McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes

Senior Partner: John F Wilson, KC
Number of partners: 13
Number of consultants: 6
Number of lawyers: 31
Languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Cantonese, Taishanese

Firm Overview:
Client Focused, World View

McKinney Bancroft & Hughes is one of the oldest and largest firms in The Bahamas. Since 1945 our experts have advised both local and international firms from almost every business sector. We work proactively to ensure that your issues are dealt with quickly and efficiently and we ensure that our advice to you is clear and unambiguous. Our attention to detail means that you can be sure that every aspect of your issue will be addressed. It is our responsiveness, however, that sets us apart from other firms in The Bahamas.

Above all, we listen to your problems and provide innovative, commercially-focused solutions for your business and tailored advice to meet your personal legal needs. We offer specialist legal advice in every area of civil law. As a full-service firm, we are able to call on colleagues with different areas of expertise where necessary to ensure that you receive the advice you need. We have one of the largest litigation departments in The Bahamas. We are also the exclusive Bahamian member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms in over 160 countries. Our strength comes from the commitment and energy of our people. We take pride in the depth of our knowledge in our individual areas of expertise and we work together collaboratively to solve problems and direct complex legal issues.

Main Areas of Practice:

35 practice areas

Litigation & Dispute Resolution:
The firm’s litigators are highly skilled specialists who are involved in major international trust, corporate, insolvency and commercial cases commenced in The Bahamian courts as well as the Privy Council in England.
Contact: John F Wilson, KC
Email: [email protected]

Trusts & Private Client:
The firm advises on all aspects of international trust and private client matters including wealth management structures and private investments.
Contact: J Fritzgerald Wilson, KC
Email: [email protected]

Real Estate:
The firm’s real estate practice group advises clients on a broad range of commercial and private real estate matters, including the purchase and sale of private residences and investment properties.
Contact: Lourey C Smith
Email: [email protected]

Banking & Finance:
The firm’s banking and finance practice group provides guidance in general banking matters to institutional, commercial, resident and international clients. The Attorneys regularly assist clients with the establishment of banks in The Bahamas both local and offshore, application for corporate and financial service provider licenses, commercial and residential financing, loans and loan restructuring, debentures and mortgages.
Contact: John F Wilson. KC
Email: [email protected]

Corporate & Commercial:
The firm’s corporate and commercial specialists act on behalf of local and international clients in advising on a wide range of routine and complex transactions including cross border corporate and project finance, mergers and acquisitions, loan agreements, swap agreements and share purchase agreements as well as the regulatory framework in relation thereto.
Contact: Lourey C Smith
Email: [email protected]

Financial Services & Regulation:
Members of the firm are extensively involved in advising on all aspects of the financial services industry including the capital markets sector. The firm also provides a full range of financial products for sophisticated investors.
Contact: April N Turner
Email: [email protected]

Admiralty Shipping & Aviation:
With its cadre of experienced admiralty and shipping lawyers the firm’s admiralty and shipping practice is the most extensive in The Bahamas and advises ship owners on a multitude of issues from crew contracts to registration requirements to advising lenders and owners on ship financing transactions.
Contact: H Campbell Cleare, III
Email: [email protected]

Labour & Employment:
Members of the firm advise major local and multinational companies and banks and trust companies on employment issues. The firm assists both the employer and the employee in navigating the challenges in the work place to avoid potential litigation.
Contact: Sean N Moree
Email: [email protected]

Immigration:
The firm’s full-service immigration practice group acts on behalf of private and commercial clients with respect to making all immigration applications, including those for work permits, annual residency, permanent residency and citizenship.
Contact: Kimberly Rolle
Email: [email protected]

Family:
The firm’s family law practice group understands that every family has its own distinct dynamics. The firm offers customised services to meet these different needs, and advises on all issues which may arise on the dissolution of marriage as well as issues relating to children.
Contact: Justine A Smith
Email: [email protected]

Tax & Trade:
The firm’s tax and trade practice group advises commercial and private clients on all local direct and indirect tax and trade matters.
Contact: Beatrice E Miranda
Email: [email protected]

Foreign & Local Investment:
The firm’s foreign and local investment practice group serves as a liaison between investors and the relevant agencies of the Government of The Bahamas. The firm’s team is experienced in making application for and obtaining all requisite approvals to facilitate investment and business ventures in The Bahamas.
Contact: H Campbell Cleare, III
Email: [email protected]

Competition:
The firm’s competition law practice group has represented clients involved in the telecommunication sector and regularly advises investors on matter pertaining to competition law and anti-trust provisions in the Bahamas.
Contact: Michelle Deveaux
Email: [email protected]

In addition to the above main areas of practice, the firm offers corporate support through MB&H Corporate Services Ltd.

Company Formation & Management:
MB&H Corporate Services Ltd. services includes incorporation of resident companies, International business companies, banks, trust companies, insurance and captive insurance companies, segregated account companies, foundations, special purpose trust, private trust companies, and executive entities. Attorney’s in the firm work closely with specialists in its corporate provider to advise on each product offered.
Contact: April N Turner
Email: [email protected]