Sameer Khosa

Practice Areas

Sameer’s legal expertise spans multiple key practice areas, reflecting a comprehensive command of constitutional, regulatory, commercial, arbitration law, and criminal trial work. His practice is rooted in a deep understanding of Pakistan’s legal framework and the ability to offer strategic solutions to complex legal challenges.

In constitutional law, Sameer specializes in handling high-stakes cases. Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of major constitutional and human rights litigation. He challenged the practice of virginity testing of victims of sexual harassment. He has litigated issues of animal rights related to hunting practices and dog culling. He was part of the team that litigated for increased use of DNA evidence and forensic evidence in rape cases. He was also part of the team of lawyers challenging the constitutionality of conducting trial of civilians in peace time before military courts. He has also prepared the challenge to the constitutionality of jail trials. Sameer has also been involved in major constitutional litigation such as the challenge to the allocation of reserved seats in the National Assembly disproportionately in violation of the Constitution. His constitutional practice extends to advising clients on matters involving judicial review, governance disputes, and public interest litigation. Through his work, Sameer has contributed to shaping judicial discourse on issues of public importance.

Sameer’s expertise in regulatory law encompasses representing clients in disputes with regulatory authorities and advising on compliance frameworks. He has defended professional and regulatory bodies such as the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and professional institutes like the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan and the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan.

In the domain of commercial law, Sameer represents businesses across diverse industries on matters involving contractual disputes, breach of agreements, intellectual property conflicts, tax litigation, and corporate governance. Sameer’s work in this area often includes representing private sector entities in litigation arising out of business conflicts and disputes related to corporate transactions. His ability to combine legal insight with practical business considerations sets him apart in the field of commercial dispute resolution.

Another core area of Sameer’s practice is labor and employment law, where he has significant experience representing both employers and employees in legal disputes. He has defended public and private sector clients in cases involving workplace rights, employment contracts, and compliance with labour laws. Sameer’s labour law expertise also includes advising on collective bargaining issues and representing clients in disputes brought before the High Courts under constitutional jurisdiction.

Sameer’s arbitration practice covers both domestic and international arbitration, where he handles cases under institutional frameworks like the ICC, UNCITRAL, and (formerly) DIFC-LCIA. His arbitration work includes commercial disputes involving cross-border issues, investment treaties, and sector-specific contracts. His ability to navigate the nuances of arbitration rules and procedures has enabled him to secure favorable outcomes for clients in high-value disputes. Sameer’s arbitration expertise also extends to addressing procedural challenges, such as obtaining anti-suit injunctions or vacating anti-arbitration measures, thereby safeguarding his clients’ rights to arbitration.

In white-collar crime law, Sameer provides strategic counsel on cases involving allegations of financial misconduct, corporate fraud, and regulatory non-compliance. His role in prosecuting and defending these cases reflects his ability to manage sensitive and complex legal disputes that require a high degree of discretion and technical expertise.

Career

Sameer’s career spans over 14 years in constitutional and commercial dispute resolution. Over the years, Sameer’s meticulous approach, sharp legal acumen, and client-first mindset propelled him to become a recognized name in the field. From representing government entities in high-profile disputes to defending private sector clients in complex commercial cases, Sameer has built a reputation for his ability to navigate multifaceted legal challenges.

His ability to combine a deep understanding of constitutional law with commercial pragmatism has been a hallmark of his practice. Sameer’s practice has not only focused on representing his clients but also on shaping the broader legal landscape of Pakistan by bringing forward impactful human rights litigation and advising on critical regulatory matters. As a seasoned advocate, Sameer regularly appears before the Lahore High Court, Islamabad High Court, and the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

In addition to his litigation practice, Sameer’s expertise in arbitration and dispute resolution has brought him international recognition. He has represented clients in major domestic and international arbitrations, securing significant awards and legal victories. His career trajectory reflects a unique blend of commitment to justice, passion for legal excellence, and an unwavering focus on client success. Sameer has also written Op-eds for various news publications on issues of national importance from time to time.

Professional Memberships

Pakistan Bar Council: Registered as a practicing advocate of the High Court, Sameer actively participates in advancing the interests of the legal profession in Pakistan.

Lahore High Court Bar Association: As a member, Sameer contributes to discussions on legal reforms and access to justice.

New York State Bar Assocation.

Industry Sector Expertise

Sameer’s clientele spans a wide array of industries, reflecting his versatility and deep understanding of sectors The key sectors he has worked in include:

Energy and Utilities: Represented OGRA and other stakeholders in high-profile energy disputes, shaping regulatory practices in the sector.

Telecom: Advised telecom companies on Pakistan's regulatory landscape including the key regulators, licensing requirements, and navigating compliance issues.

Financial Technology (Fintech): Counseled fintech start-ups on navigating regulatory requirements and resolving commercial disputes.

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs): Provided legal advice to FMCG companies on intellectual property disputes and contractual matters.

Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs): Assisted NPOs in regulatory compliance and disputes, ensuring operational continuity.

Technology and Start-Ups: Helped IT firms and start-ups resolve inter-department conflicts, protect intellectual property, and mitigate litigation risks.

Travel and Leisure: Represented travel companies in commercial disputes involving service agreements and regulatory compliance.

Public Sector Entities: Defended public institutions in constitutional challenges, labor disputes, and regulatory cases.

Work Highlights

Sameer’s career is marked by numerous accomplishments across his practice areas. Some of his most notable work highlights include:

OGRA Litigation: Successfully represented OGRA in a landmark dispute involving unaccounted-for-gas (UFG) allocations, safeguarding billions of rupees for the regulatory authority.

Constitutional Challenges: Played a pivotal role in challenging the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), protecting the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, challenging the constitutionality of appointing retired judges as election tribunals, challenging the rigging and irregularities in the General Election of 2024, and agitating for allocation of Reserved Seats to the PTI in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan.

Landmark Rights Cases: Advocated against the use of the “Two Finger Test” for rape survivors, advocated for greater use of DNA and forensic testing and in rape cases, was involved in the challenge to the constitutionality of the trial of civilians by military courts in peace time.

Amicus Curiae Appointments: Appointed by the Lahore High Court in critical cases involving labor rights, migrants’ rights, and animal rights, contributing to landmark judgments.

$4.5 Million Arbitration Award: Part of the legal team that secured a rare $4.5 million award for a state-owned entity in an ICC arbitration case.

International Arbitration Success: Played a key role in obtaining one of the first anti-suit injunctions from a DIFC court in a DIFC-LCIA arbitration matter.

Election Disputes: Successfully represented clients in election disputes, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

Cross-Border Collaboration: Worked with international legal teams on arbitration matters involving oil exploration and steel sector investment disputes.

Languages Spoken

English, Urdu

Education