Full-service firm AS & Associates offers a wide range of legal services to national and international clients. Their areas of expertise include corporate law, project finance, M&A, and regulatory and compliance-related services. The firm has a strong focus on the power and energy sector, banking and finance, capital markets, telecommunications, data protection and privacy, and litigation. Additionally, they provide corporate structuring and restructuring, regulatory assessment, employment, internal control and compliance, and legal audit services. Partner Ferdaus Rahman is a key figure at the firm, while partners ASA Bari and Farhana Khan departed in January 2023.
Client feedback
"Timely delivery, expertise in corporate finance and investment banking products, and flexibility to tune with the needs of the transaction." –
Banking and finance
"Highly responsive, very thorough, and sound legal advice." –
Capital markets
"Cost-effective and prompt." – Construction
"The firm has impressive professional expertise, market knowledge, and the ability to provide practical solutions to clients based on commercial and business needs. During this assignment, the firm was able to address strategic differences between the parties with their superior skills, providing clear investment and subsequent merger roadmap to both parties, demonstrating their vast experience." – Corporate and M&A
"The firm has market knowledge and understanding of its clients' businesses. In all of the instructions I have given them over the years, I have seen that they are capable of providing complete and out-of-the-box solution-based advice that always adds value to my business. In particular with the strategic investment advice I received from the firm for the expansion of my business and its tax-efficient structuring in the most recent engagement, it was highly beneficial for me and my business." – Corporate and M&A
"They are well-informed, positive and energetic. The best thing is, they know what they are doing." – Corporate and M&A
"Providing local advice that is right to the point and responsive." – Energy
“We have been extremely impressed with this law firm. Their reactivity is exceptional – they answer immediately, any time during the week, and we are sometimes left wondering when they sleep! They are professional, polite and service-oriented. Their knowledge of the humanitarian sector/context and the heavy issues we face is impressive. They are approachable and friendly, which creates an excellent working environment. Their counsel is well-balanced – they quote the law, but also help us interpret how it applies (or doesn't) to our specific situation. This sets them apart from other law firms we have worked with in the past, who simply provided us with the law without context. We highly recommend this law firm to anyone seeking legal assistance.” – Labour and employment
Dewan Faisal
"We appreciate his timely delivery, knowledge, and ability to provide prudent solutions.”
Ferdaus Rahman
“Thorough and responsive.”
"He is a market leader known for his strategic legal advice and reputation for dealing with complex cross-border matters. His creative structuring of my business for expansion from the UK to the UAE, in a regulatory-compliant and tax-efficient manner, was very impressive. During our interactions, he gave me personal and dedicated attention, making me feel assured."
"He has vast knowledge in corporate matters and maintains a positive attitude while finding solutions within tight time frames."
"It is a real pleasure to work with him. If I could, I would bring him with me to my next assignment as his help has been invaluable."
Habib Rahman
“Habib is our main contact person at AS & Associates. He works diligently to meet our deadlines, even if it means working over the weekend.”
“His service is fast and he provides a helpful comparison with other jurisdictions.”
Work highlights
Advised International Finance Corporation, the World Bank and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority on the proposal for a new bankruptcy and secured transaction bill in Bangladesh. The project is not only a national legacy initiative, but also significant for encompassing all aspects of corporate and financing advisory from the regulators' and international lending agency's unique perspective.
Assisted a renewable energy company in designing an investment structure and operational modality in order to establish a battery manufacturing plant in the UAE.
Advised an energy and chemical company on regulatory compliance for cross-border carbon rights trading under the regulatory regime of Bangladesh.
Key clients
Anwar Ispat, Danstar Ferment, Huntsman Netherlands.
Dhaka-based full-service law firm Bangladesh Law Partners specialises in banking and finance, arbitration, and civil and commercial litigation. The firm's lawyers have expertise in corporate law, regulatory affairs, securities law and corporate governance. They also advise on complex business transactions such as joint ventures, partnerships and international expansions. Led by barrister Shajib Mahmood Alam, the firm serves both domestic and international clients.
Client feedback
"The firm has expertise in the area of law relevant to our needs. They provided lawyers who are knowledgeable, experienced and up to date on the latest developments in the telecoms field." – Private client
"My impression about Bangladesh Law Partners (BDLP) is extremely positive. They are a truly professional firm. They are very good at making decisions in pressured time – as a professional law firm, they have everything that they need. BDLP is a very responsible, trusted firm in Bangladesh, professional, and it has a high ability to handle critical situations, commitment and output delivered fluently, quotations are reasonable compared with other firms and the overall service is very good." – Private equity
"Prompt feedback." – Real estate
"The firm is very efficient and steadfast." – Regulatory
Shajib Mahmood Alam
“Barrister Alam is a fabulous lawyer with exceptional intelligence.”
Work highlights
Advised China Railway Group on bank’s entitlement, law of succession, banking laws and laws relating to irrevocable power. In this case, the involvement of multiple parties claiming to be receivers of payments from the firm's client through legal provisions and contractual obligations was significant.
Advised Borak Real Estate on matters related to a technical services and development assistance agreement with an international hotel operator.
Advised KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering on various financial terms along with an extensive review of ‘limitation of liability’.
Key clients
Changjiang Dredging, Hallo BD Gadgets, Huisida Consultancy China, PH Navigation.
DFDL is a full-service international-linked law firm in Bangladesh. It combines offshore expertise with local knowledge to advise clients across practice areas like mergers and acquisitions, energy projects, infrastructure and general corporate commercial matters. The firm uniquely offers both international and local expertise across banking and finance, restructuring, employment law, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution, in addition to energy, infrastructure and M&A. Partner Shahwar Nizam is a key contact.
