Nassau was a small, bustling seaport with a need for lawyers to handle a growing number of contracts when young W.E.S. Callender hung out his shingle in 1903. As the energetic lawyer’s reputation spread, the firm grew. Many of the cases it handled set precedent in the jurisdiction. Today, Callenders, with offices in Nassau, Lyford Cay and Grand Bahama, is a vital partner in a vibrant economy.
Though protocols and procedures have changed since the country’s longest serving law firm opened its doors, one thing remains constant: Callenders’ commitment to excellence through personal service to every client.
Recipient of international awards including being ranked the nation’s best law firm in 2012, the firm provides a complete range of legal services including corporate, real estate, litigation, human rights, telecommunications, technology, insolvency and investment approvals. Its proficiency and experience in maritime and aviation matters are unquestioned. Callenders’ attorneys have addressed the United Nations and the Privy Council. The firm was the first in The Bahamas to have two attorneys appointed Queen’s Counsel, the highest honour of the legal profession in the Commonwealth.
Founded in 1903
50 people in their team
Since the enactment of the International Business Companies Act (1989), over 36,000 IBCs have been incorporated in The Bahamas by business entities seeking to take advantage of the country’s stable political environment, professional expertise and status as a tax neutral jurisdiction in which no sales, estate, income or capital gains taxes are imposed, resulting in fertile ground for profitable operations.
Throughout the years, these companies have relied on Callenders’ expertise in the field to navigate the legal environment of the registration/incorporation process, as well as continued operation and conducting of commercial activities in The Bahamas.
Areas of counsel include:
Callenders’ legal expertise assists clients to avoid unnecessary workplace-related issues, averting disruptive practices or behavior while providing a positive work environment and maintaining high staff morale at all levels.
The firm achieves this through the establishment of a clear and effective legal contractual framework and clearly stated policies while shepherding clients through any litigation or resolution process.
The firm has guided both employer and employee through a wide-range of employment related issues, including:
For those seeking to work, live or own a home in The Bahamas, the legal team at Callenders has more than a century of experience in assisting clients with successful applications for work permits, annual residency, homeowner’s residency, permanent residency, citizenship and other immigration-related legal services.
Whether a local business, international investor or a homeowner desirous of obtaining a work permit, proper legal counsel helps to navigate and simplify a process that can be lengthy despite the country’s vast experience with such matters. What is daunting to an individual can be routine to a legal expert who has handled applications on a regular basis.
With its strong professional infrastructure of financial and legal experts and its responsive regulatory body, The Bahamas has emerged as an international insurance centre. Key to its appeal has been the country’s comparatively lower start-up costs and governmental fees relative to those of regional competitors.
Callenders works closely with many insurance companies and assists clients in the areas of:
With recent improvements made to national Intellectual Property Law, The Bahamas is bringing its IP regime in line with the execution of its responsibilities as a signatory to the World Trade Organization and Environmental Protection Act requirements while seeking to incorporate international best practices.
As the country seeks to position itself as a technology hub and to create smart cities, legal counsel in intellectual property matters becomes increasingly important and experience is essential. Callenders offers extensive experience in the areas of licensing, copyrights, trademarks and franchising and has aided clients in the application and renewal processes, change of name, assignment and merger processes.
The legal team at Callenders advises clients on residential and commercial real estate affairs ranging from the leasing and purchase/sale of residential and commercial property to counsel on property-related taxes, regulatory approvals and mortgage transactions/liability.
Callenders provides comprehensive legal counsel on all aspects of Resort and Subdivision Development. The firm has advised numerous clients on the planning, approval, and bonding for infrastructure development of subdivisions in accordance with The Planning and Subdivision Act 2010.
The Bahamas’ well-developed tourism product makes it a desired locale for resort developers and Callenders has played a significant role in a majority of the resorts established throughout the history of The Bahamas. The firm has a team dedicated to resort development and team members enjoy a broad base of experience in the highly specific field. That allows them to provide clients with important advice and counsel related to the planning and development of resorts, mixed-use resorts, condo-hotels and timeshare units. Services also include counsel during negotiations, regulatory approvals and identifying and selecting avenues of project financing.
