Ijaz Ahmed & Associates

Managing Partner: Ijaz Ahmed
Number of partners: 7
Number of lawyers: 20
Languages: English, German, Punjabi, Urdu

Firm Overview:
Ijaz Ahmed & Associates is renowned for its outstanding representation, a record of high achievement and excellent service to both its commercial and lay clients. The firm’s positive approach and wide-ranging expertise helps clients achieve their objectives across many sectors, both public and private. The partners and lawyers bring a varied and well rounded experience that strengthens the firm’s ability to remain a full service firm. The firm can also provide services in major cities in Pakistan. The firm and its partners are associated with various international and regional associations of legal fraternity. The firm also regularly interacts with international law firms and has useful association in globally important economic centres.

Main Areas of Practice:
Banking & Finance
Business Transactions & Corporate Advice
Capital Markets
Commercial Property
Competition
Construction & Engineering Derivatives
Dispute Resolution, Litigation & Arbitration
Energy
Environment
Insurance
Intellectual Property
International Trade
Investment Funds
Legislative Drafting
Mergers & Acquisitions
Microfinance
Media
Telecommunication

Banking & Finance:
The firm acts for many major banks and financial institutions in Pakistan. The firm regularly advises on a range of financing transactions including project finance, syndicated loan, medium-term loans, single or multi-currency facilities and financial products such as multiple option facilities, revolving underwriting facilities and commercial paper. The firm has advised on some of the pioneering work in the field of Islamic bonds and long-term financing facilities. The firm has advised international as well local financial institutions and corporations in respect of the legal framework applicable to financial derivatives in Pakistan.

Business Transactions & Corporate Advice:
In addition to routine advice on the formation and conduct of companies, joint ventures and partnerships, the firm is engaged in major transactional work. Advice is provided on commercial agreements such as agency, distribution, franchising, licensing, manufacturing and equipment leasing agreements as well as on trading and consumer law. The firm also advises on setting up business presence in Pakistan, equity and debt investment structures, exit strategies and repatriation of capital from Pakistan.

Capital Markets:
The firm has a significant presence in the capital markets. The firm is regularly advising the capital market participants on transaction structures, regulatory framework and introduction of new contracts and services. The firm prepared the regulatory and operational legal framework for introducing continuous funding system and leveraged transactions in the capital markets in Pakistan. The firm has also advised on the demutualisation of stock exchanges and corresponding developments in central depository and clearing house mechanism.

Mergers & Acquisitions:
The firm has acted for local and foreign clients in the acquisitions and mergers of various industrial and commercial sectors. Scope of work in such transactions includes, due diligence of the target entity, advising on the structure, negotiating the terms of the transaction and advising clients on the pre and post transaction compliance requirements. The firm also drafts and pleads pre-merger and merger petitions before the regulators and superior courts in Pakistan.

Intellectual Property:
The firm’s service includes advice on the registration, protection and assignment of trademarks, patents, copyrights, and registered designs. The practice includes advice on intellectual property management as part of a corporate takeover or restructuring and setting up offshore entities for intellectual property ownership.

Dispute Resolution, Litigation & Arbitration:
The firm has a very strong litigation practice and has represented clients in a broad range of litigation before the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the High Courts and various specialised tribunals. It also advises on and conducts international and domestic arbitrations and alternate dispute resolution proceedings.

Media:
The firm advises on the licensing, compliance, distribution of content and other regulatory requirements for radio, television, satellite and cable television operators. The firm’s clients include major advertising agencies and companies with interest in television and the other media.

Telecommunication:
The firm regularly advises on contracts relating to development of telecommunication infrastructure as well as regulatory aspects of the telecommunication industry in Pakistan.

Notable Work:
■ Adviser to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on the sale of its 40% strategic stake to foreign investors, public offering and rulebook
■ Adviser to foreign lenders with respect to the largest ever acquisition financing in Pakistan
■ Adviser on the first ever entirely private LNG terminal in Pakistan’s history
■ Adviser on the largest low cost real estate project in Pakistan
■ Adviser on the largest domestic financing, Sukuk issue and first ever foreign financing by a Government entity
■ Adviser on two global M&A transactions involving FMCG and chemical companies