RIAA BARKER GILLETTE > Karachi, Pakistan > Firm Profile
RIAA BARKER GILLETTE Offices
D67/1, BLOCK 4
CLIFTON
KARACHI 75600
Pakistan
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RIAA BARKER GILLETTE > The Legal 500 Rankings
Pakistan > Banking and finance Tier 1
RIAA BARKER GILLETTE acts for various banks and financial insitutions on local and cross-border financing arrangements. The team handles a range of bank and capital market financings, security arrangements, debt to equity conversions, as well as syndicated and substantial loan transactions. The practice also offers dedicated Sharia’h law expertise. The team is led by Bilal Shaukat, who is recommended for his experience supporting clients with both conventional and Islamic finance agreements. Ahsan Zahir Rizvi is another experienced member of the practice, capable of advising across the gamut of banking and finance issues. Adil Tirmizey is instructed by banks in relation to short and long-term financing facilities, both on the conventional and Islamic model.Practice head(s):
Bilal Shaukat
Other key lawyers:
Ahsan Zahir Rizvi; Adil Tirmizey
Testimonials
‘The firm has the accumulated breadth and depth of knowledge that helps a great deal in structuring and documenting any kind of financing and banking deal. Their experience and expertise cut across multiple industries.’
‘The understanding of the commercial issues is very sound.’
‘The foremost thing that makes the RBG team stand out is their positive attitude towards the client.’
‘The relationship between the RBG team and the client’s team is almost unified as one combined team working towards a common goal, which marks them apart from their competitors.’
‘The team’s practice is unique in a sense that they take extra effort in knowing the client personally, take time to understand their concerns, present a balanced opinion with pros and cons, give solutions and find ways forward which the client understands. Moreover, the billing approach is very flexible and clients do not feel any burden whatsoever.’
‘The team is very solution oriented. They don’t stop at highlighting the legal issues but go a step further by proposing ways and means to address and mitigate those issues in an efficient manner.’
Key clients
Consortium of local banks (including MCB Bank Limited, Bank of Punjab, and Allied Bank Limited)
Allied Bank Limited
Syndicate of Banks including United Bank Limited, Askari
Bank Limited and Bank Alfalah Limited
Syndicate of Banks including United Bank Limited, and Bank Alfalah Limited
Habib Bank Limited
A syndicate of banks led by the Bank of Punjab Y
A syndicate of banks led by National Bank Limited, Habib
Bank Limited, United Bank Limited and the Bank of Punjab
Syndicate of Banks including National Bank of Pakistan, Bank Alfalah Limited, Habib Bank Limited, Askari Bank Limited
Allied Bank Limited and Meezan Bank Limited
Elite Estates (Private) Limited
Lakeside Energy (Private) Limited
Indus Wind Energy Limited
Fatima Energy Limited
Siddiqsons Energy Limited
Sapphire Textile Mills Limited (STML)
Lucky Electric Power Company Limited
Pakistan National Shipping Company Limited No
National Bank of Pakistan
Work highlights
- Advised a syndicate of banks, including Habib Bank Limited, in relation to the restructuring of Chenab Limited’s existing debt.
- Acted as legal counsel to the syndicate of banks in relation to the project finance, bridge finance, funded working capital facilities, Islamic finance and non-funded standby letter of credit facilities for the 1200 MW RLNG based power plant at Jhang being developed by Punjab Thermal Power (Private) Limited.
- Acted as a counsel to Lucky Electric Power Company Limite in several transactions including.
Pakistan > Corporate and M&A Tier 1
RIAA BARKER GILLETTE handles IPOs, private placements and deritatves securities, as well as secondary, debt, sukuk and asset-backed offerings. The firm also works on corporate governance and compliance issues, in addition to assisting clients making greenfield or brownfield investments into Pakistan. Practice head Bilal Shaukat supports clients with M&A competition law and project finance mandates. Yousaf Khosa and Mazhar Bangash act as co-heads of the team, alongside Shaukat. Shafaq Rehman – who focuses on corporate advisory matters, M&A, commercial agreements and corporate restructurings – is another recommended group member.Practice head(s):
Bilal Shaukat; Yousaf Khosa; Mazhar Bangash
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘For me, the independence of their teams and delivery timelines are great.’
