Pradhan & Associates > Lalitpur, Nepal > Firm Profile

Pradhan & Associates
Maitri Marg
Bakhundole
Lalitpur 44700
Nepal

Nepal > Leading firms Tier 1

Pradhan & Associates is active across multiple sectors in Nepal, advising clients on finance, aviation, telecoms, hydroelectric, IP and corporate matters. Additionally, the firm represents domestic and international clients in litigation and arbitration hearings, as well as acting in high-profile multi-jurisdictional transactions. Managing partner Devendra Pradhan is an experienced advocate and focuses his practice on assisting foreign companies in M&A, aviation, banking, IP and telecoms mandates. Shirshak Ghimire is also of note for his work advising clients on hydroelectric projects, including sponsors, lenders, contractors and suppliers.

Practice head(s):

Devendra Pradhan

Other key lawyers:

Testimonials

‘Very good knowledge of the sector.’

‘Devendra Pradhan and Shirshak Ghimire are impressive and have a good touch with business teams.’

Work highlights

  • Advising and assisting a domestic airline, Yeti Airlines, and its domestic insurer and their various reinsurers in the management and settlement of the liability claims arising out of the death and injury of passengers in the deadliest aviation accident in Nepal that took place in Pokhara killing all 72 occupants on board.
  • Advised a Chinese export credit agency in connection with the cross-border financing to a Nepali hydropower company.
  • Advised carious aircraft leasing companies in connection on the sale and leasing of ATR 72-500 and Twin Otter DHC-400 aircraft to various domestic airlines in Nepal.

Pradhan & Associates is a top-tier full service commercial law firm in Nepal.  Since its establishment, the firm stands out from the crowd and is widely recognized as Nepal’s premier commercial law firm.

The firm has set the standard for excellence in legal services in Nepal and is recognized as a leader in cross-border transactions.  We are a law firm predominantly engaged in international practice.  We offer professional services primarily to foreign companies and international institutions.  The firm is well known for its expertise in commercial transactional work as well as in complex commercial litigation and arbitration.  The firm has been involved in some of the most high-profile and ground breaking transactions in Nepal.

The firm takes pride in its capability in advising the world’s leading companies.  The firm has been advising foreign governments, supranational bodies, bilateral and multilateral agencies, Fortune 500 companies, etc.  We have strong ties and working relationship with many foreign law firms and frequently acts as a local counsel in Nepal for major large international law firms.

The firm has earned several international awards and honors in the area of commercial law, such as: Most Trusted Law Firm in Nepal, Law Firm in Nepal, Commercial Law Firm in Nepal, etc. for several years in a row and numerous practice area awards.  Major international legal directories have ranked the firm as the top ranked law firm in Nepal and members of the firm amongst the leading lawyers in Nepal as well as amongst the world’s pre-eminent lawyers in various areas of practice.

Areas of practice
Mergers and acquisitions:
  We are at the forefront in mergers and acquisitions practice.  In this area, our service includes cross-border M&A, distressed M&A, leveraged buyouts, joint-venture investment, strategic alliance, corporate governance, tax advice on M&A transaction, due diligence of targets etc.  We have handled some of the most high-profile and the largest cross-border acquisition deals in Nepal.  We primarily advise foreign public and private acquirers in high-profile and high value cross-border transactions in a number of sectors including hydroelectricity, solar, telecommunications, technology, construction, hospitality, food and beverage, etc.

Project and infrastructure development:  We advise lenders, multilateral and bilateral agencies, underwriters, sponsors, project developers, suppliers, contractors and other project participants on legal matters related to financing, project structuring, government regulation, construction and other project development issues relating to project finance and infrastructure development.  We have seasoned experience in advising various project participants in hydroelectricity, other types of infrastructure projects, such as roads, construction and expansion of airports, transmission lines, etc.

Banking and finance:  We have been involved in many ground-breaking and innovative banking and finance transactions.  We periodically advise world’s major international banks, export credit agencies, bilateral agencies and supranational bodies in sophisticated cross-border banking and finance transactions in aviation, infrastructure, electricity generation, electricity transmission grid and manufacturing sectors.  We have advised supranational organizations in granting sovereign debt to obtaining sovereign guarantee from the Government of Nepal in sophisticated cross-border banking and finance transactions.  We have also advised various multinational financial institutions in relation to payment system services and assisted them in obtaining licenses from the central bank.

