Top 10 Lawyers in Dhaka Bangladesh

Finding the right legal representation in Dhaka is often a challenging task. Whether you are dealing with a complex corporate merger, a critical property dispute, or a sensitive family matter, securing a highly qualified advocate can make all the difference. The legal system in Bangladesh is notoriously burdened with backlogs, meaning cases can drag on for years without an expert guiding hand.

To help you find the best legal counsel, we have compiled a detailed guide to the top 10 lawyers in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This list includes senior jurists, top corporate barristers, and prominent High Court advocates, utilizing commonly used Bangladeshi legal terms to ensure clarity.

Key Legal Terms Used in Bangladesh

Before diving into the profiles, it is helpful to understand the common designations used within the Bangladeshi legal system:

• Advocate: A legal professional enrolled under the Bangladesh Bar Council who can represent clients and argue cases in the lower (District) courts or the Supreme Court.
• Barrister: An advocate who has been called to the Bar of England and Wales. In Bangladesh, barristers primarily practice corporate, commercial, and constitutional law.
• Senior Advocate: A highly prestigious title conferred by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh to veteran lawyers with exceptional expertise, integrity, and decades of practice.

Top 10 Lawyers and Law Firms in Dhaka

1. Dr. Kamal Hossain (Senior Advocate)

• Primary Practice Areas: Constitutional Law, International Arbitration, Corporate Law
• Court Affiliation: Appellate Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• Chamber Location: Motijheel C/A, Dhaka

Dr. Kamal Hossain is widely regarded as the most respected jurist in Bangladesh. Known as the “Father of the Bangladeshi Constitution,” he headed the drafting committee for the country’s constitution in 1972.

• Expertise: He is a global authority on public international law and international commercial arbitration. His firm, Dr. Kamal Hossain & Associates, handles complex trans-border disputes, energy sector litigations, and landmark constitutional matters.
• Best For: High-stakes international arbitrations, cross-border corporate contracts, and major constitutional writ petitions.

2. Barrister Tanjib-ul Alam

• Primary Practice Areas: Company Law, Telecommunications, Banking & Finance, Energy
• Court Affiliation: Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• Chamber Location: Karwan Bazar, Dhaka

Barrister Tanjib-ul Alam is one of the most prominent corporate lawyers of the modern generation in Bangladesh. He is highly sought after by top multinational corporations (MNCs), local conglomerates, and financial institutions.

• Expertise: He played a pivotal role in drafting the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act and has advised on some of the largest telecommunication mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the country. His chambers, Tanjib Alam & Associates, routinely handle company matters, bankruptcy cases, and intellectual property disputes.
• Best For: Corporate law, syndication financing, telecommunication licensing, and high-value corporate litigation.

3. Barrister M. Amir-Ul Islam (Senior Advocate)

• Primary Practice Areas: Constitutional Law, Civil Litigation, Commercial Law
• Court Affiliation: Appellate Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• Chamber Location: Kakrail, Dhaka

Another legendary figure in the Bangladeshi legal landscape, Barrister M. Amir-Ul Islam was heavily involved in the drafting of the Proclamation of Independence of Bangladesh in 1971.

• Expertise: He is a veteran Senior Advocate with decades of experience arguing landmark cases before the Appellate Division. His firm, The Law Associates, is well-known for handling intricate civil litigations, land disputes, and high-profile corporate clients.
• Best For: Complex civil land disputes, appellate matters, and major corporate advisories.

4. Barrister Nihad Kabir

• Primary Practice Areas: Corporate Law, Banking, Commercial Transactions, Employment Law
• Court Affiliation: Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• Chamber Location: Gulshan, Dhaka

Barrister Nihad Kabir is an exceptionally respected figure in both the legal and business communities of Bangladesh (Hoque, 2015). She has served as the President of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka.

• Expertise: As the senior partner of Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed & Associates (one of the oldest corporate law firms in Bangladesh), she specializes in commercial contracts, banking law, corporate governance, and employment disputes.
• Best For: Corporate compliance, labor law matters for MNCs, and restructuring of financial institutions.

5. Advocate Manzill Murshid

• Primary Practice Areas: Public Interest Litigation (PIL), Constitutional Law, Human Rights
• Court Affiliation: High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• Chamber Location: Court House Street, Kotwali, Dhaka

Advocate Manzill Murshid is the most well-known name in Bangladesh for Public Interest Litigation (PIL). He is the president of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).

• Expertise: If you follow Bangladeshi news, you will frequently see his name attached to landmark High Court orders regarding environmental protection, consumer rights, and the preservation of public rivers (Hasan, 2016). He specializes in challenging arbitrary government actions via Writ Petitions under Article 102 of the Constitution.
• Best For: Writ petitions, environmental law disputes, administrative law, and human rights advocacy.

