HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL RHONDALEE BRAITHWAITE-KNOWLES ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF KHALILA ASTWOOD-TATEM AS THE NEW DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
BEGINS
PRESS RELEASE
HON. ATTORNEY GENERAL RHONDALEE BRAITHWAITE-KNOWLES ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF KHALILA ASTWOOD-TATEM AS THE NEW DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
On Monday 18th January 2021, in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles OBE QC announced the appointment of Mrs. Khalila Astwood-Tatem as only the second local person to be appointed as Deputy Attorney General for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Mrs. Khalila Astwood-Tatem, a Grand Turk native, practiced for many years in the Bahamas, first as an Associate and then as a Partner at Evans & Co., before returning home to the Turks and Caicos Islands Attorney General’s Chambers where she became Senior Crown Counsel and then Principal Crown Counsel with the lead on commercial and litigation matters. Prior to this appointment Mrs. Astwood-Tatem was head of the International Division where she led on international initiatives, such as the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and Exchange of information for Tax Purposes, compliance with international obligations and conventions, responding to international requests and advising on various issues which touch and concern international law and international relations.
Mrs. Astwood-Tatem has 20 years of legal experience, during which time she strengthened her expertise in commercial law including Development Agreements, land acquisition, public-private partnerships, company law, civil litigation, industrial relations and employment law, probate and intestacy, real property and conveyancing, personal injuries, maritime law, combatting money laundering, the financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons, extradition and mutual legal assistance.
She is admitted to practice in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Jamaica and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
As the new Deputy Attorney General, Mrs. Khalila Astwood-Tatem is responsible to the Attorney General for the management of the legal and administrative work flow within the Attorney General’s Chambers.
In accepting the appointment, Mrs. Astwood-Tatem said; “I am thankful for this opportunity to serve in this new role within the Attorney General’s Chambers. I look forward to strengthening the delivery of service within the Chambers, my continued representation of the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands and engagement with others on its behalf.”
In announcing the appointment of the new Deputy Attorney General, the Hon. Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles OBE QC said; “over the last few years we have made great progress in developing the professional staff, legal resources and better service delivery standards in the provision of quality legal work. The professional development of the Chambers continues to improve, along with a solid reputation of solutions oriented responsiveness to the legal needs of the public sector. As the Chambers continues to evolve, the skills of the professional staff in particular will be critical in managing our operational effectiveness. Mrs. Astwood-Tatem’s enviable experience and expertise gained through a proven track record of quality legal expertise in practice, leadership, team building, financial and relationship management are well suited to the challenges of her new responsibilities. As a fellow senior Turks and Caicos Islander attorney, I am very pleased with Mrs. Astwood-Tatem’s well deserved appointment and look forward to working with her in the management of the legal affairs of the Government.”
HE the Deputy Governor Anya Williams welcomed the appointment; “On behalf of the public service of the Turks and Caicos Islands, I extend congratulations and best wishes to Mrs. Khalila Astwood-Tatem on her well-deserved appointment to post of Deputy Attorney General within the Attorney General’s Chambers.
Having had the opportunity to work with Khalila over the years, I can attest to her hard work, dedication and sound legal advice and am confident in her ability to assist the Attorney General Honourable Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles and her team within the Attorney Generals Chambers in delivering high quality legal advice to the government and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and in upholding the rule of law.”
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