Bahamas-based private client, corporate and commercial law firm **Higgs & Johnson** has been short-listed for the international Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners’ (STEP) *Offshore Legal Team of the Year* award. Joining H & J on the shortlist are Walkers and Ogier, two global firms with offices in Europe and the Cayman Islands.

The *Offshore Legal Team* is one of nine worldwide awards categories available to the trust and estates community as part of STEP International’s Private Client Awards programme. This is the inaugural year of the awards, which highlight excellence among private client solicitors, accountants, barristers, bankers and trust managers.

*“It’s a great honour to be nominated by STEP for such a prestigious award,”* said Higgs & Johnson senior partner Philip C. Dunkley.* “It is particularly gratifying and encouraging to receive this acknowledgement of the efforts by our legal team to serve the industry with excellence. Nonetheless, we recognise that there is always room for improvement and we shall continue with renewed vigour and enthusiasm to strive to improve our services to the industry.”*

STEP advises that the judges of the Private Client Awards assessed entries and short-listed three nominees in each category. The judges were supported by a Panel of Experts representing internationally renowned lawyers, accountants, bankers, barristers and trust companies. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on 26 September 2006 at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.