About
Provided by M. Hamel-Smith & Co.
Established in 1909, Hamel-Smith is widely-recognised as a pioneer in Trinidad and Tobago’s business community and the legal profession. As a member of Lex Mundi, Hamel-Smith works with member firms and other global law firms to provide innovative legal solutions to some of the world's largest corporations in dispute resolution, as well as cross-border and domestic transactions.
Hamel-Smith clients’ commercial objectives are paramount to the firm; it focuses on fashioning practical, business-oriented legal solutions to achieve them. Sensitive to clients needs for cost-certainty, the firm is prepared to agree fixed fees in advance, provide estimates for agreed phases of work or agree other flexible fee arrangements.
The Transactional team has extensive experience representing clients of varied industry sectors in an array of commercial transactions including business structuring, incorporation and on-going compliance, mergers & acquisitions, tax disputes, project structuring and financing, capital markets and securities structuring and compliance.
The Disputes & Risk Management team is known for taking a practical approach to matters, and boasts strategic thinkers who work closely with clients to develop and implement strategies to avoid, manage and resolve disputes cost-effectively. The firm also has a highly valued labour and employment law practice, and offers a coordinated intellectual property service for the regional registration and maintenance of trademarks and patents.
Chambers Review
M. Hamel-Smith & Co. is one of the best-known law firms in the Caribbean, with a history in Trinidad stretching back to the early twentieth century. It is noted for handling highly significant litigation work, including shareholder disputes, tax appeals and insolvency proceedings. Its outstanding litigation capabilities are matched by its considerable transactional know-how; the firm has an excellent track record when it comes to major M&A, finance and capital markets matters. Interviewees have the highest praise for its work and consistently rate it as a leading name in the jurisdiction.
Work Highlights
- M. Hamel-Smith & Co. acted as Trinidad counsel for the Woodside Energy Group on its acquisition of the entire share capital of BHP Petroleum International.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"We have found the firm to be very pragmatic and solution-oriented."
"They provide the highest quality of advice and legal insight, which in no small measure has contributed to our successful closing of a number of complex transactions."
"We have found the firm to be very pragmatic and solution-oriented."
"They provide the highest quality of advice and legal insight, which in no small measure has contributed to our successful closing of a number of complex transactions."
Notable Practitioners
Managing partner Nicole Ferreira-Aaron is noted for her considerable expertise in aviation finance, representing an impressive list of clients in this field. Her broader practice spans a wide variety of financing agreements in addition to M&A transactions and capital markets issuances.
"Nicole is client-focused, responsive and always able to help us achieve our goals."
Timothy Hamel-Smith is one of Trinidad & Tobago's most experienced transactional lawyers, having overseen a large number of matters in the course of a career that spans close to five decades. He is well respected by his fellow professionals.
Jonathan Walker leads the dispute and risk management group at Hamel-Smith, where he is regularly called upon to assist with some of Trinidad's largest commercial disputes. He is well versed in High Court litigation and appellate proceedings, with experience covering areas such as contractual disputes, insurance claims and constitutional law proceedings.
Glenn Hamel-Smith is an esteemed lawyer who heads the banking and finance practice at Hamel-Smith. He regularly advises on revolving credit facilities and acts for an impressive list of commercial lenders. He is also notable for his debt capital markets practice and has additional expertise in rights issuances, M&A and restructuring matters.
"Glenn is extremely knowledgeable, responsive and diligent."
Melissa Inglefield advises on an array of finance transactions and capital markets issuances. Her name is well known to fellow professionals, who judge her to be one of Trinidad's most impressive younger lawyers.
"Melissa has a wonderfully calm demeanour; matched with her competence and diligence, she is a dream to work alongside for our challenging transactions."
Gregory Pantin is a respected disputes lawyer in Trinidad & Tobago. He has a range of experience spanning trade and employment cases as well as personal injury disputes. He is well known in the market as a sound choice to handle both litigation and arbitration.
"Gregory Pantin's client management skills are above average. He is also very responsive to the needs of his client and he always seeks the best for them."
Ranked Lawyers at
M. Hamel-Smith & Co.
Trinidad & Tobago
Members
Provided by M. Hamel-Smith & Co.