HIGGS & JOHNSON was thrilled to resume its annual client seminar, an event of particular significance this year as the Firm is celebrating its 75th anniversary. This year’s theme ‘Collaborate & Innovate: Bahamas Strong in Changing Financial Times’ addressed the importance of innovation and collaboration to the continued growth of the country and the financial services industry. The seminar delivered stimulating sessions on contemporary issues with a focus on carbon credit trading, current trends in the aviation industry, capacity considerations in estate planning, the new generation of UHNWI’s and the rise of artificial intelligence.
Co-Managing Partner, Sterling H. Cooke, in his welcome remarks, noted that this year’s theme highlighted the resilience and adaptability of The Bahamas while underscoring that a collective commitment to innovation will be the driving force behind fresh ideas that will not only enhance existing practices but also address emerging issues in The Bahamas.
Opening the seminar was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the Hon. I. Chester Cooper. Deputy Prime Minister Cooper briefly discussed innovation through the tourism product, technology and financial services in The Bahamas. He reinforced that the Government is taking a proactive approach in compliance with global standards and an offensive stance that will propel the country to higher levels of growth.
Partner, Ja’Ann M. Major, Senior Associate, Keith O. Major, Jr. and Director of Aviation, Dr. Kenneth Romer, gave insight to the recent developments in the local aviation sector including the revitalization of the aviation infrastructure by way of the Airports Public Private Partnership program in The Bahamas. During the Innovation Through Carbon Credit Trading session, Founder and CEO of Partanna, Rick Fox, urged The Bahamas not to delay capitalizing on carbon credits but instead be a frontrunner for this new and emerging industry. He was joined by Partners, Tara Cooper Burnside, K.C. and Alexandra T. Hall, BISX CEO, Keith Davies and Director of Carbon Management Ltd, Antoine Bastian. Commentary by all panelists facilitated a lively and productive dialogue.
Senior members of the Private Client & Wealth Management practice, Dr. Earl A. Cash, Sharmon Y. Ingraham and Dinesh Menon, considered the spectrum of capacity issues in estate planning and discussed boiler plate versus carefully drawn clauses to provide for incapacity in trusts and wills. The morning segment culminated in an in-depth and engaging conversation on the new generation of ultra-high net worth indivduals between Senior Associate, Kimberleigh Peterson Turnquest and HSBC Senior Wealth Planner, Giev Askari. The seminar concluded with an enlightening presentation on artificial intelligence by lunch time guest speaker, Kendrick Knowles, Assistant Vice President of IT and Infrastructure at Commonwealth Bank Ltd.
In its ongoing effort to promote education in The Bahamas, Higgs & Johnson sponsored the attendance of faculty and students from the Eugene Dupuch Law School.
Sponsors of the Higgs & Johnson seminar included its affiliates H&J Corporate Services Ltd. and H&J Fiduciary Services Ltd.
‘For three-quarters of a century, H&J has provided exceptional legal services to our valued clients,’ noted Partner and Seminar Chair, Tara Cooper Burnside, K.C. ‘Our journey, marked by unwavering commitment, innovation, and a passion for excellence, has brought us to this remarkable milestone and our client seminar is just one of the ways by which we offer value added benefits to our client family.’
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