Higgs & Johnson has been ranked as a tier 1 Firm in The Bahamas for the 15th consecutive year in the 31st edition of the IFLR1000 directory of the world’s leading financial and corporate law firms. The Guide, noted in particular, the Firm’s capabilities in the areas of banking, leveraged finance, capital markets, structured finance and securitisation, project development in the energy and transport industries, securities law and maritime commercial law.
Higgs & Johnson is applauded by Finance clients for its ‘continuity of service and responsiveness,’ with the Securities Team being lauded for its ‘proactive service and timeliness.’ Within the transport industry, the Firm is recognized for being ‘very responsive to the need to meet deadlines.’ The Guide also highlights the Firm’s ‘knowledge of the local marketplace’ with commentators praising its ability to ‘maintain excellent relations with other law firms, banks, accounting firms and consultants.’
Higgs & Johnson Partners are also recognized by IFLR1000 in the ‘highly regarded’ and ‘rising star partner’ categories. The ‘highly regarded’ category describes lawyers that are highly regarded by their peers and possess a strong transactional record and positive client feedback with the’ rising star partner’ category representing new partners that are working on complex deals and recommended by clients or peers.
Freeport Partner and Chair of the Maritime & Aviation Practice Group, Vivienne M. Gouthro, is ranked in the ‘highly regarded’ category. She is a seasoned corporate and commercial lawyer with over 25 years of experience specialising in ship and international finance with extensive experience in real estate and development and private client and wealth management. She is also recognized in the IFLR1000 Women Leader’s List.
Ranked for the last decade in the ‘highly regarded’ category, Partner and Chair of the Firm’s Financial Services and Securities Practice Groups, Christel Sands-Feaste, is praised by clients for ‘showing great skill and capability in working with multidisciplinary teams of both local and foreign personnel’. Clients commented that Christel is ‘knowledgeable and adept at explaining complicated concepts in accessible way’ and further noted her keen ability to ‘ascertain the client’s interest and work to achieve whatever is in the client’s best interest’ while also being ‘prompt and attentive.’ Christel is also recognized in the IFLR1000 Women Leader’s List.
Partner and Chair of the Government & Regulatory Affairs practice group, Alexandra T. Hall is ranked in the ‘Rising Star Partner’ category. She has assisted in numerous multi-jurisdictional commercial transactions and has significant experience in local tax law, corporate and commercial law, legal and regulatory issues relating to resort development and operations, gaming law and government affairs.
Of Counsel, Surinder Deal, has more than 35 years of transactional experience and is ranked in the ‘highly regarded’ category. She has represented clients ranging from small privately held companies to multinational companies in diverse industries including banking and finance, manufacturing, real property development, hospitality and gaming.
IFLR1000 Client Commentary on Attorneys
Zarina M. Fitzgerald, Partner and Chair of the Commercial Transactions Practice Group, is lauded for being ‘very thorough in her review of issues and is careful and meticulous in her advice provided.’
Partner and Real Estate Chair, Stephen J. Melvin, is praised as a ‘top lawyer in his field of real estate and development work’ with clients further stating that he is ‘technically strong and very experienced.’
Tara Archer-Glasgow, Partner and Chair of the Litigation practice group, is commended for her ‘innovative legal strategies’ and applauded for ‘giving great advice regarding the merits of any litigation’. Clients refer to Tara as their ‘go-to’ lawyer for commercial work and litigation matters in which she does ‘a great job’ and praise her for ‘being a well-rounded and knowledgeable lawyer.’
Commercial Partner, Chair of the Tax Practice Group and Deputy Chair of the Securities and Government & Regulatory Affairs Practice Groups, Portia J. Nicholson, was praised by clients for ‘finding creative ways to meet objectives and understanding what is being asked.’
Audley D. Hanna, Jr., Partner and Deputy Chair of the Intellectual Property practice group, was recognized as being ‘a very responsive, well-rounded and knowledgeable lawyer and described by clients as a ‘smart attorney with a welcoming demeanour who always provides excellent service.
