AM Wood & Co

Managing Partner:James Banda

Number of partners:5

Number of lawyers:23

INTRODUCTION

A full-service law firm with offices in Lusaka and Ndola, AMW & Co Legal Practitioners was established in 1994. Our Managing Partner, Mr. James Banda, is a former President of the Law Association of Zambia, a former President of the SADC Lawyers Association and the current Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Zambia branch.

OVERVIEW

AMW & Co Legal Practitioners offers a comprehensive array of legal services to our clients from all industries.Our expertise includes structuring and facilitating commercial transactions, mining, energy, corporate, commercial, banking/finance, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, manufacturing, agriculture, information technology, competition, insolvency, litigation, employment, immigration, intellectual property, real estate, conveyancing, tax, probate, construction, environmental and criminal law. We have specialized experience in alternative dispute resolution with three of our partners being Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. We are committed to devising strategic and practical solutions to help our clientele anticipate and reduce risks.

PRACTICE AREAS

CORPORATE AND COMMERCIAL LAW

The firm has extensive experience with significant corporate and commercial transactions of all types on both a national and international scale. We represent at least 4 of the 22 listed companies in Zambia, and local and foreign investors seeking to do business in Zambia. In the last 3 years the firm completed two separate mergers/acquisitions by international banks of 2 local banks. The firm has handled multi-million-dollar mergers/acquisitions in the tourism sector, manufacturing and other strategic sectors. We offer services in company formations, company secretarial work and other corporate advisory services.

BANKING AND FINANCE

The firm advises leading banks and financial institutions and other clients in all aspects of banking and finance including structured finance, project finance, securitizations, loan financing, bank regulations, the establishment and registration of banks, derivatives, corporate bonds, debt financing and related services. The firm advocates for impact investments and sustainable, innovative financing. We also advised a development finance institution in multi-million-dollar debt restructuring.

CONVEYANCING/PROPERTY

The firm provides a comprehensive conveyancing service to residential, retail, and commercial real property developers, reputable estate firms and financial institutions. The array includes leases, mortgages, debentures, and outright sales.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

AMW & Co Legal Practitioners has a distinguished litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution practice, representing clients in some of the largest and most complex disputes in Zambia. Our experience includes construction, property rights, employment disputes, trusts, wills, commercial contracts, sale of land, exemption clauses, limitation of liability, debt recovery, mortgage actions, banking related claims and defamation.

EMPLOYMENT LAW

The firm’s employment law expertise includes contracts of employment, conditions of service, employment disputes, union negotiations, and termination and dismissal matters for notable entities.

TAXATION

The firm provides specialist tax advice related to income, customs, value added and other categories of tax arising from commercial transactions or corporate re-organisations.

PRIVATE EQUITY

The firm offers customized solutions for its international and local clientele which adhere to worldwide standards for investment through private equity transactions. Our lawyers are adept at highlighting issues that arise in the Zambian context and providing structured advice accordingly.

IMMIGRATION LAW

The firm provides immigration related services such as obtaining visas and permits. The firm also has a wealth of experience in immigration related disputes involving actions against the State.

COMPETITION LAW

The firm excels at competition law advice in commercial transactions and regulatory matters. Our team includes published authors on competition law.

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Our environmental law team has an in-depth knowledge of the evolving and developing environmental sector, including the effects of climate change and carbon offset market, and we work closely with government departments when devising strategies and implementing projects for our clients.

MINING AND ENERGY

Our team has strong industry experience representing clients engaged in mining and mineral processing, from prospecting license applications up to large-scale mining licenses operations. In both mining and energy, we provide guidance on employee relationships, environmental responsibilities, and general mining and energy law. Our energy work includes advising solar farms.

CONSTRUCTION LAW

Construction law is a preeminent area for our firm both at the front and back ends of projects. With extensive involvement in drafting construction contracts intricate disputes and matters, we possess unparalleled insight into both the legal nuances and special procedures of this sector. Our thorough understanding of standard form contracts like FIDIC and JBCC construction, positions us advantageously. Our firm has represented developers, contractors, and state-owned entities on significant construction projects in Zambia.

Other Practice Areas:

Intellectual Property

Family & Domestic Relations

Technology/Data Protection

Insolvency & Receivership