Clarke, Whittaker & Reid
The Firm
Established 1991
- Office
- New Kingston, Jamaica
- Courts
-
Supreme Court of Jamaica
Court of Appeal
Caribbean Court of Justice - Regulation
- General Legal Council of Jamaica
Bar No. 0447 - Languages
- English
Counsel built on more than three decades of practice in Jamaican commercial law.
Clarke, Whittaker & Reid was established in Kingston in 1991 by Everton Clarke to serve the transactional and advisory needs of business clients operating in Jamaica and across the Caribbean region. Nadine Whittaker joined as a partner in 2011, and Marcus Reid was admitted to the bar in 2016. The firm has grown deliberately — we have never expanded beyond the number of attorneys we can personally supervise.
From our offices in New Kingston, we have advised on some of the most significant commercial transactions to have passed through the Jamaican courts and registry in the past three decades. Our clients include regional banks, energy and infrastructure developers, private equity-backed companies, real estate developers, and individuals with significant property and business interests.
Our approach is direct: we give clear, written advice within agreed timelines, we do not carry matters longer than necessary, and we do not overstaff files. Clients engage us because they require counsel who will be precise, who understands the commercial context of a legal matter, and who will resolve it efficiently.
We are a general commercial practice. We do not advertise a specialism we cannot credibly staff; every instruction is handled by a qualified attorney with experience in the relevant area. If a matter is outside our competence, we will say so and refer accordingly.
Our Standard
What clients can expect
Written advice
We do not give important advice orally. Significant legal opinions, recommendations, and risk assessments are provided in writing so clients have a record and can consider them properly.
Agreed timelines
At the start of every instruction we agree a timeline and fee estimate. We do not begin work without both being confirmed. Clients are not surprised by invoices.
Partner involvement
Every file has a supervising partner who is personally involved in strategy and reviews all material correspondence and documents before they go out.
Confidentiality
We do not publish client names, transaction values, or case outcomes. The matters on our Notable Matters page are described by sector only.
Referral when appropriate
If a matter is outside our practice areas or requires advocacy in a specialist court, we will say so promptly and refer to appropriate counsel rather than expand our instruction unnecessarily.
Responsive communication
All enquiries receive a substantive response within one business day. During active matters, clients are updated whenever there is a material development.
Counsel
The attorneys
Biography
Everton Clarke founded Clarke, Whittaker & Reid in 1991 and was appointed King's Counsel in 2010. His practice focuses on complex corporate transactions and high-value commercial litigation. He has appeared in the Court of Appeal on matters of commercial contract, company law, and constitutional significance.
Education
LLB (Hons), University of the West Indies · LLM, London School of Economics
Admissions
Jamaica Bar · Caribbean Court of Justice
Called to the Bar
Called 1991
Affiliations
Jamaican Bar Association · Commonwealth Lawyers Association · Inter-American Bar Association
Biography
Nadine Whittaker joined the firm in 2005 and became a partner in 2011. Her practice covers the full range of real estate and conveyancing work, from residential transactions to large-scale commercial development, and she has particular expertise in structured finance and secured lending documentation for Jamaican financial institutions.
Education
LLB (Hons), University of the West Indies · Diploma in Legal Practice, Norman Manley Law School
Admissions
Jamaica Bar · Eastern Caribbean Bar
Called to the Bar
Called 2003
Affiliations
Jamaican Bar Association · Real Estate Lawyers Association of Jamaica
Biography
Marcus Reid joined the firm in 2017 following his call to the bar. His practice focuses on employment and labour matters, including tribunal representation, and intellectual property work across all stages from registration to enforcement. He advises both regional and international clients seeking to protect their brands in the Jamaican and Caribbean markets.
Education
LLB, University of London · Legal Education Certificate, Norman Manley Law School
Admissions
Jamaica Bar
Called to the Bar
Called 2016
Affiliations
Jamaican Bar Association · INTA (International Trademark Association)
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