Associate - Surridge & Beecheno - Karachi, Pakistan
(2025-03)
Worked across a broad range of practice areas including: Arbitration and Mediation (Local &
• International)
• Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Aviation
• Banking and Finance
• Competition and Antitrust
• Constitutional Law
• Conveyancing
• Corporate and Commercial Law
• Customs
• Employment and Labour
• Energy (Oil, Gas, and Power)
• Engineering Contracts
• Environmental Law
• Estates, Trusts and Probate
• Family Law
• Foreign Investment
• Government Contracts
• Immigration
• Industrial Relations
• Insurance
• Intellectual Property (Trademarks, Patents, Copyright)
• Land and Real Estate
• Law of Damages
• Medical Negligence
• Healthcare
• Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Public International Law
• Securities and Taxation
• World Trade Law (WTO); and Civil Litigation. Assisted partners and senior partner in various matters across multiple practice areas, but not limited to legal matters relating to conveyancing, insurance, labour, immigration, property (movable and immovable), trusts, and taxation.
- Assisted in complex matters involving local and international clients across diverse sectors, providing legal support and strategic input.
- Advised clients on aircraft financing, leasing, registration, repossession, deregistration, title transfer, and passenger claims.
- Managed transactions and documentation for twelve aircraft leases.
- Led the IP team managing trademark prosecution, oppositions, and enforcement proceedings.
- Drafted Notices of Opposition, Counter Statements, Rejoinders, Affidavits, and Rectification Applications before the Trade Marks Registry.
- Prepared applications and miscellaneous appeals before relevant forums.
- Conducted research in civil and commercial matters including Unfair Competition, Fair Use, Parallel Imports, Trade Secret protection, and Domain Name disputes.
- Performed due diligence in IP audits and compliance reviews.
- Drafted and vetted contracts, franchise agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership deeds, and license agreements.
- Provided legal opinions and strategic advice to international clients seeking IP protection in Pakistan.
- Coordinated with foreign associates on trademark filings and IP matters for Pakistani clients abroad.
Legal Consultant - Uni-Pearl Pharma - Karachi/Hyderabad, Pakistan
(2024-01 - 2025-02)
Served as in-house legal consultant overseeing corporate, regulatory, and intellectual property matters.
- Managed protection of intellectual property including trademarks, designs, patents, and copyrights.
- Drafted and filed Notices of Opposition, Counter Statements, Rejoinders, Affidavits, and Rectification Applications before the Trade Marks Registry and handled objections before the Copyright Office.
- Advised and represented the company before the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) on licensing requirements for medical devices and drugs.
- Prepared applications and miscellaneous appeals before the High Court of Sindh and participated in proceedings before Drug Courts.
- Conducted legal research in civil and commercial matters including Unfair Competition, Fair Use, Parallel Imports, Trade Secret protection, and Domain Name disputes.
- Performed due diligence in intellectual property and regulatory compliance reviews.
- Drafted and vetted contracts, franchise agreements, joint venture agreements, partnership deeds, and license agreements.
- Advised management on HR and labour law compliance and day-to-day human resource matters.
- Ensured compliance with SECP requirements, corporate filings, and maintenance of statutory records, including company secretarial work.
- Reviewed and negotiated distribution, supply, and service agreements with international and domestic business partners.
- Managed the company's litigation portfolio and coordinated with external counsel in matters before the Supreme Court, High Courts, district courts, labour courts, and drug courts.
- Prepared responses to legal and regulatory notices issued by government authorities and private parties.
- Advised international clients and principal companies on IP protection and DRAP-related matters in Pakistan.
- Corresponded with foreign associates for Pakistani filings abroad and assisted in coordination of global IP portfolios.
- Represented the company before the Registrar of Trademarks, Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Pakistan.
Associate - Akhund Forbes - Karachi, Pakistan
(2023-08 - 2024-01)
Worked with partners on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters including drafting and reviewing agreements, preparing legal opinions, and conducting legal research.
- Advised one of Pakistan's largest Independent Power Producers on novation, operation and management agreements, and labour compliance.
- Conducted due diligence on land acquisition, insurance policies, and Islamic financing facilities for the same project.
- Conducted due diligence for an international insurance company on a CPEC-listed coal power project, including review of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts for both the mine and the power plant.
- Advised foreign and local clients on HR and employment matters, including day-to-day labour law compliance, registration, and stamping requirements.
- Advised clients on data protection, privacy laws, tax compliance, and foreign exchange regulations, including a major international payment service provider.
- Authored articles on behalf of the Partner, which were published by the International Bar Association.
Associate - Chohan Law Associate - Hyderabad, Pakistan
(2022-12 - 2023-08)
- Assisted partner and senior associates in case preparation and in legal research and analysis of case law, statutes, and regulations.
- Drafted pleadings, briefs, applications, contracts, and other legal documents for submission before various courts and tribunals.
- Assisted senior associates during client meetings and court proceedings, and maintained regular communication with clients regarding case progress.
- Managed preparation, drafting, and filing of cases before the High Court of Sindh, district courts, and tribunals, including miscellaneous appeals and applications.
- Represented and defended major international automobile companies before consumer courts; assisted in drafting, preparing arguments, conferencing, and cross-examinations.
- Prepared and defended cases before model and special courts, including Anti-Corruption, FIA, Narcotics, and Commercial Courts.
- Maintained organized case files, hearing schedules, and records of proceedings to ensure case management.
Legal Intern - Chohan Law Associate - Hyderabad, Pakistan
(2022-08 - 2022-12)
- Assisted partner and senior associates in case preparation and in legal research and analysis of case law, statutes, and regulations.
- Drafted pleadings, briefs, applications, contracts, and other legal documents for submission before various courts and tribunals.
- Assisted senior associates during client meetings and court proceedings, and maintained regular communication with clients regarding case progress.
- Managed preparation, drafting, and filing of cases before the High Court of Sindh, district courts, and tribunals, including miscellaneous appeals and applications.
- Represented and defended major international automobile companies before consumer courts; assisted in drafting, preparing arguments, conferencing, and cross-examinations.
- Prepared and defended cases before model and special courts, including Anti-Corruption, FIA, Narcotics, and Commercial Courts.
- Maintained organized case files, hearing schedules, and records of proceedings to ensure case management.
