Gene C. Colman

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Leaders in Law endorses Gene C. Colman as our exclusively recommended Family Law expert in Canada. If you wish to get in touch with Gene, please use the contact information provided above.

Personal: As a father of seven children, and grandfather to many, I realize how essential it is for children to have significant contact and input from both parents. A divorce should not mean that one parent becomes cut off from the children.

Multi Jurisdiction: Divorces and other family law cases that involve more than one jurisdiction is an area of practice where our firm has experience.  I discuss issues with Ontario and international aspects here.

Child Abduction: Where child abduction between counties is an issue, one must consider The Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is a multilateral treaty that establishes proceedings for the prompt return of children who have been wrongfully removed or kept away from their home country.  Canada is a signatory to this Convention along with many other states.  But some countries have not adhered to the Convention, and we have experience there as well.

Residence: Some international family law matters involve complex issues of residence, and one must consider which property regime is to be properly applied and if there is an arguable choice of jurisdiction issue, then your Canadian lawyer must be able to work well with the lawyer in the other country to first of all determine where the client is best off.

Two levels of government in Canada: In Canada, family law jurisdiction is divided between the federal government and the provincial and territorial governments.  For my firm to be involved, your case must have a connection to Ontario.  My firm handles cases throughout the province.

Practice Focus: I have for years advocated:

  • against gender inequality;
  • against parental alienation (resist / refuse);
  • against procedural unfairness; and,
  • on behalf of a legislated presumption for Equal Shared Parenting.

After more than 44 years as a family law lawyer, I find that I do best for clients who have challenging situations of fact and/or law. I welcome complex cases, particularly meritorious appeals on points of law.

Demonstrated Commitment: In September 2018, I was named as the FDRIO (Family Dispute Resolution Institute of Ontario) member of the month.  I have been front and centre in the campaign to improve access to family law justice in Ontario during and post Covid.  I am a founding member of Lawyers for Shared Parenting.  I am a founding editor of the Canadian Journal of Family Law.

The Consultation explanation page at the firm’s website is here.

 

Babette Smeets

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Leaders in Law endorses Babette Smeets as our exclusively recommended Family Law expert in Chile. If you wish to get in touch with Babette, please use the contact information provided above.

Babette Smeets studied Law at the University of Leiden, The Netherlands, specialising in Private Law, Family Law and Inheritance Law. She received an LL.M degree in International Law – Trade, Investments and Arbitration from the University of Chile in Santiago de Chile and the Ruprecht Karls-Universität in Heidelberg, Germany (2011).

Previously, she worked at the Ministry of Finance in Chile as part of the negotiation team for the conclusion of Chilean treaties for the avoidance of double taxation. She also worked in close cooperation with the OECD on the implementation of its established international standards in Chile.

Her special interest in Private and Family Law, and her awareness of a growing need for support and specialised legal advice in the field of family matters –particularly in a global context– led her to focus on this area of expertise. Her multicultural experience and outlook allow her to understand the particular concerns of people from different cultures. Moreover, Babette’s legal experience is not limited to Family Law, so she has a unique understanding of the wider issues associated to family matters.

Babette Smeets is a recognized leader in international succession Law and unclaimed property law and can assist heirs with the legal inheritance and probate process in Chile.  A deceased could also have left assets in Europe, the United States, or elsewhere. She has helped clients with the recognition of their right to inherit and international claims. She also has helped locate heirs and recover assets classified as unclaimed estates in Europe and the United States. Working in a global team provides her the legal ability to handle international claims and get results in even the most complex circumstances.

Areas of Expertise

  • Family Law
  • Private Law
  • Inheritance Law

Education

  • Studied Law – University of Leiden, The Netherlands
  • LL.M degree in International Law – Trade, Investments and Arbitration from the University of Chile in Santiago de Chile & The Ruprecht Karls-Universität in Heidelberg, Germany (2011).

Memberships

International Bar Association.

Firm Description:

SMEETS Family Lawyers provides high quality legal advice and services in the field of Chilean and cross-border family issues. We are dedicated to looking after your personal interests.

We provide specialised expertise in Chilean and international family law for:

  • Private clients, who are looking for an analysis of their juridical situation and to help them in case of disputes or even better; to avoid them;
  • Professionals, such as lawyers, who are looking for cross-border support and rely on our international expertise;
  • All clients who need advice and services concerning settlement in Chile.

