Lennox Paton > Nassau, Bahamas > Firm Profile
Lennox Paton Offices
3 BAYSIDE EXECUTIVE PARK
WEST BAY STREET & BLAKE ROAD, PO BOX N-4875
NASSAU
Bahamas
Lennox Paton > The Legal 500 Rankings
Bahamas > Corporate law (including banking, finance and M&A) Tier 1
Acting for a broad spectrum of local and global clients, Lennox Paton takes a full-service approach to banking, finance and corporate work. The practice is particularly well regarded for its knowledge of the financial services sector, handling notable transactions and regulatory mandates for a client roster of banks, trust companies and investment advisers. Managing partner Michael Paton and Michelle Neville-Clarke jointly head up the practice, while Castino Sands is a key contact for finance and fund work.Practice head(s):
Michael Paton; Michelle Neville-Clarke
Other key lawyers:
Bahamas > Dispute resolution Tier 1
Lennox Paton’s domestic and international client base, which includes financial institutions, multinational corporates, private individuals and government entities, instruct the firm on complex and high-stakes litigation. The firm has recently been representing the joint provisional liquidators of FTX Digital in various cases arising from the collapse of the FTX crypto exchange; Sophia Rolle-Kapousouzoglou is leading the case, while practice head Brian Simms KC was recently appointed as provisional liquidator of FTX Digital Assets. Other key names in the group include Marco Turnquest, who appears regularly before the Supreme Court; newly appointed Kings Counsel Christopher Jenkins KC, who focuses on property litigation; and family specialist Metta MacMillan-Hughes KC. Chizelle Cargill is also a key name to note, along with active associate Valdere Murphy.Practice head(s):
Brian Simms KC
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
FTX Digital Markets Ltd
Hot Pancakes Limited
CS&P SA
Baron’s Court Holdings Ltd.
Clico Bahamas Ltd
Bettas Ltd
AML Foods Ltd
Sky Bahamas Limited
Sandals Resorts International Ltd
UBS Bahamas Ltd
Work highlights
- Acting as joint provisional liquidators of FTX Digital Markets Ltd.
- Acting on behalf of Hot Pancakes Limited and CS&P SA, a Cyprus and Panamanian company respectively, in legal proceedings concerning a dispute over $30m in frozen funds held in an account at Ansbacher Bank, a Bahamian bank.
- Acting for Bettas Limited in a multi-million dollar breach of banking mandate claim against HSBC.
Bahamas > Real estate Tier 1
As a noteworthy name for resort and residential developments in Nassau and the Family Islands, Lennox Paton counts a range of corporate and high-net-worth individuals as clients. David Johnstone leads the real estate, resort development and private client departments and is a go-to name for resort developers for acquisitions, financings, regulatory issues and planning work. Nateisha Anderson-Bain is a key contact for property sales and acquisitions, and Chelon Carr-Newbold focuses on development work, project financing issues and master planning matters. Jamie Liddell was promoted to the partnership in 2023 and Brynae McKay is the main associate to note.Practice head(s):
David Johnstone
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
FirstCaribbean International Bank (Bahamas) Limited
Atabey Development Company Limited
Flinders Property Development Ltd/Marec Development Ltd
Access industries Inc (AI Land Bahamas Ltd)
Royal Island Bahamas Ltd
Concept Companies Ltd (Florida)
London Regional Group Hotel Holding’s Ltd
Lennox Paton > Firm Profile
Overview:
Lennox Paton is a leading offshore, full service commercial law firm providing services to clients in relation to Bahamian law. As one of the Bahamas’ largest law firms it provides a comprehensive range of legal services including litigation, insolvency and restructuring, investment funds, trusts and foundations, banking and finance, real estate, resort development, corporate and commercial, private client, wealth management and shipping. The success of long-term client relationships and landmark cases has earned the firm recognition as one of the top firms in The Bahamas. Members serve on governmental and statutory bodies. Additionally, many of the firm’s lawyers are continually ranked amongst the best in this region.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution:
The litigation team at Lennox Paton consists of dedicated and highly experienced individuals specialising in business disputes and complex commercial litigation. The team is well-known for representing clients in high profile and complex cases in The Bahamas and is regularly instructed in complex multi-jurisdictional matters, working with many of the leading international law firms globally in cross-border proceedings. The team represents a broad range of clients including bank and trust companies, foreign governments, government agencies, multinational corporations and financial institutions, as well as UHNW private clients, domestic companies and individuals.
Banking & Securities:
Lennox Paton has the leading financial services practice in The Bahamas and advises on the establishment and licensing of banks, trust companies, investment advisors, broker-dealers and ongoing regulatory matters associated with these structures. The team regularly advises on cross-border offerings of securities by international financial institutions, in addition to all aspects of banking and financial transactions including note issuances, derivatives, securitisation including special purpose vehicles and structures. The team’s approach to regulatory matters is unmatched. It’s lawyers offer practical advice and attain efficient and effective resolutions.
Insolvency & Restructuring:
The firm’s insolvency and restructuring team represents a range of clients in relation to complex insolvency matters and it is widely acknowledged as a market leader in the region. The team is often involved in complex cross-border proceedings and is skilled in advising clients in relation to local insolvency laws or in relation to ancillary proceedings with a Bahamian component. Members of the team act on behalf of receivers, creditors, administrative receivers, directors, trustees in bankruptcy, fiduciary claimants, liquidators, and companies in connection with insolvency issues, including securing assets both domestically and internationally. The firm has also been involved in applications for the recognition of foreign court-appointed office holders and just and equitable winding up petitions on behalf of shareholders of investment funds with a master-feeder fund component.
