Partners

Amjad Ali Khan

Managing Partner, Dubai Office

Mr Khan is a co-founder and the managing partner of Afridi & Angell.  He heads the firm's banking and financial services practice and advises on both conventional and Shari'a compliant transactions. He represents the firm’s international and local clients including banks and leading multinationals in banking, financial, and corporate transactions in Dubai and

Mr Khan is a co-founder and the managing partner of Afridi & Angell.  He heads the firm's banking and financial services practice and advises on both conventional and Shari'a compliant transactions. He represents the firm’s international and local clients including banks and leading multinationals in banking, financial, and corporate transactions in Dubai and abroad.  He also represents clients in relation to investments in the GCC, US, UK, and India.

Mr Khan acts for several banks and borrowers in major restructurings of debt. He has also been involved in launching various banking related products and services in the UAE including the Direct Debit System introduced by the UAE Central Bank in the fourth quarter of 2013. 

He has also been involved in several project finance transactions and in the setting up of industrial projects in the UAE.

Mr Khan has considerable experience advising private equity firms in relation to cross border acquisitions.  He has advised clients on private placements, management buy-outs and sale of business, and has advised clients extensively on cross border and GCC-wide acquisitions and divestitures.  

Sources find Mr Khan ‘very knowledgeable and very experienced.’ - Chambers Global 

Afridi & Angell’s reputation can be largely attributed to the expertise of finance partner and practice head Amjad Ali Khan, ‘a thorough, passionate and professional operator.’ - Legal 500 EMEA 

One client stated that Amjad Ali Khan 'really cares about the implications and takes a long-term view - we don't hesitate to contact him.' Another described him as 'simply outstanding.' - Chambers Global 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Banking and Financial Services
  • Acquisitions and Private Equity
  • Infrastrucuture and Project Finance
  • Corporate and Commercial

QUALIFICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS

  • New York State Bar
  • Punjab Bar Council

EDUCATION

  • LLM, Boalt Hall School of Law at University of California, Berkeley, 1982
  • Punjab University Law College, Lahore, Pakistan, 1979

LANGUAGES

  • English
  • Urdu

PUBLICATIONS

 

 

Charles S Laubach

Partner, Dubai Office

Mr Laubach has been practicing as a legal consultant in the UAE since 1986. He advises on general corporate matters, contracts and government procurements, project finance, employment, and international trade controls. Mr Laubach has been involved in numerous high monetary value financing and re-financing transactions. In addition, he provides specialised expertise regarding US, UN and other sanc

Mr Laubach has been practicing as a legal consultant in the UAE since 1986. He advises on general corporate matters, contracts and government procurements, project finance, employment, and international trade controls.

Mr Laubach has been involved in numerous high monetary value financing and re-financing transactions. In addition, he provides specialised expertise regarding US, UN and other sanctions, boycotts and controls affecting exports to, investments in and transactions with certain designated countries and with regard to the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other bribery prohibitions.

Since the late 1990s, Mr Laubach has been the author of the standard industry UAE law opinions on the various financial agreements used by the ICMA and the SLRC, enabling ICMA and SLRC members to enter into complex financial transactions with counterparties in the UAE.  

Mr Laubach is well versed in all aspects of UAE and DIFC employment matters and assists clients in preparing employment documentation, and advises on compensation schemes, incentive schemes, confidentiality and non-compete clauses, and workforce reduction programmes. He assists with the employment aspects of mergers, acquisitions and other corporate restructurings, and handles contentious matters. 

Voted as 'External Counsel of the Year 2013' in Asian MENA Counsel's Corporate Asia & Middle East In-house Community Survey.

Head of department Charles Laubach 'brings a wealth of experience' when representing clients. He is active in a broad range of corporate restructurings and acquisitions. - Chambers Global 

Charles Laubach is ‘a great all-rounder’ who is ‘one of those guys that you call up, give him three minutes, and he’s already getting things done.’  - Chambers Global 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Corporate and Commercial
  • Infrastructure and Project Finance
  • Construction
  • Employment
  • Military Procurement and Offset Projects
  • International Trade Controls and Sanctions

QUALIFICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS

  • Pennsylvania Bar
  • District of Columbia Bar

EDUCATION

  • MA, Islamic Studies University of Pennsylvania, 1985
  • JD, University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1984
  • MA, University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies, 1981
  • BA, Dartmouth College, 1979

LANGUAGES

  • English
  • French
  • Arabic
  • Urdu

PUBLICATIONS

 

Bashir Ahmed

Partner, Dubai & Sharjah Offices

Mr Ahmed joined the firm in 1988 and became a partner in 1993. He advises clients on cross-border, general corporate and commercial, private equity, banking, licensing and maritime matters.  Mr Ahmed has extensive experience in domestic and cross-border acquisitions where he advises buyers and sellers on the due diligence process, the deal structuring, and drafting of agreements in connecti

Mr Ahmed joined the firm in 1988 and became a partner in 1993. He advises clients on cross-border, general corporate and commercial, private equity, banking, licensing and maritime matters. 

Mr Ahmed has extensive experience in domestic and cross-border acquisitions where he advises buyers and sellers on the due diligence process, the deal structuring, and drafting of agreements in connections with acquiring and divesting of share interest in the UAE. He also advises international and domestic banks on a wide range of matters including loan and credit facilities, syndications and regulatory matters. He was seconded to the regional office of an international bank for a period of 18 months, and acted as counsel for the Middle East and South Asia operations.

