Keithley Lake & Associates, one of the leading Law Firms in Anguilla, has just observed its 20th Anniversary with much grandeur and ceremony as well as public involvement. The opening event was a Sunday service on June 30 at St. Mary’s Anglican Church where Mr Keithley Lake, Head of Chambers, is a prominent and devout member.
Friday, July 5, was Open House and lunch at the Law Building in The Quarter at which the public invitation carried the slogan: “Honouring our past, welcoming the future, maintaining excellence.” Saturday, July 6, was a dinner gala at Italia Restaurant; and on Sunday, July 7, was a picnic at Sandy Island with Daniel Brantley & Associates, an affiliate Law Firm in Nevis.
Mr Lake, Founder of Keithley Lake & Associates, is the son of the well-known former Social Worker, Commissioner of Scouts and Anglican Priest, the late Rev Thomas R Lake, MBE. Like his father, he might have been a Priest today, but opted to study law. Mr. Lake’s sterling accomplishments and the growth and development of his Law Firm over the years, are fully captured in the following interview, styled: “The best is yet to come.”
Q What inspired you to form this establishment?
A Ever since my graduation from law school in 1979, my father, the Late Reverend Thomas R. Lake had always urged me to return to Anguilla to establish a law practice. However, that was not something I contemplated at the time due to family commitments and the professional success I was enjoying in the United States. I was a general counsel at a large division of a Fortune 500 company with a budget of over US$8 billion. It was a very comfortable existence and change seemed to be fraught with many risks. It was after all, almost thirty (30) years since I had last lived in Anguilla. I was not sure whether I could adapt to the island lifestyle, or whether I would be able to attract sufficient business to sustain a law firm. Nonetheless, I finally succumbed to my father’s urging and left the USA in 1992 to start this venture.
In order to practice law in Anguilla, I had to obtain a Legal Education Certificate. I enrolled in the Norman Manley Law School (NMLS) in Jamaica to complete the six-month transitional course of studies so I could earn my Legal Education Certificate. It was during my tenure at NMLS that I met Miss Yvette Wallace, our Managing Partner, while interning at Gifford, Haughton & Thompson, in Kingston, Jamaica where she was then employed.
I returned to Anguilla from Jamaica and opened the doors of Keithley F. T. Lake & Associates in July, 1993.
I had three main guiding principles when starting this establishment. The first of course, was that the Firm would be client-focused. The Client would always come first and if for whatever reason they were not satisfied, the Firm would have to accept the responsibility. I also wanted technology to be at the heart of the business to make things more efficient. The idea was to work easier and smarter, not harder! The third and one of the most important principles was to have respect for my employees.
Q. Who were instrumental when you starting the Firm?/Who was the first attorney you hired?
A. At the beginning, my sister Jean Lake and I were the only two working at the Firm, operating out of a building belonging to my Great Uncle Joseph Tinsley. The first attorney that I hired was Mr. Elson Gaskin from Barbados. Mr. Gaskin’s contribution in those early years was invaluable as he was able to assist me in practicing under legal procedure rules which were different from those used in the United States where I practiced previously.
Of course, the first person that I offered a position in the Firm to was Miss Yvette Wallace, but she initially respectfully declined. While in Jamaica doing my internship, I discussed my ideas for starting my own law Firm with her and although she did not immediately agree to come to Anguilla, her contributions were important in the planning and early stages of the Firm. I would update her on the status of the Firm and always let her know that my offer was still open. After asking a number of times, she finally accepted a position with the Firm in 1996.
Her joining the Firm was extremely significant! I never found the administrative aspects of the business appealing! I always knew I needed to have someone around to take charge of this aspect of the business. She gradually took control of all the administrative duties of the Firm and was appointed Managing Attorney within months of joining the Firm.
Q. How were partners introduced?
A. When I first invited Miss Wallace to join the law office, I indicated to her that the Firm was open to the idea of admitting partners. I was confident, given what I knew about her work ethics, she would be the first partner. Mr. Kenneth Porter joined the Firm in March 1997 upon the recommendation of Miss Wallace. I made a similar commitment to him regarding a stake in the Firm. So, in January 2001, Miss Wallace became the first partner of the Firm. We have often joked since then that our partnership for the first 18 months was without a written agreement–just a handshake! This just reflects the degree of trust that we had with each other. It was not until Mr. Porter was admitted to partnership in July 2002 that a formal agreement was discussed.
In keeping with my philosophy that hard work, loyalty and dedication should be rewarded, Miss Merline Barrett was admitted to partnership in September 2009 and Miss Jean M. Dyer was promoted to partner on 1st July of this year.
Q. Who was your first major client?
A. The first major client in terms of project size was Mr. Leandro Rizutto, of CuisinArt Resort & Spa (as it was then called). His agent, Mr. Keith E. Gumbs, walked into my office and shared with me Mr. Rizutto’s effort to establish a hotel. This was to be a five star resort in Anguilla and they needed representation. There was a long process in negotiating with the Government at the time and things had reached a stalemate. There was a general election and a change of government took place. The Hon. Hubert Hughes had formed a coalition government with the Hon. Victor Banks. We worked tirelessly but quickly to get a MOU drafted and signed and were able to proceed with the project. Actually, this was probably the first MOU with respect to a hotel development on the island. I believe all subsequent MOUs are modelled on that agreement.
I must say that another significant client was Mr. Lyn Bell. Mr. Bell came into my office and told me that he had heard me speak and was impressed and handed me a retainer for USD$1,000.00 in August 1993. Interestingly, In November of that year, he asked me to represent him and his group of companies in a litigation matter. This was significant since he also retained Mr. Saul Froomkin Q.C. who was practising in Bermuda. I call Mr. Froomkin the “Grandfather” of the Firm because much of what we did procedurally can be traced back to him. Mr. Froomkin was very particular about how cases were to be documented and presented to the court. He introduced the concept of bundles even before it was a requirement in the Eastern Caribbean. He helped us get ahead of the game!
Q. How do you feel about where the Firm is today?
A. In the 20 years we have grown by leaps and bounds. The Firm’s practice now covers myriad of areas, including Commercial and Civil Litigation, Banking and Finance, Real Estate Development, Intellectual Property and Offshore Business Advisory services.
We moved from a handful clients in 1993 to servicing numerous individuals and corporate clients, both local and international, representing varied interests from hospitality, banking and finance, real estate, health care, telecommunications, charities and other fields.
The Firm has an abiding commitment of service to our Clients, our Profession, and our Community. Many of our lawyers have and continue to serve in leadership positions in several professional, educational and commercial organizations such as the Anguilla Bar Association, the Anguilla Financial Services Association, Anguilla Finance Limited, the OECS Bar Association, the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Anguilla Community College, the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners as well as church councils.
For this I am immensely proud.
Q. Where do you see the firm in the next 20 years?
A. Well first, I don’t expect to be here! (laughs) I envision most of the others still being here doing bigger and better things…providing for the continuity of the Firm. I expect that our core values will still be intact. I expect the leadership of the Firm will continue to instil in attorneys and employees the of the Firm the three main guiding principles (i) client-focused, (ii) use of technology to be at the heart of the business and (iii) respect for all.
Despite the challenges facing many, I have trust and confidence in the next generation of Partners, Associates and Staff. Together with God’s unending grace, I feel the best is yet to come.
