Walkers has promoted Banking & Finance lawyers Zoë Hallam and Kim Paiva to Group Partner in its Guernsey practice.

Walkers' Guernsey Banking & Finance team was ranked in the top tier by independent legal directory Legal 500 earlier this month. Zoë and Kim will lead the team along with partner Sam Shires.

The firm has also announced the promotions of Advocate Laurent Thibeault (Insolvency and Dispute Resolution) and Adam Pickering (Investment Funds & Corporate) to senior associate.

Matt Sanders, the managing partner of Walkers' Guernsey office, said: "Having worked with Zoë and Kim for many years, I am delighted at their promotion to the partnership.

"They have both made a huge contribution to the growth and development of our tier one rated Banking & Finance team.

"The breadth of their expertise across the whole spectrum of our Banking & Finance practice is extremely impressive.

"In addition, Zoë's experience in North America and in as a funds finance lawyer, and Kim's expertise in asset, aviation and maritime financing matters, is making a huge difference to the broadening of our client offering.

"I am equally delighted at the progress that Laurent and Adam have made in helping to support and drive the growth of the Insolvency & Dispute Resolution and Investment Funds & Corporate practice groups – they are both talented, well-liked and versatile lawyers who I am pleased to see are progressing their careers in such a positive manner."

The announcements come as part of Walkers' annual promotion round that sees nine new partners and nine new senior counsel across the firm's ten international offices in Bermuda, BVI, Cayman, Dubai, Dublin, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Jersey, London and Singapore.

In Jersey, Banking & Finance lawyer Jon Le Rossignol has been promoted to Group Partner and Advocate Lauren Stott and Joseph Barker-Willis have been promoted to senior associate.