‘The best thing for us is that their associates can manage and deliver the work independently, it is very important when you have to meet timelines.’
‘Quick and to the point responses.’
Key clients
Alipay (Hong Kong) Holding Limited (Ant Group)
Baker McKenzie
King & Spalding
King & Wood Mallesons
Simmons & Simmons
Barclays
Bloomberg
Airbnb
Azentio Software Private Limited
Delivery Hub (Private) Limited
Venturedive (Private) Limited
Trellis Housing Finance Limited
Sirat Microfinance Company
Millat Tractors Limited
Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation
Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers
House of Rockville
Social Investment Managers and Advisors LLC (SIMA)
Master Builder Solutions (Private) Limited
BASF Pakistan (Private) Limited
Panasonic Marketing Middle East & Africa FZE
SIHT (Private) Limited
Dun & Bradstreet
Hachette UK Limited
Agoda Service Co., Ltd
SIKA AG
Work highlights
- Advised Alipay (Hong Kong) on their periodic investments into Telenor Microfinance Bank and the provision of e-wallets in Pakistan, as well as the operation of online payment systems to facilitate such e-wallets.
- Advising Trellis Housing Finance and Social Investment Managers and Advisors on a broad spectrum of operational matters.
- Advising SIMA on its investment in Asaan Ghar Finance, a house finance company licenced by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
Pakistan > Dispute resolution Tier 1
RIAA BARKER GILLETTE handles the full range of litigation, as well as domestic and international arbitrations. The practice deal with all forms of civil, commercial, corporate, regulatory and white-collar cases across a variety of industries. The firm’s litigation specialists dovetail effectively with experts in the corporate, labour, competition and tax departments. Omer Soomro heads up the group at the firm’s Karachi base, and has a particular focus on energy-related litigation and new power producers. Mayhar Mustafa Kazi also works from the Karachi office, representing clients in both foreign and domestic arbitration, as well as pre-arbitral expert determination proceedings. Yousaf Khosa, an advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, oversees the Islamabad litigation team.Practice head(s):
Omer Soomro
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Mayhar Mustafa Kazi is extremely responsive and clear.’
‘Great local knowledge. Their knowledge of company law and setting up and dissolving a foreign branch is invaluable.’
‘Mayhar Mustafa Kazi is very user friendly and easy to work with, providing clear advice.’
‘Yousaf Khosa is calm, knows his stuff and is very easy to do business with. I would recommend Yousaf to anyone.’
‘Mayhar Mustafa Kazi is extremely responsive, clear and has admirably guided us through some difficult Pakistani litigation.’
Key clients
Gunvor Singapore Pte Ltd
Cargill International Singapore Pte Limited
Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority
Power China Construction Company
Sindh Economic Zones Management Company
EFU General Insurance Limited
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority
Chevron Pakistan Lubricants (Private) Limited
Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
Grant Thornton Anjum Rahman
Work highlights
- Engaged by Gunvor to act on a long-standing dispute with PLL, in respect of the payment of port charges.
- Engaged by Cargill to file enforcement proceedings against BBJ Steel at the Lahore High Court under the Recognition and Enforcement Act, 2011.
- Representing Pakistan Telecommunication Authority in a dispute with China Mobile Pakistan, involving a contested injunction.
Pakistan > Projects and energy Tier 1
RIAA BARKER GILLETTE is particularly noted for acting on power projects in Pakistan; recently, it has been dealing with the development of distributed solar solutions for developers and consumers. The practice also acts in disputes against power purchasers for delays in project completion. Specifically, the firm advises on project structuring, project and finance documents, engineering, procurement and construction contracts, as well as shareholders' agreements. Lahore-based Hasnain Naqvee oversees the team and frequently advises on new power projects being set up in Pakistan. Bilal Shaukat, who operates from the Karachi office, has extensive experience in developing renewable energy projects. Nadir Altaf - whose energy and natural resources expertise includes the development of large hydro, gas, wind, thermal, solar and coal power projects - is a key contact in the Islamabad office.Practice head(s):
Hasnain Naqvee
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Quality professional advice.’
‘Accessibility to senior team and innovative solutions.’
