Oneesha Paul
AssociateConveyancing, Land Law and EstatesPort of Spain OfficeTelephone: 868 612 7235 Ext 422Email: o.paul@polanc.com Admission 2013 – Trinidad and Tobago Education St. Joseph’s Convent, St. JosephUniversity of London L.L.B. Hons. (2011)Hugh Wooding Law School L.E.C. Hons (2013) Professional Profile Oneesha’s legal training commenced in 2007 when she joined the firm as a paralegal in conveyancing practice and procedure in the preparation of deeds and other documents for various land and estate concerns. She pursued her career in law while working with the firm where she left in 2011 to attend the Hugh Wooding Law School and returned in 2013 to join the firm as an associate. She was admitted to practise in 2013 in Trinidad and Tobago where she immediately joined the Property and Estates Service Line of Pollonais, Blanc, de la Bastide & Jacelon marrying her skills as a paralegal to her legal training as a professional to expand her proficiency in the care and control of property and estate dealings in land law and probate practice including but not limited to general care and conduct in drawing and completing Deeds and Instruments of Conveyance/Transfer, Assignment, Lease, Mortgage, Release/Discharge, Rectification and Confirmation, Variation, Chattel Mortgages, Bills of Sale and the drafting of Wills. Languages English Professional Affiliations The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Ranjana S.N. Rambachan
AssociateCorporate and CommercialTelephone: 868 612 7235 ext 216Email: r.rambachan@polanc.com Admission 2012 Trinidad and Tobago2010 United Kingdom. Practise Areas Intellectual Property, Commercial Law Education Bishop Anstey High SchoolBBA (Hons Finance and Human Resource Management) (The University of New Brunswick) 2007L.L.B. (Hons) (The University of London) 2009Pg.Dip. B.V.C (Manchester Metropolitan University) 2010LLM (International Business and Commercial Law) (University of Manchester) 2011 Professional Profile Ranjana was admitted to practice in 2012 in Trinidad and Tobago where she immediately joined the Corporate and Commercial Service Line of Pollonais, Blanc, de la Bastide and Jacelon. She was also admitted to practice in 2010 at the Bar of England and Wales and is a member of the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.Prior to her entry in the legal world, Ranjana worked alongside a reputable Canadian company as a Marketing Consultant and she brings this business experience into her practice Languages English Professional Affiliations The Law Association of Trinidad and TobagoThe Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn (UK) Additional Affiliations Helping Hands T&T Foundation, Director Continuing Education Inaugural Caribbean Corporate Secretaries’ Summit and Workshop – Govstrat Limited, October 2012Online WIPO Course – General Course on Intellectual Property13th Annual Caribbean Commercial Law Workshop
Nalini Jaggernauth
Dispute ResolutionPort of Spain OfficeTelephone: 868 612 7235 ext 22Email: n.jaggernauth@polanc.com Admission 2009 Trinidad and Tobago Education L.L.B (Hons) (The University of the West Indies) 2007L.E.C. (The Hugh Wooding Law School) 2009 Professional Profile Nalini Jaggernauth joined the Firm in March 2013 as an Associate in the Dispute Resolution Department where she practises as Instructing Attorney in civil matters; primarily negligence, commercial and insurance claims. She is involved in research into and drafting of pleadings, preparing of procedural documents and witness statements, preparing opinions on liability, quantum and evidence and appears with Counsel at Case Management Conferences, Pre-Trial Reviews and Trials. She heads the firm’s San Fernando practice Languages EnglishSpanishFrench Professional Affiliations The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Savitri Sookraj-Beharry
PartnerDispute ResolutionPort of Spain OfficeTelephone: 868 612 7235 ext 249Email: s.sookraj@polanc.com Admission 2004 Trinidad and Tobago Education L.L.B. (Hons) (The University of the West Indies) 2002L.E.C. (The Hugh Wooding Law School) 2004 Professional Profile Savitri is an Instructing Attorney with 6 years experience. Immediately upon her admission in 2004 to practice Law in the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago, she joined the firm as an Associate, practising in different areas of law handled by the firm and shortly thereafter became a member of the Dispute Resolution Service Line. General Areas of PracticeCivil Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Public Law Litigation, Personal Injury and Appellate Practice:Care and conduct over a multitude of civil matters including running down actions and personal injury, negligence and medical negligence, judicial review, administrative law, constitutional law and commercial law, research into and drafting of pleadings, preparing of procedural documents including injunctions and witness statements, preparing opinions on liability and quantum, appearing at and/or with Counsel at Case Management Conferences, Pre-Trial Reviews, Assessments of Damages, Trials at the High Court and Appeals at the Court of Appeal. Instructing Senior Counsel (locally) and Queen’s Counsel internationally as well as Privy Council agents in the conduct of Appeals at the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. Also Instructing Counsel at the Tax Appeal Board. Preparing applications and appearing in the Magistrate’s Court for all types of licences. Languages English Professional Affiliations The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Amalia Maharaj
