Higgs & Johnson has received the highest ranking (Band 1) by Chambers and Partners in its annual publication Chambers Global (2019). The firm is recognized by the Guide for its transactional capabilities, market-leading expertise in trusts and estates, a comprehensive real estate offering and a distinguished disputes team. Clients say that when working with the firm, “you’re going to get a quick turnaround and a comprehensive opinion,” and find that the partners “tend to be the authority figures on the matters they work on.”
In the Cayman Islands, the firm is singled out for providing “a real business partnership” and ranked in the area of Real Estate, where it is “a popular choice of representation for real estate finance matters“. The real estate team is highlighted by commentators as being “very responsive and thorough” and “able to deliver amazing results on seemingly impossible deadlines.”
Chambers Commentary for Ranked Attorneys
General Business Law
Dr. Earl A. Cash is “well known and respected” in the trusts arena with peers noting his seniority in this space; he utilises his many years’ experience to advise clients on matters of wealth management, asset protection and trust planning.
Surinder Deal draws praise from her competitors for her expertise in the corporate sphere and is known to be strong in transactional work, and peers say that “she is a good lawyer.”
Described by peers as “a very good, capable lawyer,” Christel Sands-Feaste enjoys a strong reputation across a number of areas with a market commentator noting that she is “very good at what she does.”
Heather L. Thompson is acclaimed for her work on behalf of high net worth clients and is equally adept representing trustees and beneficiaries and is known as one of the most experienced figures in this field.
General Business Law: Dispute Resolution
Philip C. Dunkley, QC remains one of the most distinguished dispute resolution practitioners in the country and is noted for his extensive experience in handling shipping, insolvency and trust proceedings.
Renowned in the market, Global Managing Director Oscar N. Johnson, Jr. is someone who “operates at a high level.” He impresses peers and clients alike with his “very business-oriented” approach.
Tara Archer-Glasgow is an accomplished litigator whose specialist areas include shipping and employment. Clients appreciate her responsiveness, while peers admire the fact that “she’s well prepared and tenacious, but also rational and polite.”
Tara Cooper Burnside is recognised as a proficient litigator, particularly when it comes to cross-border restructuring and insolvency with sources praising her ability to find solutions to challenging problems.
General Business Law: Real Estate
− Noted by market commentators “as one of the top real estate guys,” Stephen Melvin is recognised as one of the most prominent real estate lawyers in The Bahamas who regularly assists with high-value transactions.
Cayman Islands Real Estate
− Sources have “every confidence” in Gina Berry with clients praising her for “delivering creative solutions to bring clients the best value,” as well as her ability to “explain complex legal matters in layman’s terms.”
John Harris, one of the firm’s insolvency specialists in the Cayman Islands, was also cited by Chambers as a Recognised Practitioner.