Key clients
K-Electric Limited
Nepal Water and Energy Development Company, Nepal
Rousch (Pakistan) Power Limited
Lalpir (Private) Limited
Pakgen (Private) Limited
Orient Power (Private) Limited
Nishat Power Limited
Sapphire Wind Power Company Limited
Azad Pattan Power (Private) Limited
S K Hydro (Private) Limited (majority shares with China Gezhouba Group)
Sinohydro Corporation Limited
Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCCA)
Etihad Power Generation Limited
Siddiqsons Energy Limited
National Transmission and Despatch Company Limited (NTDC)
GH2 Industries (Private) Limited
Sports, Culture, Tourism, Archaeology, Museum & Youth Affairs Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Thar Coal Energy Board
Sukkur Municipal Corporation
Indus Wind Energy Limited
Lakeside Energy Limited
Lucky Electric Power Company Limited
Gul Ahmed Wind Power Limited
Work highlights
- Assisted KE with the drafting and negotiation of its Gas Sales Agreement with Pakistan LNG.
- Advised the Sports, Culture, Tourism, Archaeology, Museum & Youth Affairs Department on the development of a tourist resort at Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Advised the Nepal Water and Energy Development Company on an investment into the company by KOEN.
RIAA BARKER GILLETTE > Firm Profile
The firm: RIAA Barker Gillette (the firm) is Pakistan’s premier law firm, with on the ground presence in five major cities in Pakistan: Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Faisalabad. The firm practices in all areas of corporate, commercial and dispute resolution law. Its clients include governmental authorities, public sector entities, multinational corporations, Pakistani conglomerates, international and Pakistani financial institutions and private individuals. The firm is also the exclusive member firm in Pakistan for Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms with in-depth experience in over 100 countries worldwide. As part of the Lex Mundi global network, the firm can provide its clients with access to more than 21,000 lawyers around the world.
With substantial on-the-ground capability and over 35 years of history globally, RIAA Barker Gillette has grown to become a leading international group of firms having offices in seven jurisdictions: Pakistan, USA, UK, UAE, Iran, Afghanistan and China. This global expansion has benefited the firm by allowing it to represent its clients in multiple jurisdictions and broaden the scope of services provided. RIAA Barker Gillette not only provides legal services of the highest standard, but also offers commercial insight to enable its clients to achieve their business goals. The firm is consistently recognised as a Band 1 and Tier 1 law firm.
Main areas of practice
Corporate advisory: The firm provides the full spectrum of corporate legal advisory services to its clients. The firm advises officers and directors on their duties and liabilities and negotiates and drafts all types of agreements. Renowned for the precision and swift delivery of advice, the firm focuses on results and devising best possible commercial solutions, and regularly advises on complex business and financing transactions and provides general counsel services on a range of issues.
Banking and finance: The firm maintains a leading banking and finance practice, and is regularly involved in major local and cross-border financing. Over the past 35 years, the firm’s partners have worked with over 80 different multinational, domestic and Islamic banks and financial institutions (including Citibank, World Bank, IFC, ADB, EXIM Bank and China EXIM Bank) and has comprehensive understanding of financing and security arrangements (including enforcement), debt to equity conversions and syndicated and substantial loan transactions.
Projects and project finance: The firm has an unrivalled track record as Pakistan’s leading projects and energy firm and has been involved in approximately 90% of all power project transactions in Pakistan to-date. The firm has long dominated the project finance market in Pakistan and handles all aspects of local and cross-border project financing. The firm advises sponsors, developers and lenders of projects and handles banking and capital market financings, as well as projects that combine different forms of complex financing models. The firm’s partners are valued for their technical know-how, innovativeness and negotiating ability. The firm also represents clients in negotiations with various regulatory authorities.
Mergers and acquisitions: The firm has worked on some of the most complex mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and corporate reorganisations in Pakistan and the UAE and its lawyers have ranked as top advisors in handling the highest number and dollar volume of deals. Acting for inter alia large corporations, investment funds and private equity firms, the firm’s services cover the full spectrum of negotiated and contested mergers and acquisitions. The firm also has a strong record advising on takeover bids and shareholder contests.
Trade remedies and international trade: The firm provides expert legal services in the area of international and local trade remedy laws. The firm represents clients in the Superior Courts of Pakistan regarding trade law. As part of its services, it partners up with the international trade law department in order to handle litigation matters and provide clients with the best possible solutions.
