Basrah Obelisk Law Firm – Iraq > Basra, Iraq > Firm Profile
Basrah Obelisk Law Firm – Iraq Offices
Basrah Obelisk Law Firm – Iraq
Aljazaeer Street
Basra
Iraq
Aljazaeer Street
Basra
Iraq
Visit website +964 78 0999 9777
- Go to...
- Rankings
- Firm Profile
- Main Contacts
- Lawyer Profiles
- Meet The Teams
- Client Testimonials
- Diversity
- Interviews
Basrah Obelisk Law Firm – Iraq > The Legal 500 Rankings
Iraq > Leading firms Tier 4
Jointly chaired by Fatima Al Joubouri and Wadhah Hamed, Basrah Obelisk Law Firm – Iraq is lauded by clients for its ‘attention to detail’, and is vastly knowledgeable of M&A, maritime law, in addition to oil and gas matters. Other key team members include Anfal Qais Ali and Azzam Mohammed Neama who are noted for their experience in contentious mandates.Practice head(s):
Fatima Al Joubouri; Wadhah Hamed
Other key lawyers:
Anfal Qais Ali; Azzam Mohammed Neama; Maitham H. Sharif
Testimonials
‘Basrah Obelisk Law Firm is really customer oriented, and fine tuned to client’s needs. The team’s recommendations allow the mitigation of local risks and they interact with government authorities smoothly.’
‘The team’s attention to detail and capability to comprehend the business and legal needs of a client makes them standout. The speed of response is always good, with immediate reaction to any request.’
Key clients
Kuwait Energy Iraq Ltd
Bashneft International B.V
Gazprom Neft Badra B.V
Enka Insaat ve Sanayi AS
Bonatti S.P.A
Zhongman Petroleum and Natural Gas Group Corp, LTD
Air & Ocean General Transport, Forwarding (DHL IRAQ)
Kuehne + Nagel / Jawharat Al Sharq for General Transportation, Logistics and Maritime Services L.L.C
Çalık Enerji A.Ş. Iraq Branch
Marlog-Lbg Logistics GmbH
Work highlights
- Advising a leading local cement factory on the sale of shares to another firm.
- Advised Simatech Group on the sale of shares to Al-Yaman Co.
- Advised Blue Bell on the sale of shares to an international firm.
Basrah Obelisk Law Firm – Iraq > Firm Profile
Basrah Obelisk Law Firm in perspective: We take great pleasure in announcing that Basrah Obelisk Law Firm exists as a registered legal advocacy company, recognized by the Iraqi Companies Registration Directorate at the Ministry of Trade (MOT), and approved by the Iraqi Bar Association.
The firm is based in Basrah, Southern Iraq, and its activities cover all of Iraq, most notably with our recently opened branches in Baghdad, Missan, DhiQar and Wassitt governorates (cities), with our intention being to cover Iraq-related legal matters in the Gulf and the whole of the Middle East. The firm, due to the experience of its staff, enjoys a very good relationship with the Iraqi authorities, civil society organizations, courts and chambers. Diversified expertise and qualified lawyers specialized in international law and the jurisdiction can provide legal services in English as well as Arabic.
Basrah Obelisk Law Firm showcases credibility and legal protection in an efficient and practical way in order to meet the needs of our clients. We also exercise a pioneering effort in practicing maritime law in Basrah. The firm has provided legal consultation and advocacy to the Iraqi Marine Chamber (IMC) and Iraqi Ship Owners and Carriers Association, and has participated in developing the legal base, criteria and methodology of their interior legal status. The firm is also offering legal advice to protection and indemnity clubs, banks, freight forwarders and dock yards in the different sectors of maritime law field, including the free zone in khur al-Zubair, cargo claims, charter-parties, collisions, general average and environmental regulations in Iraq, especially those related to pollution cases.
Therefore, the firm offers the opportunity of mixing expertise in Iraqi law with an intensive understanding of the demands of our clients through adequately harmonizing between the needs and interests of Arab and foreign clients on the one hand, and the Iraqi laws and institutions on the other.
