Muhammad Umer Riaz Law Associates

Section 1: Basic Information

Muhammad Umer Riaz (MUR) Law Associates started its business in 2009 and its offices are in Islamabad, Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar and Lahore. The firm also has some representation in Multan through collaboration. The firm’s areas of expertise include Constitutional and Administrative Law, Civil Law (Property Disputes), Criminal Law, NAB Law, Service Matters, Company and Banking Law, Customs Law, Fiscal Matters, Project Finance and Merger & Acquisition Law. MUR offers litigation and legal services related to Corporate law, Transactional, Taxation, Alternative dispute resolution, commercial law, Labor and Employment law, Intellectual Property laws and insurance law and International trade and business. The firm offers legal services in hardcore criminal legal matters as well.

Section 2: Structure of the Firm

The firm has a team of 40 to 50 lawyers in Lahore, 20 lawyers in Karachi and 10 lawyers in Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar each. There are four partners including two liability partners in the firm. There is no human resources or accounts department. The lawyers in the firm perform the responsibilities of these departments. There is no hierarchy among the associates.

Section 3: Hiring Mechanism

Internship:The firm offers almost two-month-long summer internships. The candidates are expected to approach the firm for internship opportunities. The interns do research and draft letters and opinions. The stipend is decided in consideration of the firm's earnings.

Associate:Hiring is on a need basis only. The candidates approach the firm for the ‘Associate’ position through word-of-mouth. Two partners are responsible for hiring the associates but after getting hired the associates work with every partner in the firm. The firm hires the associates on a profit-sharing basis and there is no base monthly salary. The associates receive a share of the profit from the cases they are working on. Following this profit-sharing model, a Fresh graduate associate is expected to earn a minimum of 50,000 PKR per month. Associates are paid a finder’s fee if they bring business to the firm. The percentage of the finder’s fee was not disclosed. The associates are allowed to entertain/meet the firm's clients independently on the firm’s behalf. The firm offers a partnership track.