Sarah Farooq, with over ten years of corporate and commercial law experience handles our transactional and advisory work. She holds an LL.B (Hons) from the University of London and an LL.M in Commercial Law from the University of Birmingham, with a specialization in Financing of International Trade, International Sale of Goods, Company Law and Intellectual Property.
At present she manages commercial and contractual matters for the Firm, primarily handling of M&A work, contracts, financing agreements and trade transactions.
In her last two roles Sarah has held senior leadership positions, independently handling the legal departments for some of the leading multinationals operating in Pakistan.
As the Operations Attorney for The Coca-Cola Export Corporation, Pakistan Branch she managed the legal affairs for Coca-Cola International interests in Pakistan and Afghanistan. During her time with the Company Sarah was involved in the Aujan Industries and Coca-Cola Export Corporation merger, the Monster (Energy Drink Brand) Acquisition, in advising on new product development and business expansion opportunities, ensuring legal protection and coverage for asset, and handling of the Company’s equity interests in its Bottling operations. Day to day management of the company’s legal and compliance affairs provided her insight into different aspects of the business, from negotiation of contracts, to risk management, monitoring of marketing activities, regulatory compliance and advising on multiple tax issues.
Prior to that, whilst working with Lafarge Pakistan Cement Limited, in her capacity as General Counsel and Company Secretary, Sarah gained first-hand experience with a recently acquired listed company, which required management of many current and inherited matters. During this time Sarah managed the Company’s high profile cases including inter alia, the litigation resulting from the Competition Commission of Pakistan’s fines on the cement industry for alleged cartelization, and several cases pertaining to the Environmental Protection Agencies. During this time she also had the chance to manage and conclude a long standing arbitration matter of 1.7 Million USD value. In addition to litigation Sarah was involved in handling of several long term and short term financing arrangements, including structuring, restructuring and drafting of the Company’s syndicated term finance agreement.
Sarah also had the chance to provide legal services dedicated towards HR and Supply Chain functions while working with the Pakistan Tobacco Company (British American Tobacco Group). This role required involvement in handling of union and labour issues, Collective Bargaining Agreements, Turn-key construction projects, advising on HR policies and general supply chain matters. One of the key projects Sarah handled during this period pertained to the development of a Competition Law Guide and conducting country-wide trainings to create awareness amongst employees and monitoring of activities which would fall within the purview of this law.
Sarah has extensive experience with drafting and reviewing of legal documentation, Service Provider Contracts, Supply Chain Agreements, Shareholding Agreements, Share Purchase Agreements and other M&A documentation, Financing Agreements, Indemnities, Guarantees, Turn-Key Contracts, Leases and property sale/purchase agreements. She is also fluent with the preparation of court submissions, power of attorney’s, MoA’s, AoA, Trust Deeds etc.
Her experience with various companies of different jurisdictions has also given her a thorough working knowledge of the processes and regulations which affect organizations across the globe and to anticipate the risks a lawyer must consider when advising a range of different clients.