His martime practice involves advising ship owners and P&I Clubs, dry docks and a number of ship repair companies on shipbuilding contracts, arrest of vessels, cargo claims, as well as advising on disputes. He represents a number of banks on ship financing transactions.   

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Banking and Financial Services
  • Corporate and Commercial
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Private Equity, Acquisitions
  • Maritime, Shipping and Transport
  • Infrastructure and Project Finance

QUALIFICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS

  • New York State Bar
  • Lahore High Court Bar Association

EDUCATION

  • LLM, Punjab University Law College in Lahore, Pakistan, 1986
  • BA, Jurisprudence, Oxford University, 1983

LANGUAGES

  • English

PUBLICATIONS

 

Masood K Afridi

Partner, Dubai Office

Mr Afridi's practice focuses primarily on infrastructure and project finance. For several years, he has been a front-runner in Pakistan's energy sector, and has participated in the development of numerous thermal and hydel power projects in the country. He has also been nominated from time to time to resolve other global issues with the power purchaser on behalf of the industry.  

Mr Afridi's practice focuses primarily on infrastructure and project finance. For several years, he has been a front-runner in Pakistan's energy sector, and has participated in the development of numerous thermal and hydel power projects in the country. He has also been nominated from time to time to resolve other global issues with the power purchaser on behalf of the industry.   

Acting in the capacity of Project Developer’s Lead Counsel, Mr Afridi has concluded transactions with a cumulative value of over US$4 billion spread over several project finance transactions. As lead counsel, he advised on the first ever private sector hydel power plant in Pakistan and the first ever in the Kashmir region. It was also the first to be jointly financed in the private sector by the Asian Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank. 

Mr Afridi joined Afridi & Angell in 1993 and became a partner in 1996. Prior to that, he was an associate with Sidley & Austin in New York. At Fordham University, he received the Edward J Hawke Prize for graduating with the highest grade point average in his class.

Masood Afridi is recommended for 'his vast knowledge and expertise in private power projects and BOO/BOT contracts.' - Legal 500 2011

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Infrastructure and Project Finance
  • Banking and Financial Services
  • Corporate and Commercial
  • Private Equtiy, Acquisitions Energy

QUALIFICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS

  • New York State Bar
  • Pakistan Bar Association

EDUCATION

  • LLM, International Business and Trade Law, Fordham University, 1990
  • LLB, University of Bristol

LANGUAGES

  • English
  • Urdu
  • French

PUBLICATIONS

 

Haider K Afridi

Partner, Dubai Office

Mr Afridi has extensive experience in dispute resolution and has represented clients in both institutional and ad hoc arbitration proceedings, as well as instructing and managing local counsel on matters before the UAE Courts. He has been involved in substantial claims in the construction, real estate, and financial services sectors. He is also involved in the corporate and commercial practice of

Mr Afridi has extensive experience in dispute resolution and has represented clients in both institutional and ad hoc arbitration proceedings, as well as instructing and managing local counsel on matters before the UAE Courts. He has been involved in substantial claims in the construction, real estate, and financial services sectors. He is also involved in the corporate and commercial practice of the firm and has experience in advising developers, financiers and government agencies on power generation and other infrastructure projects. 

Mr Afridi also regularly assists clients in structuring joint ventures, franchises and distributorships. 

He joined Afridi & Angell in 1991 and became partner in 1997.

Representative Cases - Contentious

  • Represented a client in a multi-million dollar shareholder dispute under Mauritian law which was the subject of arbitration proceedings with its seat in Dubai. The proceedings were conducted under the UNCITRAL Rules issues of foreign law, enforceability and the supervisory jurisdiction of the Dubai Courts. 
  • Represented a Dubai-based property developer in a DIAC arbitration in a construction dispute against a contractor in an established Dubai community. In addition to the arbitration proceedings, advised in local courts litigation surrounding issues such as jurisdiction of local courts in the presence of an arbitration agreement, and attachment of performance securities by the local courts. 
  • Represented a Dubai-based property developer in a DIAC arbitration proceeding based on breach of commercial property sale and purchase contract. Award issued upholding defence and award of legal costs. 
  • Acted for a major Kuwaiti property developer in a multi-million dirham dispute relating to the termination of a services agreement with a service provider in respect of one of Abu Dhabi’s largest mall development projects. 
  • Represented a client in ICC arbitration proceedings in Abu Dhabi relating to a multi-million dollar contractual claim involving allegations of fraud and dishonesty. 
  • Represented Deyaar Development before the DIFC courts, Taaleem PJSC (Taaleem) v (1) National Bonds Corporation PJSC (NBC) (2) Deyaar Development PJSC (Deyaar)
  • Represented a shareholder in multijurisdictional claims brought against a private equity investment group. Claims pursued in UAE, England, United States and Singapore. 
  • Represented a foreign bank in pursuing persons involved in a major fraud; assets received in the UAE and foreign jurisdictions.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • Dispute Resolution
  • International Arbitration
  • Corporate and Commercial
  • Joint Ventures
  • Franchises
  • Distributorships

QUALIFICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS

  • NWFP Bar Council, Pakistan

EDUCATION

  • LL.M., Fordham University School of Law, New York, 1991
  • Bachelor of Law, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK, 1988

LANGUAGES

  • English
  • Urdu