The team has carried out numerous investigations under Pakistan’s anti-dumping, countervailing and safeguard laws, structured international business transactions, effectively utilised international trade agreements and availed incentives for exports and protection through tariffs within the allowed parameters of the multilateral trading system.
Dispute resolution: Dispute resolution is part of the very core of the firm’s litigation practice. The variety of dispute resolution matters on which the firm is instructed in various Courts, Tribunals, regulatory bodies and arbitral tribunals, their complexity and the track record of practitioners at the firm sets it apart from most, if not all, the other major law firms in Pakistan.
The firm is the only law firm in Pakistan to have full-fledged resident litigation practices in four offices in Pakistan. At present, former partners of the firm are serving justices of the Supreme Court and of the Lahore and Peshawar High Courts. This is a testament to the high regard in which members of the firm are held by the senior judiciary.
The firm handles all forms of civil, commercial and corporate litigation and has extensive experience in the same. The firm’s arbitration experience includes a range of domestic and international proceedings and it is also adept at alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dispute Resolution | Yousaf Khosa | yousaf.khosa@riaabg.com | +92 (51) 111529937 |
| Capital Markets, Corporate, Commercial, Banking & Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions | Bilal Shaukat | bilal.shaukat@riaabg.com | +92 (21) 111529937 |
| Trade Remedies & International Trade | Mazhar Bangash | mazhar.bangash@riaabg.com | +92 (51) 111529937 |
| Projects & Project Finance | Hasnain Naqvee | hasnain.naqvee@riaabg.com | +92 (42) 111529937 |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mr Ahsan Zahir Rizvi | Senior and Managing Partner Top-ranked by leading legal directories, Ahsan Zahir Rizvi… | View Profile |
|
| Mr Bilal Shaukat | Partner Recommended as a leading lawyer by prestigious legal directories, Bilal Shaukat… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of partners : 11 Number of lawyers : 42Languages
English Arabic Urdu Punjabi Sindhi PushtoMemberships
Lex MundiRIAA BARKER GILLETTE > Firm Profile
RIAA Barker Gillette is Pakistan’s premier law firm, with on the ground presence in four major cities in Pakistan: Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar. The firm practices in all areas of corporate, commercial and dispute resolution law. Its clients include multinational corporations, Pakistani conglomerates, governmental agencies, public sector entities, international and Pakistani financial institutions and private individuals. The firm is the exclusive member firm in Pakistan for Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms with in-depth experience in over 100 countries worldwide.
With substantial on-the-ground capability and over 35 years of history globally, RIAA Barker Gillette has grown to become a leading international group of firms having of offices in seven jurisdictions: Pakistan, USA, UK, UAE, Iran, Afghanistan and China. The global expansion has benefitted the firm by allowing it to represent its clients in multiple jurisdictions and broaden the scope of services provided. RIAA Barker Gillette not only provides legal services of the highest standard, but also offers commercial insights to enable clients to achieve their business goals. The firm is consistently recognised as a band 1 and tier 1 law firm.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Managing Partner | Bilal Shaukat | bilal.shaukat@riaabg.com | +92 (21) 111529937 |
| Partner | Mayhar Mustafa Kazi | mayhar.kazi@riaabg.com | +92 (21) 111529937 |
Staff Figures
Number of Partners : 12 Number of Lawyers : 50Languages
English Arabic Urdu Sindhi Punjabi PashtoMemberships
Lex MundiDiversity/Community
RIAA Barker Gillette has a team of forty-four lawyers based in four cities across Pakistan. Our lawyers have diverse academic paths and cultural backgrounds, and are fluent in various languages including English, Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi and Pashto.
The firm currently has fourteen female lawyers and thirty male lawyers. We are committed to increasing the number of women at the firm, especially in senior roles; as a result of the promotions awarded and individuals appointed in 2018, the firm now has two female partners and a female associate partner.
The firm routinely engages in pro-bono endeavours. The firm recently advised Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation, on a pro bono basis, in relation to its collaboration with an education institute to begin a community empowerment project in an underprivileged locality of Karachi. The said project focuses on providing children with basic educational needs and engaging with the local community to empower and enhance their capabilities to make a living to ensure a better quality of life. The firm also assists Injaz Pakistan in complying with corporate procedures on a pro bono basis. Injaz Pakistan is a non-profit organisation, and partners with local as well as the international business community, corporate volunteers and educators to inspire and prepare the underserved young people with special emphasis towards women empowerment to succeed in the global economy.
