Doulah & Doulah

Senior Partner: ABM Shamsud Doulah

Number of Lawyers: 28

Languages: Bengali, English

Firm Overview:

Established in 1965, D&D is a leading law firm in Bangladesh under registration number 27074. Representing the world’s largest business houses and working with the biggest international law firms, the firm possesses top-ranked transactional capabilities complemented by a strong litigation practice with a large client base.

Main Areas of Practice:

Admiralty, Aviation & Shipping: D&D offers one of the strongest shipping practices and advises on both contentious and non-contentious matters. In 2023 the firm acted in 9 admiralty lawsuits. It also represents the biggest airlines and major aircraft leasing companies, including both ILFC and GE Capital. Recent transactions include wet leasing by Air Atlanta in Biman.

Banking & Finance: The firm offers true banking expertise with stressed finance practice complemented by strong security documentation capabilities. The banking regulatory platform of Bangladesh was finalised by D&D partners under FSRP project. D&D completed FX transactions for RBS, JP Morgan and Merrill Lynch. It acts for ADB in its Trade Finance Program. D&D is advising ADB in a 100MW+ solar power project. Other cross-border financing clients include AFD, IFC, OPIC, KFW, IDB, China Exim, Finnfund etc.

Capital Market & Venture Capital: D&D is one of the few local firms that possess capital market expertise. It represents major institutional investors, including Morgan Stanley, CitiGroup, CLSA, Credit Suisse, and ABN Amro. At the moment the firm is working on the pledging of a big Bangladeshi listed security portfolio for LGT Bank. Recently advised a pool of Singapore clients in subscribing to the country's first green sukuk.

Corporate Restructure & M&A: Possesses market-leading practice in this area. Major restructure clients include Malaysia Airlines, Pendaker Energy, GE, etc. D&D has completed over 20 M&A transactions and 12 private equity investments in 2023 with clients like Blackstone-Aster, Cotecna, General Atlantic's acquisition of Actis, IFU, CAL's acquisition of a merchant bank, and so on. The firm has successfully represented Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges in acquiring a sizeable stake in Dhaka Stock Exchange and advised Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in its investment in Bkash and subsequent divestments to Ant Financial and Softbank. Acted for CSI/Sinohydro in acquiring the First Dhaka Elevated Expressway.

Foreign Direct Investment: D&D has been advising on large foreign direct investment matters such as Pepsico's investment in a manufacturing facility, United Biscuit Group's USD 300 million investment in a manufacturing plant under a joint venture with ACI, Associated British Food in its investment under a co-packing model, and so on. Acted for ADB and IFU in seed financing for two startups.

Infrastructure, PPP & Construction: Extensive experience in all kinds of infrastructures is the speciality at D&D. The firm advised Excelerate Energy in the Maheshkhali LNG terminal. Appointed in three PPP development mandates by IFC acting as transaction advisory. Acted for sponsors/lenders in three toll road projects. Other major construction projects include acting for Samsung in the Dhaka Airport 3rd Terminal and for Kajima and Sumitomo in two MRT lines.

Intellectual Property: D&D’s IP practice is regarded as the strongest, offering both protection and enforcement services for trademarks, patents, designs, and copyrights. D&D first implemented the concept of a well-known mark, for Nokia, in Bangladesh. It also has large-scale enforcement capabilities, which were established when it worked for Sony against over 200 counterfeiters in Bangladesh.

Litigation & Arbitration: Complemented by a strong litigation practice, D&D offers effective dispute resolution capabilities. The firm is working on two large-volume litigations for Cargill and Intelsat. It has been retained by the insurance company in the Niko blowout litigations and arbitrations. The firm is also conducting an ICC arbitration for Gulf Air. The firm acted in two of the largest anti-dumping suits in US courts.

Power & Energy: D&D possesses unparalleled expertise in power and oil/gas/coal exploration projects. So far it has structured 120+ power projects for clients like GE, Blackstone, AES, Golar etc. Finance clients include OPIC, IDB, ICICI, Finnfund, CEXIM, etc., and M&A clients include AES, El Paso etc. Represented Zhenhua in acquiring three gas fields from Chevron and Ophir in acquiring Santos PSC. Advised ONGC, OIL, Daewoo, POSCO etc. in PSC's with respect to gas exploration.

Taxation & Employment: These are integral parts of D&D’s corporate practice representing clients from tribunal to appellate division of Supreme Court. It is working in a constitutional writ for MAS and UPS. The firm successfully represented El Paso for a tax exemption. With an in-depth employment practice, the firm has just completed a pension fund creation for Children’s Place. It also advises clients such as BAT, GE, GAP, Wal-mart, EWM, VF, HP etc in employment matters.

Telecommunications & Fintech: The telecommunications practice at D&D is one of the finest. It is working for SPI on the procurement and launching of the first satellite for Bangladesh. It also worked with NERA on the auction of 4G licenses. Concurrent major projects include setting up a global mobile banking platform for Belgacom. M&A clients include Huawei and Vimpelcom. The firm has also advised in a large number of fintech matters for clients like Microsoft, Ant Financial, Gates Foundation, etc.