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Office History
Dr. Hassan Ali Radhi founded the office in 1974, under the name "Hassan Radhi Law Office--Attorneys and Legal Consultants." At that time, the office had only one advocate--Dr. Hassan Radhi himself. At the beginning, the office's activities were purely local in nature, but soon began to cross international borders in view of the understanding of the need to open new professional and geographical horizons for the office. Shortly thereafter the office's clients began to soar, and the office had the opportunity to benefit from the experience of international foreign firms located in Bahrain. Therefore, Hassan Radhi Law Office associated itself with the renowned U.S. legal firm at that time, Coudert Brothers, and both established an international business firm in the name of "Coudert Brothers in Association with Hassan Radhi". This office specialized in business activities of international nature and multi-laws. The association continued for nearly eight years.
The office capitalized on the accumulated experience gained by it in international business, expanded, and soon began to specialize in commercial laws, particularly banking and insurance, using English language as the main language for business in these areas. Expansion and development have continued ever since, and the office has not looked back. Within a few years, Hassan Radhi Law Office topped the list of the most reputable and leading law firms in Bahrain and in the Gulf region.
In 1994, the office institutionalized itself when Jalila Sayed Ahmed joined it as partner. Since that date, the office has changed its name to "Hassan Radhi and Associates-Attorneys and Legal Consultants". Ms. Safa Ahmed Al Satrawi and Mrs. Noor Hassan Radhi later became partners. The number of attorneys presently working at the office, including the partners, is 13, apart from the trainee lawyers, paralegals and articled clerks. From the Bahraini perspective, this is a large number, thus enabling the Firm to be a leader in terms of number of lawyers besides its technical and administrative staff who comprise 12.
Hassan Radhi & Associates renders legal consultancy and advice on all facets of Bahraini laws to national and international clients.
Administration
The chief partner of the Firm is Hassan Ali Radhi and the Managing Partner is Jalila Sayed Ahmed, supported by a dedicated administrative team of 12, including the Administration and Finance Manager.
Technology
The Firm's policy is to adopt and integrate the latest technology and to keep pace with the latest developments in the technological sector. The Firm has an advanced computerized internal network and renders its services through the most advanced telecommunication technologies, including email, telephone, audio conferencing and 3LCD Projector.
Working Hours
The Firm's working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Sunday-Thursday. Fridays and Saturdays are official holidays. The administrative support staff will be on shift duty from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. in order to ensure that the clients are taken care of and the phone calls are attended to. Bahrain is 3 hours ahead of GMT and phone calls received after office hours are diverted to Voice Mail and recorded. The Firm observes holidays announced by the Government some of which are Gregorian calendar days and some depend on the Islamic Moon Calendar, namely:
January 1, May 1 and December 16, 17
Prophet's Birthday (12th Rabie Al Awal), Islamic New Year (1st Muharram), Eid Al Fitre (3 days—1st, 2nd and 3rd Shawal), Eid Al Adha (3 days—10th, 11th and 12th Thulhija) and Ashoora (2 days—9th and 10th Muharram)
Professional Bodies
The Firm is a member of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms spread over 99 countries with160 members. Membership to Lex Mundi is restricted to one law firm in each country except for the United States and Canada where membership is restricted to one firm in each state. High professional standards of performance and quality representation are the main membership selection criteria. The partners have personal membership in domestic and international associations such as Bahrain Bar Society, Arab Union of Lawyers and the IBA.
Philanthropic and Pro Bono Services & Public Activities
The Firm has a policy for philonthropic involvement. The Firm regularly participates in philanthropic activities, directly and indirectly, in order to assist the needy and downtrodden.
The Firm believes that pro bono services is an essential ingredient and integral part of the Firm's philosophy and provides this on a regular basis. Taking into consideration the fact that many persons would require legal assistance but cannot afford the same, the Firm is committed to rendering pro bono services to deserving people and does so regularly.
The Firm believes that participation in public activities enhances its commitment to the country and the people of Bahrain. The following activities are examples of the commitment of the lawyers of the Firm to public activities:
Hassan Ali Radhi is a member of the Bahraini National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce, Institute of World Business Council (ICC, Paris), ICC Commission on Arbitration, Editorial Board of Arab Law Quarterly, London, Disciplinary Council of the Bahrain Stock Exchange, the Board of Trustees of a Ibn Khaldoon International School, Bahrain, and Honorary President of Sitra Cultural and Sports Club. He was a member of the National Charter Committee, Lawyers Disciplinary Advisory Council and President of the Bahrain Bar Association several times.
Jalila Sayed Ahmed is a member of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Society for Children with Behavioral and Communication Difficulties and Bahrain Child Development Society and was a member of the Supreme Council for Women and National Charter Implementation Committee.
Both Hassan Ali Radhi and Jalila Sayed Ahmed have contributed articles to many newspapers and professional magazines and have participated in television debates of national importance in Bahrain.
The Firm regularly receives requests from regulatory authorities for review and comments on proposed laws and regulations and the comments from the Firm are well received and adopted.
Commitment for Professional Development
The Firm is committed to ensure professional development of lawyers and support staff. The Firm has supported the efforts of lawyers and staff for enhancement of their qualifications and has sponsored them to receive degrees such as license in law, LL.M. and MBA. Besides, there are many courses in universities, conferences and workshops that are conducted in Bahrain and other countries for which the lawyers are sponsored in order to ensure that the lawyers are uptodate in their knowledge and skills. Examples of such conferences are: (a) conference on Free Trade Agreement between the U.S. and Bahrain; (b) English language courses in universities in England; and (c) Islamic financing. In addition, sabbatical leave is granted to interested lawyers so that they may enhance their knowledge and skills.
Scholarship and Grants for Staff
The Firm supports lawyers and staff who desire to enhance their knowledge and skills and provides scholarship for receiving advance degrees. The Firm awards grants to lawyers and support staff in order to achieve their goals in their sphere of specialization.
Summer Training Facilities
The Firm is amongst those selected by the University of Bahrain to train university students studying law. The Firm has trained many of these students during summer. This arrangement is going on for many years now—a continuous commitment from the Firm towards the University and the students.
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