Ahmad Al Khalil

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Leaders in Law endorses Ahmad Al Khalil as our exclusively recommended Corporate Law expert in the UAE. If you wish to get in touch with Ahmad, please use the contact information provided above.

Ahmad is a Jordanian national, educated at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom (LLB) and has a Master’s degree in business administration from NYIT in Jordan.

At Hamdan AlShamsi Lawyers & Legal Consultants Ahmad heads up the corporate department responsible for the advisory and transactional side of the firm. In addition to providing clients with legal opinions on their positions and consequences of their acts and omissions, Ahmad drafts, reviews and amends various commercial contracts including, but not limited to, shareholders agreements, risk mitigation agreements, consultancy agreements, distribution agreements and terms and conditions of business. Since joining Hamdan AlShamsi Lawyers & Legal Consultants Ahmad has also be involved in and responsible for litigation matters relating to the UAE courts be it civil, commercial, employment or criminal.

Prior to joining Hamdan AlShamsi Lawyers & Legal Consultants, Ahmad was regional counsel for United Technologies Corporation, specifically handling Carrier Air Conditioning, Otis Elevators and their Fire and Security division. Focus was on the GCC region and the Levant area with some time dedicated to the African region as well. Ahmad handled all internal legal matters including employment disputes and employee training on internal policies and local laws, commercial contracts reviewing and drafting, compliance, assistance with regional joint ventures and structuring as well as onboarding and appointing distributors, agents and value-added resellers. While at Al Tamimi & Co, Ahmad was part of the banking and finance department responsible for setting up financial and investment institutions with both the Central Bank and the Securities and Commodities Authority in the UAE. Additionally, Ahmad was seconded to the corporate department and the employment department to provide assistance with project-based matters.

Ahmad also has extensive experience with heading up and conducting internal investigations within corporations whether it relates to retaliatory actions, discrimination, harassment, unfair treatment and/or anti-bribery allegations.

Furthermore, Ahmad has, since 2011, been conducting training sessions for both internal staff as well as external clients and their staff on various topics relating to major issues in contracts, employee rights, ethics, improper payments and bribery and antitrust.

Practice Areas

  • Corporate & M&A
  • Family Law
  • Employment
  • Litigation

Education

  • LLB – University of Bristol, England – 2001
  • MBA – NYIT, Jordan – 2007

Membership

  • Qualified advocate in Jordan – 2005

Firm Description:

Approach to Legal Services & Relevant Experience

Our experience in relation to Litigation, Commercial Drafting, Corporate Structuring, Corporate Governance, Finance, Employment, and Intellectual Property is extensive. The team’s goal is to understand the objectives of the client and thereafter discuss how to achieve the best possible outcome. We analyze each scenario and the consequences it may bring in order to be a step ahead in every situation.

We ensure flexibility when dealing with our clients to provide the most cost-effective service while meeting the client’s needs and desires. Our primary goal is to work hand in hand with our clients and act in their best interest providing honest and transparent legal advice.

As a team, we believe our strength lies in our knowledge of the region and the international community living in the UAE. The standards of the firm are elevated, and this is thanks to the strong relationships we maintain with the governmental authorities and governmental entities. They provide us with the current and updated legal resources to ensure our client is always in harmony with the legal amendments and modifications.

Our approach is articulated around 4 pillars that are the foundation of this firm :

Transparency : we make it our main requirement to be fully transparent with our clients and partners. By always providing accurate legal advice and involving our client every step of the way.

Innovation : as a feedback data driven firm, we make sure to implement the latest technology into the firm’s workflow process to ensure smooth operation and optimize our efficiency.

Trust : we relate to our clients and define together their long term and short-term plan. Being a boutique law firm, our clients are part of the team and have a privileged access to the legal team assigned to their case.

Relationship : the main goal is to build a long-lasting relationship based around honesty & transparency. We always act in the best interest of our clients and anticipate your needs. Because our client’s success determines our own.

As a team, we believe our strength lies in our knowledge of the region and the international community living in the UAE. The standards of the firm are elevated, and this is thanks to the strong relationships we maintain with the governmental authorities & entities as well to the multitude of e-legal platform the firm is part of. They provide us with the current and updated legal resources to ensure our client is always in harmony with the legal amendments and modifications.

Our Process

We promise to keep you updated on the progress of your case. If at any time you have a question or concern, simply contact a member of our team and we’ll sort it out. After all, we’re here to serve you and believe you should be kept in the loop.

We understand that no two cases are the same. Our holistic approach is designed to ensure we cover all angles when it comes to protecting your interests. Solid advice and sound legal solutions for every client, 100% of the time!

Our legal team is here for you. Together, clients work with our legal team to devise a legal strategy that meets all of their specific needs and requirements. Our legal strategies are custom-tailored to each case to ensure clarity and success every step of the way.

 

Anastasia Akuoko

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Leaders in Law endorses Anastasia Akuoko as our exclusively recommended Corporate Law expert in Ghana. If you wish to get in touch with Anastasia, please use the contact information provided above.

Anastasia Akuoko is the partner in charge of Corporate Law. A product of Wesley Girls’ High School and Ghana International School, she received her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in law from the University of Buckingham, U.K.

From 1999 to 2002, she worked as a paralegal in the law firm of Awoonor Law Consultancy (ALC) and took the Ghana Stock Exchange courses while attending the Ghana School of Law. She was subsequently called to the Ghana Bar in 2001, and joined Minkah-Premo & Co. at the beginning of 2002 after completing her pupillage at ALC.  She made partner in 2007. Since then, she has advised the firm’s clients in local and foreign transactions with a combined value of more than $2.0 bn.

Her areas of specialisation are Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Securities Law and Maritime Law. She also sits on the boards of several companies as director and/or company secretary.

Areas of Expertise

Corporate Law

Admitted

2001, Ghana

Education

  • University of Buckingham (LLB, 1998)
  • University of Buckingham (LLM, 1999)

Professional Membership

Ghana Bar Association

International Bar Association

Firm Description:

Minkah-PREMO & CO. is a firm that has lawyers practicing as members of AKOSOMBO CHAMBERS and staff of varied backgrounds providing integrated legal services.