The firm is poised to provide legal advice on Iraqi law as well as international law to multinational corporations in different fields, in addition to individual clients. Moreover, the firm advises clients with respect to the complexity and the changing nature of companies licensing and administrative procedures in Iraq.
Basrah Obelisk Law Firm has and is still currently providing legal representation, advice and services to a set of international oil services, ponstruction, Power and logistics companies operating under oil licensing service contracts, to include Turkish, British, Korean, American, Canadian, German, Kuwaiti, Lebanese, UAE , Omani and Chinese companies, who are presently investing in Southern Iraq, in particular, and all of Iraq in general.
Since we got licensed to provide financial services, we have started to offer our clients auditing and payroll services, including personnel social security and personal tax payments. We have also increased our scope of financial work to cover the different needs of our clients through a tailor-made financial coverage.
Objectives: The challenging commercial, security and political situation in Iraq directly affects the legal modus operandi, which makes Iraq an extremely complicated and demanding environment for any investment. Therefore, investors may opt to take overly cautious steps to protect their investments in Iraq and ensure the stability and fruitfulness of their business in Iraq. Our ultimate aim is to provide our clients with the highest-possible legal protection in light of the existing laws set forth within the Iraqi legal context.
The main objectives of Basrah Obelisk Law Firm in Iraq are to provide consultations carried out by qualified professional individuals, react promptly and offer immediate advice to the questions raised by the clients, and to work with the most qualified national counterparts in different environments, and deliver comprehensive and regular reports in any and all fields that interest our clients. Basrah Obelisk Law Firm offers a wide range of services in the oil and energy sector such as consultative advice to Iraqi and international clients, inside and outside Iraq. These services cover, but are not limited to, the following fields: oil, natural gas and power supplies. This spectrum also encompasses other various legal fields such as negotiating and representation and accounting and financial audit services.
We do also provide advice on different legal aspects to corporate and companies looking forward to conducting business in Iraq. The firm’s areas of practice, therefore, cover the entirety of our clients’ needs and plans.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managing Director | Dr. Buraq Alhamdy | buraq.swaady@obeliskfirm.com | +964 (0) 7809999777 |
| Deputy Managing Director | Ms. Fatima Al Joubouri | deputy.manager@obeliskfirm.com | +964 (0) 7712594995 |
Meet The Team(s)
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mr Saif Al Hamidi | Associate | View Profile |
|
Mr Wadhah Hamed | Senior Associate | View Profile |
|
Mr Abdul Nasser Hassan | Associate | View Profile |
|
Ms Fatima Al Joubouri | Deputy Managing Director | View Profile |
|
Dr Buraq Al-Hamdy | Managing Director | View Profile |
|
Dr Maitham Sharif | Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Manager/Partner : 2 Associate/Mid-level Associate : 8 Administrator : 4 Paralegal/Clerk : 3Languages
English ArabicMemberships
Bar Association (Iraq and Kurdistan) International Chamber of CommerceClient Testimonials
COMPANY/FIRM: Bonatti S.p.A. Iraq
TESTIMONIAL: The firm’s long years of experience in the field as well as their competent team and deep network of connections were invaluable in terms of providing us with wide-ranging experience, efficient guidance and timely support.
COMPANY/FIRM: Enka Insaat ve Sanayi A.S
TESTIMONIAL: For the past few years, we have worked closely with the firm to assist us with legal services in Iraq. At no one time have they failed us, having been constantly on time and reliable. Having had nothing but a productive experience with the firm, I would like to recommend them as a potential legal consultant in no uncertain terms.
COMPANY/FIRM: Mesopotamian Eagles for Security Services and General Safeguarding, Ltd.
TESTIMONIAL: Having contracted the firm’s services for five-plus years, they never disappointed us. As I feel privileged to offer this reference, I am sure the firm’s management and team will add unwavering value to your business.
Diversity
At Basrah Obelisk Law Firm, diversity and inclusion are essential components of our daily modus operandi. We truly believe that the diverse space enjoyed by our entire staff is a major element of our sustained success in serving our client base to the highest possible standards. Mutual respect, appreciation and sense of fulfillment are, therefore, paramount and part and parcel of who we are as a firm.
