By OSWALD T. BROWN
WASHINGTON, D.C., March 20, 2021 – Alfred M. Sears has ended his sabbatical from participatory politics and is seeking to once again represent the Fort Charlotte constituency that he represented in the House of Assembly from 2002 to 2007.
Mr. Sears, one of The Bahamas’ most distinguished and scholarly practicing attorneys-at-law, is among the impressive slate of candidates who have already been ratified by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) as it seeks to regain control of the government that it lost to the Free National Movement (FNM) in the May 10, 2017 general election.
Based on information gleaned from the website of Mr. Sears’ law firm, Sears & Co, Mr. Sears “has been privileged to serve the public in some of the most influential national and regional entities in the public sector.”
“Elected Member of Parliament for the Fort Charlotte constituency in the 2002 and 2007 General Elections, he has also served as Attorney General from 2002 to 2006 and Minister of Education, Science and Technology from 2002 to 2007. From 2003 to 2004, Alfred was Chairman of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), bringing visionary leadership to that body which was engaged in a period of consolidation in its fight against money laundering and terrorism financing,” the website notes.
It adds: “As the Member of Parliament for Fort Charlotte, Alfred sponsored, initiated or assisted with the realization of a number of community outreach programmes and projects, such as the Fort Charlotte After School Programme, the Annual Fort Charlotte Arts & Craft Festival, the Marching Band, Adult Computer Classes and the Annual Fort Charlotte Summer Camp, the building of the new T.G. Glover Primary School, the re-engineering of the Perpall Tract Drainage Canal, the construction of the new Magistrate Courts Complex on Nassau Street and the construction of the Ardastra Gardens Housing Subdivision.
“Alfred is licensed to practice law in New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia in the United States; The Bahamas and Jamaica. He began his legal career as a Court Attorney with Mr. Justice Seymour Schwartz, Civil Court of Manhattan, New York and worked with Mr. Berthan Macaulay, Q.C. in Kingston, Jamaica and Gibson & Co. in Nassau, Bahamas. He is experienced in commercial, corporate, civil and criminal litigation and insolvency. Alfred is currently Managing Partner at Sears & Co., the law firm he established in 1992.”
Continuing the website states: “His experience as a tertiary educator began in 1978 when he was hired as a lecturer of Caribbean Politics and International Relations at Hunter College, City University of New York that granted him the status as Tenured Lecturer in 1984. From 1992 to 2002, Alfred also taught Labour Law, Business Law and Hospitality Law as an adjunct lecturer in Nassau for the University of the West Indies, Florida International University and Nova Southeastern University.
“He holds a Certificate of Legal Education from the Norman Manley Law School; Juris Doctor Degree from the New York Law School; Master of Philosophy Degree, International Relations; Master of International Affairs Degree, International Law and Bachelor of Arts Degree, Political Science from Columbia University, New York.
“Alfred has also served on a number of professional and community boards and committees including the Caribbean Theatre of the Performing Arts, New York; the United Methodist Church, Board of Global Ministries, New York; Caribbean Culture and Arts Foundation, New York; Caribbean Students Association, Columbia University; Interdenominational Christian Youth Association, Bahamas and Fort Charlotte Community Development Centre, Bahamas.
“He has written and published a number of papers and editorials that appeared in international publications and national newspapers including: “United States Invasion of Panama: Implications for International Law and The Bahamas”, New York Law Journal Jan. 25, 1990; “HIV Infection in The Bahamas: Medico-Legal Ethics and Public Policy Considerations,” The Young Attorney (1992), The Bahama Journal, (March 28, April 4th, 11th & 18th, 1992); “Human Rights and the Treatment of Haitians in The Bahamas,” The Young Attorney (1991) and “Transitional Banking in International Relations; Implications for Third World Political Economy,” Journal of The Third World Diplomacy, (Winter, 1982).
“Alfred is married to Marion Bethel, a gifted poet. Alfred and Marion are partners in the law firm Sears & Co. He is the father of three children, Adelaja, who lives in New York, Ifedayo and Nia.”
