Ph.D. (International Law), Paris University · Advocate, Lahore High Court
Founder of Azam Chaudhry Law Associates in 1974, Dr. Chaudhry combines decades of Pakistani legal practice with a distinguished international public-service career in the United Nations system.
Dr. Mohammad Azam Chaudhry founded Azam Chaudhry Law Associates in 1974, following a distinguished career in international public service that placed him at the heart of the United Nations system for over a decade.
He joined the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 1976 as Legal Officer, where he served as Secretary of the Legal Committee of the Executive Council and of the General Assembly, and negotiated agreements with the Governments of Spain, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Peru during his tenure as Legal Officer (1979–1982).
He subsequently served UNHCR in Geneva as Legal Advisor (1986–1987), supervising the application of international legal norms, negotiating and drafting assistance agreements, air charter agreements and commercial contracts, and handling litigation and insurance claims. During this period he also served as Member of the Joint Appeals Board, the Contracts Committee, the Executive Management Group and the Coordination Team, and as Secretary of the Management Committee. From 1982 to 1986, he acted as UNHCR's Representative in Spain.
Since 1987, Dr. Chaudhry has practised as an advocate in Pakistan, advising on arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, corporate affairs, banking and financial matters, oil and gas law, import and export regulation, telecommunications law, power generation and energy law, and international trade law under WTO agreements.
1968
Enrolled as an Advocate
Began his formal legal career as an enrolled advocate.
1973
Advocate, Lahore High Court
Enrolled as an Advocate of the Lahore High Court.
1974
Founded ACLA
Established Azam Chaudhry Law Associates.
1976–1982
World Tourism Organization
Served as Legal Officer; acted as Secretary of key legal bodies and negotiated agreements with the Governments of Spain, Sri Lanka, Egypt and Peru.
1982–1986
UNHCR Representative in Spain
Represented UNHCR in Spain during a four-year assignment.
1986–1987
UNHCR Legal Advisor, Geneva
Supervised international legal matters, agreements, contracts, litigation and insurance claims, while serving on several institutional committees and management bodies.
Since 1987
Legal Practice in Pakistan
Practised across arbitration, corporate affairs, banking, oil & gas, telecommunications, energy and international trade law.
Honours & Distinctions
Recognition across law, diplomacy and public service.
The Firm Profile records the following honours and distinctions.
Certificate of the Nobel Peace Prize
Was awarded the Certificate of the Nobel Peace Prize as an official of UNHCR when the agency received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1981.
Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur
Was conferred France's highest civilian honour, the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour), by the President of France in July 2003.
Alliance Française, Islamabad
President of the Alliance Française (French Cultural Centre), Islamabad, from 2003 to 2013.
Practice Focus
A multidisciplinary international and commercial practice.
The areas below are taken from the professional profile in the Firm Profile.
Ph.D. in International Law — Paris UniversityDissertation on the Settlement of International Disputes within the Framework of the Specialized Agencies of the United Nations.
AdvocateEnrolled as an Advocate in 1968; Advocate of the Lahore High Court since 1973.
“Five decades of legal practice have taught us that the law, at its best, is an instrument of nation-building. From advising the World Bank on the establishment of Pakistan's earliest development institutions to guiding multinational corporations through the country's most complex transactions, ACLA has remained committed to a single principle: that rigorous, principled legal counsel is the foundation of sustainable growth.”
— Dr. Mohammad Azam Chaudhry, Founder & Senior Partner
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