6. Barrister Rokonuddin Mahmud (Senior Advocate)

• Primary Practice Areas: Commercial Law, Criminal Revision, Writs
• Court Affiliation: Appellate Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• Chamber Location: Purana Paltan, Dhaka

Barrister Rokonuddin Mahmud is a former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and a powerhouse in the courtroom.

• Expertise: Known for his sharp wit and commanding courtroom presence, he is a go-to counsel for high-profile business tycoons and political figures facing complex criminal or civil challenges. He regularly argues before both the High Court and Appellate Divisions.
• Best For: High-profile anti-corruption cases, complex white-collar criminal defense, and heavy civil litigation.

7. Barrister Sara Hossain

• Primary Practice Areas: Human Rights Law, Family Law, Constitutional Writs
• Court Affiliation: Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• Chamber Location: Segunbagicha, Dhaka

Barrister Sara Hossain is an internationally acclaimed human rights lawyer and the Honorary Executive Director of the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) (Rafiqauzzaman, 2018).

• Expertise: Practicing at Dr. Kamal Hossain & Associates, she has spent decades advocating for women’s rights, freedom of speech, and marginalized communities. She handles sensitive family law cases, child custody disputes, and constitutional writs challenging human rights violations.
• Best For: Complex family law (divorce, child custody), civil rights, and public interest matters.

8. Barrister AM Amin Uddin (Senior Advocate)

• Primary Practice Areas: Civil Litigation, Land Disputes, Corporate Writs
• Court Affiliation: Appellate Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• Chamber Location: Supreme Court Bar Association Building, Dhaka

Barrister AM Amin Uddin has served multiple terms as the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association and has also held the office of the Attorney General for Bangladesh.

• Expertise: He possesses immense knowledge regarding the intricacies of land laws, civil procedures, and property litigations in Bangladesh. His vast network and deep understanding of the local judiciary make him a highly effective advocate.
• Best For: High-stakes property disputes, land titles, and complex appellate litigation.

9. Barrister Imtiaz Uddin Ahmad Asif

• Primary Practice Areas: Admiralty & Shipping, International Trade, Intellectual Property
• Court Affiliation: High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• Chamber Location: Mohakhali, Dhaka

For matters involving maritime issues, international trade, or custom disputes, Barrister Imtiaz Uddin Ahmad Asif is widely recognized as a top expert.

• Expertise: His chambers manage a massive volume of corporate legal work, specifically focusing on the arrest of ships, cargo claims, international commercial transactions, and trademark/patent registrations in Bangladesh.
• Best For: Admiralty law, shipping disputes, customs and taxation issues, and IP protection.

10. Barrister Sameer Sattar

• Primary Practice Areas: Corporate Law, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Foreign Investment
• Court Affiliation: Supreme Court of Bangladesh
• Chamber Location: Gulshan, Dhaka

Barrister Sameer Sattar is highly prominent among young and mid-career corporate legal experts. He has served as the President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI).

• Expertise: Through his firm, Sattar & Co., he provides comprehensive legal solutions to foreign investors, venture capital funds, and tech startups. He is highly proficient in drafting joint-venture agreements, advising on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations, and handling commercial arbitrations.
• Best For: Tech startups, foreign investment compliance, cross-border joint ventures, and commercial contracts.

Tips for Choosing the Right Lawyer in Dhaka

Selecting the right advocate requires careful checking of their track record. Keep the following practical steps in mind:

• Check the Specialization: A senior criminal lawyer may not be the right choice to draft a website’s terms of service or handle an IT copyright dispute. Always pick a lawyer who specializes in your exact problem.
• Understand the Fee Structure: In Bangladesh, lawyers charge in multiple ways—a fixed fee per hearing, a total lump-sum retainer for the entire case, or an hourly rate (common for top corporate firms). Clarify the cost of clerk fees (sheresta charges) and court fees upfront to avoid unexpected bills.
• Verify Bar Council Enrollment: Ensure your advocate is actively enrolled with the Bangladesh Bar Council and holds a valid membership with either the Dhaka Bar Association or the Supreme Court Bar Association.

References

Asrafuzzaman, A. B. M., & Hasan, M. G. M. (2022). Causes and redresses of delays in disposal of civil suits in Dhaka District Judge Court: An empirical study. Dhaka University Law Journal, 33(1), 1–15. Cited by: 4

Hasan, M. J. M. R. (2016). In the Supreme Court of Bangladesh High Court Division (Special Original Jurisdiction) Writ Petition No. 6306 of 2010. Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

Hoque, R. (2015). Gender and the legal profession in Bangladesh: Achievements and challenges. NAVEIÑ REET: Nordic Journal of Law and Social Research, (3), 45–64. https://doi.org/10.7146/nnjlsr.v0i3.111105 Cited by: 5

Rafiqauzzaman, M. (2018). Public interest litigation in Bangladesh a case study. Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs. Cited by: 7