For the 15th year running, Higgs & Johnson’s leading law firm status has been confirmed by Chambers and Partners in its annual publication Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business. The firm has held its top spot (Band 1) on the list since 2003 when Chambers, a leading legal directory since 1990, first started researching The Bahamas. The 2018 edition, which coincides with the firm’s 70th anniversary, ranks nine Higgs & Johnson lawyers, and commends the high performance of a number of practice groups within the full-service corporate and commercial law firm.
“This firm remains at the forefront of the market, with its deep bench enabling it to provide clients with a wide variety of legal services,” says Chambers. “It is regularly mandated on significant cross-border transactions, including M&A and loan financing. It also regularly advises on major corporate restructuring and high-value insolvency mandates for clients in sectors as varied as shipping, healthcare and banking. The dispute resolution practice is experienced in trust litigation, as well as contentious tax and employment cases. It also advises on the regulatory aspects of real estate matters. Market commentators acknowledge the firm’s strong reputation and agree that the team continues to be ‘a standout’.”
Ranked Attorneys
Senior partner Philip Dunkley QC holds an impressive reputation for dispute resolution matters. Sources state that he is “very experienced and very respected,” with interviewees also attesting to his considerable abilities as an advocate.
Christel Sands-Feaste holds significant experience in a variety of corporate and commercial matters, most notably finance and securities. Clients enthuse that “she’s superb and very reliable,” emphasising that she is “a savvy negotiator who understands client needs, makes herself available and really puts the client first.”
Surinder Deal is a popular choice for transactional work, with experience handling a broad spectrum of matters from structured finance to joint ventures. Clients praise “her ability to cut through the red tape and get things done” and describe her as “very personable and easy to work with.”
Global managing director Oscar Johnson continues to impress peers and clients alike with his “very business-oriented” approach. Sources go on to say that “he’s effective and productive with his time.” He represents clients from a variety of industries, including financial services.
“Seasoned lawyer” Earl Cash specialises in trusts and estates law and also holds significant expertise in banking and finance. He utilises his many years’ experience to advise clients on matters of wealth management, asset protection and trust planning.
Tara Archer-Glasgow is an experienced and well-regarded litigator, representing both domestic and international clients from such fields as banking and aviation. Clients appreciate her responsiveness, while peers admire the fact that “she’s well prepared and tenacious, but also rational and polite, which is how you sell an argument.”
Stephen Melvin is a noted adviser on real estate matters. Market commentators describe him as “knowledgeable and solution-oriented”and a “very good property lawyer.” His practice encompasses acquisition and project finance as well as advice on mixed-use marina and resort developments.
Of counsel Heather Thompson continues to be highly respected for her expertise regarding trust management, ownership and structuring. She has also advised on the drafting of trust-related legislation.
Cayman Islands and insolvency specialist John Harris was also cited by Chambers as a Recognised Practitioner.
Released annually, Chambers Global ranks onshore and offshore law firms and lawyers in 185 jurisdictions based on the work of 170 full-time editors and researchers who review law firm submissions and conduct in-depth client and peer interviews to produce the highly regarded ranking tables.
