Defining the political landscape
Several of our Partners are individually active in the political landscape of the Bahamas, having served in Parliament, the Senate and in the Cabinet.
A number of our Partners have served on public boards, including those of the Central Bank of The Bahamas, the Gaming Board of The Bahamas, the Water and Sewerage Corporation, the Industrial Relations Board and the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas. Our Partners have played active roles on the National Security Council of The Bahamas, the Commission appointed to oversee the re-structuring of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Constitutional Commissions.
We have made notable contributions to the College of The Bahamas, the Grand Bahama Port Authority, the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation, the Utilities Regulations and Competition Authority and the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Promotion Board.
Partners in the Firm’s Corporate, Commericial & Securities practice group are actively involved in the private sector supported Bahamas Financial Services Board, and Partners in our Private Clients, Trusts & Estates practice group have played key roles in the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Many of our Partners also hold directorships at leading local and international banks, insurance companies, and other large commercial enterprises.
Shaping our legal system
Our attorneys are also active in the legal profession and judicial system of the Bahamas.
In 2009, Sir Michael L. Barnett, who led our litigation department for 25 years, was appointed the Chief Justice of the Bahamas. In 2015, Sir Michael rejoined the Firm of counsel. On September 20, 2021, former GrahamThompson Partner Ryan Pinder became the fourth former Partner to be appointed Attorney General of The Bahamas. His distinguished appointment follows Senior Partner Sean McWeeney, QC (1989 – 1992), Retired Supreme Court Justice Claire Hepburn (2007 – 2008) and President of the Court of Appeal and former Chief Justice, Sir Michael Barnett (2008 – 2009), who each served in the role of Attorney General of The Bahamas. Claire Hepburn, a former senior litigator in the Firm, was appointed as a Supreme Court Justice in 2008. Three members of the Firm have sat as Acting Justices of the Supreme Court of The Bahamas. GrahamThompson Partners have also served in the capacities of Acting Assistant Registrar General of The Bahamas, and Acting Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court.
Members of the Firm have served on the Bar Council, as president and vice-president of the Bahamas Bar Association, the Freeport Law Society, the Ethics and Disciplinary Committee of the Bahamas Bar Association, and the Rules Committee of The Supreme Court.