Bahamas Law Students Association Summer Lecture Series: Part I - Brian Moree, QC
Although it has only been in existence but for a moment, the Bahamas Law Students Association (BLSA) is definitely making a name for itself while building a professional reputation that at this point can only be described as stellar. Since its inception, the BLSA has sought to provide Bahamian law students with opportunities for career building and professional networking. As such, the BLSA has organized events of this nature in both Nassau and the United Kingdom. It’s most recent effort can be seen in the launch of its Summer Lecture series this past Wednesday, July 27th, 2011.
The first of a three part series featured Mr. Brian Moree, QC a senior partner of the leading law firm of McKinney Bancroft & Hughes. Mr. Moree, whose practice areas are insolvency, insurance, commercial litigation, bankruptcy, banking law, mergers and acquisitions, spoke on a range of topics relating to commercial law while offering sage advice to the law students and other young professionals in attendance.
Specialized Commercial Court
Mr. Moree described The Bahamas as an International Financial Centre that despite its size, measures up to the standards expected from larger jurisdictions, even those with specialized commercial courts. It seems that a specialized commercial court would call for highly trained specialized judges, improved facilities as well as a more advanced technological framework, all of which would be reflective of an efficient justice system. Mr. Moree went on to suggest that The Bahamas may benefit from a specialized commercial court due to the sheer volume of business conducted in The Bahamas in the financial services industry.
The Competition has gone GLOBAL
In an increasingly interconnected world, Mr. Moree gave the charge that we as law students should aim to become globally competitive. It is not about being the best here in Nassau anymore; it is about being able to compete with the lawyer in London, in Cayman, in Singapore, in Hong Kong or wherever. It is about being the best you can be at a global standard not the local standard. Mr. Moree suggested that we can become globally competitive by 'steeping ourselves in the law' and learning the law by osmosis. He advised that we should read as many law journals as we can and to keep abreast of the nuances in the international legal community.
A View From The Top
Perhaps no truer words were spoken by Mr. Moree than when he suggested that there is ALWAYS room at the top. In an increasingly saturated profession, we as law students must seek to differentiate ourselves from the norm. In addition to making every effort to be globally competitive by learning the law by osmosis, Mr. Moree also suggested that we seek to specialize and also learn a foreign language. Many of the persons entering the legal profession in The Bahamas may later on become stagnant simply due to their decisions to remain general practioners. While there is nothing wrong with being a general practioner, in this age of globalization, fringe areas such as alternative dispute resolution, international law, competition law and maritime law are growing in importance. The general practioner is no longer suitable for these demands. By becoming an attorney with not only specialized capabilities but also high international standards coupled with a strong work ethic, "a view from the top” can certainly be a part of one's future.
The Bahamas Law Students Association Summer Lecture Series continues on August 10th, 2011 at The Michael Eldon Complex, The College of The Bahamas. The guest speaker to be featured is Philip Dunkley, QC of Higgs & Johnson.
