General Business Law
Global Guide 2024 : Trinidad & Tobago
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
1 (868) 299-0981About
Provided by M. Hamel-Smith & Co.
Established in 1909, Hamel-Smith is widely-recognised as a pioneer in Trinidad and Tobago’s business community and the legal profession. As a member of Lex Mundi, Hamel-Smith works with member firms and other global law firms to provide innovative legal solutions to some of the world's largest corporations in dispute resolution, as well as cross-border and domestic transactions.
Hamel-Smith clients’ commercial objectives are paramount to the firm; it focuses on fashioning practical, business-oriented legal solutions to achieve them. Sensitive to clients needs for cost-certainty, the firm is prepared to agree fixed fees in advance, provide estimates for agreed phases of work or agree other flexible fee arrangements.
The Transactional team has extensive experience representing clients of varied industry sectors in an array of commercial transactions including business structuring, incorporation and on-going compliance, mergers & acquisitions, tax disputes, project structuring and financing, capital markets and securities structuring and compliance.
The Disputes & Risk Management team is known for taking a practical approach to matters, and boasts strategic thinkers who work closely with clients to develop and implement strategies to avoid, manage and resolve disputes cost-effectively. The firm also has a highly valued labour and employment law practice, and offers a coordinated intellectual property service for the regional registration and maintenance of trademarks and patents.
Chambers Review
M. Hamel-Smith & Co. is one of the most highly regarded law firms in the Caribbean, with a history in Trinidad tracing back to the early 20th century. It is especially noted for handling highly significant litigation work. In this field, the firm has taken on shareholder disputes, tax appeals and insolvency proceedings, among other work. Its outstanding litigation capabilities are complemented by its considerable transactional expertise. The firm retains a stellar track record when it comes to landmark M&A, finance and capital markets matters.
Work Highlights
- M. Hamel-Smith & Co. acted for Endeavour Holdings on a dispute concerning a TTD36 million premature termination of a cinema lease.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"M. Hamel-Smith & Co. has the capacity to distil complex matters in a manner that clearly identifies risks, all while creating the appropriate legal framework that ensures the required protection for both sides."
"M. Hamel-Smith & Co. has the capacity to distil complex matters in a manner that clearly identifies risks, all while creating the appropriate legal framework that ensures the required protection for both sides."
Notable Practitioners
Jonathan Walker heads the dispute and risk management practice group at Hamel-Smith. An esteemed lawyer, he is regularly called upon to assist clients in some of Trinidad's most high-profile commercial disputes. He has appeared many times in instances of High Court litigation, with experience spanning areas including contractual disputes, insurance claims and constitutional law proceedings.
"Jonathan Walker is a really sophisticated lawyer and significantly adds value to challenging commercial projects. I value his input and assistance very, very much."
Nicole Ferreira-Aaron, managing partner of M. Hamel-Smith & Co., is noted for her formidable practice in aviation finance, representing an impressive roster of clients in this sector. Her practice encompasses a breadth of financing agreements in addition to working across a number of M&A transactions and capital markets issuances.
"Nicole is a leader in her field. She is very client-centric and displays a passion for seeing her clients succeed."
Timothy Hamel-Smith is one of Trinidad & Tobago's most esteemed transactional lawyers. He has overseen a broad variety of matters throughout the course of his career, which has spanned five decades.
"Simply put, Timothy Hamel-Smith is a luminary in the legal profession."
Gregory Pantin is a well-regarded disputes lawyer in the Trinidadian legal market. He boasts a range of expertise spanning trade and real estate cases. He enjoys a stellar reputation in the market as an astute choice to handle both litigation and arbitration.
Glenn Hamel-Smith is a highly reputable lawyer who sits at the helm of the banking and finance practice at Hamel-Smith. He routinely offers counsel to an impressive roster of commercial lenders. He is additionally noted for his capital markets practice and has complementary expertise in rights issuances, M&A and company restructuring matters.
"Glenn is able to articulate his views clearly and succinctly. This enables him to gain the trust of all parties in a transaction."
Melissa Inglefield is an esteemed lawyer in the Trinidad legal market, with colleagues praising her capabilities to the highest degree. She is active across an array of finance transactions and capital markets issuances, offering counsel to a variety of high-profile clients.
"Melissa Inglefield enjoys a high degree of client satisfaction."
"Melissa's ability is outstanding. I hold her in very high regard."
Ranked Lawyers at
M. Hamel-Smith & Co.
Trinidad & Tobago
Members
Provided by M. Hamel-Smith & Co.
Clients
Provided by M. Hamel-Smith & Co.
Our firm treats client identity as strictly confidential.