February 2021

Lennox Paton ranked top law firm by Chambers Global

Lennox Paton has been awarded Band 1 status in the latest Chambers Global 2021 Guide, the highest recognition bestowed by the publication.

Chambers and Partners is an independent research company operating across 200 jurisdictions delivering detailed rankings and insight into the world’s leading lawyers. The Chambers Global Guide is considered the most respected global legal directory.

We are delighted to achieve a Band 1 ranking in the guide for General Business Law, which covers our major practice areas of Banking & Finance, Dispute Resolution and Real Estate. The firm’s British Virgin Islands office has also been ranked for Dispute Resolution. Additionally, eight of the firm’s lawyers have been individually ranked in the guide. Senior Partners Brian Simms QC, Michael Paton and David Johnstone continue to maintain their top rankings in Band 1, and we are pleased to see Litigation Partner Metta MacMillan-Hughes enter the table this year in Band 3, joining Partners Michelle Neville-Clarke, Scott Cruickshank, Christopher Jenkins, and Sophia Rolle-Kapousouzoglou.

Over the last year the firm has had continued success with further rankings from: Chambers High Net Worth Guide (Band 1), The Legal 500 Caribbean (Tier 1 Firm), ePrivate Client Offshore Top Firms, IFLR1000’s financial and corporate law rankings (Tier 1 Firm), Who’s Who Legal and the CityWealth Leaders List. The firm has also been nominated for several prestigious awards over the past two years, namely: ‘Law Firm of the Year – Bahamas, Bermuda & Cayman’ by the Citywealth IFC Awards 2021, ‘Offshore Firm of the Year’ by The Lawyer Awards 2020, ‘Megatrend Deal of the Year – ESG’ by the FinanceAsia Achievement Awards 2020 and ‘Offshore Firm of the Year’ by the Chambers High Net Worth Awards 2019.

Chambers Global 2021 comments:

Lennox Paton is a top-level Bahamian firm offering a full range of services and whose “legal competency is complemented by strong business acumen and an understanding of the operating environment.” The firm possesses particularly strong capabilities in litigation and other strands of disputes work, with a deep bench of practitioners to draw upon for contentious commercial issues. It also assists an impressive list of clients with the full spectrum of transactional matters, with an impressive real estate department offering counsel on property acquisitions, sales and developments.

Lennox Paton – a well-established BVI office of a leading Bahamian firm, noted for its strengths in high-value general commercial disputes. The team’s broad expertise also covers trust litigation, asset tracing and insolvency. Increasingly focused on representing clients from China, Russia and the CIS states. Sources comment the firm comprises “excellent lawyers” who are “well accustomed to co-ordinating international cross-border matters.” “I chose to work with them because of their expertise in complex litigation,” reported a source.

(Band 1) Senior Partner Brian Simms QC is highly esteemed in the Bahamas as one of the jurisdiction’s leading litigators. He draws particular acclaim for his work in the financial services sector, and has a wealth of experience handling disputes stemming from insolvency and liquidation proceedings.

(Band 1) Commentators highlight Michael Paton as the “dean of lawyers in investment funds,” as well as praising him as “solution-driven, approachable and always willing to help.” He is also valued by his clients for his “strong accountancy skills.” In addition to his investment funds work, he has further expertise in M&A and trusts.

(Band 1) Head of Real Estate David Johnstone maintains his standing at the fore of the country’s property market. He acts for a range of notable international developers, as well as lenders, on the development of commercial and residential property, hotels and resorts, marinas and other types of real estate. He additionally assists with sales, acquisitions, financing and regulatory compliance.

(Band 3) Sources appreciate Metta MacMillan-Hughes for her “absolutely clear” advice and say her “depth of understanding is fantastic.” She is additionally earmarked as being “very tenacious and talented.” She handles a range of disputes, including those relating to tax, personal injury and insolvency, as well as high-end matrimony disputes.

(Band 3) Michelle Neville-Clarke is “technically competent, passionate about the law and goes above and beyond the call of duty.” She handles commercial transactions, financing and securities matters, with notable investment funds experience.

(BVI) Commentators describe Scott Cruickshank as “an excellent and very experienced cross-border insolvency litigator.” Another source reported: “He is on top of his brief, very responsive and adds real value to the client’s case.” He handles a broad range of commercial litigation and insolvency matters. He is noted for his many years’ experience handling a wide range of commercial disputes, including significant asset tracing and insolvency matters. One commentator acknowledged his “extensive experience with trust litigation” before further complimenting his “very good interpersonal skills.” 

(Band 3) Christopher Jenkins is a well-regarded disputes lawyer with a wide-ranging practice. He regularly represents clients in commercial and property litigation, with further expertise in insolvency and asset recovery.

(Band 3) Sophia Rolle-Kapousouzoglou continues to enhance her already impressive disputes reputation. One source attested: “She is excellent,” going on to describe her as “practical” and “meticulous.” She is well versed in handling disputes relating to securities fraud, asset tracing and insolvency.