We provide legal advice on Chilean and cross-border family matters, such as legalising a foreign marriage, prenuptial agreements, divorces, mediation, alimony, registered partnerships, legal issues involving children (child custody and abduction; the Hague Convention), adoption, inheritances, immigration, relocation or settlement in Chile (we can also assist you with the legal process of buying and selling property in Chile), and others.

We provide our advice and services based on your particular circumstances: quickly, efficiently and effectively with absolute discretion and reliability. If necessary and if you desire it, we can consult and work with law and tax firms (or attorneys), including from abroad.

 

Rainier Mamangun

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Leaders in Law endorses Rainier Mamangun as our exclusively recommended Family Law expert in the Philippines. If you wish to get in touch with Rainier, please use the contact information provided above.

Atty. Rainier Mamangun’s expertise in family law and domestic relations covers representation and advisory services in annulment, declaration of nullity of marriage, recognition of foreign divorce, child custody, spousal and child support, adoption, and domestic abuse cases, among others. For almost two decades, he has worked on over 200 family law-related cases.

Atty. Rainier R. Mamangun is adept at handling cases in and out of court. His training with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs enabled him to hone his diplomatic skills which now prove crucial in his dealings and negotiations with the court and the opposition. His skills at legal drafting and the defense of existing legislation were developed through years of service at the Office for Migrant Workers Affairs and in appearances at Congressional hearings and various inter-agency meetings that dealt with law and policy formulation relating to the welfare of Filipinos overseas. He had defended the constitutionality of the “Migrant Workers’ Act” before the Court of Appeals in coordination with the Office of the Solicitor General.

Prior to establishing the Firm in 2004, Atty. Rainier Mamangun was a lawyer for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) where he worked on labor, civil, and criminal cases involving migrant workers and overseas Filipinos in distress in coordination with Philippine Embassies and Consulates across the globe. He spearheaded various missions to Malaysia, Indonesia, East Timor, Nepal, India and Saudi Arabia to protect the interest of the OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) ; undertook diplomatic representations with foreign governments in connection with the cases he handled, and appeared before foreign courts such as the Riyadh Grand Court – a rarity for Filipino lawyers. While at the DFA, he was instrumental in the rescue of countless victims of human smuggling and trafficking in Asia, and in saving Filipinos on death row in the Middle East.

In 2003, he was part of the Drafting Committee for the Magna Carta for Seafarers, a bill intended to promote the welfare of millions of Filipino seafarers worldwide. He also briefly worked at the Prosecution Division of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). He was also a Legal Consultant to the National Federation of Labor Unions (NAFLU), then one of the biggest labor federations in the Philippines. In 2013, Atty. Mamangun was the recipient of the Certificate of Selection in the area of Family Law from Legal’s Finest — a premier guide to the world’s leading attorneys based in the United Kingdom. In 2020, Atty. Mamangun was awarded the Certificate of Excellence from Advisory Excellence, a London-based organization which profiles the best legal advisers around the globe, for his outstanding performance in the area of Family Law. In 2021, Atty. Mamangun became one of the select few to be invited to the prestigious Asociacion Europea de Abogados, the largest network of lawyers in the world based in Alicante, Spain

Practice Areas

  • Business Law
  • Child Custody & Visitation
  • Child Support
  • Commercial Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Criminal Defense
  • Divorce
  • Family Law
  • Immigration
  • Litigation
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Personal Injury
  • Real Estate
  • Will & Probate

Education

  • University of the Philippines, Political Science
  • Don Bosco Technical College

Bar Admission

Philippine Bar 2001

Affiliations

Member: Fraternal Order of Utopia based in Ateneo Law School

Languages

Filipino and English

Firm Description:

Law Office of Atty. Rainier R. Mamangun/Mamangun Law Office is a full-service law firm located in Pasig City, Philippines that offers a wide variety of legal services. Practice areas include family law such as annulment, legal separation, and child concerns, civil cases, criminal litigation, labor law, immigration, corporate law, medical malpractice, real estate and property law, and special projects.

Established in 2004, the firm is led by Rainier R. Mamangun, who has nearly 20 years of legal experience, along with substantial academic and professional qualifications. He has had training with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, which is valuable in current dealings and negotiations, has appeared at Congressional hearings and other meetings, and published papers on several subjects. Mamangun Law Office offers clients a team of lawyers with extensive experience and vast knowledge in a broad range of legal concerns. The firm is dedicated to competence with concern while providing customized services that are focused around clients’ interests.

 

Mohamed Baiross

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Leaders in Law endorses Mohamed Baiross as our exclusively recommended Family Law expert in Singapore. If you wish to get in touch with Mohamed Baiross please use the contact information provided above.