The firm also welcomes opportunities to assist clients in responsible projects which further economic and social development in Pakistan. The firms repertoire of clients consists of various renewable power producers, which are developing projects to combat the power shortage in Pakistan. The firm has significant experience in advising wind and solar power producers on applicable regulatory frameworks, and drafting and negotiating relevant contracts for such power projects. The firm is also assisting the Government of Sindh in developing the K-IV Water Project. The K-IV Water Project is a municipal infrastructure project being jointly developed by the provincial and federal governments in Karachi, Pakistan, to augment the citys daily water supply. Furthermore, the firm is assisting the Government of Sindh in developing the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone is being developed as a model for cooperation between Pakistan and China. Additionally, the firm also advised British Council on its operations in Pakistan, which further the cultural and educational cooperation between the United Kingdom and Pakistan, and the development of a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom and the English Language.
Client Testimonials
CLIENT: Shaharyar Nashat
COMPANY/FIRM: The Hub Power Company Ltd.
TESTIMONIAL: As a client, with considerable experience in the power industry, our expectations (when working with external counsel) are quite high in terms of quality and turnaround time. RIAA Barker Gillette has always managed to effectively harness their teams knowledge and expertise and deliver a level of service that exceeds client expectations. The firm listens, considers and makes convincing recommendations and that get right to the crux of the matter. The manner in which round-the-clock support is provided ensures transactions are completed within tight deadlines speaks volumes of the professionalism and the value they add to matters they are engaged in.
CLIENT: Joy Choynowska
COMPANY/FIRM: Chevron Pakistan Lubricants (Private) Limited
TESTIMONIAL: We have worked with RIAA Barker Gillette for many years on a number of matters, including regulatory issues, labor, general corporate, competition law, and tax matters. Mayhar Kazi is our primary contact, and he has shown himself to be committed to supporting our business as it grows in size and reach, providing excellent multi-discipline advice. We have found high-quality lawyers across disciplines, who are able to balance the requirement for technically sound advice while also being practical and solution-orientated.
CLIENT: Khurram Abdullah
COMPANY/FIRM: ThalNova Power Thar (Private) Limited
TESTIMONIAL: We are incredibly thankful to RIAA Barker Gillette for the services rendered to our company. It has been a pleasure working with the firm members at Karachi and Islamabad offices. We appreciate dedication and the professionalism demonstrated during negotiation of project agreements which were key for our power project to develop smoothly.
We have developed a great partnership with the firm and hope to have their continued commitment going forward. I would specially like to thank Mr. Bilal Shaukat for his able leadership and guidance to his team in providing us services from time to time.
CLIENT: Mujtaba Rahim
COMPANY/FIRM: Archroma Pakistan Limited
TESTIMONIAL: Although RIAA Barker Gillette has represented our company in a broad spectrum of matters, currently, the firm is representing the company in a matter pertaining to environmental law, as well as assisting us in seeking remedies in relation to embezzlement of funds by an ex-employee of the company. We have sought advice multifarious in nature and nuanced legal issues have consistently been explained lucidly.
The team of litigators at the firm are diligent, thorough and accessible. In particular, Mr. Omer Soomro has always exceeded our expectations and we feel we are in safe hands with him as our legal counsel.
CLIENT: Saira Soomro
COMPANY/FIRM: South Asia Port Terminals
TESTIMONIAL: The firm has consistently advised us on the negotiation, execution and implementation of key agreements relating to the development of our deep see container port terminal. Mr. Bilal Shaukat and Ms. Shafaq Rehman have consistently provided comprehensive and timely advice and are always accessible and responsive. Ms. Shafaq Rehman was a strong negotiator in her dealings with the financiers and their legal counsels over the finalisation of project finance documents. The Firm is also currently representing the company in a labour dispute before the provincial labour court. Mr. Omer Soomro provided thorough and well-researched advice to explain the strategy we should adopt going forward.
- Banking and finance
- Corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution
- Projects and energy