Minkah-PREMO & CO. was established out of the need for an improvement in the justice delivery system. The system was plagued with low standards, snail-paced results and unsatisfactory conditions in which lawyers had to work, culminating in client dissatisfaction with the entire judicial process and precipitating the need for the firm to be set up to improve the justice delivery experience for our clients.

It was the desire and vision to commence and achieve positive change from this that compelled Mr. Justice Kusi-Minkah Premo, a lawyer called to the Ghana Bar in 1984, to set up Minkah-PREMO & CO. (AKOSOMBO CHAMBERS), after stints with the State Insurance Corporation, Kwaku Baah & Co. and Kokroko Chambers. In all three places, lessons in the direction of law practice, service delivery and worker relations were learnt.

Some of the weaknesses which cried for attention were poor emolument (which affected workers’ motivation), poor infrastructure (which affected workers’ productivity and client convenience) and poor worker relations (which affected teamwork and client satisfaction).

These became useful raw materials in the mental process of creating and establishing a law firm that would achieve service beyond client expectation, job satisfaction and faith in the legal process.

 

Ziad El-Khoury

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Leaders in Law endorses Ziad El-Khoury as our exclusively recommended Corporate Law expert in Saudi Arabia. If you wish to get in touch with Ziad, please use the contact information provided above.

Ziad El-Khoury is Chief Executive Officer at BLK Partners, a prominent and unique legal platform based in Riyadh.

With a reputation as a leading legal expert in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, El-Khoury’s extensive experience and deep understanding of the corporate and business landscapes have solidified his position as a trusted authority in the field. His prowess extends beyond routine legal matters, encompassing complex cases involving corporate, healthcare, technology, real estate, construction and infrastructure. He also has a good handle on stand-alone projects.

Market sources consistently praise El-Khoury, acknowledging his influential role in developing the Firm’s regional profile and capabilities and managing its spectrum of corporate and commercial mandates. He is also highly rated for his healthcare knowledge and commercial business acumen, which has earned him recognition as a leading lawyer in multiple market listings across different jurisdictions.

Ziad’s remarkable leadership abilities enable him to spearhead high-stakes projects with finesse. His keen insights and exceptional guidance have earned him the trust of major corporations and influential clients across Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and globally. Governments in the region have sought his counsel on significant undertakings, benefiting from his strategic guidance. Under his leadership as CEO, and despite the pandemic, the firm grew five folds in the last 5 years, a remarkable achievement by all measures.

El-Khoury holds an LL.M in International Business Law from the American University in Washington, DC, and a JD (equivalent) in Lebanese law from La Sagesse University. He is admitted to the Beirut Bar Association and registered as a foreign practicing attorney at the UK’s Solicitors Regulation Authority. He is fluent in Arabic, English, and French, facilitating seamless communication with clients from diverse backgrounds.

Firm Description:

Mohamed Ali BEN LADEN LAW FIRM – BLK Partners® offers its clients a full legal service in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its team of specialist experts combining international experience with deeply rooted knowledge of local legal regimes, customs, and markets. Through its office in Riyadh, BLK Partners® is a unique legal platform of client-centric professionals, gathered around our “Glocal” concept and committed, all the way, to building the best legal platform.

We are GLOCAL. At BLK Partners®, we have global standards and are committed to providing quality service, every time.

We go beyond delivering an end result to focusing on the quality of the journey. We pride ourselves in the consistency and quality of our service. We are a uniquely structured firm with a robust infrastructure, which creates a culture in which exceptional client service and quality legal work are internally valued and rewarded.

Our Vision is to build the first real partnership offering the best quality legal platform in Saudi Arabia; anchored in fairness, collaboration & equal opportunity for all. Our vision was developed to cater to the market’s increasingly growing need for sophisticated legal services, tailored to the various local particularities.

Our clients value our international expertise and capabilities when applied properly to the Saudi legal regime. Our global experience speaks for itself. The majority of our lawyers have prior experience working at global law firms, where they served numerous local and international clients throughout the region. This extensive global experience enriches their ability to cater to the Saudi market.

We are versed in cultural nuances and local laws. The Saudi economy is dynamic and ever-changing. It presents risks and enormous opportunities for involvement in new or expanded development projects. Our result-driven integrated resources and expertise can help you capitalize on these opportunities and mitigate related risks. BLK Partners® delivers sophisticated legal services tailored to the Saudi market, enabling clients to navigate the regulatory, legal, economic, and business landscapes. Our team of multilingual lawyers understands cultural sensitivities and the complexities of doing business in the Kingdom.

Mohamed Ali Ben Laden Law Firm is a professional company registered in Saudi Arabia under CR number 1010689446 and operates under its registered trademark BLK Partners®, under license number 2731.

 

Nauriin Ahmed

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Leaders in Law endorses Nauriin Ahmed as our exclusively recommended Corporate Law expert in Bangladesh. If you wish to get in touch with Nauriin, please use the contact information provided above.

Nauriin is a highly accomplished senior associate with a proven track record of success at her firm, the Legal Circle in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where she has been an invaluable member since 2015. Admitted to practice law in Bangladesh and an active member of the prestigious Dhaka Bar Association, Nauriin possesses a wealth of legal expertise and experience

Nauriin’s educational background is exceptional. She holds an LL.B. (Hons) degree from BRAC University, Dhaka, earned in 2015. In pursuit of her passion for corporate law, she went on to obtain a Master of Corporate Law (MCL) degree from the University of Cambridge in 2017. Her academic excellence was recognized and celebrated through the receipt of both the Herbert Smith Freehills African-Asian Bursary by the Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge and the Christ’s College Scriven Graduate Bursary.

