Ja’Ann M. Major

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

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, Commercial Transactions and Maritime & Aviation 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 recognised as a Next Generation Partner in Real Estate by Legal 500 Caribbean. She currently serves as Deputy Chairperson of the Grand Bahama Power Company Board and as a member of the Board of the Bahamas Maritime Authority. She has previously served as a member of the Board of 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
• Grand Bahama Power Company Board (Deputy Chairperson)
• Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA)
• Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA, Director)
• Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation (BCCEC, Former Director)

Publications

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

Experience

• Advised an international financial institution which was a lender in regard to a mortgage over Bahamian real property valued at USD$225M.
• Advised an industry-leading hospitality corporation on the purchase of a resort property and its lease to an operator, valued at US$1.7 billion.
• Worked extensively with the Bahamas branch of a major global financial institution on a wide range of real estate matters valued from $50K to $3M.
• Represented a leading airport development company in its lease operations and real estate matters valued from $16M.

Recognition

• Next Generation Partner, Real Estate, Legal 500 Caribbean (2026)
• Recommended Lawyer, Real Estate, Legal 500 Caribbean (2023-2025)