Practice groups

Ja’Ann Major is a Partner and Deputy Chair of the Firm’s Real Estate & Development and Maritime & Aviation Practice Groups.

Ja’Ann has experience in a broad range of real estate and development matters, including residential and commercial property acquisitions and sales by Bahamians and non-Bahamians, preparation of financing and loan documentation, domestic mortgages, title insurance, title investigations, and related opinion work. She advises personnel at local lending institutions on the enforceability of mortgage security and acts on behalf of such lending institutions in the power of sale matters, advising on real property tax matters and other regulatory matters including applications to the Bahamas Investments Board and other governmental entities. She also assists clients with subdivisions, resorts, hotels, and mixed-use developments. Ja’Ann counsels clients daily on legal issues relating to real estate in The Bahamas and relevant regulatory procedures and approvals.

Ja’Ann is also a member of the Firm’s Private Client & Wealth Management, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Tax and Commercial Transactions Practice Groups. Her expertise includes immigration law, particularly work permit and residency applications, as well as probate and estate matters. Additionally, she has experience in commercial law and maritime & shipping law with considerable knowledge of international financing transactions involving Bahamian registered ships and companies.

Ja’Ann obtained a dual honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Law (LL.B.) and Business Administration from Keele University, Staffordshire, England and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2008, she was admitted to both the Bar of England and Wales and The Bahamas Bar. Ja’Ann became an Associate at Higgs & Johnson in 2011, a Senior Associate in 2019 and joined the partnership in 2023. Ja’Ann is listed as a recommended attorney in the area of Real Estate by The Legal 500 (Legalease) Caribbean (2023-2024) and currently serves on the Board of the Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation.

Education

  • LL.B. (Hons) with Business Administration, Keele University, Staffordshire, England
  • BPP College of Professional Studies, Leeds, England
  • LL.M. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

Bar admissions

  • England and Wales, 2008
  • Bahamas, 2008

Professional memberships

  • The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
  • Bahamas Bar Association
  • Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA)
  • Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA, Director)
  • Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation (BCCEC, Director)

Publications

  • World Bank Group – Doing Business in The Bahamas (2014-2021)

Recognition

  • Recommended Lawyer, Real Estate, The Legal 500 Caribbean (2023-2024)

Ja’Ann Major is a Partner and Deputy Chair of the Firm’s Real Estate & Development and Maritime & Aviation Practice Groups.

Ja’Ann has experience in a broad range of real estate and development matters, including residential and commercial property acquisitions and sales by Bahamians and non-Bahamians, preparation of financing and loan documentation, domestic mortgages, title insurance, title investigations, and related opinion work. She advises personnel at local lending institutions on the enforceability of mortgage security and acts on behalf of such lending institutions in the power of sale matters, advising on real property tax matters and other regulatory matters including applications to the Bahamas Investments Board and other governmental entities. She also assists clients with subdivisions, resorts, hotels, and mixed-use developments. Ja’Ann counsels clients daily on legal issues relating to real estate in The Bahamas and relevant regulatory procedures and approvals.

Ja’Ann is also a member of the Firm’s Private Client & Wealth Management, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Tax and Commercial Transactions Practice Groups. Her expertise includes immigration law, particularly work permit and residency applications, as well as probate and estate matters. Additionally, she has experience in commercial law and maritime & shipping law with considerable knowledge of international financing transactions involving Bahamian registered ships and companies.

Ja’Ann obtained a dual honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Law (LL.B.) and Business Administration from Keele University, Staffordshire, England and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2008, she was admitted to both the Bar of England and Wales and The Bahamas Bar. Ja’Ann became an Associate at Higgs & Johnson in 2011, a Senior Associate in 2019 and joined the partnership in 2023. Ja’Ann is listed as a recommended attorney in the area of Real Estate by The Legal 500 (Legalease) Caribbean (2023-2024) and currently serves on the Board of the Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation.

Education

  • LL.B. (Hons) with Business Administration, Keele University, Staffordshire, England
  • BPP College of Professional Studies, Leeds, England
  • LL.M. Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia

Bar admissions

  • England and Wales, 2008
  • Bahamas, 2008

Professional memberships

  • The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn
  • Bahamas Bar Association
  • Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA)
  • Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA, Director)
  • Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation (BCCEC, Director)

Publications

  • World Bank Group – Doing Business in The Bahamas (2014-2021)

Recognition

  • Recommended Lawyer, Real Estate, The Legal 500 Caribbean (2023-2024)