Vellani & Vellani, a full service practice with offices in Karachi and Islamabad, was first established under the name Wali Mohammad Vellani & Co. in 1937 and incorporated the law practice of Mahmud & Vellani. The Firm was renamed Vellani & Vellani in 1972. In 2015, the practice of M. Naim-ur-Rahman & Associates was integrated with the practice of Vellani & Vellani and effective from 1 March 2018, Amhurst Brown, previously associated with the London practice Amhurst Brown Colombotti (which merged with Howard Kennedy), has merged with Vellani & Vellani.
Vellani & Vellani prides itself in providing a high quality of service, in a timely, pragmatic and effective manner, with lawyers having the depth and breadth of understanding and expertise to that help meet the clients’ commercial aspirations. With international experience within the Firm and long-standing regional and global relationships, we are well placed to provide relevant and cutting-edge advice to our clients.
The firm assists multinational and local clients by providing a wide range of corporate advisory services, including set-up of companies (private, public and listed), branches and liaison offices, liquidation of companies, branches and liaison offices, along with conversion of status of company, from example, from private limited company to public limited company, increases in capital and issue of shares carrying varying rights,
The firm also assists and advises clients on a range of corporate housekeeping including drafting of board and shareholder resolutions and powers of attorney and filing of statutory returns, as well as statutory public disclosure requirements for listed companies.
The firm has expertise and experience in drafting and advising on a full range of agreements, including the following:
The firm regularly advises companies on the relevant legislation in Pakistan for sector specific businesses and carries out a review of the laws to identify compliance related issues. The firm also handles self due-diligence projects of clients on matters regarding antitrust, bribery and corruption, data protection and employment.
The firm also carries out trainings for employees of corporate clients on various matters including bribery and corruption and white collar crimes and legal compliance of contractual obligations.
The Firm has particular expertise in handling substantial and complex cases on behalf of multinationals, local businesses, individuals and the Government of Pakistan. Members of the Firm have successfully handled major arbitrations in Singapore, Belgium and London and expert determinations within Pakistan. Most recently it has been defending WAPDA in actions by an independent power producer. The Firm has acted in broad-ranging litigation across Pakistan, including defending and prosecuting breach of contract claims, recovery suits, winding-up petitions, labour matters, enforcement of security against defaulting borrowers and prepared settlement agreements between creditors and debtors. The Firm has an experienced team committed to succeeding in any dispute in which it is involved. Furthermore, it has the depth and competence to be able to manage the logistical challenges often presented by international arbitration. The Firm has close connections with the United Kingdom such that it can access the legal resources there.
Vellani & Vellani’s leading Intellectual Property (IP) practice comprises of specialist lawyers and experienced trademark, copyright, patent and design professionals. Our team routinely handles many of the most significant IP matters across Pakistan, representing major clients in the field of pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, retail, oil and gas, telecommunications, information technology.
The firm’s involvement with committees of associations such as International Trademark Association (INTA), Asian Patent Attorney’s Association (APAA), International Association for the Protection of |Intellectual Property (AIPPI)), combined with attendance at international IP events, ensures that our lawyers remain up to date with international developments in the area of IP law.
The firm’s IP practice covers the following:
Patents & Designs
Consultancy services in relation to patents provided by the firm include searches with respect to patentability of new inventions, opinions regarding the validity and scope of previously issued patents, and infringement investigations to determine if an article or process infringes a valid patent.
The firm also offers comprehensive services in preparing, filing and prosecuting patent and design applications, oppositions and infringement litigation.
Trademarks
The firm serves its clients in every phase of the adoption and protection of trade marks. This includes the carrying out of searches at the Trade Marks Registry for clearance and determining registrability of the mark, preparation of trade mark applications and representation of the client through every step of the process leading to the grant of registration and also attends to renewal of trade marks. The firm also provides watch services, which afford an opportunity to oppose registration of conflicting marks, which could damage a client's rights and also serve to detect possible infringements.
The firm provides a full range of legal services in trade mark infringements, including litigation services.
Copyright
Services offered to clients in the copyright field include infringement reviews, counselling and litigation, registration for all types of works. The firm represents both domestic and foreign copyright owners.
The presence of the Copyright Office in Karachi, allows the firm to quickly file to register and protect the copyrights of its clients or research the facts behind an infringement claim.
Domain Names
Internet Domain names has gained importance in recent years with the rapid growth of the Internet. The firm provides assistance in registration of Internet Domain Names under the .PK domain as well as services with regards to use of clients Trade Marks as Domain Names under the .PK domain.
Licensing
Foreign and domestic licensing and assignment of various rights including patent, trade secret, trademark, copyright and "know-how" constitute an important service to the firm's clients and are referred to generally as "technology transfers".
Franchising
Services offered to clients in relation to franchising include advice relating to the setting up, operation and management of franchises in Pakistan, the licensing requirements, the protection of intellectual property rights, investments and foreign exchange regulations, taxation and other regulatory requirements, as well as issues regarding real estate and monopolies, and in this connection drafting of franchise, trademark and distributor/license agreements and leasing agreements.
