Department profile
Offshore: Trusts
High Net Worth Guide 2026 : Bahamas
Rankings
Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes
Our Trust and Private Client group advises on most aspects of international trust and private client matters. The Firm has a wealth of experience in this area and its lawyers are frequently called upon to advise high net worth individuals and families on the use of the panoply of off shore Bahamian structures available to high net worth individuals and their families.
Our lawyers are trained to think innovatively in addressing client needs and tailoring products and solutions as uniquely crafted as the individual who requires them. From advising on the use of a Settlor Reserved Powers Trust as a variant to the traditional discretionary trust to the use of a Purpose Trust in conjunction with a Private Trust Company, the Firm’s Trust and Private Client practice group is renowned for its cutting edge thinking.
The firm is particularly well-known for its trust litigation work, representing private trusts and trust companies in litigation and in trust instruction proceedings concerning large and complex matters.
Chambers Review
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Strengths
Provided by Chambers
McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes have competent lawyers and a very knowledgeable group on a variety of issues in the Bahamas.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net WorthMcKinney, Bancroft & Hughes is distinguished by its deep technical expertise, commercial awareness and highly responsive approach. The team demonstrates a strong ability to handle complex, high-value matters with discretion and strategic insight, while maintaining clear and practical communication throughout. Their understanding of both legal and financial considerations, combined with strong local jurisdictional knowledge, allows them to deliver consistently to clients.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net WorthWe find McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes to be very responsive, and their advice to our firm and our clients is thoroughly researched, which makes them our primary go-to firm for advice on legal matters.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net WorthThe lawyers of this firm had strong knowledge and competence. They demonstrated strong advocacy on behalf of my client. In this group, both the partner and the associate were very competent and highly capable.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net Worth
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 1 
Band 1 John F. Wilson KC
John Wilson KC is notable for his work handling high-profile trust disputes and commercial litigation matters.
John Wilson is an exceptional lawyer and is in very high in demand in this area. My client was very happy with his services.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net WorthJohn Wilson is one of the most experienced and well-known advocates on the island. He is a very safe pair of hands and understands tribunals. Judges trust him, and he has very good judgement.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net WorthJohn Wilson gave the best client experience and is the most knowledgeable attorney I've worked with.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net WorthJohn Wilson is responsive and knowledgeable in giving advice.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net WorthJohn Wilson is solid and strategic in professional litigation, and he gives very sound advice on trust matters.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net Worth
Band 1 
Band 1 Sean N. C. Moree KC
Sean Moree KC represents high net worth individuals and families, as well as trust companies, in contentious and non-contentious trust matters.
Sean Moree is the primary individual I work with and is distinguished by his strong professional expertise, calm and measured approach, and clear strategic thinking. He handles complex and sensitive matters with professionalism and discretion, while remaining highly responsive and practical in his advice. His ability to balance legal precision with commercial awareness sets him apart from peers at other firms.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net WorthSean Moree is a top lawyer in the Bahamas.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net WorthSean Moree is the best litigator on the island. He has great court experience, really great judgement and commercial sense. He is a star.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net WorthSean Moree is the top advocate at the Bahamas Bar; there is no question about that for me. He's a formidable and impressive practitioner.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net Worth
Band 2 
Band 2 Vanessa L. Smith
Vanessa Smith handles a wide range of matters, including contentious and noncontentious trusts mandates. Her clients include fiduciaries, beneficiaries and wealthy families.
Vanessa Smith is incredibly hard-working and responsive.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net Worth
Up and Coming 
Up and Coming Erin M. Hill
Erin Hill advises clients on a range of trust-related matters including litigation and structuring. Erin Hill is really personable and on top of things. She is very detail-oriented and also very good with clients.
Offshore: Trusts respondentHigh Net Worth
Ranked Individuals at McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes (4)
Bahamas
John F. Wilson KC
Head of Offshore: Trusts
View profile Sean N. C. Moree KC
Head of Offshore: Trusts
View profile Vanessa L. Smith
Offshore: Trusts
View profile Erin M. Hill
Offshore: Trusts
View profile
Members
Provided by McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes
Berchel Wilson
Beatrice E. Miranda
Theominique D. Nottage
Peteche A.B. Mitchel
Alicia A. Gibson
Floidira M. Collie
Ian W.A. Cargill
Erin M. Hill
View profile of Erin M. HillVanessa L. Smith
View profile of Vanessa L. Smith
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