2011)
- Walkers Fundamentals – Fundamental Change, New York (November 2011)
- RCA Asset Management Thought Leadership Symposium, New York (November 2011)
- Ernst & Young Hedge Fund Symposium, Boston (November 2011)
- World Alternative Investment Summit Canada (September 2011)
- GAIM Ops – Conference Chairperson – Implications of the New Regulatory Landscape for the Hedge Fund Industry (April 2011)
- SALT – Passing the Grade: Navigating the Due Diligence Process to Secure Capital (May 2011)
- MFA Network - Legal Roundtable: The Potential Impact of Dodd-Frank on Product Development, Innovation, Distribution and M&A, Palm Beach (February 2011)
- Walkers Fundamentals - Changing the Game, New York (November 2010)
- National Society of Compliance Professionals - Hedge Fund Regulatory Panel, Baltimore (November 2010)
- RCA Asset Management Thought Leadership Symposium, New York (November 2010)
- World Alternative Investment Summit Canada – Manager and Service Provider Liability to Investors: Where are we now? (September 2010)
2023 IFLR 1000 - Women Leaders
2023 IFLR 1000 - Market Leader
2023 Chambers Global - Eminent Practitioner - Investment Funds
2022 IFLR1000 - Women Leaders
2022 Chambers Global - Eminent Practitioner - Investment Funds
2022 Who's Who Legal - Global Elite Thought Leader - Private Funds: Formation - Ingrid Pierce is widely revered as "a global leader" with "expertise launching multi-billion dollar hedge funds". Her "cutting-edge knowledge" and "excellent client relation skills" are also praised.
2021 IFLR 1000 - Market Leader
2021 Who's Who Legal - Global Elite Thought Leader - Firm Management: "The “brilliant” Ingrid Pierce is lauded as “a rock star in the field”. One client effuses that she is “terrific - knowledgeable, practical, responsive and a pleasure to work with”."
2021 IFLR1000 - Women Leaders
2021 Chambers Global Guide - Eminent Practitioner - Investment Funds - Interviewees describe Ingrid Pierce as a "fantastic lawyer" with "great subject matter knowledge."
2021 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - Investment Funds
2021 Who's Who Legal - Global Elite Thought Leader - Private Funds: "Ingrid Pierce at Walkers has a splendid reputation thanks to her "cutting-edge knowledge" and depth of experience in multi-billion dollar transactions. Her "combination of extraordinary legal skills and pragmatism" make her an authority on fund formation."
2020 IFLR1000 Women Leaders
2020 Who's Who Legal - Global Elite Thought Leader - Private Funds
2020 Chambers Global Guide - Eminent Practitioner - Investment Funds - "She is one of the finest lawyers in the world. She's grown up in this industry and understands the issues from the base."
2020 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - Investment Funds
2020 IFLR 1000 - Market Leader
2019 IFLR1000 Women Leaders
2019 Chambers Global Guide - Eminent Practitioner - Investment Funds - "Ingrid is regarded as a "phenomenal resource in Cayman," particularly highlighting her encyclopaedic knowledge of the funds industry and Cayman commercial law, as well as her "very market-driven" perspective."
2019 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - Investment Funds
2019 IFLR 1000 - Market Leader
2019 Who's Who Legal - Private Funds (Recommended Lawyer)
2019 Citywealth Woman of the Year - Business Growth Shortlist
2018 IFLR1000 Women Leaders
2018 Chambers Global Guide - Notable Practitioner - Investment Funds - "Global managing partner Ingrid Pierce is lauded as "a pre-eminent name in this area" with "a very strong reputation."
2018 Who's Who Legal - Private Funds (Thought Leader)
2018 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer - Investment Funds
2018 IFLR 1000 - Market Leader
2017 IFC Power Women Top 200 - Citywealth Magazine
2017 CityWealth Leaders List
2017 Chambers Global Guide - (Investment Funds) Eminent Practitioner - "[Ingrid] is 'extremely well regarded' in the market as someone 'who understands the practicalities of running a business'."
2017 International Who's Who of Private Funds Formation Lawyers
2017 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer (Investment Funds)
2017 IFLR 1000 - Leading Lawyer
2016 IFC Power Women Top 200 - Citywealth Magazine
2016 Chambers Global Guide – (Investment Funds) A Notable Practitioner - "Ingrid is on my speed dial for the toughest Cayman Islands legal matters."
2016 Legal 500 - Recommended Lawyer (Investment Funds)
2016 International Who's Who of Private Funds Formation Lawyers
2016 IFLR 1000 - Leading Lawyer
2015 IFC Power Women Top 200 - Citywealth Magazine
2015 Chambers Global Guide – (Investment Funds) A Notable Practitioner - "She is very responsive and very involved in complicated issues, and she has a practical knowledge of the industry," said one client.
2015 Legal 500 - Investment Funds - Highly Recommended - "Ingrid Pierce is the 'deeply experienced' department head"
2015 Citywealth Woman of the Year: Leadership (Professional Services) Shortlist
2014/15 Euromoney's Global Asset Management & Servicing Review - Cayman Islands Chapter - Contributor
2014 IFC Power Women Top 100 - Citywealth Magazine
2014 Acquisition International Fund Awards - Investment Funds Lawyer of the Year - Cayman Islands
2014 International Who's Who of Private Funds Lawyers - Top Ten Offshore Lawyer - "Ingrid enjoys a 'stellar reputation' in the funds sector..."
2014 Legal 500 - "Ingrid Pierce ‘does an excellent job in complicated transactions’."
2013 The Hedgefund Journal - '50 Leading Women in Hedge Funds 2013'
2013 Chambers Global Guide - "Ingrid Pierce is a very well-respected practitioner with extensive experience in the funds market. She impresses clients and peers alike as 'very personable, knowledgeable and very customer service-oriented'."
2012 Chambers Global - "Ingrid Pierce receives glowing references from clients, who say she is 'exceptional in her knowledge.' One commentator added: 'She really impressed us with her sophistication – she really made a difference'."
2011 Chambers Global - "A phenomenal lawyer."
2011 International Who's Who of Private Funds Lawyers
Team Members
