About

Provided by Higgs & Johnson

​Experience 

Members of the Commercial Transactions practice group have had substantial experience as advisors on all Bahamian aspects of commercial cross-border transactions, including sales, mergers and acquisitions, financings, and agreements. The group has extensive experience in the regulatory and anti-money laundering fields and are able to assist applicants for licenses or registration to operate under various financial services related regimes, satisfying the regulatory requirements relative to anti-money-laundering and counter financing of terrorism.


Legislation

Partners in the practice group have been instrumental in the drafting and implementation of several important pieces of legislation, including:

  • serving as private sector advisor to the Bahamas government on the restructuring of financial services industry legislation in response to the initiative of the FSF, FATF and OECD;
  • advising on the drafting of legislation to modernise the casino gaming industry in The Bahamas; and
  • assisting the financial services industry in drafting Acts relating to Purpose Trusts, Foundations, Private Trust Companies and Executive Entities.


Financing Projects

The group has substantial experience as advisers on all such financing projects, including but not limited to: 

  • Syndicated Loan Agreement
  • International Foreign Exchange Agreements
  • Re-Invoicing Agreements
  • Bond Issues
  • Security Interests
  • Credit Transactions
  • Share Purchase Agreements

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

General Business Law - Bahamas

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Higgs & Johnson is widely regarded as one of the most prominent law firms in the Bahamas. The team has considerable experience overseeing major commercial transactions, including M&A, financings and capital markets issuances. The firm is equally well placed to assist clients with real estate development mandates, while its dispute resolution team is regularly instructed on some of the jurisdiction's most noteworthy commercial cases. Typical clients for its lawyers include international banks and financial institutions, as well as trust companies, real estate developers and cruise operators.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Philip C Dunkley KC
S
Philip C Dunkley KC
S
Senior Statespeople

Philip Dunkley KC is a veteran lawyer who maintains his standing as one of the leading figures in the Bahamas litigation arena. He serves as a senior partner at Higgs & Johnson and has over 40 years of experience in practice, particularly with regard to trust disputes.

Christel Sands-Feaste
1
Christel Sands-Feaste
1
Band 1

Christel Sands-Feaste remains one of the most sought-after finance lawyers in the Bahamas. She is regularly instructed by borrowers and lenders to advise on loan facilities, as well as restructurings.

She has a holistic view on any matter that she deals with.

Christel Sands-Feaste is very pragmatic and analytical. She comes to clients with a good explanation for anything she does.

Tara Archer-Glasgow
1
Tara Archer-Glasgow
1
Band 1

Tara Archer-Glasgow operates a diverse contentious practice. She advises on shareholder and contractual disputes. Additionally, she represents a range of domestic and international clients, including banks and energy companies, as well as private individuals.

Tara is brilliant, especially in matters of litigation. She always gives great advice on commercial litigation mandates.

Tara Archer-Glasgow is in a league of her own. She brings so much energy, knowledge and charm to her work. She is the best of the best.

N. Leroy Smith
2
N. Leroy Smith
2
Band 2

Leroy Smith demonstrates notable expertise in varied contentious matters, particularly in relation to trust disputes. He counts among his clients international trust companies and high net worth individuals.

Leroy Smith is meticulous, very careful to make sure that the advice he gives is detailed, thorough and practical. He's detail-oriented but also practical in his approach.

Oscar N. Johnson, Jr.
2
Oscar N. Johnson, Jr.
2
Band 2

Oscar Johnson KC is an esteemed litigator in the Bahamas. He offers clients a wide range of experience encompassing maritime and employment matters. He is senior partner at Higgs & Johnson.

Oscar Johnson KC provides very sound advice.

Stephen Jenkins Melvin
2
Stephen Jenkins Melvin
2
Band 2

Based in the firm's Lyford Cay office, Stephen Jenkins Melvin is held in high regard for his advice on property development and tax, as well as real estate acquisitions. He has notable experience in mandates relating to resort and marine development.

Stephen Jenkins Melvin is very pragmatic and deals with a lot of complex issues.

He has a vast level of experience in multiple fields.

Zarina Fitzgerald
2
Zarina Fitzgerald
2
Band 2

Zarina Fitzgerald leads the commercial transactions team at Higgs & Johnson. She offers a wealth of experience in M&A and finance, assisting clients with a range of high-value matters.

Zarina Fitzgerald works with some of the largest clients in the Bahamas. She's very focused and client-driven.

Sterling Cooke
3
Sterling Cooke
3
Band 3

Sterling Cooke is the managing partner at Higgs and Johnson. He brings over 30 years of experience in real estate law, covering banking and M&A matters, in addition to other work.

Sterling Cooke has a tremendous amount of experience in the real estate space. He's well respected for being thorough and providing detailed answers.

Sterling is a very solid and knowledgeable lawyer.

Tara Cooper Burnside
3
Tara Cooper Burnside
3
Band 3

Tara Cooper Burnside KC is a well-known partner at Higgs and Johnson, whose practice encompasses insolvency proceedings, commercial disputes and litigation involving trust companies.

Tara Cooper Burnside spends ample time considering the issues at hand and is very thoughtful in her legal advice.

Audley Hanna, Jr.
U
Audley Hanna, Jr.
U
Up and Coming

Audley Hanna maintains a notable reputation in the Bahamian commercial litigation sphere. He regularly advises on banking disputes, having represented international financial institutions. He has further experience acting for governmental entities and insurance companies.

Audley Hanna is particularly informed on matters of labour law.

Ranked Lawyers at
Higgs & Johnson

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Bahamas

General Business Law

Christel Sands-Feaste
1
Christel Sands-Feaste
1
Band 1
Zarina Fitzgerald
2
Zarina Fitzgerald
2
Band 2
General Business Law: Dispute Resolution

Philip C Dunkley KC
S
Philip C Dunkley KC
S
Senior Statespeople
Tara Archer-Glasgow
1
Tara Archer-Glasgow
1
Band 1
N. Leroy Smith
2
N. Leroy Smith
2
Band 2
Oscar N. Johnson, Jr. KC
2
Oscar N. Johnson, Jr. KC
2
Band 2
Tara Cooper Burnside KC
3
Tara Cooper Burnside KC
3
Band 3
Audley Hanna, Jr.
U
Audley Hanna, Jr.
U
Up and Coming
General Business Law: Real Estate

Stephen Jenkins Melvin
2
Stephen Jenkins Melvin
2
Band 2
Sterling Cooke
3
Sterling Cooke
3
Band 3

Members

Provided by Higgs & Johnson

N Leroy Smith

Portia Nicholson

Stephen Melvin

Sterling Cooke

Tara Cooper Burnside

Vann Gaitor

Vivienne Gouthro

Zarina Fitzgerald

Industries

Provided by Higgs & Johnson

Utilities; Telecommunication; Aerospace; Banks; Commercial Services; Energy; Financial Services; Government; Insurance; Private Client; Real Estate