Kenra Parris-Whittaker, Esq. is a Nassau-born, Canadian and UK-educated lawyer specializing in Bahamian maritime law, negligence claims, and alternative dispute resolution. A partner at ParrisWhittaker, Kenra has successfully represented multinational shipping companies, cruise lines, P&I clubs, and regulatory authorities, achieving hundreds of millions in favorable judgments and settlements. Fluent in English and conversational in French, she is also a sought-after arbitrator and mediator.
Detailed Bio +
With nimble mastery and a sharp ability to navigate Bahamian maritime law, negligence claims, and alternative dispute resolution, Kenra Parris-Whittaker, Esq. is a highly effective and respected lawyer for today’s complex legal landscape.
Kenra has litigated on both sides of the courtroom and leverages her strengths in discovery and research to formulate incisive inquiries and strategic positioning that deliver results. Her clarity in articulating a case’s full scope translates seamlessly from traditional courtroom settings to virtual or remote litigation, facilitating timely and fair resolutions. With extensive knowledge of port and court admiralty law, she is frequently sought as an arbitrator and mediator.
Her legal acumen has contributed to the creation of case law, modern contextual interpretation, and new jurisdictional jurisprudence. Kenra has provided solutions for multi-national and regional shipping companies, cruise lines, protection & indemnity clubs (P&I), and UK-based law firms seeking Bahamas representation. She has successfully obtained hundreds of millions of dollars in favorable judgments and settlements. Additionally, she represents regulatory authorities in interpreting new statutes and the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.
Kenra serves a diverse client base, including vessel repair shops, shipyard owners, crew members, injured plaintiffs, and executors/executrices of large estates. Before becoming a partner at ParrisWhittaker, she was a senior associate at Callenders & Co., litigating commercial, probate, and maritime cases.
A Nassau native, Kenra is Canadian and UK-educated, holding a Bachelor of Law from the University of Buckingham and completing studies at the Inns of Court School of Law. She is fluent in English and conversational in French.
Organizations & Memberships: Bahamas Bar Association, Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court Bar
Honors & Achievements:
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2020 – Lawyers World Shipping and Maritime Firm of the Year
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2019 – Finalist, Lloyd’s List Americas
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2018–2020 – Global Law Experts (GLE) Award: Commercial Litigation Law Firm of the Year, Bahamas
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2018–2020 – GLE Recommended Lawyer for Commercial Litigation in the Bahamas
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2017 – Finalist, Lloyd’s List Americas
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2013 – ACQ Shipping and Maritime Firm of the Year; ACQ Corporate Firm of the Year
