Allyson Gibson
Queen's Counsel
Allyson Gibson has extensive experience in the areas of trusts and estate planning and investment (especially foreign direct investment) law – having advised clients ranging from private individuals to publicly listed corporations.
She was called to the Bar of the England and Wales in 1980 and to the Bahamas Bar in 1980. Invested as Her Majesty’s Counsel January 2015, she was the first and is currently the only female Queen's Counsel.
Allyson’s wide experience in Trusts and Estate Planning, Offshore Finance law and Investment law was gleaned from her private practice; representing high net worth individuals in their tax and estate planning matters; advising in relation to Protectors and Family Offices, serving as the first Minister of Financial Services and Investments of the Bahamas (2002-06); and, as a former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affair of The Bahamas (2012-17 and 2006-07).
As the first minister of financial services and investments, she led efforts to pass a compendium of “new product” legislation including both foundations and segregated account companies. Also, with the private sector, the Ministry of Financial Services promulgated and implemented the first ever 5-Year Strategic Plan. She brought the insurance industry and the Regulator together to agree the Domestic Insurance Act, and she commenced the consultation process that led to the External Insurance Act 2009.
Gibson, an Honorary Member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (2013), is a former president of the Nassau Chapter of the Links and a former International President of President of the International Women’s Forum (2009-11) and the Leadership Foundation (2003-05).