Athena Law > Douglas, Isle Of Man > Firm Profile
Athena Law Offices
3 Ballanard Woods
Ballanard Road
IM2 5PQ
Isle Of Man
Athena Law > The Legal 500 Rankings
Isle of Man > Dispute resolution Tier 2
As a boutique litigation firm, Athena Law is regularly instructed by influential international law firms and institutions in regard to complex multijurisdictional disputes. The firm has ‘an extensive and comprehensive knowledge’ in relation to trust and fund-related disputes, as well as various regulatory matters. Chiva Samani is a ‘formidable advocate’ and ‘strong legal and tactical mind’ that focuses on high value commercial, trust and regulatory disputes in addition to asset tracing and injunctive relief.Practice head(s):
Chiva Samani
Testimonials
‘The people at the firm are proactive and understand the case in hand, ensuring that pragmatic solutions are found.’
‘Chiva Samani is impressive – a strong legal and tactical mind, highly efficient and responsive’
‘Chiva Samani is a great communicator and someone you want in your corner.’
‘With a pragmatic, sensible, no nonsense approach to any matter, delighted that Chiva Samani is on my side as opposed to against! A formidable, but well researched professional. Chiva doesn’t take a tick box approach to her clients and the matters she is dealing with… but she does tick the opposition off with her “success” track record.’
‘Chiva Samani is a high quality advocate, who regularly appears against leading practitioners on the island. She is a formidable advocate, and impresses the court and clients with her calm and measured approach whilst fighting her client’s corner.’
‘Chiva Samani is an excellent litigation advocate and has good support behind the scenes.’
‘Chiva Samani is highly committed, very analytical and detailed.’
‘Athena Law has always demonstrated an extensive and comprehensive knowledge on trust dispute topics.’
Key clients
DAC Beachcroft
Begbies Traynor
Nectrus Limited
Derwent Holdings Limited
Oak Group Limited
Shareholder Group in MIR Limited
The Law Trust Limited
Kestrel Insurance Services Limited
Work highlights
- Represented the receiver appointed to the assets of multi-million company based in the Isle of Man in the context of multijurisdictional proceedings brought against a Russian oligarch and competing claims (£150m+) by two major financial institutions to those assets
- Advised minority shareholders in a multi-million fintech company in an unfair prejudice claim against the majority shareholder, and in claims by the company against the minority shareholders for breaches of duty.
- Advised and defended a Cypriot company in relation to claims that the company held its assets on trust for its ultimate parent, as part of lengthy, complex and multijurisdictional litigation efforts.
Athena Law > Firm Profile
Athena Law is a leading offshore litigation firm, with a focus on high value/complex commercial, trust and regulatory disputes.
The firm: Athena Law was founded with the aim of delivering unparalleled litigation services, fit for today’s fast-paced world.
The practice, described by clients as a “mini legal powerhouse” and “modern and unstuffy”, matches the skill and expertise generally associated with larger outfits, whilst also offering clients a dedicated, and personalised boutique-style service. Such is the quality of the service provided by Athena Law that it is regularly retained by multinational corporations and wealthy clients, who historically have instructed Tier 1 and 2 firms.
Rated as a Next Generation Partner, Chiva Samani (a former director of the Tier 1- ranked firm Gough Law) heads the practice. She is well known for setting new precedents and formulating innovative and effective tactics and strategies for clients in order to secure successes in even the most difficult of litigation cases.
With an increased focus in regulatory compliance in the Isle of Man, Athena Law has developed particular expertise in regulatory litigation, and frequently acts for company officers faced with regulatory action, disqualification proceedings or claims for breaches of duty. Athena Law also acts in a number of disputes involving failed multi-million pound investment vehicles and advises various stakeholders in respect of the same.
Athena Law is also experienced in multi-jurisdictional commercial litigation and is regularly instructed to assist UK and US law firms in cross-border disputes.
Types of work undertaken
- Commercial litigation
- Regulatory litigation
- Financial services litigation
- Director disqualification
- Insolvency litigation
- Trust litigation
- Financial crime
- Assistance in foreign proceedings
- Wills and estates dispute
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Litigation | Chiva Samani | chiva.samani@athenalaw.im | +44 (0) 1624 622 100 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Miss Chiva Samani | Chiva Samani heads Athena Law and specialises in complex corporate, commercial, and… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
:Languages
English French GermanClient testimonials
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TESTIMONIAL: This is the most feared practice on the Isle of Man for getting results for their clients. It might be a small firm but the attention to detail and research on past case histories is second to none – very different from other law firms on the Isle of Man that tend to rely on an ‘old boys’ network.