Partner/Service Line LeaderCorporate and CommercialTelephone: 868 612 7235 ext 242Email: a.maharaj@polanc.com Admission 2002 Trinidad and Tobago. Education L.L.B. (Hons) (The University of the West Indies) 2000L.E.C. (Merit) (The Hugh Wooding Law School) 2002 Practise Areas Banking and Finance, Project Financing, Capital Markets Transactions, Mergers and Acquisitions, Commercial Law, Construction Contracts Professional Profile Amalia joined the firm in 2002 and was initially exposed to all areas of practice, including acting as an Instructing Attorney in civil matters in the High Court and Court of Appeal, conveyancing and land matters and commercial transactions.From 2006 Amalia has focused her practice on banking and finance transactions including large scale project finance facilities, mergers and acquisitions and securities law. She is versed in the review and drafting of all forms of loan and security documentation for commercial financing transactions; mergers and acquisitions; drafting and reviewing of a variety of commercial contracts and leases; establishment of mutual funds, power purchase agreements, bond issues; preparation and review of construction contracts on behalf of both Employer and Contractor, registration of market actors under the Securities Industry Act; experience in cross border transactions; rendering of legal opinions; representation of companies in the oil and gas sector. Continuing Education Public Private Partnerships- Euromoney- June 2010Practical Use of 1999 FIDIC Contract for EPC Turnkey SilverbookJCC, ECV and FIDIC – June 2009 Loan Documentation & Advanced Loan DocumentationEuromoney – June 2008 Project Procurement in the Caribbean: Pros and ConsInstitute of Surveyors of Trinidad & Tobago Fundamentals of DerivativesBrian E.F. Jones – July 2007 Security Documentation & Advanced Security DocumentationEuromoney – April 2007 Understanding Construction ClaimsKatz & Stone, Bould Consulting – May 2006 Gas/LNG Contracts: Structures, Pricing & Negotiations Languages English Professional Affiliations The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago Additional Affiliations Director Agostini’s LimitedDirector The Heroes Foundation
Alana S. Bissessar
Partner/Service Line LeaderDispute ResolutionPort of Spain OfficeTelephone: 868 612 7235 ext 237Email: a.bissessar@polanc.com Admission 1993 Trinidad and Tobago. Education L.L.B. (Hons) (The University of the West Indies) 1991L.E.C. (The Hugh Wooding Law School) 1993 Professional Profile Alana has over 20 years experience in the practice of civil litigation. Upon her admission to practice in October 1993 she joined the firm of Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj & Co., a former Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago and Senior Counsel at the Civil Bar. In May of 1995 she joined the chambers of de la Bastide & Jacelon, a predecessor of the Firm of Pollonais, Blanc, de la Bastide & Jacelon (hereinafter ‘the Firm’). She is now the Partner who heads the Firm’s Dispute Resolution Service Line. Alana deals principally with the Firm’s medical negligence and construction law practice. She acts for 2 of the 4 National Regional Health Authorities as well as for one of the country’s largest state owned special purpose companies involved in construction. Alana also acts in all areas of personal injury litigation servicing 2 of the largest insurance companies in Trinidad and Tobago, in respect of motor vehicular property damage, personal injuries and non-motor claims. Her practice also includes contentious probate including fraudulent wills and contentious estates. She has acted in defence of Attorneys as well as medical practitioners and banking officials in professional negligence actions. Alana has instructed both local Senior Counsel as well as foreign Queen’s Counsel. She has also appeared at and/with Counsel in commercial civil litigation, administrative law and constitutional matters, as well as construction matters and matters relating to defamation. She has also instructed Privy Council agents in the conduct of Appeals at the Privy Council. Further, she has gained invaluable experience in several arbitrations and mediations involving State-owned bodies as well as Private companies, both locally and before the International Chamber of Commerce/International Court of Arbitration. Alana has care and conduct of our civil and corporate litigation, as well as the mediation and arbitration practice of the Firm including research and drafting of pleadings, preparation of procedural documents, including applications for injunctions, to make minors wards of the Court to obtain consent for emergency surgical procedures, witness statements, costs assessments and opinions on liability and quantum. Languages English; A working knowledge of Spanish. Professional Affiliations The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Ramona L. Mohammed