Nauriin’s legal acumen extends across diverse practice areas, reflecting her versatility and ability to excel in various domains. She consistently provides invaluable assistance to clients on matters such as business/non-profit entity structuring and formation, governance and regulatory compliance, licensing and permissions, termination and employment benefits, ESOPs, and the drafting of compliant employment/service contracts and commercial agreements. Her comprehensive experience also encompasses competition and anti-trust matters, where she advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, exclusivity clauses, resale price maintenance, and market dominance. Moreover, Nauriin’s expertise in data privacy and protection laws enables her to assist clients in developing compliant programs and ensuring adherence to relevant regulations. She has also advised on defence procurement processes, including contract negotiations and compliance with defence and security regulations. In the dynamic technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sector, her proficiency makes her exceptionally adept at guiding clients through legal issues related to emerging technologies and telecommunications law, including in Fintech.

Throughout her tenure as a senior associate at the Legal Circle, Nauriin has consistently demonstrated her deep legal knowledge, professionalism, and meticulous attention to detail. Her exceptional ability to identify and mitigate potential risks has enabled her clients to avoid costly disputes and regulatory penalties. Nauriin’s commitment to delivering exceptional service and achieving outstanding results is unwavering, and she is dedicated to understanding each client’s unique needs and goals. Colleagues and clients alike recognize her for her strong work ethic, exceptional attention to detail, and innovative problem-solving skills.

With Nauriin’s extensive experience, exceptional academic background, and outstanding professional qualities, she is an invaluable asset to any organization seeking a highly capable and dedicated senior associate with a proven ability to navigate complex legal matters and deliver exceptional results.

Areas of Expertise

  • Competition and Anti-Trust
  • Data Privacy and Protection
  • Defence Supply
  • Employment
  • Fintech
  • Customs & Logistics
  • M&A
  • NGOs and Non-Profit
  • Technology, Media & Telecommunication (TMT)

Firm Description:

The Legal Circle is a leading law firm in Bangladesh with a team of experienced barristers, advocates, and legal consultants. The firm is committed to providing client-focused and solutions-oriented legal services which are tailored to the individual needs of its clients.

The firm has made a name for itself in the legal industry in Bangladesh by providing high-quality legal services across a broad range of practice areas. The firm has a team of lawyers who have worked at leading law firms in Bangladesh and internationally, giving them the expertise and knowledge required to deliver exceptional legal services to clients. They have received numerous accolades and awards for their outstanding services. The firm has been recognized as a leading law firm in Bangladesh for Corporate and Finance by Chambers and Partners since 2011. It is also the exclusive member firm in Bangladesh for Lex Mundi.

The Legal Circle provides a range of services to assist clients with legal matters, especially in the venture capital investments and startups arena. In addition, the Legal Circle is also known for its work in other practice areas, such as business formation, competition and anti-trust, data privacy and protection, defence supply, distribution and agency, employment, intellectual property, M&A, NGOs and non-profit, property & real estate, as well as technology, media & telecommunication (TMT). The firm also provides general and specialised corporate & commercial legal and regulatory advisory services.

The firm’s clients come from diverse backgrounds and industries, ranging from early-stage startups to multinational corporations and investors, and it is equipped to handle legal matters of varying complexity and scale. The Legal Circle takes a client-focused approach to its services and tailors legal solutions to the unique needs and goals of each client in order to provide comprehensive legal solutions. Whether it’s advising on regulatory compliance, drafting legal documents, or representing clients in legal proceedings, the firm is committed to providing clients with high-quality legal services that deliver results. The firm’s lawyers are dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest legal developments and leverage their expertise to help clients navigate the regulatory landscape and achieve their business objectives.

The Legal Circle’s expertise gives the firm a notable advantage when working on an international level. Its lawyers have extensive experience working with international clients, including multinational corporations, and are familiar with the legal frameworks and business practices in various jurisdictions, as well as possessing the skills to manage the challenges that come with cross-border transactions. The firm’s membership with Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms, further enhances its ability to provide clients with access to high-quality legal services across diverse jurisdictions. Its expertise, combined with its experience and global network, enables the Legal Circle to provide comprehensive solutions to clients with international needs.

 

Li-Pu Lee

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Leaders in Law endorses Li-Pu Lee as our exclusively recommended Corporate Law expert in Taiwan. If you wish to get in touch with Li-Pu, please use the contact information provided above.

Areas of Expertise

  • Real Estate
  • Merger and acquisition
  • Financial
  • Cross-border transactions
  • Corporate governance and legal compliance
  • Family governance and business succession
  • Emerging technologies
  • Tax
  • Litigation and Arbitration

Education

  • J.D., Washington University in St. Louis(USA)
  • LL.M., Washington University in St. Louis (USA)
  • LL.B., Tunghai University (Taiwan)

Experiences

  • Researcher, the research project of “Amendment to Bankruptcy Law” commissioned by the Bank Association of the Republic of China
  • Director, Keelung Bar Association
  • Researcher, Review Project of Mergers and Acquisitions Act for Enterprises Act” (Ministry of Economic Affairs)
  • Researcher, “A Study on the Models of MMA for Financial Institutes (including Financial Holding Companies)”(The Bureau of Monetary Affairs, Financial Supervisory Commission)
  • Adjunct assistant professor, National Open University and Chungyu Institute of Technology
  • Lecturer, Chinese Land Professional Training Center (Criminal Liability in Public Construction)
  • Lecturer, Taiwan Construction Research Institute (Criminal Liability in Public Construction)
  • Lecturer, Professional Training Program on Maintenance and Management of Bridges in 1998 held by the Institute of Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (Prevention of Criminal Liability for Construction Officers)

Firm Description:

Formosan Brothers Attorneys-at-law was founded in 1997. The Chinese characters represent the land and the ocean respectively. Taken together, the characters symbolize the universe. Our name is a reflection of Formosan Brothers’ vision: to recruit the best legal talent, and with our team, provide worldwide services to our clients both domestically and abroad.
For more than 25 years since Formosan Brothers was founded, with a passion for the law and care for people, we have been providing our clients with high-quality legal services based on our belief in honesty, professionalism, responsibility, and teamwork, earning the trust and recognition of our clients. To us, our clients are also our partners; we strive to remain vigilant about the most cutting-edge technological issues and global trends. This way, we can combine our perspective and unparalleled legal services to form a tailor-made team to fit our client’s ever-evolving needs.

