Walkers' Strategic Growth in Jersey Continues With Four Banking & Finance Hires

Walkers' strategic growth in its Jersey Banking & Finance team continues with the recruitment of four lawyers, adding significant strength and depth to the firm's real estate finance practice in particular.

The four newest team members in the group are:

  • Senior Counsel Christine Fox, recognised by Legal 500 as a Rising Star, who is a Jersey Advocate with more than 15 years' experience in private practice, specialising in real estate finance matters, who has joined Walkers from another offshore firm;
  • Senior Associate Melissa Hellio, a real estate finance and fund finance lawyer, who joins Walkers from Eversheds Sutherland, where she was also recognised by Legal 500 as a Rising Star.
  • Associate Cathryn Houston, who joins Walkers from another offshore firm in Jersey, has broad experience across the Jersey banking & finance spectrum, and a particular focus on high-value restructuring matters;
  • Associate Mark Klag, who joins Walkers' from the Madrid office of Allen & Overy, has experience in real estate financing matters, as well as experience in acquisition and leveraged financing.
Partner Nigel Weston, who leads Walkers' Channel Islands Banking & Finance Group, commented: "We are delighted to have Christine, Melissa, Cathryn and Mark join our busy team – they bring to the group significant experience across our key areas of real estate finance, capital markets work, and asset finance. Their wide-ranging experience of legal practice in London, Australia, Scotland and Spain also supports the international nature of our practice."

Jonathan Heaney, the managing partner of Walkers' Jersey office, added: "It is very pleasing to be able to add to our growing team here in the Island and for Walkers' Jersey office to be able to attract a mix of lawyers with both onshore and offshore experience. Our Banking & Finance team works closely with our Investment Funds & Corporate and Insolvency & Dispute Resolution practice groups, and the arrivals of Christine, Melissa, Cathryn and Mark will add much-needed experience, expertise and bandwidth to our busy teams."

The expansion of the Banking & Finance team in Jersey is occurring at the same time as other parts of Walkers' Channel Islands business continue to expand.

Other recent recruits include group partner David Cooney in the Guernsey Private Capital & trusts team, partner Craig Cordle in the Guernsey Investment Funds & Corporate team, senior counsel Sarah Townsend and Kirsten Faichnie in the Jersey Investment Funds & Corporate team, associate Devon Jenkins in the Guernsey Employment team, and associate Kgotso Matjila in the Guernsey Banking & Finance team.

The new arrivals were also welcomed by Fraser Hern, the Head of Walkers' Channel Islands business, who commented: "Our Channel Islands expansion continues to go from strength to strength across all practice areas.  The new hires in our Banking & Finance practice will help ensure that the team continues to provide extremely high quality advice to what is a rapidly expanding client base, particularly at a time when the uncertain market conditions are creating more challenges for borrowers and lenders alike.

"We are delighted that they have decided to join our Channel Islands practice at such an exciting time. We also look forward to making further announcements about additional new joiners to the business in the coming weeks."

Primary Contacts


CAYMAN ISLANDS
Cathryn HoustonAssociateT +1 345 814 4655cathryn.houston@walkersglobal.com

JERSEY
Jonathan HeaneyManaging PartnerT +44 (0)1534 700 786jonathan.heaney@walkersglobal.com
Nigel WestonPartnerT +44 (0)1534 700 788nigel.weston@walkersglobal.com
Fraser HernGroup Partner*T +44 (0) 20 7903 8702fraser.hern@walkersglobal.com
Christine FoxSenior CounselT +44 (0) 1534 700 738christine.fox@walkersglobal.com
Melissa HellioSenior AssociateT +44 1534 700 739 melissa.hellio@walkersglobal.com

LONDON
Fraser HernGroup Partner*T +44 (0) 20 7903 8702fraser.hern@walkersglobal.com

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