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
Covering the full spectrum of finance, commercial and corporate law, Lennox Paton is also highly adept at advising on complex trust structures, tax issues, immigration work, data protection laws and IP mandates. The practice has notable expertise in advising on the drafting of legislation in the financial services and fintech spaces and recently handled the creation and operation of a Central Bank-backed digital currency. Michael Paton and Michelle Neville-Clarke jointly lead the team, which also includes the head of the firm’s trusts and foundations group Arthur Seligman, funds expert Castino Sands and senior associate Laura Harris.Practice head(s):
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Bahamas > Dispute resolution Tier 1
At Lennox Paton, the dedicated litigation and dispute resolution practice stands out in the region for its wide-ranging expertise spanning banking, insolvency and asset tracing claims, property litigation, shareholder disputes and insurance claims. The team is also highly active in cross-border litigation and arbitration proceedings. Brian Simms KC, Sophia Rolle-Kapousouzoglou and Marco Turnquest are key contacts; all three are singled out for their commercial and insolvency litigation skills and appear regularly before the Bahamian Supreme Court. Newly appointed King’s Counsel Metta MacMillan-Hughes KC, Christopher Jenkins, newly promoted partner Chizelle Cargill and Dwight Glinton are also recommended.Practice head(s):
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Work highlights
- 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 on behalf of Heritage Cruise Holding Ltd in an action involving Silversea Cruise Holding Ltd which was sold to Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited in July 2020 by Heritage for a purchase price in excess of $1bn.
- Acting on behalf of Star Clippers Ltd, an international tall ship sailing company, in defending a claim commenced in The Bahamas by XB Ahts Hero Shipping Inc. against the backdrop of arbitral proceedings.
Bahamas > Real estate Tier 1
The real estate and resort development group at Lennox Paton excels in the acquisition, project financing and planning of large resort and residential development projects alongside handling condo-hotel structures, time shares and investment mandates. David Johnstone leads the practice with Chelon Carr-Newbold; Johnstone is a key contact for resort developers while Carr-Newbold also advises high-net-worth private clients and residential developers. Newly promoted partner Nateisha Anderson-Bain is recognised for her transactional expertise and associate Jamie Liddell has a growing planning practice, particularly relating to out-islands projects.Practice head(s):
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Lennox Paton > Firm Profile
Overview:
Lennox Paton is a leading offshore, full service commercial law firm providing services to clients in relation to Bahamian and British Virgin Islands 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 | Senior Associate | 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 an Associate in Lennox Paton’s Litigation Department. He is highly… | 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 is a Partner in Lennox Paton’s Commcercial Litigation department. His work… | 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 an Senior Associate in the Real Estate Group in the… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Jamie Liddell | Jamie is an Associate in the firm’s Real Estate Group in Nassau.… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Metta MacMillan-Hughes | Metta’s is recognised as a leading commercial and civil litigator in the… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Valdere Murphy | Valdere is an Associate in the firm’s Commercial Litigation Department in Nassau.… | 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 Lennox Paton’s Commercial Litigation department in Nassau,… | 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 QC 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 |
![]() | Dwayne Whylly | Senior Associate | 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