Baiross is one of the founders and managing partners of IRB Law LLP. He is an experienced lawyer who was admitted to the bar in 2008. He has an excellent reputation across a broad selection of practice areas. He advises clients on matters relating to divorce, insolvency, crime, probate, Syariah law, and general civil litigation.

Baiross is known for delivering effective solutions to legal problems with empathy and patience.

Mr Baiross’ practice area is broad and he can help you in the following:

  • Arbitration;
  • Admiralty and Shipping;
  • Bankruptcy (including voluntary bankruptcy and creditors bankruptcy application);
  • Company winding up (voluntary winding up and compulsory winding up);
  • Criminal defence (Capital Cases (i.e. Drug Trafficking, Murder), Drug possession Consumption, VCH, VCGH, Rioting, Juvenile Offenders etc);
  • Corporate and Commercial litigation (Magistrate Court, District Court, High Court and Court of Appeal actions involving broad areas i.e. breach of contract, minority oppression actions etc);
  • Defamation;
  • Debt recovery (corporate and individual);
  • Divorce (Muslim/Syariah and non-Muslim);
  • Employment Law;
  • Intellectual Property Law including Trademarks, Patents and Copyright
  • Letters of Administration and Probate (Muslim and Non-Muslim)
  • Road Accidents and other negligence claims including Medical Negligence
  • Wills (Muslim and Non-Muslim); and
  • Work Injury Compensation (Industrial Accidents);

For each of the above areas of practice, competent teams of lawyers and paralegals are always on hand to assist Mr Baiross. This enables him to assist you diligently and effectively, and ensures you receive the full services of a big established firm at the competitive prices of a small firm.

As a people’s person and an all-rounded lawyer, Mr Baiross makes it a point to make sure his clients understand the situation they are in, advising them in a manner that is easily understood. He works hard to keep his services affordable for the common man, and is transparent and honest in his assessment of your cases.

Mr Baiross also facilitates notarisation and commissioning with Notaries Public and Commissioners for Oaths who are registered with the Singapore Academy of Law.

Baiross, who was placed in National University of Singapore’s Dean’s List  for academic excellence first started his career in Shook Lin & Bok, one of Singapore’s oldest law firm and had the benefit of working with Senior Counsel who were eventually called to the Bench of the High Court of Singapore.

Baiross had trained under a Senior Counsel in Singapore for several years before commencing IRB LAW LLP.  During the time, he even argued a case in the Court of Appeal of Singapore.

Firm Description:

Founded in 2012, I.R.B Law now has over 50 employees. Our size and structure allows us to maintain a highly personalised level of service, whilst enabling us to cover a significant range of service areas across individual and corporate law. Our clients range from individuals and small family-run companies to large industry leading corporations.

I.R.B Law LLP was founded with a vision to build a law firm that delivers effective and efficient legal services to everyone, from the man on the street to large corporations. IRB Law now has over 50 employees, allowing us to maintain a highly personalised level of service, whilst enabling us to cover a significant range of service areas across individual and corporate law.

We are able to offer top-quality legal services at affordable prices by leveraging technology and falling costs of information. Unlike other law firms, we transfer these cost savings to our clients, which keep our prices very reasonable. Our areas of practice range from family, probate, criminal, personal injury, and personal debt recovery, to international arbitrations, construction and infrastructure, start-ups, mergers and acquisitions, commercial agreements, asset tracing, and enforcement actions.

The firm’s matrimonial practice has dedicated lawyers who regularly undertake both contested and uncontested ancillaries such as divorce, adoption matters, pre-nuptial agreements, division of matrimonial assets and care and control of children. IRB boasts Singapore’s largest Syariah law practice, advising and representing clients in all aspects of Syariah law, such as wills and inheritance matters and divorce.

On civil and commercial matters we have represented clients at all levels of the Singapore Courts, including the Court of Appeal. Elsewhere in the world, our international arbitration team has been representing large international contractors, companies and consultants in arbitrations in Singapore, Malaysia and the wider region, as well as in more distant jurisdictions such as India, China and Romania, primarily in construction, infrastructure, engineering, and commercial disputes.

 

Gary B. Traystman

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Leaders in Law endorses Gary Traystman as our exclusively recommended Family Law expert in Connecticut, USA. If you wish to get in touch with Gary please use the contact information provided above.