PartnerProperty and Estates Telephone: 868 612 7235 ext 226Email: r.mohammed@polanc.com Admission 1991 – Trinidad and Tobago1997 – England and Wales Education ADMITTED 1997, England and Wales ADMITTED 1991, Trinidad and Tobago. HUGH WOODING LAW SCHOOL, L.E.C. 1991. UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES. L.L.B (Hons).(1986-1989). ST. STEPHENS COLLEGE. (1979-1986). Practise Areas Conveyancing, Land Law, Estates and Land Acquisition Professional Profile Ramona has a diversified service experience working both in the public and private sector. In 1991 she began her career as an Attorney at law at Equity Chambers where she worked primarily with Senior Attorney Stanley Marcus now Senior Counsel in civil litigation. In 1993 she became an Associate Attorney at Law at the firm of Pollonais and Blanc at their branch office in San Fernando where she had care and conduct of civil matters as well as undertook work of a very general nature ranging from conveyancing, family matters and probate and estate matters. Ramona gained useful experience working outside of the jurisdiction in the United Kingdom where her interest in Land Law developed. On her return to Trinidad Ramona worked as a Senior Legal Officer at the Land Registry of the Registrar General’s Department, Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs where she gained an insight into many aspects of Land Law and which fuelled her passion for Land Law. Today Ramona works in conveyancing, land law and probate and estate matters. She has care and control of property tranactions including drawing and completing transactions such as Conveyances, Assignments. Leases, Mortgages, Chattel Mortgages, Bills of Sale and matters incidental thereto. She has also dealt with applications to bring lands under the Real Property Act and Acquisition of Land under the Land Acquisition Act on behalf of the State. Languages English Professional Affiliations The Law Association of Trinidad and TobagoThe Law Society, England and Wales
Lisa R. Fulchan
Partner/Service Line LeaderProperty and EstatesTelephone: 868 612 7235 ext 214Email: l.fulchan@polanc.com Admission 1992 – England and Wales1994 – Trinidad and Tobago Education UNIVERSITY OF LONDON L.L.B Hons. (London) (1985 – 1988)GUILDFORD COLLEGE OF LAW (England) (1991)ADMITTED to Roll of Solicitors of England and Wales (1992)ADMITTED 1994, Trinidad and Tobago Current Area of Practice Conveyancing, Land Law, Estates and Land Acquisition Professional Profile Beller Needleman and Co. Solicitors (London)(1989 – 1991) & (1992 – 1993) Articled Clerk/Solicitor Pollonais, Blanc, De La Bastide & Jacelon (March 1994 to June 1998) Associate(July 1998 to present) Partner Lisa has had a varied practice. She was admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in England and Wales and joined a West End Firm of Solicitors where she instructed in both civil and criminal trials. On return to Trinidad she started with Pollonais and Blanc as an instructing attorney and had care and conduct of numerous civil and commercial matters; additionally she dealt with personal injury; medical negligence; general insurance law; arbitrations; appellate practice as well as industrial/labour law. She has also practised in the area of drafting of commercial contracts including procurement and construction contracts. At present Lisa has care and control of property transactions, arranging and completing transactions such as Conveyances, Assignments, Leases, Mortgages, Chattel Mortgages, Bills of Sale and Debentures; applications for Grants of Representation on behalf of the estates of deceased persons as well as providing general legal advice on all of the above matters; as well as acquisition of land under the Land Acquisition Act on behalf of the State. Continuing Training Environmental Management Act, 2000International Engineering Procurement and Construction ContractsProject Procurement in the Caribbean Languages English Professional Affiliations The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago Additional Affiliations Catholic Education Board of Management LimitedDirector – NAGICO/GTM Insurance Company Limited
Mark J. Laquis
Managing PartnerProperty and Estates Telephone: 868 623 1515 ext 208Email: m.laquis@polanc.com Admission 1994 – Trinidad and Tobago Education UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, ENGLAND (LLM): 1993-1994 – (International Business Law) HUGH WOODING LAW SCHOOL, L.E.C.:1991-1993 UNIVERSITY OF LONDON. L.L.B.:(1988-1991).FATIMA COLLEGE – PORT OF SPAIN:(1981-1988). Practise Areas Conveyancing, Land Law, Estates, General Commercial Practise, Tax Matters Professional Profile Mark is primarily a conveyancing and real property Attorney but has gained experience in many areas of commercial practice such as large mergers and acquisitions and tax related matters. He joined the firm of Pollonais & Blanc in 1994 and in his almost 20 years with the firm, he has a wide range of experience in real estate transactions including care and control of property transactions, drawing and completing transactions such as conveyances, assignments, leases, mortgages, chattel mortgages, bills of sales, debentures and matters incidental thereto. He also is involved in probate matters including the applications for grants of representation and letters of administration and advising on estate planning.Mark also has a great deal of experience with commercial matters and is a great asset to any transaction due to his extensive knowledge of the legal aspects of tax matters and deal structures. Languages English Professional Affiliations The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago Directorship Former Management Committee Member of the Council of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago;Former Management Committee Member of the Trinidad and Tobago Game Fishing Association;Former Secretary – Fatima Old Boys Association;Director – Anthony P. Scott k Co. Limited;Director – Park Plaza LimitedDirector – Vita’s House Ltd Additional Affiliations The Queens Park OvalPower Boats Mutual FacilitiesTailenders Club