Walkers

Overview

Walkers is a leading international law and professional services firm that provides legal, corporate, compliance and fiduciary services to global corporations, financial institutions, capital markets participants and investment fund managers. The firm operates across major financial centres and offshore jurisdictions (including Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Ireland and Jersey) and emphasises cross‑office collaboration on industry‑leading, cross‑border matters. Walkers positions itself as a client‑centred, tech‑enabled organisation with an empowered, diverse workforce and a strong professional services arm (WPS) that services structured finance, SPVs and funds.

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Corporate & M&A
• Banking & Finance
• Investment Funds
• Financial Services & Regulation
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Insurance & Reinsurance
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Technology & Digital
• Capital Markets
• Commercial Contracts
• Private Client & Wealth

Geographic Focus: Global offshore and international focus across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia with core strength in offshore jurisdictions (Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Jersey) and onshore hubs such as London, Dublin, Hong Kong and Singapore. The firm combines local regulatory and fiduciary expertise with cross‑border transactional capability for funds, capital markets and financial institutions.

Training Contract

Since 2015, trainee solicitors have played an important role in the continued growth of our Dublin office. As a trainee at Walkers, you will be part of the team from day one, working alongside experienced lawyers and partners on complex legal matters for leading international clients. During the programme, you will gain experience across at least three practice areas, building the technical, commercial and professional skills needed for qualification. The work is varied, challenging and international in nature. Whether assisting with investment funds, financing transactions, corporate matters or regulatory advice, you will gain meaningful exposure to high-quality legal work from the outset. You will be trusted with responsibility, supported through regular feedback and mentoring, and encouraged to develop your own career path within the firm. At Walkers, we combine ambitious work with a collaborative culture. We are a training contract that offers excellent exposure, supportive colleagues and the opportunity to develop as a lawyer in a truly international environment.

• Academic Requirements: For Bermuda pupillage, applicants must have a law degree (minimum 2:1 or equivalent) from a commonwealth institution and at least a Pass in the Solicitors Qualification Exam, Legal Practice Course or Bar Practice Course. Internship programmes typically require acceptance into or current enrolment in an accredited law degree from a commonwealth institution (LLB, GDL/PgDL, LPC/BPC or SQE). Caymanian
• Application Deadline: 31 October 2026

Seat Options

• Corporate & M&A
• Banking & Finance
• Investment Funds
• Technology & Digital
• Insurance & Reinsurance
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Regulatory & Compliance

Sponsorship

The Jonathan Betts Legal Scholarship awards $30,000 and there are Legal Bursaries of $10,000 for Bermudians or PRC holders accepted into or enrolled in a qualifying law degree who intend to return to Bermuda. Recipients are required to participate in Walkers' paid summer legal internship programme. Other scholarship and bursary programmes are listed for multiple jurisdictions (e.g., Cayman and Bermuda) via the firm's training programmes pages.

International Opportunities

Programmes emphasise cross‑office collaboration and working on cross‑border transactions with colleagues from other Walkers offices.

Mentorship

All training programmes reference mentoring and career guidance. Pupils have a dedicated supervisor and a partner mentor; internship and scholarship recipients receive mentoring and networking opportunities with associates, senior associates, senior counsel and partners. Programmes also reference tailored learning & development sessions and trainee‑specific social events.

Programmes & Schemes

What Walkers Looks For

Key Competencies

• Academic achievement and strong academic record
• Commercial awareness
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Strong communication skills
• Attention to detail and organisational skills
• Motivation, energy and eagerness to learn
• Client service orientation
• Resilience and professionalism
• Commitment to practice in the relevant jurisdiction (e.g., Bermudians/Caymanians for local programmes)

Evidence Signals

• Acceptances/enrolment on an accredited law degree or professional legal qualification (LLB, GDL/PgDL, LPC/BPC, SQE)
• Relevant internship or work experience (legal or non‑legal) in financial services or corporate environments
• Mooting, negotiation exercises, case competitions or other advocacy/skill‑building activities
• Demonstrable interest in funds, finance, fintech or structured finance for transactional roles
• Participation in diversity, CSR or firm committees where applicable

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Competitive/market salaries for internships and trainees (described as competitive; specific trainee solicitor figures not published)
• US$50,000–US$55,000 salary range advertised for Professional Services Trainee (WPS)
• Discretionary annual/ performance bonus schemes
• Private healthcare / health insurance (fully covered in some roles)
• Pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Wellness programme (annual health screening, Wellness month, onsite wellness room)
• Free annual flu vaccination
• Executive medical testing and eye testing; contribution towards eyesight testing and glasses/contact lenses; LASIK contribution
• Education bursary (discretionary)
• Professional membership fees paid
• Onsite changing facilities and shower room
• Social committee / regular social events (summer party, Christmas party, trainee events)
• Access to agile / hybrid working (examples: Dublin role lists Hybrid Working Policy – 3 days in the office)
• Taxsaver and Bike to Work schemes (role dependent)
• Wellbeing and mentoring support
• Opportunities to participate in CSR initiatives

Wellbeing

Employee Assistance Programme, dedicated wellness programmes (annual health screening, Wellness month), onsite wellness room, free flu vaccination, executive medical testing and vision support; regular social events and wellbeing initiatives.

Awards & Recognition

• Legal 500: Firm holds multiple rankings including 1 Tier 1 ranking and 2 Tier 2 rankings (Total Ranked Practice Areas: 3; Tier 1 Count: 1; Tier 2 Count: 2).
• Chambers & Partners: Multiple departmental rankings recorded (Ranked Departments Count: 58; Ranked Lawyers Count: 4; Total Ranked Departments: 25).

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Walkers is an equal opportunities employer; job pages state commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and support for participation in internal diversity initiatives.

• Active Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
• Corporate & Social Responsibility initiatives and committees
• Encouragement of participation in internal committees such as Diversity & Inclusion and CSR

Innovation

Walkers describes a tech‑enabled, client‑centred approach to professional services, leveraging platforms such as Walkers360 and Sharefile and internal remote working tools. WPS highlights strategic co‑investment to accelerate innovation and build smarter, more efficient service models; trainees and graduates are expected to operate in a tech‑enabled environment.

• Walkers360 (client platform)
• Walkers Anywhere (employee login/remote platform)
• Walkers Sharefile (file sharing platform)
• Tech‑enabled service models and a stated ‘tech‑enabled and client‑centred mindset’ within WPS
• Use of internal platforms for employee services and client support

Quick Application Angles

• If applying for jurisdictional programmes (Bermuda or Cayman), explicitly confirm your eligibility (e.g., Bermudian/PRC holder or Caymanian/resident) and state your intention to return/practice in that jurisdiction where required.
• For pupillage or internships, reference the firm’s rotation areas (Corporate, Finance, Funds, FinTech, Insurance, Insolvency, Dispute Resolution, Regulatory) and explain how your experience or coursework maps to at least one of these practice groups.
• Highlight any commercial or funds/structured finance experience and cross‑border exposure — Walkers emphasises blue‑chip clients, funds and capital markets work across multiple jurisdictions.
• If you are targeting WPS roles, call out experience or interest in tech‑enabled service delivery and any technical or process improvement projects (WPS highlights a tech‑enabled, client‑centred mindset).
• For scholarship applications, make your application concise and personal (the firm asks that the application form be completed with care; it will contact only those who progress to interview).