After beginning his career in 1981, Attorney Traystman spent the next four years practicing as a general practitioner in the Connecticut courts with an emphasis on Litigation. Commencing in 1985, Attorney Traystman moved his practice to family law; handling divorce, custody, visitation, post-judgment modification, and support matters including alimony and child support. Attorney Traystman has handled thousands of divorces, divorce-related issues, post-judgment modifications and has conducted multi-day trials in various family courts across the state. He is acknowledged throughout the court system as a uniquely experienced and talented family court practitioner.

Attorney Traystman has represented a wide spectrum of clients, from blue collar workers to celebrities and CEO’s of various corporations. Attorney Traystman has appeared on nationally televised programming including Phil Donahue, Inside Edition, Current Affair, and the Today Show regarding numerous issues related to divorce. Traystman has appeared in Forbes Magazine, the New York Daily News, the New York Post, and the New London Day amongst other notable print media. Attorney Traystman has also been referenced on various local news networks concerning new evidentiary territory involving social networking (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc) and discovery related thereon.

Education

  • J. D., Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, 1980
  • B. A., Baldwin Wallace College, 1976
  • Waterford High School, Class of 1972
  • Bar Admission Connecticut, 1981
  • Mohegan Tribal Court, 1998
  • Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Court, 1998

Practice Areas

  • Family Law

Associations

  • Connecticut Bar Association
  • New London County Bar Association
  • Family Court Special Master in Middletown Family Court for 25+ years
  • Family Court Special Master in New London County for 25+ years
  • Family Court Special Master at the Regional Family Trial Docket (a specialized custody docket in Middletown, CT) for 25+ years

Firm Description:

With over 100 years of combined experience, the attorneys at Traystman & Coric, LLC can help you take charge if you’re filing or facing a lawsuit. As a leading law firm in New London, CT, our team has represented thousands of clients in the areas of family law, personal injury, and criminal defense. Our attorneys are admitted to practice at the state, federal, and tribal levels of court, and we also defend clients in personal injury and motor vehicle accident lawsuits.

At Traystman & Coric, LLC, we believe in developing results-driven strategies that give you the advantage. We look forward to speaking with you and guiding you towards the next best step forward!

 

Grażyna Dudkowiak

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Leaders in Law endorses Grażyna Dudkowiak as our exclusively recommended Family Law expert in Poland. If you wish to get in touch with Grażyna please use the contact information provided above.

Grażyna Dudkowiak – Barrister at Law – began studies at the Faculty of Law and Administration at Adam Mickiewicz University. She graduated with distinction in 1984, then she completed legal training and received judicial appointment from the then President of Poland. For many years she was a judge in the Civil Division of District Court in Zielona Góra.

In 1994 she became an attorney at law and then she established one of a few Law Firms in Poland specialising exclusively in the family law and law of succession. This specialist project remains one of few in Poland until this day.

Grażyna Dudkowiak, Esq. is a member of the Bar Council of Lubuskie voivodship and an expert on family law, guardianship law and law of succession. For over five years of working as a judge and over fifteen years of being an attorney at law, Grażyna Dudkowiak has gained a very rich experience.
Family and Succession Law Firm run by Grażyna Dudkowiak as one of few specialises in international family relations, hence, provides service to a substantial number of foreign customers.

Esq. Grażyna Dudkowiak is a Head of Family Law Department (Grażyna Dudkowiak Family Lawyers). She regularly works in headquaters in Zielona Góra.

She speaks Polish, French and Russian.

Firm Description:

Dudkowiak Kopeć Putyra Law Firm was established in 1992 as a response to the thorough economical transformation which Poland was undergoing at that time.

The rich experience of the founders (Andrzej and Grażyna Dudkowiak), who had formerly been commercial judges, enabled the Firm to provide high-quality legal services to a wide variety of international corporations, which in early 90-ties entered a new re-created Polish market.

The accession of Poland to European Union was a new challenge for the Law Firm. At that time the Law Firm was restructured, rebranded and strengthened by new Partners oriented to provide legal services to global corporations conquering Polish market. New foreign investor orientated practice was developed.

As a consequence Dudkowiak Family local Law Firm through last two decades was boosted to internationally recognized level.

Below sliding bars are presenting received awards and recognitions as well as client who trusted in our services.

Currently our Polish Law Firm is features and recognized by:

  • 5 offices in major Polish cities (Warsaw, Kraków, Poznań, Wrocław and Zielona Góra)
  • affiliated legal offices in 9 counties
  • numerous recognitions and awards to selected legal practices
  • one of the most chosen Polish Law Firm dedicated to foreign investors
  • well known for its high standards of work and communication, as well as excellent English skills
  • considered as affordable alternative to big four companies
  • providing wide variety of business related legal services
  • team of approx. 30 lawyers fully committed to comfort and the legal security of the clients
  • affiliated to DPG Tax (Dudkowiak Putyra Grabowski) — leading tax, audit and payroll provider in Poland.

