The Legal 500

Abraham & Sarwana is particularly well known for advising international clients in IP matters concerning software privacy and copyright violations. Previous clients have included Microsoft, Apple and Dell. Both Nasira Hamid and Ashraf Ali are recommended.

The highly recommended Mohammad Fazil Bharucha heads boutique firm Bharucha & Co.. The firm acts for domestic and international clients in trademark and patent matters. Though its reputation was founded on its non-contentious IP practice, the firm has expanded to include enforcement and litigation work.

Irfan & Irfan Attorneys at Law has ‘internationally based business acumen’ and advises on franchising and licensing, as well as branding advice, undertaking a significant amount of work in trade mark and patent infringement litigation. Its associated firm United Trademark and Patent Services also undertakes work in licensing, registration, and patent and trade mark applications. Hasan Irfan Khan has ‘excellent legal and scientific knowledge’. He and Yawar Irfan Khan are the respective contacts.

Niche firm Khursheed Khan & Associates provides advice on IP (including anti-piracy), telecommunications, media and e-commerce issues to local and international clients, and is bolstered by associated offices in the UK, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Japan. Clients include Google, Procter & Gamble and Tiffany & Co. Zulifqar Khan is recommended.

Vellani & Vellani’s team advises on the gamut of IP issues, including registration, licensing, franchising and regulatory matters. It represents clients in both contentious and non-contentious matters. Firm head Badaruddin F Vellani and associate Julie Ismail are recommended.

With representative offices in the US, Canada and UAE, Ali & Associates has more than 90 dedicated IP attorneys and associates. Its broad IP practice includes advising clients from a variety of industries on anti-counterfeiting, IP raids, and unfair competition. Ali Kabir Shah was recently appointed chairman of the newly formed IP Commission of ICC Pakistan. Mohiuddin Adeni is also recommended.

Jamil & Jamil Barristers-at-Law advises in growing areas of telecommunications and IT law, including cyber-crime, foreign investment and data protection. It also advises in traditional areas of IP law as well as international enforcement of IP rights. Zahid Jamil is recommended.

With associated offices in ten other countries, Meer & Hasan Law Associates offers a truly international service across the gamut of contentious and non-contentious IP matters, including infringement issues, design and industrial models, and anti-counterfeiting. It also provides an IP portfolio management service. Salim Hasan guides the team and Zeeshan Ashraf Meer is recommended.

Surridge & Beecheno advises its international corporate clients on a wide range of IP, telecommunications and media matters. Clients include Trademark Owners Association, Wal-Mart, Inc, Home Box Office (HBO), MCI World and Cisco Systems, Inc. Khurram Rashid is recommended.

Azam & Rai acts for both national and international, public and private clients. It advises on IP matters, media and telecommunications. Clients include Unified Communications (Private) Ltd and Ghost Software Ltd (UK). Rai Muhammad Saleh Azam is the key contact.

Haidermota & Co handles TMT matters for its corporate client base, advising on IT-related projects such as software licensing agreements, franchise agreements for internet services, online banking and e-commerce, and the harmonising of ATM providers. Clients include Citibank N.A. and ABN AMRO Bank.

Liaquat Merchant Associates advises on licensing, hardware, IT outsourcing, and escrow agreements, as well as software and hardware maintenance and service level contracts. It recently advised National Bank of Pakistan in its agreement with Future Technologies for the use of its Rosetta software. Faresa Ahsan heads the team.

Mandviwalla & Zafar advises on transactions, regulatory frameworks, and the establishment of satellite television channels and distribution platforms for telecoms companies, broadcasting companies and satellite operators. Clients include Actis Assets and Ufone.

Qazi & Qazi Law Offices provides advice across a spectrum of contentious and non-contentious IP, IT, media and telecoms law matters. Such advice extends to issues arising out of international trade disputes, as well as cyberspace licensing and subscriber liabilities. Advocate Abrar Ahmad Chaudhry heads the team.

Rizvi, Isa, Afridi & Angell advises telecommunications companies in contentious and non-contentious matters. It is advising Universal Services Fund on standard contracts for subsidiary agreements to provide telecommunications and e-services access to disabled persons. It is also representing ZAHRA Communication (Private) Ltd in an arbitration against the NTA, and continues to act for Pakistan Telecommunication Company Ltd. Associate Mayhar Kazi is ‘stellar’.