| Position: |
Senior Legal Consultant
|
| Contact: |
douglas.smith@habibalmulla.com
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| Admitted: |
1998, England and Wales,1998, Law
Society of Hong Kong Solicitor; 1983, Law Society of Upper Canada
Barrister and Solicitor |
| Education: |
LL.B. Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario Canada, 1981;
B.A. (History, Politics) Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, 1978 |
| Language(s): |
English |
| Expertise: |
Asset Finance / Securitisation
Commercial
Corporate Finance & Capital Markets
Corporate Structuring & Restructuring
Cross-Border Transactions
Employment Law
Infrastructure Projects
Intellectual Property/Franchising
Mergers & Acquisitions
Investment Funds
Private Equity
Regulatory & Public law
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| Practice & Experience: |
With over 25 years’ experience, Douglas’s main areas of practice include corporate law, M&A, private equity, equity-related securities offerings (including IPOs and secondary offerings), corporate restructurings, joint ventures and the drafting, negotiation and settlement of associated documentation and commercial agreements. He also advises on corporate governance and regulation within the UAE.
Douglas has been involved in complex transactional work in numerous jurisdictions in the Middle East, North America and Europe, as well as in East and Southeast Asia, including China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and India.
Douglas is on the board of directors of numerous public and private companies and frequently speaks on corporate and commercial law. He is a former lecturer at Carlton University in Ottawa, Canada and at the University of Hong Kong as well as a guest lecturer at the City University of Hong Kong.
Douglas holds an LLB from Queens University in Canada. He is admitted to the Bar of England and Wales, the Hong Kong Bar and the Canadian Bar.
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| Publications/Papers: |
"The Use of Trusts for Asset Protection in the UAE,” In-House Lawyer, March 2010.
"Commentary On The Dubai World Insolvency Code - Toward A Clearer Path,” Mondaq, January 2010.
"International Stock Purchase Acquisitions: Summaries of International Law,” American Bar Association, 2007 Edition
"China Commercial Contracts,” LegalStudio (4th Edition, 2005-6), Co-Editor and Contributor, Author Finance and Banking chapters
"Proposed Changes to Companies Law,” International Financial Law Review, October, 2004
"The New Listing Rules,” International Financial Law Review, August, 2004
"Hong Kong Company Law Reform,” International Financial Law Review, April, 2004
"Due Diligence in Commercial Transactions,” Hong Kong Lawyer, October, 2000
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| Publications: |
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| Speaking Engagements: |
"The Legal Framework for M&A:
strategies, pitfalls and the Legislative Landscape,” MEED Mergers and
Acquisitions Summit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 2009
"Business Development in the Middle East Conference, Forming
Alliances and Partnerships - the Indigenous Law Firm Perspective,” The
Lawyer ?Dubai, UAE, April 2009
"Conducting Business in the Gulf,” China Law and Practice Hong Kong In-House Summit, Hong Kong, March 2009
"Centres of Islamic Finance panel,” Pacific Business Press, 2009 UAE In-House Counsel Forum, Moderator: Dubai, UAE, March 2009
"Conducting Due Diligence in Cross-border Transactions,”
Lexis/Nexis Due Diligence in Commercial Transactions Conference, Hong
Kong, March 2008
"Conducting Due Diligence in PRC Transactions ? Evaluating Your
Partner or Target,” American Conference Institute Second National
Symposium on Mergers and Acquisitions in China, New York City, NY, USA,
December 2006
"Overview of PRC Commercial Law: Legislative and Practical
Developments,” Alliance for Tax, Legal, and Accounting Seminars (ATLAS)
Fourth Annual Summit on Legal and Financial Strategies for Doing
Business in China, New York City, NY, USA, November 2006
"Drafting Letters of Intent and MOUs in China Transactions,”
American Conference Institute, National Symposium on Mergers and
Acquisitions in China, San Francisco, CA, USA, May 2005
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