What Vellani & Vellani does

Vellani & Vellani is a premier full-service Pakistani law firm established in 1937 (originally as Wali Mohammad Vellani & Co.) and headquartered in Karachi with a second office in Islamabad. The firm operates as an independent partnership and has grown through successive mergers, most recently absorbing the practices of M. Naim ur Rahman and Associates (2015) and Amhurst Brown (2018). It fields approximately 30 legal professionals — including 7 partners, 8 counsels, 3 senior associates, 8 associates, and 4 consultants — with credentials spanning Pakistan and England & Wales, and prior tenure at firms such as Baker McKenzie, Clifford Chance, and CMS Cameron McKenna.

The firm delivers legal services across 11 practice areas: Intellectual Property, Oil & Gas, Anti-Trust, Real Estate, Environment, Not-for-Profit, Banking & Project Finance, Corporate & Commercial, M&A and Restructuring, Dispute Resolution, and Technology, Media & Telecommunication. Its client base spans multinational corporations and their Pakistani subsidiaries (Shell Pakistan, ENI, Chevron, GSK, Novartis, Unilever, Coca-Cola, Amazon, K-Electric, Hub Power), local conglomerates (Lakson, Dawood, Lucky, House of Habib), technology companies and startups (Careem, Food Panda), and not-for-profit organizations (Hisaar Foundation, Aga Khan entities). Notable mandates include the Thar coal mine financing for Sindh Engro Coal Mining, a PKR 133 billion Islamic financing for tower-asset acquisition, and Pakistan's first AAA-rated Rs. 2.5 billion Gender Bond in 2023.

Revenue is generated through professional services on a quote-based pricing model tied to matter complexity, practice area, counsel seniority, and transaction value. Distribution is partner-led and direct, supplemented by membership in the First Law International (FLI) elite global network for cross-border referrals. The firm has held continuous Tier 1 / top-ranked status across Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, Asia Law, and IP STARS. It is a private partnership with no external institutional ownership, no public listing, and no disclosed financial figures.

Name

Vellani & Vellani

Legal name

Vellani & Vellani

Website

https://vellani.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Vellani & Vellani is a premier full-service Pakistani law firm established in 1937, with offices in Karachi and Islamabad, serving multinational corporations, local conglomerates, tech firms, and not-for-profits across 11 practice areas including M&A, banking and project finance, IP, and dispute resolution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Legal Services

NAICS

Offices of Lawyers (541110)

SIC

Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Securities Law (BPAHAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corporate Development & Strategic Partnerships Advisory (JVs, Alliances, Carve-outs) (BPAHAOAG), M&A Advisory (Buy-side/Sell-side) (BPAHADAC)

Keywords

• Corporate legal services
• Mergers acquisitions advisory
• Intellectual property law
• Project finance law
• Commercial dispute resolution

Headquarters

HQ city

Karachi

HQ country

Pakistan

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Legal Advisory Services: The firm generates revenue through professional legal services including corporate advisory, M&A transactions, IP protection, dispute resolution, project finance, and regulatory compliance. Services are provided to multinational corporations, local subsidiaries, and not-for-profit organizations across Pakistan.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Vellani & Vellani is a premier, full-service Pakistani law firm founded in 1937 that provides comprehensive legal services across eleven practice areas including corporate and commercial advisory, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, banking and project finance, oil and gas, dispute resolution, real estate, antitrust, environment, not-for-profit advisory, and technology/media/telecommunications. The firm serves multinational corporations, local conglomerates, and not-for-profit organizations through its Karachi and Islamabad offices, with international reach supported by the First Law International network.