That said, working across differences is one aspect of our foundation that is not to be compromised under any and all circumstances. Inclusion, on the other hand, is at the very core of how we articulate strategies and conduct business.
Above principles are abided by with utmost care as we recruit, develop, retain and promote our lawyers and staff who happen to come from different backgrounds with various experiences under their belt. That, to be sure, is regardless of considerations such as race, ethnicity, origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, education, disability, socio-economic status, family and marital status.
Diversity and inclusion are critical to the quality of the legal work we provide. Not only through what we say, but also in how we act upon our values as a firm. Going forward, it is high on our corporate to-do list to continue to solidify our commitment to both, as our team grows and client base expands.
Interviews
Dr. Buraq al-Hamdy, Managing Director
(Managing Director, Dr. Buraq al-Hamdy, lays out the firm’s current and future strategy, tools and vision)
1) What do you see as the main points that differentiate Basrah Obelisk Law Firm from your competitors?
As a local firm, we maintain a strong and credible network with the legal and governmental bodies who refer to our team for consultation and advice on existing or new laws. Additionally as we greatly value our human capital, retention, diversity and internal growth are major areas of focus from a corporate perspective, which we think sets us apart as a firm boasting a pool of local and international clients. Simultaneously, we encourage our team members to develop their knowledge, build upon their accumulated expertise, and capitalize on increasing familiarity with the Iraqi legal landscape to hone their personal and professional skills and better serve our client base.
2) Which practices do you see growing in the next 12 months? What are the drivers behind that?
Based on our interaction with local and international clients, we do envision a more frequent recourse to arbitration as a main dispute resolution tool in Iraq. This is due mainly to Iraq having acceded to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, 1958. We do also expect the rapidly-changing Taxation and Pension and Social Security laws and regulations to play a more prominent role going forward.
3) What’s the main change you’ve made in the firm that will benefit clients?
We take pride in starting to employ state of the art technology as it pertains to our internal management platform, bolstered by an advanced ERP system. Also, inter- and intra-office connectivity is a constant feature to secure the team’s engagement and accessibility which applies to our clients, affiliates, and regional offices. Living in a post-Covid context, our daily practices continue to encourage remote meetings. Not only does that reduce the use of mobile transportation – and as such limit consumption of fuel and gas emissions – but it also reflects positively on costs charged to clients.
4) Is technology changing the way you interact with your clients, and the services you can provide them?
As mentioned above, introduction of technology has been a welcome development as far as our clients. Not only does it streamline processes, but it also shows our commitment to keeping pace with rapid advances. Continuous investment in advanced technology – to facilitate corporate governance, records safety and protection, communication and cyber security – is paramount, for the impact of allowing simple, timely and secure client interaction cannot be overstated.
5) Can you give us a practical example of how you have helped a client to add value to their business?
As we endeavour to offer quality service across the board, we do always explore ways to go above and beyond what our clients expect. To that effect, the main added-value strategies we employ range from providing (often unsolicited) regular legal updates to implementing robust follow-up procedures. And from paying periodic in-country and out-of country visits to clients to devising the most competitive rate structures. Any “extra” service makes a difference, from our perspective. Not only does exceeding our clients’ expectations form a reliable source of satisfaction, but it also solidifies the mutual bonds and leads a good majority of them to retain our services. There is no better translation of an added-value-driven service than a client base constantly satisfied.
6) Are clients looking for stability and strategic direction from their law firms – where do you see the firm in three years’ time?
Intrinsic to the market dynamics, clients do normally seek suitable solutions and legal advice from their trusted law firms. However, given the ever-changing business landscape in Iraq, it is never a linear process. Frequent updates to laws, and rules and regulations necessitate regular dissemination of firm-produced updates to ensure clients are always up to speed. Knowing that we are uninterruptedly on this, our clients rest assured that nothing – from a legal perspective – would slip through the cracks in a way that might negatively affect their day-to-day operation and strategic planning, alike. That being said, we equally aim to maintaining a footprint at the center of the legal arena in the Middle East, in general, and Iraq, in particular. This goes hand in hand with our essential goal to achieve Tier-1 ranking in Iraq within the next two years.
- Leading firms