How we work

Aside from our efforts to cultivate and service the domestic legal market, Formosan Brothers also achieved significant success internationally. Many of our attorneys are licensed to practice both in Taiwan and foreign jurisdictions; contributing to our deep knowledge of international legal matters. What sets Formosan Brothers apart from our competitors, especially other international law firms, is that our team of attorneys and consultants also receive legal training in Taiwan. As such, our team understands Taiwan unique cultural and business nuances. Our international clients take comfort in knowing that we will combine both international knowledge and domestic understanding to craft the most suitable solutions to transnational matters. This unique offering remains one of Formosan Brothers’ most acclaimed advantages.

Over the years, Formosan Brothers has helped numerous internationally-renowned enterprises and transnational corporations handle litigious and non-litigious legal affairs in Taiwan, gaining high recognition in the international legal community. Our firm and our colleagues have repeatedly won nominations as outstanding law firm and outstanding lawyers in various fields by internationally-renowned legal organizations and magazines such as CHAMBERS, ASIALAW, IFLR100, Corporate INTL, etc. In addition, through years of cooperation with well-known foreign law firms by establishing and maintaining good relationships with them, Formosan Brothers has expanded its cooperation network to 124 countries and regions worldwide. Therefore, in addition to providing legal services in Taiwan, when our clients have any legal needs in other countries, we can promptly assist them in obtaining the necessary legal services overseas.

 

Pedro Gloria Ponce De León

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Leaders in Law endorses Pedro Gloria Ponce De León as our exclusively recommended Corporate Law expert in Mexico. If you wish to get in touch with Pedro, please use the contact information provided above.

Pedro Gloria Ponce De León is a partner at Gloria Ponce de León & Hernández with more than 10 years of experience in legal advice to the real estate and construction sector as well as a deep knowledge of sports law.

Practice Areas

  • Litigation & Arbitration
  • Sports
  • Corporate
  • Intellectual Property Law

Languages

Spanish and English

Education

  • Law degree from the UANL with a Master’s degree in Business Law from the UDEM and postgraduate studies at the Universities of Yale
  • Paris II and the Higher Institute of Law and Economics of Madrid.

Firm Description:

Gloria Ponce de León & Hernández is an innovative and avant-garde legal firm with offices in Monterrey and Mexico City.

Starting from a methodology of Legal Project Management and integrating new technologies in our service model, we advise national and foreign clients of real estate, financial, private equity, food, sports, startup and fintech sectors, among others; in projects of a corporate, compliance, intellectual and transactional property nature, including resolution of disputes and litigation when necessary.

We have the experience and business vision necessary to add value to the daily operations and strategic projects of your company.

We offer fully satisfaction to the legal needs of our clients, allowing them to generate the proper value to their preferred groups. Therefore, we focus on developing with our customers a profound and genuine relationship, that allows us to understand their trade and business culture.

Excellence, result-oriented, and complete alignment of the legal strategy with our client’s business objectives, are the key to the Firm in all its process.

Practice Areas

  • Financial
  • Real estate and construction
  • Foreign Investment
  • Litigation, arbitration & administrative regulation
  • Corporate
  • Intellectual Property
  • Sports
  • Venture and Private Capital
  • Regulatory Compliance

 

Chifundo Ngwira

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Leaders in Law endorses Chifundo Ngwira as our exclusively recommended Corporate Law expert in Malawi. If you wish to get in touch with Chifundo please use the contact information provided above.

Practice Areas

  • Corporate Law
  • Insolvency Law

Managing Partner

Chifundo is a consultant in the corporate practice of the firm. He also heads the Practice Management Committee of the firm. Chifundo graduated from the University of Malawi in 1997 with a Bachelor of Laws Honours degree. He has 24 years of experience in corporate law. He has birthed companies through incorporation. He has advised companies throughout their growth in respect of corporate finance, share transfers, and regulatory compliance. He has extensive expertise in insolvency law and to this end, he has given many advisory opinions to shareholders, liquidators, directors, and other stakeholders during the insolvency process.

Chifundo has also lectured corporate law at the University of Malawi, the Polytechnic, Botswana Accountancy College, and Botswana Institute of Bankers. He also holds a certificate in Legal Drafting from the University of Cape Town which has enabled him to draft transactional and related documents on behalf of companies.

Firm Description:

Ritz Attorneys-at-Law (the Firm) is a leading law firm in Malawi with a multi-disciplinary team of lawyers specialising in various service sectors and practice areas.  Since 2013, the Firm has rapidly grown into the largest law firm in Malawi by headcount with a combined practice experience of individual lawyers spanning over 40 years.

We are thought leaders in key aspects of local and international business, including, but not limited to, corporate and commercial law, domestic and international taxation (i.e. corporate, individual and charities/INGOs), transfer pricing, BEPS and taxation of MNOs, customs and excise tax and procedure, tax dispute resolution, tax advisory and planning, tax treaties and international taxation, banking, finance and fintech, insurance, labour and pensions, contracts, international trade law, IT and communications law, (international) human rights law and business law.

 

Kimberly Lowe

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Leaders in Law endorses Kimberly Lowe as our exclusively recommended Corporate Law expert in Minnesota, USA. If you wish to get in touch with Kimberly use the contact information provided above.

For over 20 years I have lawyered from the trenches with experience based on a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of how both for-profit and nonprofit enterprises operate. I guide entrepreneurs, executive management teams, boards of directors, multigenerational families, shareholders and investors through all aspects of the business life cycle from formation to operation to exit.

I provide legal services to many sectors of the economy. I work with social ventures, private and public companies, limited liability companies and partnerships, nonprofit organizations and cooperatives. I help my clients navigate through general business matters, corporate governance, debt and equity financing, purchase and sales, SEC and IRS compliance, business strategy joint ventures and complex reorganizations.

I bring an extensive set of entity and contract tools to help business owners, managers and families navigate through the succession of a business from one or more owner/operators to the next set of owners, with special attention to professional service businesses that may or may not be outright salable.

In the nonprofit sector, I have worked with all types of organizations ranging from public charities and private foundations to trade associations, churches and religious organizations and have counseled them through every intricacy of the nonprofit business life cycle.