Aviation:  We handle contentious as well as non-contentious work in aviation sector.  In non-contentious sector, we advise in aircraft sale-purchase, aircraft financing, aircraft and engine leasing, aviation insurance and re-insurance issues, liens and security documentation, etc.  We have handled dozens of leasing and purchase-sale transactions relating to various types of aircraft, including, Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, ATR, de Havilland, Cessna, Beechcraft, Dornier, etc.  Similarly, we have advised aircraft owners, lessors, major international banks and financiers in dozens of registrations of aircraft, creation of liens, mortgage and security interest over aircraft, de-registration of aircraft, repossession of aircraft and other issues.  In contentious sector, we handle matters relating to aircraft leasing disputes, repossession of aircraft, air carriers’ liability, management of accident liability claims, accident investigation, accident litigation, etc.  We have assisted various national and international airlines and their insurers/reinsurers in the management of dozens of fatal aviation accidents.

Corporate and commercial:  We advise domestic and foreign public and private companies in full range of corporate and commercial matters which include corporate transactions, corporate finance, corporate governance and commercial contract related matters. We routinely provide local law advice to foreign companies and assist them in establishing either wholly-owned subsidiaries or joint-venture entities. We extensively advise our clients on various types of commercial contracts.  We have been extensively advising world’s top auto, beverage, tobacco, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, cosmetic and medical device, FMCG manufacturers, technology companies, hospitality franchisors in commercial, regulatory, product safety, international trade and other related issues.

Telecommunications, media and technology (TMT):  We pride in our capability in advising the world’s leading as well as emerging technology, media and telecommunications companies in sophisticated TMT transactions.  In TMT sector, we advise technology, telecommunications and media companies on every aspect starting from establishment and licensing to privacy, data protection, regulatory, competition, product safety, spectrum auction, international trade and other related issues.  We regularly advise world’s prestigious technology and media companies in the areas of social media, online video streaming services, e-commerce, cloud computing and data storage, block chain computing and other upcoming technological developments in the TMT sector.

Litigation and arbitration:  We handle complex and high value litigation and arbitration in all areas of commercial and business laws.  This field of practice includes all types of litigation before courts of law and tribunals, domestic and foreign arbitration tribunals and other forms of dispute resolution.

Food, drug and medical device:  We advise major food and beverage, tobacco, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, cosmetic and medical device, FMCG manufacturers in the highly sensitive areas such as product approval, food safety, labeling, packaging, false advertising and other commercial issues. In this area, our service includes product registration, regulatory compliance, consumer protection issues, health and safety issues, license agreements, etc.

Intellectual property:  We provide full range of services in the area of intellectual property law.  We have seasoned experience in advising and representing foreign clients in protecting and enforcing their trademarks, patents, designs and copyrights.  We represent major Fortune 500 companies in managing their large trademark portfolios and protect their well-known marks.  Our lawyers also have litigation experience in all areas of intellectual property law including patents, trademarks, copyright infringement, false advertising and dispute relating to licensing and franchise agreements. 

Data protection and privacy:  We advise our clients on data protection and privacy requirements, compliance, effective risk management strategies and policies and procedures issues.  We have been advising major social media platforms, cloud computing companies, technology companies, international airlines, international banks and financial institutions, insurance and reinsurance companies, automobile companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc. on the wide range of data protection and privacy related issues including cross-border transfers of personal data, Data Transfer Impact Assessments, cloud computing and data storage, healthcare and clinical trial issues, etc.

Tax:  We provide expert tax advice to domestic and foreign companies in all areas of domestic and cross-border corporate and commercial tax issues.  We provide tax advice on a wide range of international transactions from structuring acquisitions and private equity transactions to international employment taxes. In this area, our service includes corporate tax, tax policy matters, tax on inward investment, cross-border employment tax issue, double taxation agreements, tax controversies and tax litigation, etc.

