Rising Stars

Corporate law (including banking, finance and M&A) in Bahamas

Higgs & Johnson

Higgs & Johnson leverages its experience in commercial cross-border transactions to be a go-to name in the Bahamas for a broad range of mandates, with particular knowledge of the finance sector; the group has been notably involved in the development of legislation relating to the financial services and casino gaming industries and has advised on investment fund and trust company regulations. Financing projects also make up a sizeable proportion of the team’s workload along with regulatory and anti-money laundering mandates. Zarina Fitzgerald heads up the commercial transactions group and has recently handled structured finance transactions, M&A and restructuring work, while Freeport office managing partner Vivienne Gouthro leads the maritime and aviation practice. Christel Sands-Feaste leads the financial services and securities, investment funds and fintech groups and is praised as ‘a dynamic attorney‘. Tax practice leader Portia Nicholson and head of the government and regulatory affairs group Alexandra Hall are also active in the practice. Andre Hill was promoted to senior associate in early 2023.

Practice head(s):

Zarina Fitzgerald; Vivienne Gouthro; Christel Sands-Feaste


Other key lawyers:

Portia Nicholson; Alexandra Hall; Andre Hill; Sterling Cooke; Stephen Melvin; Lori Nelson


Testimonials

‘The firm offers a diverse range of services and has the capacity to service a mixed clientele with different needs, whether corporate or otherwise. The team works together to ensure that the client experience is superior.’

‘Christel Sands-Feaste is a dynamic attorney. Knowledgeable, responsive and client driven.’

Lennox Paton

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:

Castino Sands


Delaney Partners

Delaney Partners has key strength across transactional and advisory work, and is notably active in business restructuring and insolvency mandates, securities issues, commercial work, financial services regulations, and private client and immigration advice. The group is also supported by the firm’s litigation team, which excels in banking and finance-related claims. John Delaney KC leads the practice, which also includes consultant Pamela Klonaris, who is a trust and estate planning expert; real estate and M&A specialist Jillian Chase-Jones; Lena Bonaby, who handles restructuring and insolvency work; and go-to name for securities and investment advice, Sofia Papageorge.

Practice head(s):

John Delaney KC


Other key lawyers:

Pamela Klonaris; Jillian Chase-Jones; Lena Bonaby; Sofia Papageorge


McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes

The ‘responsive and incredibly knowledgeable’ team at McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes has substantial experience advising on Bahamian and global transactions, and commercial work including financing projects, M&A, loan agreements and regulatory mandates. Trust and private client mandates also make up a notable proportion of the firm’s work, with expertise in estate planning structures and trust matters. Transactional specialist Kimberley Rolle sits as chair of the practice with Alexander Christie, who also handles tax issues, as vice chair. Sean Moree KC and John Wilson KC are active members of the trust and private client practice, Campbell Cleare, III leads the foreign and local investment group, and April Turner focuses on financial services and corporate matters and is also chief operations officer of the firm’s corporate service affiliate. Gia Sands is also a key name to note for transactional and investment-related advice.

Practice head(s):

Kimberley Rolle


Other key lawyers:

Alexander Christie; Sean Moree KC; John Wilson KC; Campbell Cleare, III; April Turner; Gia Sands; Kevin Moree; Michelle Deveaux; Vanessa Smith


Testimonials

‘I have worked with several lawyers at McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes. Each has been responsive and incredibly knowledgeable in the subject matter we have needed them to address. The lawyers I have worked with utilise a nuanced approach to their representation, cleverly incorporating their knowledge of the local players into the representation to achieve top results.’

‘John Wilson KC has been an excellent communicator, shows a clear knowledge of the law, and has a great strategic mind that has been beneficial in achieving excellent results for us over the past few years.’

‘The firm has a great team of lawyers and a legacy that they pride themselves on. Partners are knowledgeable, responsive and stay current.’

‘Sean Moree KC is very smart and looks for practical solutions within the law to clients problems.’

Key clients

RAV Bahamas Ltd.


Mitsubishi Logistics Corporation


Neworld One Bay Street Limited (One Particular Harbour at the Pointe Condominiums)


Tropix Shipping Ltd.


Oasis Marketplace Ltd.


Crowe Bahamas


Mylor Caribbean Development Ltd


Work highlights


  • Advised a non-Bahamian company on the purchase and acquisition of a $55m cay to facilitate the development of a novel ultra-luxury private island resort.
  • Advised a client on the formation of an SPV for the purpose of acquiring Bahamian real estate funded by the offerings of tokens representing shareholders of the SPV.
  • Advised a high-net-worth individual on liquidating a major portion of his wealth to settle a trust for the benefit of his wife and children, which involved establishing a Bahamian Executive Entity to act as the protector.