 

Kalev Pihlak

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Leaders in Law endorses Kalev Pihlak as our exclusively recommended Family Law expert in Estonia. If you wish to get in touch with Kalev please use the contact information provided above.

Education

  • 2014 University of Tartu, MA in law
  • 1996 – 2007 Tallinn French School

Membership

  • Member of the Estonian Bar Association since 2014

Career

  • From February 2018 Law Office Turnstone, Attorney at law
  • From January 2017 Law Office Turnstone, Attorney
  • 2015–2016 Kais, Pihlak & Partners Law Office, Attorney
  • 2013–2015 Rödl & Partner Law Firm, Lawyer, from 2014 Attorney

Kalev Pihlak mainly handles civil cases, primarily disputes between companies (loans, construction, bankruptcy, etc), but has advised clients on family and labour law matters.

Working languages: Estonian, English, French and some Russian

Firm Description:

Law Office Turnstone was founded in January 2017.

The lawyers at Law Office Turnstone are experienced, while continuously curious – ready to “turn each stone” in order to find the best solution for the client.

The clientele of the office includes companies, state agencies and local government authorities, start-ups and private persons. The strong economic background of Law Office Turnstone partners gives them a deeper insight into the gist of the economic operations of business clients and thereby the ability to offer solutions at a new level.

Experience in court cases enable them to select the most optimum strategy for each litigation. The fresh knowledge of the younger lawyers are balanced with the strategic thinking of the more experienced colleagues in the activities of the office.

When you chose us as your legal counsel, you chose a partner that is hard working, honours commitments and strives to ensure your commercial activities are run smoothly. We stand up for your rights and are a formidable opponent in disputes. Our years of consistent work and dedication have garnered us respect from colleagues and approval of clients.

We are proud of the quality we provide. We strive to be even better tomorrow. We will not stand idly by. We set ourselves high goals and never shirk responsibility. We always think big.

Practice Areas

  • Company law
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Information technology and other technological solutions
  • Real estate, planning and construction law
  • Data protection
  • Public procurements
  • Tax and financial law
  • Labour law
  • Bankruptcy and reorganisation
  • Intellectual property
  • Family and succession law

 

Feldís Lilja Óskarsdóttir

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Leaders in Law endorses Feldís Lilja Óskarsdóttir as our exclusively recommended Family Law expert in Iceland. If you wish to get in touch with Feldís, please use the contact information provided above.

Education

Cand. jur. from the University of Iceland 1992, District Court Attorney 1995.

Career

Private practising Attorney at law from 2010, representative of Steinunn H Guðbjartsdóttir 2007-2009, Assistant Manager of the District Magistrate of Reykjavík, 1992-2007.

Other activities

A member of the Winding up Board of Kaupthing 2009 – 2016. A member of the Resolution Committee of SPRON in 2009. Lecturer at the University of Reykjavík 2005 – 2012.

Areas of practice

Bankruptcy and Insolvency Law, Enforcement Procedure Law, Family Law.

Firm Description:

Megin Law Firm was established in January 2010. The founders have all extensive experience as attorneys.

The attorneys are Arnór Halldórsson, Björgvin Jónsson, Björn Jóhannesson, Eldjárn Árnason, Feldís L. Óskarsdóttir, Hjördís E. Harðardóttir and Valgerður D. Valdimarsdóttir.

The attorneys have practised law for several years in different law firms. They have also extensive working experience from other fields, i.a. in both the private and public sector in Iceland.

The attorneys have lectured at the University of Iceland, Reykjavík University and Bifröst University.

Among our clients are financial institutions, investment funds, municipalities, firms and private individuals.

 

Saeeq Shajjan

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Leaders in Law endorses Saeeq Shajjan as our exclusively recommended Family Law expert in Afghanistan. If you wish to get in touch with Saeeq, please use the contact information provided above.

Saeeq Shajjan founded SHAJJAN & ASSOCIATES in 2011. Under Shajjan’s leadership, SHAJJAN & ASSOCIATES achieved recognition for its services not only in Afghanistan but also abroad. With over 16 years of hands-on experience, Shajjan’s practice area mainly covers real estate law, commercial law and contract law. He also possesses expertise in corporate law, civil law, family law, criminal law, property law, citizenship law, constitutional law, Islamic law as well as banking, taxation, labor and employment and human rights.