Department Name Email Telephone
Aviation Devendra P.N. Pradhan dpradhan@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 555 1900
Aviation Shirshak Ghimire sghimire@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0708
Aviation Aadittya J. Kansakar akansakar@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0709
Banking & Finance Devendra P.N. Pradhan dpradhan@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 555 1900
Banking & Finance Aadittya J. Kansakar akansakar@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0709
Corporate & Commercial Devendra P.N. Pradhan dpradhan@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 555 1900
Corporate & Commercial Shirshak Ghimire sghimire@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0708
Corporate & Commercial Aadittya J. Kansakar akansakar@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0709
Food, Drugs and Medical Device Shirshak Ghimire sghimire@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0708
Food, Drugs and Medical Device Aadittya J. Kansakar akansakar@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0709
Intellectual Property Aadittya J. Kansakar akansakar@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0709
Litigation and Arbitration Devendra P.N. Pradhan dpradhan@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 555 1900
Litigation and Arbitration Shirshak Ghimire sghimire@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0708
Litigation and Arbitration Tejendra Giri tgiri@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 555 1900
Mergers & Acquisitions Devendra P.N. Pradhan dpradhan@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 555 1900
Mergers & Acquisitions Shirshak Ghimire sghimire@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0708
Mergers & Acquisitions Aadittya J. Kansakar akansakar@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0709
Project and Infrastructure Development Devendra P.N. Pradhan dpradhan@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 555 1900
Project and Infrastructure Development Shirshak Ghimire sghimire@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0708
Tax Shirshak Ghimire sghimire@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0708
Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) Devendra P.N. Pradhan dpradhan@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 555 1900
Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) Aadittya J. Kansakar akansakar@pradhanlaw.com +977 1 552 0709
Photo Name Position Profile
Shirshak Ghimire photo Mr Shirshak Ghimire Associate Partner
Tejendra Giri photo Mr Tejendra Giri Principal Associate
Aadittya J. Kansakar photo Mr Aadittya J. Kansakar Senior Associate
Devendra P.N. Pradhan photo Mr Devendra P.N. Pradhan Managing Partner
Prashanna Shrestha photo Mr Prashanna Shrestha Senior Associate

Mergers & Acquisitions

  • Advised Axiata Group Berhad on Nepali law in the biggest acquisition in Nepal (USD1.365 billion) 80% stake in a mobile company.
  • Advised The Coca-Cola Company on Nepali law in acquisition of majority equity of two publicly listed companies.
  • Advised a Chinese company in acquisition of 85% equity in a hydroelectric company (164 MW).
  • Advised a Chinese company in acquisition of 90% equity of a hydroelectric company (120 MW).
  • Advising a Canadian company in joint-venture for the largest solar project.
  • Advised Tibet Airlines in joint-venture and debt transaction (USD22.80 million) to set up an international airline.
  • Advised several Chinese and Korean companies in potential acquisition of various hydroelectricity projects (260 MW, 163 MW, 130 MW and 42 MW).

Project Development

  • Advised Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. Ltd. in electro and hydro-mechanical and transmission line (30 MW).
  • Advised several Chinese companies in development of several hydroelectric projects (164 MW, 120 MW and 87 MW).
  • Advised a Chines company in supply of 220 kV transmission line and installation of various substations.
  • Advised CONSTRUCTORA SAN JOSÉ, S.A. of Spain in improvement of Tribhuvan International Airport.
  • Advised Northwest Civil Aviation Airport Construction Group in construction of Gautam Buddha Airport.

Banking and Finance

  • Advised European Investment Bank in financing of USD216.9 million for construction of Tanahu Hydropower Project (140 MW).
  • Advised China Exim Bank in two separate financing transacations, one USD116 million for a hydroelectric project and another to a cement manufacturer.
  • Advised China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure) in insuring Chinese investment in a hydroelectric project.
  • Advising BNP Paribas, Royal Bank of Canada, Standard Chartered Bank, HSH Nordbank, DBS Bank, BSI Bank, Investec Bank, National Bank of Oman, OCBC Bank, Moody’s, MasterCard, Earthport, UnionPay, Xpress Money, etc. in licensing and cross-border banking/finance transactions.

Aviation

  • Advised major aircraft and engine manufacturers, owners, lessors, international banks and financiers in more than 3 dozen leasing, purchase-sale, registration of aircraft, lease, creation of security interest over aircraft, de-registration of various types of aircraft.
  • Advised domestic/international airlines and their insurers/re-insurers in the management of liability claims of about 2 dozen fatal aviation accidents.
  • Advised international airlines, Cathay Pacific Dragon Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Air Asia, Air Arabia, Oman Air, IndiGo Air, Vistara, Tibet Airlines in establishment, licensing and regulatory issues.

Commercial

  • Advising Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Dell, Virgin, Avaya, Yahoo!, Facebook, Expedia, LinkeIn, Baidu, Western Digital, Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Honda, Suzuki, Nissan, Mitsubishi, BYD, etc. in regulatory, competition, product safety, international trade, etc.
  • Advising InterContinental Hotels, Radisson, Hyatt, Marriott, La Quinta, Hard Rock Café, etc. in franchising, regulatory, etc.

 Litigation and Arbitration

  • Defended a mobile operator as a lead counsel in the highest value tax controversy (USD660 million) at the Supreme Court.
  • Defending US-Bangla Airlines and its insurers/re-insurers at Courts in liability claims arising out of the fatal aviation accident in Kathmandu killing 51 people on board.
  • Represented a Korean company at the Supreme Court in the first landmark case for enforcement of a foreign arbitral award under New York Convention.