In addition to deep legal experience, I bring a breadth of leadership experience to the table for all my clients regardless of sector, purpose or goals. I serve a diverse group of clients on matters involving Benefit Corporations, Business Corporations, Business Strategy and Complex Succession Planning, Cooperatives, Corporate Governance, Debt and Equity Financing, Joint Ventures and Complex Reorganizations, Limited Liability Companies, Partnerships and S Corporations, Non-Profit and Tax-Exempt Organizations, Purchases and Sales of Businesses, SEC and IRS Compliance, Social Enterprises, Private and Public Companies and Employment Law.

Most importantly, I was voted Best Hair in high school and my dogs, Betty and Daisy, love to hang out with me while I work at Avisen Legal’s St. Paul location.

“Helping businesses and the people who own or operate them allows me to do what I enjoy for the benefit of others. I am more than a little nerdy, digging deep to solve complex problems for the benefit of my clients lets me flex my inner nerd.”

Client Feedback

“You will find Kim to be one of the most pragmatic, straightforward and competent lawyers you’ve ever met. Kim is the kind of attorney who nerds out over crafting statutes and standards but also has a personality. She is amazing and super well respected. Her firm Avisen helps taxable and tax-exempt entities so she’s well versed.  If you need a source to refer out to, I can’t think of a more capable attorney than Kim.” -Jessica Birken

“Kim has laid the groundwork for social business to thrive in Minnesota. She serves as an unmatched thought leader in Minnesota when supporting innovative business models, and it is because of her leadership that my company, Fair Anita, has been able to incorporate as a Public Benefit Corporation. She has provided incredible ideas, connections, and legal counsel, and I am forever grateful for her support. She brings passion and energy to every project, which makes working with her an absolute delight. I highly recommend Kim as the premiere lawyer in the Twin Cities, and I look forward to working with her in the future.” – Joy McBrien, Women’s Rights Advocate and Entrepreneur

Bio: Link to Kimberly Lowe Biography

Blog: Link to Kimberly Lowe Blogs

Areas of Practice

Bar Admissions

  • Minnesota, 1998

Education

  • Boston College Law School
  • University of Detroit, Honors B.A. in English and Economics, summa cum laude

Community and Pro Bono Work

  • Board of Directors – BestPrep (2008-2013)
  • BestPrep’s Minnesota Business Venture Advisory Committee and Curriculum Development Board
  • Board of Directors – YWCA of Minneapolis (2005-2010)
  • Corporate Secretary – Twin Cities Diversity in Practice (2005-2015)
  • Board of Directors – Growth and Justice (2006-2019), Board Chair (2016-2019)
  • Board of Directors -LegalCORPS
  • Girl Scouts River Valleys Women of Distinction 2014 Steering Committee member, Co-Chair Sponsorship Committee

Honors and Awards

  • Nominated for Minnesota Monthly’s 2021 Best Lawyers
  • Named a Top Woman Attorney by Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, April 2021
  • Minnesota State Bar Association Pro Bono All-Star, 2012-2018 and 2020
  • Minnesota State Bar Association North Star Lawyer, 2012-2020
  • Minnesota Business Magazine, The (REAL) Power 50 Award, 2014
  • Minnesota Lawyer, Attorney of the Year, 2011 and 2014 and circle of excellence
  • BestPrep, Volunteer of the Year Award, 2006
  • Minnesota Justice Foundation, Outstanding Service Award, 2006

