Since joining the firm in 2020, Sama has made significant contributions across various areas including transactions, banking and finance, dispute resolution, and employment matters. Additionally, she has been actively engaged in advising the firm's pro bono activities. Sama joined the firm as a trainee associate and was amongst the first batch in Maldives to complete the mandatory 1-year licensing training program introduced by the Legal Profession Act. Subsequently, she successfully passed the inaugral bar examination administered by the Bar Council of Maldives, where she was recognised as one of the top scorers. During her training, she explored all practice areas of the firm and even contributed as an author of the Chambers Global Practice Guides: Employment 2021 (Maldives). Sama takes a keen interest in mergers and acquisitions and alternative dispute resolution, which was sparked during internships at the firm in 2018 and at one of Malaysia's largest law firms, Chooi & Company + Cheang & Arif, in 2019. During her internship in Malaysia, she collaborated with some of Malaysia's leading legal practitioners, providing support in corporate, arbitration, and intellectual property matters. Sama also gained valuable experiences through legal internships at the Attorney General's Office and Prosecutor General's Office of Maldives.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
- Outstanding Achievement in Bar Exam (2023)
- University Level Award: President’s Award (2021)
- Law Faculty Level Awards: Overall Best Student Award (2021) and Best Student in Company Law (2021)
NOTABLE MATTERS
- Undertook due diligence for the acquisition of greenfield and operational tourist properties in the Maldives, which includes:
- acquisition of leasehold rights of ADh. Maafushivaru
- acquisition of leasehold rights of N. Raafushi
- acquisition of leasehold rights of Adh. Kudarah
- acquisition of sub-leasehold rights of K. Olhahali
- acquisitin of leasehold rights of Lh. Kanuhura
- Assisted counsel in the drafting and issuance of legal opinions and title reports in relation to the re-financing and project finance of tourism developments in the Maldives from foreign banks and financial institutions
- Reviewed the listed bond prospectus of a private equity company
- Provided cross-border legal advice on intellectual property, procurement and maritime law
- Organised and conducted a workshop series for members of a non-governmental organization to acquaint with contract, tax, and employment laws of Maldives
- Assisted the sole arbitrator presiding over a commercial dispute at the Asian International Arbitration Centre in Malaysia.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATIONS
Member
Maldives Law Institute
Member
Bar Council of Maldives
PRACTICE AREAS
Capital Markets
Construction and Infrastructure
Dispute Resolution
Employment and Industrial Relations
Foreign Investments
Information Technology, Media and Communications
Shipping and Maritime
Tourism and Hospitality