Higgs & Johnson is pleased to announce that Partners, Vivienne M. Gouthro and Christel Sands-Feaste, have been recognized among the leading female transactional lawyers in the recently published IFLR1000 Women Leaders 2022 listing, for the second consecutive year. IFLR1000 Women Leaders is an elite ranking category reserved for the most prominent women lawyers across the world with outstanding reputations within their markets, and who hold leadership roles with their firms or their practices. IFLR1000 is the guide to the world’s leading financial and corporate law firms and lawyers covering the business of law in over 120 jurisdictions worldwide.
Noted for her work ‘leading complex maritime deals’ by the Guide, Managing Partner of the Freeport office and Chair of the Maritime & Aviation group, Mrs. Gouthro was also commended as ‘highly regarded for her work in the financial and corporate practice.’ Praised for her ‘standout transactional work’, Partner and Chair of the Financial Services and Securities Practice Groups, Mrs. Sands-Feaste, was also described by the Guide as being ‘highly respected by the market in her financial and corporate practice’ with special recognition given to her financings and acquisitions expertise.
Vivienne is a corporate and commercial lawyer with over 27 years experience specialising in ship and international finance and extensive experience in real estate and development. Christel is a highly experienced commercial lawyer with over 22 years’ expertise, primarily focused on financial services, securities and investment funds.
Co-Managing Partner, Sterling H. Cooke, praised both Vivienne and Christel stating, ‘To be recognized on a global stage for their expertise and experience, is truly an accomplishment and one that makes us very proud. They are among an exceptional team of female attorneys here at Higgs & Johnson and we salute their achievement.’
Higgs & Johnson is committed to advancing diversity and investing in its female attorneys and staff. Fifty-seven percent of the the Firm’s Partnership is female with more than half of them Chairing or Co-Chairing Practice Groups. The Firm boasts of having had a female Co-Managing Partner and having seasoned female professionals currently holding senior operational posts, including Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources Manager.
Higgs & Johnson ensures inclusion of the younger female attorneys and staff members in the operation of the Firm as co-chairs and participants in the management teams and believes an inclusive Firm with diverse leadership improves the Firm’s ability to provide clients with innovative and world class services.