CLIENT: Troy Wiseman
COMPANY/FIRM: CEO, EcoPlanet Bamboo LLC
TESTIMONIAL: I have built two different global companies in my lifetime, with operations in over 19 countries. I have worked with at least 30 different law-firms and well over 100 individual lawyers during that time. I would rank Chiva #1 overall. Chiva’s work ethic and attention to detail are second to none, and she is a fierce competitor “who expects to win”.
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TESTIMONIAL: She is the first attorney, in my 25+ years as an entrepreneur, who was not what I call ‘a doctor lawyer’. A doctor lawyer tells you all the risk and reason why they might not be successful. This is really done, in my opinion, so as to lower expectations, and as a fall-back excuse, in case they lose and things don’t go as planned. What really set Chiva apart is she does not do that. Why would she take such a bold and risky approach? Because she is incredibly smart and talented, she is a master at reading people, including her competitors and Judges, she is confident in her abilities, and ‘she expects to win’. Absolutely who I want in my corner 100% of the time.
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TESTIMONIAL: Chiva Samani is a rottweiler in Court. If the law doesn’t cater for the aim the client seeks to achieve, Chiva will create that opportunity and make new law. Just in the last 18 months, Chiva has made significant new law on 2 complex insolvency cases relating to multi-million pounds funds I was involved in. She readily takes on challenges that other lawyers shy away from. Chiva starts from a position whereby she backs her to win and has absolute confidence over the strategy she carves out for her clients on their cases at the outset of a case. She is imaginative in how she develops legal arguments, and highly effective at destroying her opponent’s arguments. Her style of advocacy is (much like the advice she provides) clear, concise and to the point. She effortlessly beats her opponents (who are many years her senior), with a cool head and a level of control over her brief/the Courtroom I have rarely seen before. She is a natural at gaining a sense of what the judges are thinking, which allows her, on her feet, to adapt her submissions in a way which sticks with whoever is presiding on a case, ultimately securing a win for her clients. Chiva is highly responsive, and her work ethics are second to none. A head above the rest, she is incredibly smart, and very definitely, the advocate you want on your side.
CLIENT: Michael Richardson
COMPANY/FIRM: Director, Premier Group (Isle of Man) Limited
TESTIMONIAL: “Small but mighty” would be one way to describe Athena Law, “a mini legal powerhouse” would be another. Athena Law (which was launched in August 2018 on the back of Chiva Samani’s reputation as a fierce and solid litigator) is a great reflection of Chiva’s ethos. A very responsive firm, dedicated to its clients and their cause, who will fight fearlessly and effectively to vindicate their interests, providing unparalleled advocacy in Court.
The firm is modern and unstuffy, deviating from what traditional law firms are typically known for. With Athena Law, verbosity simply does not exist. What you get is straight to point, clear and concise advice and advocacy. This ability to break the complex down into the simple is evident both inside and outside the courtroom and a stark difference from the quality of the advice you get from other firms.
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TESTIMONIAL: Chiva Samani cuts through the clouds of complexity with a refreshing clarity and conciseness. When Chiva speaks, the Deemster listens. Chiva deals with difficult litigation cases in as simple and straightforward a way as is possible. She has a great calmness and confidence and is very effective on her feet in court. She has an excellent feel for the way in which the court is thinking and develops her concise submissions accordingly. If she is not already a star, she is a star of the future.
The practice appears to be a small dedicated practice with a culture of speaking to clients in plain language, without legal jargon, and at a fair price. It approaches litigation in a modern user-friendly way.
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TESTIMONIAL: This is a team with tons of drive, motivation and a tremendous commitment to client interest.
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TESTIMONIAL: Chiva Samani is exceptional – a highly polished legal performer; a reliable and first-rate lawyer.
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TESTIMONIAL: Chiva Samani is always very well prepared and has excellent knowledge – she has a very good way with the client, giving clear concise advice via a careful analysis of the pros and cons of a particular course of action.
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TESTIMONIAL: Chiva Samani is a real expert in her field and is authoritative with her advice. She understands client goals and communicates well with them.
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TESTIMONIAL: Chiva Samani is very approachable and easy to deal with. She is cool, calm and informed and inspires total confidence.
CLIENT: Dr Ahmed
COMPANY/FIRM: I got the best possible outcome I could get, which would not have been possible without Chiva’s genius and dedication.
TESTIMONIAL:
CLIENT: Russell Davies
COMPANY/FIRM: Smith Partnership LLC
TESTIMONIAL: Chiva has conducted our litigation with complete professionalism. It is always a pleasure to deal with her. Her advice is straightforward and easy to understand, and tactically sensible. There is a real sense of being in safe hands with Chiva – and of working towards a common goal.
- Dispute resolution