A proficient property attorney ‘recommended’ for his experience in ‘assisting domestic and international real estate investors.’
Legal 500 Caribbean (2021)
Sterling H. Cooke serves as the Managing Partner at Higgs & Johnson overseeing all aspects of the firm’s daily operations. He previously held the position of Co-Managing Partner from 2021 – 2024.
Sterling is the former chair of the Real Estate & Development Practice Group and has extensive experience and expertise in all aspects of real estate law, having practiced for over 30 years. His primary practice includes representing local and international real estate investors and lenders in connection with mortgage loan and construction financing and loan acquisitions, complex transactions involving the purchase, sale, refinancing, leasing and subleasing of residential homes, multi-family buildings, retail complexes, office and warehouse buildings and other commercial properties for individuals and commercial entities, and advising on a wide range or real estate issues including title commitments and title insurance, adverse possession, issues affecting title, easement and access issues, and commercial and residential foreclosures. His professional practice also includes, Commercial Law, Probate and Estate Administration, Maritime Law and International Financing transactions involving Bahamian registered ships and companies.
Sterling studied law in the United States of America and the Caribbean – first earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina at Columbia, and later receiving a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, Barbados. Subsequently, he completed studies at the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica.
Sterling was called to The Bahamas Bar and joined Higgs & Johnson as an Associate in 1990. He became a Partner in 1999. He is currently recommended in the area of real estate by Legal 500 Caribbean.
Education
- University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- University of the West Indies (LL.B.), Cave Hills, Barbados
- Norman Manley Law School, Kingston, Jamaica
Bar admissions
Professional memberships
Recognition
- Recommended, Real Estate, Legal 500 Caribbean (2025)
- Recommended, Corporate Law, Legal 500 Caribbean (2022-2025)
- Leading Individual, Real Estate, Legal 500 Caribbean (2021-2024)
Has a ‘keen eye for detail’ and described as ‘a master of what he does who is relentlessly thorough, direct and professionally tactful.’
Legal 500 Caribbean 2023
Sterling H. Cooke serves as the Managing Partner at Higgs & Johnson overseeing all aspects of the firm’s daily operations. He previously held the position of Co-Managing Partner from 2021 – 2024.
Sterling is the former chair of the Real Estate & Development Practice Group and has extensive experience and expertise in all aspects of real estate law, having practiced for over 30 years. His primary practice includes representing local and international real estate investors and lenders in connection with mortgage loan and construction financing and loan acquisitions, complex transactions involving the purchase, sale, refinancing, leasing and subleasing of residential homes, multi-family buildings, retail complexes, office and warehouse buildings and other commercial properties for individuals and commercial entities, and advising on a wide range or real estate issues including title commitments and title insurance, adverse possession, issues affecting title, easement and access issues, and commercial and residential foreclosures. His professional practice also includes, Commercial Law, Probate and Estate Administration, Maritime Law and International Financing transactions involving Bahamian registered ships and companies.
Sterling studied law in the United States of America and the Caribbean – first earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina at Columbia, and later receiving a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill, Barbados. Subsequently, he completed studies at the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica.
Sterling was called to The Bahamas Bar and joined Higgs & Johnson as an Associate in 1990. He became a Partner in 1999. He is currently recommended in the area of real estate by Legal 500 Caribbean.
Education
- University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA
- University of the West Indies (LL.B.), Cave Hills, Barbados
- Norman Manley Law School, Kingston, Jamaica
Bar admissions
Professional memberships
Recognition
- Recommended, Real Estate, Legal 500 Caribbean (2025)
- Recommended, Corporate Law, Legal 500 Caribbean (2022-2025)
- Leading Individual, Real Estate, Legal 500 Caribbean (2021-2024)