Presentations

  • Panelist, American Bar Association Business Law Section Spring Meeting, “Raising Funds Without Raising Eyebrows: Best Practices for Commercial Co-Ventures a/k/a Cause Marketing,” 04/21/2021
  • Moderator, MSBA Business Law CLE, “You, Your Clients and Imminent Beneficial Owner Reporting to FinCEN,” 03/10/2021
  • The 2021 New Lawyer Experience, What Every New Lawyer Needs to Know About Forming and Selecting Entities, 01/22/2021
  • Benefit Corporations or B-Corp Certification: Differences, Pros and Cons.  “Benefit Enterprises in Access to Justice”  Presented January 8, 2021 to the Self-Represented Litigation Network’s Justice Tech Entrepreneurs Working Group.
  • 2019 Nonprofit Law Conference, Organizational Changes: Mergers, Dissolutions and Conversions, 03/20/2019
    The 2019 New Lawyer Experience: Selecting and Forming Corporate Entities Breakout Session, 01/17/2019
  • Social Enterprise Executive Education Session, Legal Considerations of Pursuing a Social Enterprise Model, 11/27/2018
  • Twin Cities Startup Week at Impact Hub: Social Enterprise Structuring 10/11/2018
  • ABA Business Law Section Annual Meeting 2018 Austin, TX: What’s the Latest with Unaccompanied Minor Immigrants, and How Can We Help? 09/14/2018
  • ABA Business Law Section Annual Meeting 2018 Austin, TX: Board Transitions Voluntary and Otherwise 09/14/2018
  • Mitchell Hamline SBE Class Speaker, 06/14/2018
  • Upper Midwest Employment Law Institute, 05/21/2018
  • Meet the Expert 2018 James J. Hill Center, 05/21/2018
  • 2018 MN CLE Nonprofit Conference, State Law Update, 3/13/2018
  • Lessons Learned: Bitcoin/ICOs, 02/21/2018
  • ConnectUP! MN: How to Structure Your Social Enterprise for Crowdfunding 02/22/2018
  • The Purchase and Sale of Small Businesses: Employment/Employee-Related Issues in the Sale of Small Businesses, Minnesota CLE, 2/26/2018
  • The New Lawyer Experience, MN CLE, 1/18/2018
  • Nonprofits and Social Enterprises, University of Minnesota, 11/29/2017
  • Off the Record Career Conversation Series, Mitchell Hamline 10/17/2017
  • MN CLE – Significant Changes for Minnesota LLCs: Panel Discussion of Transition Hypotheticals, 10/30/2017
  • Twin Cities Startup Week at Impact Hub: Social Enterprise Structuring and The Future of Nonprofit Fundraising: Developing a Hybrid Business Model, 10/9/2017
  •  University of St. Thomas Non-Profits Talk, 9/7/2017
  • Faculty Planner and Committee Member, “The Minnesota Closely Held Business Conference: Highlights of the New Minnesota Public Benefit Corporation Act” – Snapshot Presentation; “The New LLC Statute: What Now?” (Moderator), Minnesota CLE, October 21, 2014
  • “The State of Social Enterprise as it Relates to Legal Considerations,” Minnesota Business Magazine, October 9, 2014
  • Chair. Faculty & Moderator. “Understanding & Using Minnesota’s New Public Benefit Corporation Act,” Minnesota CLE, August 28, 2014
  • Presenter. “The Minnesota Public Benefit Corporation Act,” Minnesota State Bar Association CLE, July 22. 2014
  • Presenter, “The Public Benefit Corporation is Here; Now What Do We Do?” Ramsey County Bar Association CLE, Ramsey County Bar Association Annual Meeting, June 17, 2014
  • Faculty Member & Presenter, “Ancillary Activities,” Minnesota CLE, Churches and Other Religious Organizations, June 16, 2014
  • Presenter, “The Public Benefit Corporation is Coming1,” Hennepin County Bar Association CLE, Hennepin County Bar Association Annual Meeting, May 15, 2014
  • Debate Participant, “Future of Doing Good and How We Should Fund Good Works,” bushCONNECT, Regional Leadership
  • Conference powered by the Bush Foundation, Guthrie Theater, May 12, 2014
  • Faculty Planner and Presenter, “2014 Business Law Institute: Public Benefit Corporations,” outline and presentation, Minnesota CLE and MSBA Business Law Section, May 5, 2014
  • Presenter, “2014 Nonprofit Law Conference: Public Benefit Corporations,” outline and presentation, Minnesota CLE and MSBA Business Law Section, March 12, 2014
  • Presenter, “Selecting and Forming Corporate Entities,” New Lawyer Experience, Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis, 2009-2014
  • Presenter, “The Public Benefit Corporation Comes to Minnesota”, outline and presentation, William Mitchell College of Law Alumni Series, Webcast Only, December 5, 2013
  • Faculty Planner and Presenter, “The 3rd Annual Minnesota Closely Held Business Conference: Future Legislation: The Coming New Minnesota Public Benefit Corporation (Snapshot Session)” outline and presentation, Minnesota CLE, October 29, 2013
  • Presenter, “Business Law 101: Demystifying the Entity Selection,” Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis, July 2013
  • Faculty Advisor and Presenter, the Minnesota Closely Held Business Conference, “Capitalizing the Small Business,” Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis, January 2011-2013
  • Faculty Planner and Presenter, Minnesota CLE and the MSBA Business Law Section, Business Law Institute, 2009-2013
  • Presenter, “How to Keep Tax Exempt Organizations in Compliance: Intermediate Sanctions and Current Case Law and Legislative Updates Impacting Tax-Exempt Organizations,” National Business Institute, Teleconference Seminar, December
  • Presenter, “Structuring Cooperative,” National Business Institute, Teleconference Seminar, December 2012
  • Presenter, “Entity Selection for a Small-to-Medium Sized Business: Taxation and S Corporations in Detail,” NationalBusiness Institute, Rebroadcast November 2012
  • Co-Presenter, “VC and Angel Financing in a Challenging Economy; Tax Credits and more,” the Collaborative’s 26th Annual Minnesota Venture & Finance Conference, Minneapolis October 2012
  • Presenter, “Structured Settlement Transfers: Liquidation of Structured Settlements,” 2012 Minnesota District Judges Association/ Minnesota District Judges Foundation Annual Fall Conference, Minneapolis, September 2012
  • Presenter, “Advising the Family Business Owner About Succession and Estate Planning Issues: Setting Reasonable Expectations for Family Business Succession,” Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis, August 2012
  • Chair, Moderator and Presenter, “Concussion in Amateur Sports: Legal Risks and Options for Nonprofit Athletic and Recreational Organizations,” American Bar Association/Business Law Section, Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, August 2012
  • Moderator and Presenter, “Managing & Growing People: Health, Comp., Stock & More,” the Collaborative – Innovative Series Panel Discussion, Minneapolis, August 2012
  • Presenter, “LLC or Inc.? Entity Selection for a Small-to-Medium Sized Business: S Corporations in Detail” and “LLC Taxation Considerations,” National Business Institute, Minneapolis, May 2012
  • Presenter, “So Your Client is a Small Business Owner: What You Need to Know,” The Small Business Conference, Minnesota State Bar Association and MN CLE, November 2011
  • Presenter, “Tax Exempt Organizations from Start to Finish — Incorporation Process and Unrelated Business Income Taxation,” National Business Institute, Minneapolis, May 2011
  • Presenter, “The Business Cradle to Grave: The ABC’s of Limited Liability Company Organization” outline and presentation, Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis, November 2010
  • Presenter, “How to read a Financial Statement,” 2009 Family and Closely Held Business Conference, Minnesota CLE, Minneapolis August 2009
  • Panelist, “Tackling Racism With Sharp Wit Illusion Theater’s Same Difference,” Twin Cities Diversity in practice Minneapolis, November 2008

Drafting Committees

Kim works both locally and nationally on many statutory drafting initiatives, including:

  • Minnesota’s Business Corporation Act (302A)
  • Minnesota’s Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (322C)
  • Minnesota’s Nonprofit Corporation Act (317A)
  • Minnesota Public Benefit Corporation Act (304A)
  • American Bar Association Business Law Section Model Nonprofit Business Corporation Act
  • Uniform Law Commission Drafting Committees
  • Funding Through Public Appeals Study and Drafting Committee
  • Tenancy in Common Ownership Default Rules Study and Drafting Committee
  • Public Health Emergency Authorities Study Committee
  • Online Sales Tax Collection Study Committee
  • Supply Chain Transparency Study Committee
  • Unincorporated Organization Acts Drafting Committee

