Sean McWeeney KC, is a Consultant Counsel and Chair Emeritus of the firm’s Financial Services, Private Client, Trusts and Estates Practice Group. He specializes in trusts and corporate law.He represents domestic and international high net worth individuals and fiduciaries in a broad range of complex matters including trusts and estates administration and litigation and family business governance. In addition, Sean advises institutional and private families on complex corporate matters including restructurings and Bahamian tax matters. He is a recognised author on both legal and historical matters and regularly speaks at national and international conferences.Sean is recognised by the prestigious London-based Chambers and Partners as a top ranked attorney in the High Net Worth (HNW) Offshore Trusts Sector and Chambers Global General Business Law. He holds the distinction of a Band 1 ranking in both areas, which is the highest individual ranking.Chambers Review (HNW): Sean McWeeney KC, is a “well-established name” in the market. One peer says: “He is one of the best offshore lawyers across the board and certainly the go-to person for Bahamas work. He has handled some huge cases and the market unanimously sees him as the best private client lawyer in the Bahamas. He is very sophisticated, has great judgement and is very thoughtful and charismatic.” A market insider enthuses: “He is remarkable. He is hands-down still the guru. He is a champion of the industry and the island.”Chambers Review (Global): Sean McWeeney KC remains a widely respected figure, and is particularly known for his skills in trusts and estates and private wealth matters. Industry sources praise his way of “very proficiently manoeuvring clients through bureaucratic systems.” One commentator added: “He’s in a class of his own.”

Bar Admissions

• The Bahamas Bar, 1978
• The Inner Bar (Queen’s Counsel), 2009

Education
Queen's College
Nassau, Bahamas

Significant Accomplishments

Chambers and Partners, Band 1 Attorney, Chambers Global – General Business Law (2024 and 2023)

Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer (Band 1), High Net Worth (HNW), Offshore Trusts Sector (2023)

Chambers and Partners, Band 1 Attorney, Chambers Global – General Business Law (2022, 2021 and 2020)

Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer (Band 1), High Net Worth (HNW), Offshore Trusts Sector (2022, 2021 and 2020)

Chambers and Partners, Band 1 Attorney, Chambers Global – General Business Law (2019, 2018, 2017)

Chambers and Partners, Leading Lawyer (Band 1), High Net Worth (HNW), Offshore Trusts Sector (2019, 2018, 2017)

Chambers and Partners, Band 1 Attorney, Chambers Global – General Business Law (2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012)

Appointed one of Her Majesty’s Counsel (Queen’s Counsel), 2009

Bahamas Silver Jubilee Medal for “Outstanding Contribution to National Development in the Area of Law”, 1998

Citiwealth Offshore Leaders List as one of the Caribbean’s leading lawyers in wealth management

Professional Associations

The Bahamas Bar Association

Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)

Professional Activities and Experience

“Financial Institutions as Constructive Trustees” (Bahamas Association of Compliance Officers, 2000)

“The Rule in Hastings-Bass - Help for Trustees Who Make Mistakes” (STEP Bahamas, 2007)

“International Asset Protection Planning and Domestic Creditor Recovery Tactics: Two Mock Trials” (STEP Canada, Osgoode Hall, University of Toronto, 2008 – served as trial judge)

“The Effectiveness of Statutory Provisions Outlawing Forced Heirship Claims” (STEP Caribbean Conference, Panama, 2008)

“Trust Fundamentals – Back to Basics”, (STEP Trust Immersion Seminar, 2010)

“Protectors and Trust Disputes” (OPC Trust Law Conference, 2011)

“Getting Rid of Trusts and moving Towards Companies Limited by Guarantee Without a Share Capital as Trust Substitutes” (STEP, 2013)

“What Now? Survival and Adaptation Strategies for Offshore Financial Centres” (STEP Caribbean Conference, 2014)

• Reflections on the Reality and the Vision for Financial Services in The Bahamas

  By Sean McWeeney |September 2018

Additional Articles

Investment Funds Global Practice Guide, “Law and Practice” in The Bahamas [April 2019]

“Creditor Protection Trusts under Bahamian Law” (monograph, 1993)