Investment Funds:
The team is highly experienced and well regarded in this area. It handles every aspect relating to the establishment (and where applicable, the licensing) of unregulated and regulated investment funds. Keeping on top of the ever-changing legal and regulatory environment, the team is able to simplify this complex area and meet the demands of a diverse range of clients including asset managers, investment managers and advisors, investors, custodians, family offices and agents.  The team also helps clients to obtain licenses to establish and operate investment funds, including investment fund administrator licenses, and advise them on the legislative requirements for physical presence, business conduct and ongoing reporting obligations.
Private Client & Trusts:
This specialist team regularly acts for high net worth individuals and their advisors worldwide in relation to all aspects of estate planning in order to establish structures to protect and manage assets. It also represents numerous trust companies and advises regularly on the drafting and construction of trust, foundation and corporate documentation. In addition to these services the team is frequently involved in handling disputes concerning trusts, foundations, and family matters in connection with divorce and ancillary relief proceedings involving international clients, as well as Inheritance Act claims.
Real Estate & Resort Development:
The real estate and resort development group of Lennox Paton is known as an industry leader in the acquisition, project financing and master planning of large integrated mixed use resort and residential developments. Members are well-known for their considerable experience with fractional and condo-hotel structures, time-share, sales programmes for residential offerings, foreign direct investment and investment incentives. The team is routinely involved in all the major resort, residential and commercial development projects happening throughout The Bahamas. The firm acts as legal advisor for projects such as Baha Mar (in receivership), Bimini Bay, Baker’s Bay, Cocodimama Resort, French Leave, Harborside Resort, Hurricane Hole, Norman’s Cay, Ocean Terrace, One Cable Beach, South Cat Cay and Sky Beach Resort.
Shipping:
As one of the region’s most respected law firms, clients from all over the world call upon the team for guidance in shipping matters. The firm’s comprehensive and responsive legal advice on matters including provisional and original ship registration, transfer ship registration, inbound and outbound bareboat registration and ship mortgage registration. Members also act as special counsel to leading international financial institutions and ship owning groups on the financing of shipping groups offering the shares of Bahamian flag vessels as security.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Litigation; Insolvency & Restructuring; | Brian Simms KC | BSimms@lennoxpaton.com | |
Investment Funds; Banking & Financial Services; Securities; Corporate & Commercial | Michael Paton | mpaton@lennoxpaton.com | |
Real Estate; Resort Development; Private Client | David Johnstone | DJohnstone@lennoxpaton.com | |
Trusts & Foundations | Arthur Seligman | aseligman@lennoxpaton.com | |
Shipping | Laura Harris | lharris@lennoxpaton.com | |
Managing Partner BVI Office | Scott Cruickshank | scruickshank@lennoxpaton.com | |
Marketing Manager & New Business Enquiries | Courtney Spector | cspector@lennoxpaton.com |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
McFalloughn Bowleg | McFalloughn is an Associate in the firm’s Litigation Group. He has experience in… | View Profile | |
Chizelle Cargill | Chizelle is a Partner in the Litigation Group. Her practice focuses on… | View Profile | |
Chelon Carr-Newbold | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Wilfred Ferguson Jr. | Wilfred is an Associate in the firm’s Litigation Department, working directly under… | View Profile | |
Mr Ramonne Gardiner | Ramonne is a Partner in the Litigation Group. He is highly experienced in… | View Profile | |
Mr Dwight Glinton | Dwight is a Senior Associate in Lennox Paton’s Litigation Group. His experience… | View Profile | |
Ms Laura Harris | Laura is a senior associate in our Nassau office, working in the… | View Profile | |
Dr David Hayton | Dr David Hayton LLD (Cantab) LLD (Newcastle Univ) TEP (Hon) ACTAPS (Hon),… | View Profile | |
Mr Christopher Jenkins | Christopher Jenkins KC is a Partner in Lennox Paton’s Commcercial Litigation department.… | View Profile | |
Mr David Johnstone | David Johnstone heads the firm’s Real Estate, Resort Development, and Private Client… | View Profile | |
Ms Nateisha L. Anderson-Bain | Nateisha is a Partner in the Real Estate Group. She specialises in… | View Profile | |
Mr Jamie Liddell | Jamie is a Partner in the firm’s Real Estate Group in Nassau.… | View Profile | |
Ms Metta MacMillan-Hughes | Metta MacMillan-Hughes KC is recognised as a leading commercial and civil litigator… | View Profile | |
Mr Valdere Murphy | Valdere J. Murphy is an Associate in the firm’s Litigation Group. Since… | View Profile | |
Ms Michelle Neville-Clarke | Michelle is a Partner in the firm’s Banking and Finance, Corporate and… | View Profile | |
Mr Michael Paton | Based in Nassau, Michael is a partner and head of the firm’s… | View Profile | |
Ms Sophia Rolle-Kapousouzoglou | Sophia is a partner in our commercial litigation department. She appears regularly as… | View Profile | |
Mr Castino Sands | Since joining the Banking and Finance Group at Lennox Paton in 2006,… | View Profile | |
Mr Arthur Seligman | Arthur is the Head of the firm’s Trusts and Foundations Group and… | View Profile | |
Mr Brian Simms | Brian Simms KC is the Senior Partner of the firm and the… | View Profile | |
Mr Marco Turnquest | For the last 18 years, Marco has specialised in representing clients in… | View Profile |
Languages
All main business languagesMemberships
AIJA - International Association of Young Lawyers INSOL - International Association of Restructuring Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) American Bankruptcy Institute Multilaw- Corporate law (including banking, finance and M&A)
- Dispute resolution
- Real estate