Publications

  • Quoted in “No Single Path.” by Sarah Lutman. Twin Cities Business, June 20, 2014
  • Nonprofit Revitalization Act Impacts New York Nonprofits and Organizations Registered to Solicit Contributions in the State, ABA Nonprofit Organizations Committee Newsletter, Fourth Quarter 2013, co-written with Matthew Norris, J.D. Candidate, 2014, University of Minnesota Law School
  • Minnesota Should Enact Public Benefit Corporations, Star Tribune, co-written with Jeffrey Ochs, Founder of Cornerstone Stories, a Minnesota social business, and a board member of Social Enterprise Alliance-Twin Cities, February 7, 2014
  • “Governance Best Practices for Nonprofit Organizations: Creating a Structure that Allows for Responsible Leadership,” Kimberly A. Lowe, Author, Bureau of National Affairs: Corporate Accountability Report, August 2011
  • “Minnesota Business Law Deskbook – Corporations and LLCs, 1st Edition,” Editor, July 2010
  •  “Minnesota Business Law Deskbook – Corporations and LLCs 1st Edition,” Editor, July 2010

Associations

Uniform Law Commission

  • Minnesota Appointed Commissioner (2016-Present)

Hennepin County Bar Association

  • Immediate Past President (2016-2017)
  • President (2015-2016)
  • President-Elect (2014-2015)
  • Treasurer (2013-2014)
  • Finance and Planning Committee Chair (2013-2014)
  • Secretary (2012-2013)
  • Board of Directors (2011-2017)
  • Finance and Planning Committee Member (2009-2016)
  • Finance and Planning Committee Bylaws Subcommittee Chair (2011-2012)
  • Board of Directors, Hennepin County Bar Foundation (2012-2016)

Minnesota State Bar Association

  • Business Law Section Council, Executive Committee Member
  • Treasurer Business Law Section Council (2018-2019)
  • Secretary Business Law Section Council (2019-2020)
  • Nonprofit Corporations, Committee Member
  • Business/Professional Corporations, Committee Member
  • Partnerships/Limited Liability Companies, Committee Member
  • Beneficial Corporation Drafting Committee (2012-Present), Chair
  • Minnesota State Bar Association’s Legal Education Task Force Member, (2014-2016)
  • Minnesota State Bar Association Assembly Member, (2013-Present)
  • Member Investment Committee (2018-Present)

American Bar Association, Business Law Section

  • Member, Nonprofit Organizations Committee
  • Member, Corporate Governance Committee
  • Co-Chair, Social Entrepreneurship and Social Benefit Entities
  • Co-Chair, Governance Nonprofit Organization
  • The Business Lawyer, Editorial Board Member (2018-Present)
  • Business Law Today, Content Director (2018-Present)
  • Business Law Section, Pro Bono Committee, Chair (2015-2018)

American Bar Association

  • ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service, Member of (2017 – 2020), Business Law Section Liaison (2014 – 2017)

National Council of Farmers Cooperative

  • Legal Tax and Accounting
  • Vice Chair- Securities Committee (2010-2016)

Firm Description:

What we do

We focus on representing businesses, business-owners, investment funds and non-profits on the legal issues that relate to the formation, operation, growth and sale of their businesses.

If you are starting up a business, fund or non-profit, hiring or firing employees, negotiating contracts, raising capital to make it grow, building a plant, buying other companies, selling your company or need to set up your estate to take care of the next generation, we are here for you and we want to help.

How we do it

We average over 20 years of experience per attorney, so we have seen and done most things.  We use our experience to achieve your goals effectively and efficiently.  We also leverage the same technologies used by larger law firms to prepare documents and research the law.

When needed, we partner with other high quality law firms, either in specific practice areas (even equine law if needed) or locations to get you the results you need.  We answer our own phones and respond to our own emails.  We add paper to the printer.  We do what it takes to serve you.

Why we do it

We take pride and joy in seeing our clients succeed.  We also take pride and joy in helping each other succeed.  We believe this makes us better lawyers and that means better results for you.
We are entrepreneurs.  We manage our own business, just like you.  We understand both the passion and pain of owning and running a business.  That lets us craft solutions for you that are practical and meet your needs.

 

Carlton Fon Akkum

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Leaders in Law endorses Carlton Fon Akkum as our exclusively recommended Corporate Law expert in Cameroon. If you wish to get in touch with Carlton please use the contact information provided above.

Carlton is a founding member and the Senior Managing Partner of Akkum, Akkum & Associates LLP. With 23 years of hands-on experience as a legal practitioner,  he is highly specialized in his craft. He has amassed quite a great deal of finesse in the legal practice and advised on several complex and cutting-edge transactions in the areas of Intellectual Property Rights, Securities, corporate restructurings like mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, corporate governance, due diligence and corporate finance, real estate, regulatory advisory services, labor and employment, competition and commercial litigation.

Carlton is currently advising on a wide range of matters in oil & gas, power and capital markets, His expertise spans through the African Market. He has the ability to guide his team towards meeting deadlines without sacrificing quality. Carlton has advised many local and international based corporations on aviation, mining and technological deals.

Carlton is an accredited agent at the African Intellectual Property Rights Organization (OAPI). He is a bona fide Human Rights activist and an author of many publications in law journals.

Languages

  • English
  • French

Education

  • University of Yaoundé (LL.B Law)
  • Moore Institute of Intellectual Property
  • African Intellectual Property Rights Organisation

Professional Membership

  • Cameroon Bar Association
  • International Bar Association
  • International Law Association- Cameroon Branch
  • Terralex
  • Hieros Gamos (HG) Global Legal Resources

Languages

  • English
  • French

Firm Overview:

Akkum, Akkum & Associates was established in 2002 with a resolve to create a distinguished full service legal practice. We are a dynamic partnership registered under the laws of the Republic of Cameroon. Our main mission is to deliver premium service, quality, and value to our clients. We incorporate a rich blend of traditional legal practice with the spirit required to satisfy the constantly evolving dynamism of business in our result driven professional services.

We have a blend of industry-recognised partners, consultants and Associates with an ability to provide value-added legal services to our clients’ sometimes complex needs. The foregoing has seen our reputation in the industry grow considerably. We present our clients with the broadest mix of cognate skills, and depth of expertise drawn from decades of experience in corporate commercial transactions and dispute resolution. Our up-to-date awareness of and participation in local and international commercial developments, which drive corporate commercial transactions enables us to adopt forward-facing approaches to legal issues referred to us.The firm has been ranked amongst the best law firms in Cameroon, with many awards won in diverse categories.

