RIAA Barker Gillette has secured leading rankings in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026, reinforcing its position as Pakistan’s premier full-service law firm. The firm achieved Band 1 rankings across four core practice areas, with multiple partners recognised as leading practitioners.
Band 1 Rankings Across Key Practice Areas
The Legal 500 awarded RIAA Barker Gillette Band 1 status in Banking and Finance (including Islamic Finance), Corporate and M&A, Dispute Resolution and Projects and Energy. The guide also ranked the firm for Tax, Labour and Employment and TMT.
In Banking and Finance, The Legal 500 notes the team’s extensive experience supporting financial delivery of projects across mining, transport and infrastructure sectors. The guide highlights the firm’s Shariah Law expertise, with a proven track record in Sukuk and Musharakah transactions. Bilal Shaukat is named as a Leading Partner and practice head, with Ahsan Zahir Rizvi and Shafaq Rehman also recognised.
The Corporate and M&A team is praised for its ability to close complex cross-border transactions, with particular expertise in greenfield and brownfield investments. Ahsan Zahir Rizvi, Bilal Shaukat, Yousaf Khosa and Mazhar Bangash lead various areas falling within this practice, with Senior Associate Momin Taufiq also named.
The Dispute Resolution practice is led by Yousaf Khosa from the firm’s Islamabad office. The Legal 500 highlights the team’s strong track record in contentious tax, corporate and labour matters, as well as arbitration work. Mayhar Kazi, Nadir Altaf and Shahbakht Pirzada are also named.
In Projects and Energy, Hasnain Naqvee is recognised as a Leading Partner and heads the team. The guide notes the firm’s extensive experience in solar, thermal and renewable energy projects. Bilal Shaukat and Nadir Altaf are also highlighted, with Altaf praised for his “multidisciplinary skill set”.
Client Testimonials
Clients praised the firm’s capabilities in independent feedback to The Legal 500. One client commented on the dispute resolution practice: “The practice stands out for its combination of technical expertise, commercial acumen, and pragmatic problem-solving; it has deep sector knowledge and a strong track record in managing high-stakes disputes, from complex commercial litigation to sensitive cross-border arbitration.”
Another client highlighted the firm’s projects and energy expertise: “RIAA has consistently impressed us with their exceptional depth of expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence in the Projects and Energy sector. What truly sets their team apart is the strategic clarity and commercial insight they bring to every engagement.”
Market-Leading Expertise
“These Legal 500 rankings reflect the market-leading expertise, strategic approach and uncompromising client service that sets RIAA Barker Gillette apart,” commented Managing Partner Bilal Shaukat. “We remain committed to providing exceptional legal counsel to help our clients navigate complex challenges and achieve successful outcomes.”
The firm’s full Legal 500 Pakistan rankings and editorial commentary are available on The Legal 500 website. For more information, contact Bilal Shaukat.
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RIAA Barker Gillette is Pakistan’s premier law firm, with an on-the-ground presence in four major cities in Pakistan: Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore and affiliated offices in Dubai (DIFC) and London.
The firm practices in all areas of corporate, commercial and dispute resolution law. Leading international legal directories consistently recognise the firm as a top-tier law firm in Pakistan.
RIAA Barker Gillette is the exclusive member firm in Pakistan for Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms with in-depth experience in over 125 countries worldwide.
