Mrs Gia Sands > McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes > Nassau, Bahamas > Lawyer Profile
McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes Offices
MAREVA HOUSE, 4 GEORGE STREET
PO BOX N-3937
NASSAU, BAHAMAS
Bahamas
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Mrs Gia Sands
Work Department
Real Estate, Foreign & Local Investment, Immigration, Corporate & Commercial, Admiralty, Shipping & Aviation and Labour & Employment
Position
Partner
Career
Gia was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales and to the Bahamas Bar in 2011. She joined the firm in November 2011, was made Senior Associate in 2019 and Partner in 2021.
Gia R. Sands is developing a reputation for collegiality in addition to knowledgeability in her legal practice, which focuses on real estate transactions, foreign and local investment, corporate and commercial transactions, immigration matter, admiralty, shipping and aviation and labour and employment. She works closely with her clients in the important tourism and leisure sectors of The Bahamas while cultivating a close network of contacts with the future leaders of the government, business, and legal communities.
Her clients appreciate her expediency in facilitating solutions to their problems, even when working under short deadlines. Gia is adept at securing approval from the Bahamas Investment Authority and drafting and negotiating Heads of Agreements and Hotel Encouragement Act Agreements.
Gia also undertakes complex conveyancing, business and immigration issues and the day-to-day practice of helping clients purchase homes, helping businesses establish themselves and securing the relevant immigration status documents required for non-Bahamians to work or reside in The Bahamas. Gia is affable yet professional and is known to be attentive and responsive to the needs of her clients. She is kind yet firm and operates with caution to ensure that her clients receive well considered and sound advice. Gia provides realistic and reasonable expectations and keeps her clients updated and informed throughout all stages of the relevant transactions.
Gia has developed a strong professional relationship with officers of the Bahamas Maritime Authority as she is frequently engaged by clients to assist them in registering and discharging vessel mortgages.
Languages
English
Memberships
Member of The Bahamas Bar since 2011
Member of The Bar of England and Wales since 2011
Member of The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
Education
University College London – LLM. 2011
BPP Law School – BVC 2011
University of London (SOAS) – LLB. 2009
University of Toronto BA 2006
Leisure
Spending time with my family, reading a good book (preferably on the beach) and cooking
Lawyer Rankings
Bahamas > Real estate
(Next Generation Partners)McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes’ real estate practice covers the full spectrum of commercial and private real estate issues including handling the sale and purchase of hotels, resorts, private residences, vacation homes and investment properties. Transactional and development specialist Kimberley Rolle heads up the group alongside practice vice chair Alexander Christie, who handles real estate transactions and asset protection structures. Other key individuals include Timothy Eneas KC , who acts in real estate disputes and conveyancing matters; newly promoted partner Gia Sands, who excels in the tourism and leisure sectors; and associate Vanessa Hall, who assists with developments and estate planning issues.
Bahamas > Corporate law (including banking, finance and M&A)
(Next Generation Partners)McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes‘ corporate and commercial transactions practice advises on a broad range of mandates including international financing projects, M&A, loan agreements and share purchase agreements. The group is also particularly highlighted for its offshore trust and private client work and excels in cross-border transactions, where it benefits from its Lex Mundi membership. Kimberley Rolle leads the practice and Alexander Christie acts as vice chair to the group; Rolle focuses on commercial, corporate and project finance work, while Christie has additional tax expertise. Other key names include Sean Moree KC, who leads the firm’s trust and private client group; senior partner John Wilson KC; Campbell Cleare, III who heads up the foreign and local investment practice; April Turner, who has experience in financial services matters; financial services and regulatory expert Kevin Moree; competition specialist Michelle Deveaux; and newly promoted partner Gia Sands.
Lawyer Rankings
- Next Generation Partners - Bahamas > Corporate law (including banking, finance and M&A)
- Next Generation Partners - Bahamas > Real estate
- Real estate - Bahamas
- Corporate law (including banking, finance and M&A) - Bahamas