Our core practice is concentrated in the areas of Corporate and Commercial law, Banking and Finance, Immigration Law, Labor and Employment, Energy, Transport, Intellectual Property, Tax, Dispute Resolution and Litigation, Financial Institutions, M&A and Securities.

Practice Areas

Christopher P. Keefe

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Leaders in Law endorses Christopher P. Keefe as our exclusively recommended Corporate Law expert in USA, Massachusetts. If you wish to get in touch with Chris please use the contact information provided above.

Christopher P. Keefe is the leader of Nixon Peabody’s Corporate practice group and a member of the Private Equity Funds team. In addition, Chris leads Nixon Peabody’s Big Data initiative, and is a member of the Life Sciences and Food, Beverage & Agribusiness practices. He represents privately held companies and funds in financings, corporate counseling and mergers and acquisitions.

What do you focus on?

For over twenty years, I have represented companies of all stages in the technology, consumer, life sciences and manufacturing verticals, as well as the venture and private equity funds that invest in them. I also represent buyers and sellers in middle-market mergers and acquisitions, as well as sophisticated clients in corporate transactions and strategic relationships. I enjoy a trusted advisor relationship with leading management teams and investors.

What do you see on the horizon?

With respect to the current dealmaking environment amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we’ve seen little in the way of a consistent theme—the market has not moved in a monolithic way.  Overall, volume is down—but we’ve had processes continue to move forward, while others have paused. Given the otherwise robust start to 2020, everyone is generally optimistic that when some level of normalcy returns to the market, it will result in a few strong quarters for dealmaking.

Representative Experience

  • Represented Sciformix Corporation in its sale to Covance Asia-Specific Inc. (a subsidiary of Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings).
  • Represented Eze Castle Integration, Inc., a leading provider of managed IT services, complete cloud solutions, and cybersecurity to more than 650 financial services clients worldwide in its sale to H.I.G. Capital.
  • Represented Sensata Technologies, Inc., a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of sensors, controls, electrical protection and control, and power management solutions, in the divestment of its valves business, consisting of three subsidiaries (Schrader SAS, August France Holding Company SAS, and Schrader-Bridgeport International, Inc.) with significant facilities, operations, and employees in Virginia and France, to Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd. for approximately $173M enterprise value.
  • Represented Capax Global, LLC, a Chicago-based technology company focused on cloud solutions, in connection with its sale to Hitachi Solutions America, Ltd.
  • Represented Breakaway Ventures, LLC in its Series A Preferred Share investment in Grillo’s Pickles, Inc., a Massachusetts-based company that sells gourmet pickles in grocery stores across the U.S.
  • Represented Exinda Inc. in its sale to a wholly owned subsidiary of Aurea Software, Inc., a portfolio company of ESW Capital, LLC. Exinda Inc. provides wide area network (WAN) optimization solutions.
  • Represented ProcessOut, a software startup that helps SaaS & e-commerce companies monitor & optimize their payment performance, in its sale to CheckOut.com, a London-based payment platform.
  • Represented Battery Ventures in numerous strategic transactions, including, its investment in Mews Systems BV, a Dutch company that provides a cloud-based property management software that helps hotels and hostels automate their operations; its investment in Nitro Software Pty Ltd, a provider of cloud software solutions; and its investment in AuditBoard, Inc., a software company that sells user-friendly SOX Compliance and Audit Management programs.
  • Represented Yasso, Inc. in its transaction with Castanea Partners, Inc. Yasso is a Quincy, MA-based company that created the first-ever frozen Greek yogurt bars, which it sells nationwide.
  • Represented Code Red, Inc., in its acquisition by FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) (Nasdaq:FDS). Code Red provides research management technologies to the investment community, including endowments and foundations, institutional asset managers, sovereign wealth funds, pensions, and hedge funds.

Education

University of Virginia, J.D.

American University, B.S.B.A., magna cum laude

Recognition

Chris has been recognized for exceptional standing in the legal community in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2018 for Corporate/M&A (Massachusetts). He has also been recognized in Chambers in previous years. In addition, Chris has been recommended in The Legal 500 United States 2019 editorial for M&A/corporate and commercial—M&A: Middle-market (sub-$500m).

Affiliations

Christopher leads the firm’s ongoing sponsorship of the Harvard Business School Association of Boston. He is a member of the Boston and American bar associations.

Firm Description:

We see 21st century law as a tool to help shape our clients’ futures.

Our focus is on knowing what is important to our clients now and next so we can foresee obstacles and opportunities in their space and smooth the way. We ensure they are equipped with winning legal strategies as they navigate the exciting and challenging times we live in.

Our ability to do this comes from these working principles:

  • We’re curious and extremely focused on understanding our clients’ businesses and industries.
  • We tap the collective intelligence of Nixon Peabody to deliver the best thinking and create value for our clients throughout the world.
  • We lean forward into the future, together with our clients, to see and prepare for what’s ahead.

Working together, we handle complex challenges in litigation, real estate, corporate law and intellectual property anywhere in the world.

Our Promise

Predictive. Proactive. Grow your business.

Our clients need and expect excellent legal counsel. We complete the transaction, resolve the dispute, win the trial. Whatever the industry, wherever the geography.

We deliver high quality legal counsel for your needs right now, and are always looking ahead to what’s next. We follow, and often help shape, evolving legislation and see the key trends affecting your industry. Our teams monitor the political, economic and social landscape to predict future legal challenges and smooth your way.

But you can and should get more from your law firm.

With a uniquely pivotal role that connects companies, regulators, funders, and leaders, we offer our clients high-level partnership. We know your industry and get inside your business to help you achieve your goals. We create connections, form alliances, identify opportunities, minimize risks and help you find new customers.

We are here for all your legal needs.

Our spark.

Our new logo signals our intent—a dynamic “spark” that symbolizes both our innovative ideas and actions and the collective intelligence of the whole firm thinking ahead for our clients.