(CNS Business): International financial law firm Walkers has appointed Ingrid Pierce as their Global Managing Partner. Lauded by the 'Chambers Global Guide 2011 to the World's Leading Lawyers' as a "phenomenal lawyer", Pierce is recommended by all of the major legal directories for investment funds.  A renowned expert in her field, she is highly sought after by major financial and business media to provide commentary on developments in the complex global funds sector. She is a frequent guest on Bloomberg Television and a regular speaker at top industry events. She frequently represents major financial institutions and leading global investment fund managers in all aspects of investment funds. 

Pierce joined Walkers in 2002 having enjoyed a successful career as a barrister in London, the firm said in a release. She was made a partner in 2007 and is the Head of Walkers' Cayman Islands Investment Funds Group. 

She replaces Diarmad Murray as Walkers' Global Managing Partner, who will remain with the firm as part of the global Management Committee. Ingrid will also continue in her role as the leader of Walkers' Cayman Islands Investment Funds Group and will remain fully involved in transactional work.

"I would like to pay tribute to Diarmad's outstanding contribution in this position," Pierce said. "It is an exciting time to be in the global legal business and to be part of the new management of Walkers. We will continue to build on our strengths in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and across the Americas to deliver premium service to our clients."

Walkers' global Management Committee comprises of senior partners representing all the key jurisdictions in which the firm operates, alongside a dedicated C-Line management team. Today's development comes at a particularly exciting time for Walkers globally. The firm's Irish office has grown significantly in its first two years with close to 30 lawyers in place, while business has been extremely active in Singapore, where Walkers established a presence in February 2009.

"I have been proud to have served both as Managing Partner of the Cayman Islands office and subsequently as Global Managing Partner of Walkers. I look forward to assisting with the transition to a new generation of leadership in the firm in the months to come," said Murray.

"Everyone at Walkers is delighted with the news of Ingrid's appointment," commented Antonia Hardy, Managing Partner of Walkers' Cayman Islands office. "We are extremely proud to have been helmed over the years by some of the most talented and capable leaders in the global legal business. Ingrid's appointment continues in this tradition of strong management and orderly succession, which has built Walkers into the highly regarded firm that it is today."