PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Representation of internet gaming clients in dealing with regulators; acting as local agents for internet gaming entities; serving as local director for internet gaming entities; experienced in preparing/negotiating management contracts, service contracts, software purchase and licensing agreement and other collateral agreements for gaming enterprises and other business enterprises; providing management services for internet gaming entities.

• Representation in respect of legal issues concerning real estate development, establishing and licencing of international banks, international trusts and international insurance companies.

• Experience in land acquisition, negotiating of inbound foreign investment and the incorporation and administration of companies (local and offshore).

• Representation of clients involved in financing, leasing, international taxation, intellectual property, insurance, banking, industrial law, civil law, and corporate and commercial law.

EDUCATION

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ACTIVITIES

INTERNATIONAL TAXATION – RELATED PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• “A Study into the impact of the OECD’s policy against Harmful Tax Competition and Practices on Tax Haven countries such as Antigua and Barbuda and its likely impact on world economies and taxation systems in general.” Author, Regent University, Virginia, USA, 2003.

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS

(i) Member of the Antigua and Barbuda Public Service Commission;
(ii) Chairman of the Electoral Boundaries Commission.

BACKGROUND ON FIRM

Thomas, John & Co. is a full service law firm, and has fast become one of the leading firms in Antigua. It prides itself on its high professional output and the high quality of legal services. It has developed a strong international outlook as Antigua and Barbuda continues to assume the role of an important offshore and investment centre; hence its specialization in the areas of company incorporation and administration, establishing and licensing of banks, trust and insurance companies, inbound foreign investment, real estate development and conveyance, while continuing to meet the needs of local clients with the provision of a wide range of other legal services.

The firm is a leading licensing agent for gaming companies and represents locally many such entities. The principal has been involved in internet gaming since its inception and was a founding member of the International Internet Gaming Association, and represented many of the early pioneers in the gaming business.

The firm is additionally a leading real estate transaction firm and has dealt with many major real estate projects on the island. It is a partner to Stewart Title International, which connection enables it to expand the nature and type of services that it can offer to international clients performing real estate transactions in Antigua. Stewart Title International provides buyers, sellers, lenders, attorneys, and developers with cutting edge title and real estate information services, title guaranty and related services throughout the United States and over 30 global markets.

The firm represents leading financial institutions on the island and possesses the expertise to deal with major financial dealings and finance structuring.

Corporate secretarial, administrative, management and trust services are provided to International Business Corporations and other international corporate vehicles through Corporate and Trust Services (Caribbean) Limited while ship management services are handled through Maritime General Management Company Limited, both companies wholly owned by the firm.

The firm is well appointed in the main commercial area of the capital city, immediately adjacent to the High Court of Justice which forms a part of the Government Office Complex in St. John’s, the capital city of Antigua.

ANTIGUA & BARBUDA