Mr. Shawn S. Novel is a Barrister at Law of England and Wales and licensed to practice in the USA as Attorney at Law admitted in the New York State Bar. He is also an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. His concentration on business law and financial institutions during his LL.M. at Cornell Law School has equipped him with the right set of tools to gain an international perspective of business and the legal conduits essential in addressing clients’ needs. Having practiced as attorney in a New York based law firm and litigated before the Federal Courts, he has gained a deep and thorough understanding of ethics, values and principles of international workplaces and instills the same in his practice in Bangladesh.

Mr. Novel heads his law firm, Shawn Novel & Associates. He is specialized in international commercial law and cross-border transactions with paramount experience on devising models for entities in setting up ventures across borders. He has worked as a transactional lawyer in Thailand and has structured deals in Southeast Asia having advised clients from Hong Kong and Singapore and understands the regional market. He has extensive experience in advising MNCs on investment and corporate strategies.

Throughout his career, Mr. Novel has judiciously advised and represented leading Bangladeshi textile conglomerates, automobile companies, pharmaceuticals and insurance companies on multifarious complex legal issues including corporate restructuring, M&A and litigation in local and foreign jurisdictions. His firm being a pioneer in the startup ecosystem of Bangladesh, Mr. Novel has introduced noteworthy contemporary strategies for the growth of startups through his work with a number of prominent accelerator programs and investors. He has implemented one of the first ESOPs in Bangladesh. In the field of IP, he has won a landmark judgment on trademark and passing-off. His pro bono contribution and ideation in the e-commerce sector is expected to play an opportune role in furthering the policies of the country.