Forum for Corporate Advisory Lawyers launched

A new platform called Forum of Corporate Advisory Lawyers (FOCAL) has been launched recently.

FOCAL is a non-political and knowledge-based platform established for research and advocacy in the field of corporate laws of Bangladesh, and professional development of corporate law practitioners.

FOCAL hopes to engage with policymakers, legislatures, members of the administration of justice and the extended stakeholders dealing with corporate laws to review existing legal regime, create awareness for relevant amendments, and suggest appropriate changes in the legal and policy landscape. It intends to become the premier platform for training of members of the legal profession on corporate law and dispute resolution mechanism in Bangladesh.

One of the founding trustees of FOCAL, Barrister Junayed Chowdhury, commented that "the idea of FOCAL stems from the collaborative ethos of members of Bangladesh corporate Bar and it is hoped that in due time FOCAL will become the bridging platform for the legal profession, other stakeholders and policymakers in Bangladesh".

Commenting on FOCAL as a "historic initiative", Barrister Hassan M.S. Azim, another founding trustee, commented that "it is a timely move to create a common platform for the corporate lawyers in Bangladesh to work together in the greater interest of the Country when the whole world is about to witness a shift of focus of the global business ventures from China to the South Asian Countries where Bangladesh could possibly become one the most attractive locations."

Describing FOCAL as "forward-thinking", Barrister Anita Ghazi Rahman-Islam, a FOCAL Board of Trustees member hoped "to identify challenges faced by corporates and corporate lawyers and to ignite solutions and to add positively to the fraternity and create a benchmark of professionalism".

The Founding Trustees of FOCAL are – Barrister Ashraful Hadi, Partner and Co-Head, Alliance Laws, Barrister Hassan M.S Azim, Managing Partner, Legal Reliance, Barrister Sajeda Farisa Kabir, Partner, Vertex Chambers, Barrister Anita Ghazi Rahman-Islam, Founder & Partner, The Legal Circle, Barrister Junayed Chowdhury, Managing Partner, Vertex Chambers and Barrister Margub Kabir, Head of Chambers, Margub Kabir & Associates.

For more details, please visit FOCAL's website: www.focalbd.org