BANKING AND FInaNCE

Our office provides guidance in general banking matters to institutional, commercial, resident and international clients.  Our team liases closely with relationship managers’ and in-house counsels of various financial institutions to ensure that our clients’ interests are protected at all times.

Our Attorneys assist clients with the establishment and operation of banks in The Bahamas, application for Corporate and Financial Service Provider Licenses, commercial and residential financing, loans and loan restructuring, and debentures and mortgages.  Our team’s extensive experience, commitment to client service, skill and knowledge, allow us to navigate our clients through complex credit and banking transactions.  Our practice group is complimented with the assistance of our commercial and litigation Attorneys with vast knowledge in foreclosures, repossessions, vacant possession, collections, restructuring and regulatory and anti-money laundering matters.  In addition, our team has access to the resources of experienced and knowledgeable law firms. Our practice includes:

• Banking
• International and Local Finance
• Structured Finance
• Cross Border Transactions
• Domestic Transactions

LITIGATION

The commercial and civil litigation team at Lewis & Longley is regularly engaged in a broad spectrum of international litigation, and accustomed to working with lawyers from other jurisdictions in coordinating cross-border litigation strategies for client success.

Trust Litigation

The firm is able to advise on all facets of trust law:

• representing individuals and fiduciaries (private and institutional) in trust and estate litigation, including: claims of breach of trust, allegations of incompetence and undue influence, claims of creditors against estates, claims of heirs, legatees and charities to distribution of certain assets from estates and trust and will construction
• advising international and local institutional clients in the creation of trusts, ancillary trust documentation drafting, administration and management of Bahamian trusts.

Asset Recovery

Our Asset Recovery team has been skilled in recapturing hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of our clients, which typically include corporations, financial institutions (including banks and trusts companies), and private individuals. We continue to be successful in offering first class, results-oriented service to locate and recover assets lost due to misappropriation, negligence or fraud.

Labour & Employment

The Firm has extensive experience in all aspects of labour and employment relations law and has advised leading Bahamian corporations concerning matters involving:

• recognition of unions
• negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements
• trade disputes
• strike management, corporate closings and acquisitions
• pensions and employee welfare benefit schemes

The Firm has acted as counsel in trade disputes before the Industrial Tribunal, the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. We also have substantial experience in preparing employment contracts and reviewing personnel policy manuals and practices.

Admiralty

A fair amount of our litigation practice is devoted to matters relating to admiralty accidents. A highly specialised area, Admiralty Litigation requires in-depth knowledge of the unique circumstances, policies and laws governing boating and water activities in The Bahamas. We are well equipped to secure impressive financial recovery for our clients.

FAMILY LAW

Our Family Law practice group understands that every family has its own distinct dynamics and we offer customized services to meet these different needs. Our team is experienced in advising on all issues which may arise on the dissolution of marriage as well as issues relating to children. We always utilize a result oriented approach for any matter which can include litigation or mediation.

Our practice includes:

• Matrimonial proceedings
  • Divorce
  • Legal separation
  • Ancillary
• Custody, maintenance and access to children
• Adoptions
• Pre and Post Nuptial Agreements

FOREIGN & LOCAL INVESTMENT

Our Foreign and Local Investment practice group serves as a liaison between investors and the relevant agencies of the Government of The Bahamas. Our team is experienced in making application for and obtaining for all requisite approvals to facilitate investment and business ventures in The Bahamas.

Our practice includes:

• Local Projects
• General Business law
• Foreign Direct Investment

IMMIGRATION

Our 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.

Our practice includes:

• Immigration Status
• Work Permits
• Permanent Residency
• Citizenship