Client feedback
“High-quality, practical and creative advice.” – Restructuring and insolvency
Shahwar Nizam
“Excellent client management coupled with creative, practical advice.”
Work highlights
Advised SHV Energy, a global distributor of off-grid energy, on its $150 million acquisition of local liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bottler, marketer and cylinder manufacturer Petromax LPG and Petromax Cylinders. The firm is also assisting SHV Energy in undertaking due diligence on other multiple LPG assets for acquisition in Bangladesh. The entrance of SHV Energy in the market is expected to have a significant impact downstream in the energy market.
Assisted Hong Kong-based energy company Kai Heng Long in the acquisition of Laugfs Gas (Bangladesh), a Sri Lankan and UAE-owned joint venture which is involved in the business of LPG bottling and distribution in Bangladesh.
Acted as the local counsel and assisted Actis in the acquisition of a 220MW combined cycle gas turbine project under development at Bhola, Bangladesh, from Shapoorji Pallonji Infrastructure Capital Company Private, including arranging a refinancing for the project.
Key clients
Eleris Energy, Nebras Power Investment Management, Softbank Vision Fund, Export-Import Bank of China.
With roots dating back to 1965, Doulah & Doulah now houses 12 partners and 18 associates. The firm is active in project financing and corporate and M&A work. Nasirud Doulah and Amina Khatoon are the main contacts.
Work highlights
Advised Amazon on its large investment in Bangladesh’s e-commerce sector. Prepared the initial country framework and structuring of the start-up business model for Amazon
Advised Capital Alliance Partners on the acquisition of a merchant bank in Bangladesh.
Acted as the local legal counsel for a consortium of Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund, China Citic Bank and China Development Bank in the project financing of a toll road in Bangladesh.
Key clients
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, General Electric, HDFC Sinpower, Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation, uFlex
FM Associates offers comprehensive services across business and corporate finance through a team of lawyers with diverse expertise. The firm's specialists cover key practice areas including aviation, corporate and commercial law, dispute resolution, labour and employment law, and telecommunications advisory. Key contacts include Al Amin Rahman and Sarjean Rahman, who lead on corporate disputes and aviation matters, and AHM Belal Chowdhury, a highly experienced financial adviser handling tax and finance matters.
Client feedback
“FM Associates has a team of experienced lawyers in the relevant fields. The team’s strength is providing pragmatic solutions rather than bookish advice.” – Banking and finance
“Efficient and prompt.” – Corporate and M&A
Al Amin Rahman
“Well known and vigilant.”
“Experienced and knowledgeable.”
Work highlights
Acted for Expo Freight on debt recovery issues.
Acted for Agility Bangladesh on debt recovery issues.
Advising South Korea's largest trading company POSCO International Corporation on matters related to foreign exchange laws and the liquidation process.
Key clients
Excelerate Energy, Networks Bangladesh, Nokia Solutions, Omera Petroleum, Tex Services.
Rahman's Chambers is a full-service law firm with one of the largest networks in Bangladesh, operating from five locations nationwide. Founded in 2006 by Mohammed Forrukh Rahman, the firm continues a 100-year family legal tradition. Rahman's Chambers comprises 17 senior lawyers and talented junior lawyers organised under nine specialised departments covering 31 distinct practice areas. These include shipping, construction, corporate finance law, dispute resolution and an international division serving cross-border clients. Narita Navin Khan and Md Abdul Khaleque are other significant figures.
Client feedback
Forrukh Rahman
“He readily accepted our instructions and acted on them promptly.”
Work highlights
Represented vessel owner Atrium Maritime in a sensational collision incident with frigates of the Bangladesh Navy. The settlement of this case will significantly enrich the diplomatic relationship between Greece and Bangladesh.
Successfully represented a building society that owns the Delta Dahlia, building in a major commercial hub in Dhaka, in stopping renovation works being carried out by a renowned shopping mall under a lease agreement. The firm filed a lawsuit and obtained a favourable order from the Joint District Court of Dhaka.
Key clients
Maruhisa Pacific, Sanmar Properties, Unitex Group.
Tanjib Alam & Associates is a fully fledged law firm with vast experience in corporate and commercial practice in Bangladesh. The firm has also been involving in numerous telecom projects in the jurisdiction. Tanjib-ul Alam is a key figure.
Work highlights
Acted as local counsel for the target entity bKash, the first unicorn company in Bangladesh, on foreign direct investment from SoftBank Group.
Actes as legal counsel for Bangladesh Steel Re-rolling, the largest steel manufacture in Bangladesh, in a merger with its subsidiary.
Key clients
Coca Cola Bangladesh, DP World Finance Service, Facebook, FMO, Grameenphone, The City Bank
VDB Loi's Bangladesh team provides legal, regulatory and tax advisory services in close cooperation with colleagues across the region. The Bangladesh practice is also well versed in the energy and infrastructure sectors. VDB Loi is represented in Bangladesh by VDB Loi Bangladesh Private, which focuses exclusively on non-regulated services. For Bangladesh law or tax advice the firm is represented by licensed Bangladesh advocates or tax professionals in association with VDB Loi. Key partners include Ariful Hasan, Mehebub Hossain and Osman Goni.
Work highlights
Advising renewable power producer Scatec on legal and regulatory regime and requirements, land issues and corporate matters, including shareholder issues, and the legal and regulatory environment in connection with the proposed restructuring of a renewable energy project in Bangladesh.
Advising State Power Investment Corporation (China) on its acquisition of a wind project in the Mongla area of Bangladesh.
Advising plastic pipe company China Lesso on the sanitary industry, with its market entry into Bangladesh.
Key clients
hSenid Business Solutions, Kajima Corporation, Risen Energy, Toyota Tsusho Corporation.
