Profile of Craig Neil
Craig Neil Attorney-at-Law
A dynamic and insightful attorney-at-law called to the Bar in 2008, with professional expertise spanning a broad range of functions and industries, with proven capacity to employ vision, strategic thinking, a methodical approach and business acumen to handle a varied portfolio of responsibilities.
Areas of expertise include:
- Corporate Governance
- Conveyancing and Land transactions
- Board Management and shareholder relations
- Risk Management
- Estate Administration
- Joint-Venture & Public Private Partnership (Construction)
- Legal research
- Court proceedings
- Team Building and leadership
- Government procurement
- Annual report production
- Speech writing
Experience
China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, St. Andrew, Jamaica Sep 2019 – Sep 2020 Senior Legal Counsel (One Year Contract)
Managed and advised on complex commercial arrangements specific to major national infrastructural works while providing oversight of the litigation portfolio, leading junior counsel and liaising with external counsel. Noteworthy achievements include successfully negotiating the design contract for the extension of the runway at the Norman Manley International Airport and advising on the construction of 1600 housing solutions at Catherine Estates.
Caribbean Cement Company Limited Mar 2017 – Sep 2019 Legal Counsel – TCL Group and Caribbean Cement Company & Company Secretary (Caribbean Cement Company, Subsidiaries and CEMEX Jamaica Ltd.)
Recruited to provide corporate governance oversight for CCCL, its subsidiaries and CEMEX Jamaica Limited, manage risk exposure, handle investor relations, deliver sound legal advice, engage and monitor external counsel, draft contracts, oversee legal compliance matters and serve on the Credit Committees of CCCL and Arawak Cement Company Limited, Barbados (an affiliate company) Major accomplishment: Reduced CCCL risk exposure from $380 million to $18 million within a two period
Housing Agency of Jamaica – Company Secretary & Manager – Legal Services (Acting) 2016 – 2017
Provided corporate governance and compliance support for the Board, directed all activities of the Board Management Secretariat, maintained the company’s statutory registers, led the legal team, conduct legal research and provide legal advice
Legal Officer 2014 – 2016
Managed all conveyancing matters inclusive of carriage of sale on behalf of the Agency, drafted and reviewed contracts specific to FIDIC, joint venture and public-private partnerships, Head – Procurement Unit
Embassy of the Republic of Korea, St. Andrew, Jamaica 2013 – 2014
Legal Advisor
Justice Training Institute, St. Andrew, Jamaica 2013 – 2015
Lecturer – Land Administration
Hylton & Hylton Attorneys-at-Law, St. Andrew, Jamaica 2011 – 2012
Associate – Conveyancing and Probate Department
§ Conducted property sales; drafted wills and applications for probate; provided direction to paralegal staff
National Land Agency (Land Titles Services), Kingston, Jamaica 2009 – 2011
Legal Officer
§ Approved instruments and documents lodged for registration; directed and advised paralegal staff; provided legal advice and solutions to the Agency’s customers; represented the Agency at seminars, in the media and expositions island-wide
Companies Office of Jamaica, Kingston, Jamaica 2008 – 2009
Legal Officer (one year contract)
§ Conducted legal research for the office of the Registrar of Companies; advised the public on issues related to the incorporation of companies and registration of businesses; drafted contracts; managed public education seminars island-wide; trained staff and assisted in the formulation of competence tests; stakeholder liaison regarding business registration
National Land Agency (Land Titles Services), Kingston, Jamaica 2007 – 2008
Legal Officer (one year project)
§ Supervised the National Housing Trust (NHT) Unit; conducted public education seminars
Myers, Fletcher & Gordon (MFG), Kingston, Jamaica June – August 2006
Ten (10) week In-Service Training
Black River Resident Magistrate’s Court, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica August 2005
Deputy Clerk of Court – Lay-Magistrate’s Court
Corporate Area Resident Magistrate’s Court, Kingston, Jamaica 2004 – 2005
Deputy Clerk of Court – Lay Magistrate’s Court