Product overview

Vellani & Vellani is a premier full-service law firm offering comprehensive legal services through eleven distinct practice areas. The firm operates as a unified legal practice with expertise spanning Intellectual Property (patents, trademarks, copyrights, domain names, licensing/franchising), Oil & Gas (upstream and downstream advisory), Anti-Trust (competition law, merger control), Real Estate (transactions and estate planning), Environment (EPA compliance, impact assessments), Not-for-Profit (NGO/charity establishment and operations), Banking & Project Finance (energy/infrastructure project finance, renewable energy), Corporate & Commercial (company setup, governance, commercial contracts), Mergers & Acquisitions & Restructuring (M&A, private equity, cross-border transactions), Dispute Resolution (litigation, international arbitration), and Technology, Media & Telecommunication (tech sector advisory, startup M&A). The practice areas work collaboratively to serve a diverse client base including multinational corporations, local businesses, and not-for-profit organizations across Pakistan and internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Intellectual Property Services Leading IP practice covering patents, designs, trademarks, copyrights, domain names, and licensing/franchising advisory services for pharmaceutical, consumer goods, and technology clients.
• Oil & Gas Advisory Comprehensive legal services for oil and gas sector including gas field commercialization, concession documentation, pipeline financing, and exploration activities for multinational energy companies.
• Anti-Trust Practice Competition law representation across industries including distributorship, licensing, franchising, toll manufacturing, merger control, and deceptive marketing practices.
• Real Estate Services Landmark real estate transactions, contentious and non-contentious probate matters, estate planning, and asset transfer advisory across jurisdictions.
• Environment Law Practice Environmental Protection Agency compliance, EPA applications and renewals, environmental impact assessments, and environmental litigation services.
• Not-for-Profit Advisory Establishment and operation advisory for NGOs, INGOs, companies limited by guarantee, charitable societies, trusts, and tax-exempt status acquisition.
• Banking & Project Finance Landmark energy and infrastructure project finance, lender and sponsor representation, and renewable energy advisory including solar, wind, Thar coal, and LNG projects.
• Corporate & Commercial Advisory Corporate setup, governance, commercial agreements including license, franchise, agency, distributorship, toll manufacturing, and compliance advisory services.
• Mergers & Acquisitions, Restructuring Securities, restructurings, M&A and private equity services including cross-border acquisitions, divestments, listings, and regulatory governance.
• Dispute Resolution Substantial and complex litigation, international arbitration in Singapore, Belgium and London, and representation before Income Tax Appellate Tribunal.
• Technology, Media & Telecommunication Tech startup advisory, cross listings, M&A in tech space, and technology sector legal services for local and international clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Involved in Pakistan's first 'AAA' Rated Rs. 2.5 Billion Gender Bond launched in 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• First Law International (FLI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVellani & Vellani is a member of First Law International, an Elite Global Network of over 80 independent full-service law firms providing standardized solutions for cross-border legal support. FLI is the only EU-based Elite Global Network specializing in multinational client service.
• Baker McKenziecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFehem Hashmi practiced at Baker McKenzie at their Riyadh office. The firm currently assists Baker McKenzie as local counsel, including advising on Sika AG's global acquisition of MBCC Group and GE's acquisition of Nexus Controls.
• Clifford ChanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFehem Hashmi practiced at Clifford Chance at their Riyadh office before returning to Pakistan.
• International Trademark Association (INTA)coreOthersVellani & Vellani maintains active membership in INTA, an international association with members from 185 countries representing over 34,350 professionals. Firm members serve on INTA committees including the Enforcement Committee and Trademark Reporter Committee.
• Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA)coreOthersActive membership with Khushnum Muncherji elected as the first woman President of the Pakistan Group of APAA from 2012-2014. Firm regularly participates in APAA Council and General Meetings.
• International Association for the Protection of Industrial Property (AIPPI)coreOthersMembership in AIPPI, a non-profit international association dedicated to developing and improving laws for IP protection with about 9,000 members from 125+ countries.
• Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA)coreOthersActive membership in IPBA, an international association of business and commercial lawyers in the Asia-Pacific Region with over 1,500 members from 65+ jurisdictions.
• Association of European Trade Mark Owners (Marques)minorOthersMembership in Marques, a European association representing brand owners' interests since 1986.
• Pharmaceutical Trade Marks Group (PTMG)minorOthersMembership in PTMG, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1970 enabling members to consider problems of mutual interest relating to trademarks and IP in pharmaceutical industries.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mandviwalla & Zafar: Pakistani full-service law firm with comparable practice areas including corporate, M&A, banking, and dispute resolution. Direct competitor for top-tier Pakistani mandates and consistently ranked alongside Vellani & Vellani by Chambers and Legal 500.
• Khalid Anwer & Co. Pakistani full-service law firm with comparable M&A, banking, and corporate practice. Direct competitor for top-tier Pakistani clients and international law firm referrals.
• Haidermota & Co. Pakistani law firm with strong banking, finance, and corporate practice. Direct peer competing for project finance, M&A, and regulatory mandates in Pakistan.
• Cornelius, Lane & Mufti: Pakistani law firm with strong corporate, banking, and dispute resolution practices. Direct peer competing for similar multinational and domestic clients in Pakistan.
• RIAA Barker Gillette: One of Pakistan's most established full-service law firms, formerly Rizvi, Isa, Afridi & Angell. Direct peer with comparable M&A, corporate, banking, IP, and dispute resolution practices serving multinational and domestic clients in Pakistan.

Broad incumbents

• Clifford Chance: Global Magic Circle law firm with Pakistan-related work typically handled through local counsel relationships. Comparable in serving large multinational clients requiring cross-border corporate, M&A, and banking legal services.
• Baker McKenzie: Global law firm with established Pakistan practice through FLI referrals and local counsel relationships. Comparable in serving multinational clients requiring cross-border legal services, though Vellani & Vellani acts as local counsel to Baker McKenzie on transactions like Sika AG's MBCC acquisition.

Regional players

• Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas: India's largest full-service law firm and a South Asian regional comparable. Comparable in practice breadth, M&A, project finance, and IP capabilities, though it primarily serves Indian clients and would be a regional rather than direct Pakistani competitor.
• AZB & Partners: India-based full-service law firm with comparable M&A, banking, project finance, and dispute resolution practices. Regional comparable providing insight into top-tier South Asian law firm positioning and client base.
• Trilegal: India-based top-tier law firm with comparable corporate, M&A, and dispute resolution practices. Regional comparable providing insight into South Asian law firm scaling and partnership economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vellani
• Facebookfacebook.com/VellaniV

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vellani & Vellani