Walkers' Private Capital & Trusts associate Thea Maitland was recently welcomed into the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners ("STEP"), a preeminent global professional association, as a Full Member.

The Full Member citation is reserved for the most senior practitioners in the legal and financial industries who help advise families across generations and plan for their futures. The designation means that Thea is internationally recognised as an expert in her chosen fields of wealth structuring and trusts and adheres to the stringent standards and training as prescribed by STEP.

To achieve the STEP accreditation, Thea successfully completed the two-year STEP Diploma course in International Trust Management, which is offered in partnership with the professional financial services industry training, education and qualifications provider, CLT International. The course consisted of four advanced certificates in various subjects, including trusts creation law and practice, company law and practice, trust administration and accounts, and trustee investment and financial appraisal.

Commenting on Thea's achievement, Walkers' Private Capital & Trusts partner David Pytches said: "Thea was awarded a distinction in each paper submitted during her course, which is an outstanding result. She has proven time and again to be a very bright and driven young associate and we are all delighted for her in this most recent achievement."

Thea was formerly a Walkers Legal Scholarship recipient. She trained with Walkers and was called to the Cayman Islands Bar in 2016.