Higgs & Johnson has once again received ranking accolades, this time with the recent release of the Legal 500 Caribbean 2019. This is the first year the guide has ranked The Bahamas and noted that the firm was, ‘One of the best firms around delivering an admirable service’, and that the firm ‘knows the local environment and industries very well, provides commercial advice, and commands excellent resources‘.
The firm received the highest ranking (Tier 1) and was recognized for a number of its practice areas including commercial transactions, real estate and development, litigation and private client and wealth management.
In the Cayman Islands, real estate clients praised the firm noting that it ‘stands out for its immediate responsiveness and user-friendly, solution-oriented personal approach, while delivering the highest-quality legal work under strict deadlines’ and litigation clients noted that the firm ‘renders high levels of service; its lawyers are highly responsive, attentive to clients’ needs, and proactive in approach, and employ superb attention to detail’.
There were 15 attorneys ranked in The Bahamas and 3 ranked in the Cayman Islands in the 2019 edition.
BAHAMAS
Philip C. Dunkley QC – A leading litigator has represented clients in their complex litigation and transactional matters.
Oscar N. Johnson, Jr. – Specialises in commercial and civil litigation, admiralty law, insurance and employment law.
Dr. Earl A. Cash – Specialises in Trusts & Estates and Banking Law and chair of the Private Client & Management Practice group.
Surinder Deal – An experienced practitioner in the areas of corporate and commercial Law.
Sterling H. Cooke – Seasoned property attorney and chair of the Real Estate & Development practice group.
Vivienne M. Gouthro – Specialises in ship and international finance, corporate and commercial law and chairs the Shipping & Maritime practice group.
Zarina M. Fitzgerald – Chair of the Commercial Transactions practice group specializing in corporate & commercial law and financial services regulation.
Stephen J. Melvin – Specialises in foreign direct investment and the sale and acquisition of hotels, marinas, and resort developments
Tara Archer-Glasgow – An experienced and well regarded Dispute Resolution lawyer specializing in commercial litigation, admiralty law, and employment law.
N. Leroy Smith – A chancery litigator with specialization in trust and estates, complex commercial disputes and employment law.
Christel Sands-Feaste – A highly experienced commercial lawyer who focuses her practice on corporate and commercial law.
Tara Cooper Burnside – An experienced insolvency lawyer also specializing in dispute resolution and financial services.
Portia J. Nicholson – A commercial lawyer with experience in cross border commercial transactions, including public private partnerships.
Paul Davis – A practice focused on trusts, private trust companies, foundations, executive entities, financial services and corporate law.
Audley D. Hanna, Jr. – Specialises in various areas of civil and commercial litigation focusing on employment and admiralty law.
CAYMAN
Real estate
Gina M. Berry – Praised for her ‘ability to design and explain very complex legal structures to non-legally trained individuals instils immediate confidence in clients, and confirms her stellar reputation’.
Dispute resolution
John Harris – Commended for ‘having an understanding of and good feel for Cayman business and the legal milieu‘.
Philip S. Boni – An Accredited Mediator with significant experience in civil litigation and trusts.
