Sameer Khosa

Practice Areas

Sameer’s legal expertise spans multiple key practice areas, reflecting a comprehensive command of constitutional, regulatory, commercial, and arbitration law. His practice is rooted in a profound understanding of Pakistan’s legal frameworks and the ability to offer strategic solutions to complex legal challenges.

In constitutional law, Sameer specializes in handling high-stakes cases involving constitutional interpretation, legislative reforms, and fundamental rights. He has been at the forefront of challenges to controversial statutes and constitutional amendments, often tackling multifaceted questions of law. His constitutional practice extends to advising clients on matters involving judicial review, governance disputes, and public interest litigation. Through his work, Sameer has contributed to shaping judicial discourse on issues such as legislative constitutionality, regulatory compliance, and human rights protections.

Sameer’s expertise in regulatory law encompasses representing clients in disputes with regulatory authorities and advising on compliance frameworks. He has defended professional and regulatory bodies such as the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and professional institutes like ICAP and ICMAP. His work involves crafting legal strategies to resolve disputes, ensuring the defense of regulatory frameworks, and helping clients navigate the intricate intersection of governance and law. Sameer’s regulatory work is characterized by his ability to address technical legal issues and devise robust defenses for clients under judicial scrutiny.

In the domain of commercial law, Sameer advises businesses across diverse industries on matters involving contractual disputes, breach of agreements, intellectual property conflicts, tax litigation, and corporate governance. His practice focuses on providing legal solutions that protect his clients' commercial interests while ensuring compliance with the law. Sameer’s work in this area often includes representing private sector entities in litigation arising out of business conflicts and disputes related to corporate transactions. His ability to combine legal insight with practical business considerations sets him apart in the field of commercial dispute resolution.

Another core area of Sameer’s practice is labor and employment law, where he has significant experience representing both employers and employees in legal disputes. He has defended public and private sector clients in cases involving workplace rights, employment contracts, and compliance with labor laws. Sameer’s labor law expertise also includes advising on collective bargaining issues and representing clients in disputes brought before the High Courts under constitutional jurisdiction.

Sameer’s arbitration practice covers both domestic and international arbitration, where he handles cases under institutional frameworks like the ICC, UNCITRAL, and DIFC-LCIA. His arbitration work includes commercial disputes involving cross-border issues, investment treaties, and sector-specific contracts. His ability to navigate the nuances of arbitration rules and procedures has enabled him to secure favorable outcomes for clients in high-value disputes. Sameer’s arbitration expertise also extends to addressing procedural challenges, such as obtaining anti-suit injunctions or vacating anti-arbitration measures, thereby safeguarding his clients’ rights to arbitration.

In white-collar crime law, Sameer provides strategic counsel on cases involving allegations of financial misconduct, corporate fraud, and regulatory non-compliance. His role in prosecuting and defending these cases reflects his ability to manage sensitive and complex legal disputes that require a high degree of discretion and technical expertise.

Career

Sameer’s career spans over 14 years of remarkable achievements in constitutional and commercial dispute resolution. His journey began as a legal associate, where he honed his skills in drafting, research, and court appearances. Over the years, Sameer’s meticulous approach, sharp legal acumen, and client-first mindset propelled him to become a recognized name in the field. From representing government entities in high-profile disputes to defending private sector clients in complex commercial cases, Sameer has built a reputation for his ability to navigate multifaceted legal challenges.

His ability to combine a deep understanding of constitutional law with commercial pragmatism has been a hallmark of his practice. Sameer’s practice has not only focused on representing his clients but also on shaping the broader legal landscape of Pakistan by bringing forward impactful human rights litigation and advising on critical regulatory matters. As a seasoned advocate, Sameer regularly appears before the Lahore High Court, Islamabad High Court, and the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

In addition to his litigation practice, Sameer’s expertise in arbitration and dispute resolution has brought him international recognition. He has represented clients in major domestic and international arbitrations, securing significant awards and legal victories. His career trajectory reflects a unique blend of commitment to justice, passion for legal excellence, and an unwavering focus on client success.

Professional Memberships

Pakistan Bar Council: Registered as a practicing advocate of the High Court, Sameer actively participates in advancing the interests of the legal profession in Pakistan.

Lahore High Court Bar Association: As a member, Sameer contributes to discussions on legal reforms and access to justice.

International Bar Association (IBA): Sameer’s affiliation with the IBA allows him to stay connected with global legal trends and international best practices.

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb): As an associate member, he actively engages with the arbitration community and enhances his expertise in alternative dispute resolution.

Publications

Challenges in Enforcing Arbitration Awards in Pakistan” – Published in a leading legal journal, this article highlights the complexities of arbitration enforcement in Pakistan’s legal framework.

“The Constitutional Framework of Regulatory Bodies in Pakistan” – A detailed analysis of the role and limitations of regulatory authorities like OGRA and SECP in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.

“Impact Litigation: A Path to Legal Reform” – Co-authored with legal academics, this piece explores how public interest litigation can be a transformative tool for achieving social justice.

“Navigating Human Rights Challenges in Pakistan’s Legal System” – Published in an international human rights journal, this article sheds light on Pakistan’s legal response to key human rights issues.

Industry Sector Expertise

Sameer’s clientele spans a wide array of industries, reflecting his versatility and deep understanding of sectors The key sectors he has worked in include:

Energy and Utilities: Represented OGRA and other stakeholders in high-profile energy disputes, shaping regulatory practices in the sector.

Telecom: Advised telecom companies on disputes involving spectrum allocation, licensing, and compliance.

Financial Technology (Fintech): Counseled fintech start-ups on navigating regulatory requirements and resolving commercial disputes.

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs): Provided legal advice to FMCG companies on intellectual property disputes and contractual matters.

Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs): Assisted NPOs in regulatory compliance and disputes, ensuring operational continuity.

Technology and Start-Ups: Helped IT firms and start-ups resolve inter-department conflicts, protect intellectual property, and mitigate litigation risks.

Travel and Leisure: Represented travel companies in commercial disputes involving service agreements and regulatory compliance.

Public Sector Entities: Defended public institutions in constitutional challenges, labor disputes, and regulatory cases.

Work Highlights

Sameer’s career is marked by numerous accomplishments across his practice areas. Some of his most notable work highlights include:

OGRA Litigation: Successfully represented OGRA in a landmark dispute involving unaccounted-for-gas (UFG) allocations, safeguarding billions of rupees for the regulatory authority.

Constitutional Challenges: Played a pivotal role in challenging the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), the 18th Amendment, and the Competition Act 2010, setting precedents in constitutional law.

Landmark Human Rights Cases: Advocated against the use of the “Two Finger Test” for rape survivors and sought transparency in death row mercy petitions, resulting in judicial reforms.

Amicus Curiae Appointments: Appointed by the Lahore High Court in critical cases involving labor rights, migrants’ rights, and animal rights, contributing to landmark judgments.

$4.5 Million Arbitration Award: Part of the legal team that secured a rare $4.5 million award for a state-owned entity in an ICC arbitration case.

International Arbitration Success: Played a key role in obtaining one of the first anti-suit injunctions from a DIFC court in a DIFC-LCIA arbitration matter.

Election Disputes: Successfully represented clients in election disputes, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

Cross-Border Collaboration: Worked with international legal teams on arbitration matters involving oil exploration and steel sector investment disputes.

Education