Higgs & Johnson is pleased to announce that Partners, Vivienne M. Gouthro and Christel Sands-Feaste, have been recognized by IFLR 1000 in its list of IFLR 1000 Women Leaders for 2021. IFLR1000 is a legal directory that lists the world’s leading financial and corporate law firms. Women Leaders are identified by IFLR1000 as the leading female transactional lawyers in the world with impressive track records, who are consistently recommended by clients and peers for the quality of their advice and service.
In extending their congratulations IFLR1000 noted, ‘Vivienne and Christel have expertise and experience of working on complex deals and have risen to hold leadership roles with their firms and practices. Although all IFLR1000 Women Leaders are also IFLR1000 Leading Lawyers regardless of their gender, we understand the need to promote the firms working hardest to nurture and retain female talent.’
Noted for ‘giving prompt and clear advice’ by IFLR1000, Managing Partner of the Freeport office and Chair of the Maritime & Aviation group, Vivienne is ranked in the ‘highly regarded’ category of IFLR1000 and is a corporate and commercial lawyer with over 25 years experience specialising in ship and international finance and extensive experience in real estate and development and private client and wealth management.
Christel Sands-Feaste, Chair of the Firm’s Financial Services and Securities and Investment Funds Practice Groups, is ranked by the Guide for the 9th consecutive year in the ‘highly regarded’ category and noted for her ‘broad range of expertise and experience’. Christel is a highly experienced commercial lawyer with over 20 years’ experience advising clients in The Bahamas and internationally on corporate and commercial matters, asset financing, mergers and acquisitions, financial services, securities offerings, securitizations and investment funds.
Co-Managing Partner, Sterling H. Cooke praised both Vivienne and Christel stating, ‘Vivienne and Christel are two members of our world class team of Attorneys here at Higgs & Johnson, who lead with distinction in their various roles within the Firm. In addition to having a total of almost 50 years of combined experience, they, together with other Partners in the Firm, are leading the way for other female attorneys.
Higgs & Johnson is committed to advancing diversity and investing in its female attorneys and staff. 47% of the Firm’s Partnership is female with more than half of them Chairing or Co-Chairing Practice Groups. We boast of having had a female Co-Managing Partner and having seasoned female professionals currently holding senior operational posts, including our Chief Executive Officer and Human Resource Manager. Our Firm 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. Higgs & Johnson believes an inclusive Firm with diverse leadership improves the Firm’s ability to provide clients with innovative and world class services.