Shajjan has worked with clients in and beyond Afghanistan. He has advised international clients and leading foreign law firms on the applicability of the laws of Afghanistan. He has represented cases and provided expert testimonies on Afghan law related matters before the courts in the United States and the United Kingdom. He has represented several clients in international arbitration cases as a co-counsel. And he has advised different foreign diplomatic missions and advised and represented various international organizations and contractors before courts and administrative agencies in Afghanistan. Shajjan is member of the Afghanistan Independent Bar Association; registered arbitrator with the Afghanistan Center for Commercial Dispute Resolution of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industries and chairman of arbitration and dispute resolution commission of Afghanistan International Chamber of Commerce. He is also board member of Public- Private Partnership for Justice Reform in Afghanistan, PARSA Afghanistan and interim member of AmCham Afghanistan.

He participated in numerous academic panels in international forums and spoke on diverse legal issues particularly the rule of law in Afghanistan. He delivered talks at Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Boston University Law School, La Verne College of Law, Williams College, Simmons College, Walker Institute of International and Area Studies and the University of Sciences Po, Paris. In addition, he has done numerous interviews with both local and western media outlets on scores of topics pertinent to legal issues. Prior to starting his own practice, Shajjan worked for the Government of Afghanistan as Senior Advisor on Policies and Legislation with the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC). Since 2003 Shajjan contributed, in different capacities, to the development of legal community in Afghanistan by training Afghan judges, prosecutors, attorneys and fresh law graduates from across the country. He has made promising efforts in advocating the rule of law, furthering principles of constitutionalism and strengthening legal profession.

Firm Description:

In Afghanistan provision of legal services trace back to as early as 1964 when the then Afghan Constitution for the first time stipulated the right to defense counsel. However, the profession suffered a setback in the years to come as the entire justice system was heavily affected by different phases of war from late 1970s to 1990s. Contrary to this backdrop, post-2001 with the advent of the international community, a vigorous campaign was initiated to improve the legal sector and strengthen the rule of law in Afghanistan. This has transformed the justice sector immensely and strengthened the legal institutions to a noteworthy level. SHAJJAN & ASSOCIATES remained an essential contributor to this campaign since it was founded.

SHAJJAN & ASSOCIATES was founded in 2011 by Saeeq Shajjan and registered under the laws of Afghanistan. Soon SHAJJAN & ASSOCIATES established itself as a ‘go-to law firm’ in Afghanistan. The firm’s scope of practice includes but is not limited to legal counseling, litigation, legislative drafting and legal capacity building. Additionally, provision of pro-bono legal services to the needy people is inherited as a core culture in each of our attorneys. Client service is our shared professional value. We believe that SHAJJAN & ASSOCIATES is not about us; it is about services to our clients. This attitude helped us to emerge as the ‘firm of choice’ in Afghanistan and beyond.

Mary Barton

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Wide ranging experience in international private and public law family issues.  I specialise in all matters where issues arise out of ‘family’ relationships, such as:

Breakdown of relationships, separation and divorce as well as cross-border, residence and contact disputes in relation to children and finance and property issues.

I also help couples looking to prevent difficulties arising in the future by entering into Nuptial Agreements.

I have the experience to not only litigate in the appropriate forum but to also utilise Collaborative Law principles and offer mediation as an alternative.  It is essential to remember that reaching agreement always works best, rather than enduring the additional emotional distress and financial expense of litigation.

Formerly based in London and Essex, latterly in the United Arab Emirates (Dubai) and now in Bulgaria I have  a global client base.  Not only do I have extensive  experience of representing individuals before Courts, but I also have extensive experience as an individual party’s appointed expert witness and as a single joint expert witness, providing written reports or Affidavits and giving oral evidence to Courts in various jurisdictions.  My experience and expertise in UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi etc) family law, is recognised at The Academy of Experts, London and in my accreditation as a Member of that body.

I am an energetic parent and grand-parent who came to the legal profession ‘by accident’. In 1992 I graduated from the impressive Law Department of The University of Essex, where my tutors included the late Professor Sir Nigel Rodley, Professor Dame Carolyn Hamilton and Professor Francoise Hampson (to name but a few). I then worked as a Paralegal with a local law firm in Essex until my youngest child reached an age where I could travel to complete the Academic Stage of my training, which I did in 1997. After completion of my Solicitor’s Training Contract in London (and taking numerous further examinations to complete my post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice) I was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors on 1 February 2000.