Avanti Supersad
San Juan
Summary
Is a keen, and enthusiastic person who through the last eleven (11) years working experience developed the tools to interpret, draft and negotiate legal documentation. Is also skilled at meditation and litigation having appeared before all forms of the Judiciary as well as the Mediation Board of Trinidad and Tobago.
Results-driven Environmental Consultant with expertise in Right-to-Know programs, disposal processes and inspections. Skilful in assessing geological and chemical impact on environment. In-depth knowledge of measuring devices and usage of equipment used in land surveying and environmental monitoring . Communicative and resourceful professional certified in FIDIC Contracts, Fraud Detection.
Demonstrated skills in improving environmental compliance, reducing waste and minimising impact on the surrounding areas through careful planning and monitoring. Experienced trainer, team leader and project manager specialising in gaining CECs in and around sensitive receptors.
Knowledgeable Environmental Consultant experienced in assessing conditions, developing plans and coordinating projects to resolve or prevent environmental problems. Detail-oriented and proactive with good interpersonal, communication and conflict-resolution skills. Responsible Environmental Specialist possessing strong knowledge of regulatory requirements, interpretations and health and safety programs. Offering eleven years of hands-on experience monitoring impact of environmental pollution and identifying environmental issues to recommend solutions. Focused and determined professional with outstanding analytical abilities and expertise in site auditing and field measurements.
Independent Environmental Specialist committed to growing positive relationships with clients and colleagues at various organisational levels. Polished in overseeing field examinations and reporting about hazardous locations and developing and recommending solutions to eliminate pollution or environmental hazards.
Provided technical support for environmental remediation or litigation projects, remediation system design or determination of regulatory applicability.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal and Environmental Consultant
Corporate Clients
Port Of Spain
10.2015 - Current
- Operates as Legal and Regulatory Advisor to guide administrative management related to Company and its other affiliate Companies in its activities, in particular preparation of documents relating to Environmental Consultancy, CEC Applications, Defending Notices of Violation, co-ordination between various state agencies for any other project that Company may be involved in and provision of routine legal advice and follow up as it relates directly to said activities.
- Clients include, Five Islands Water and Amusement Park, Amera Corporation, Superior Hotels, Ward Hotel, BCEG T&T Group, KDLTT, Fouraime Enterprises Ltd, Brydens PI.
- Collaborated with public authorities to improve energy efficiency and introduce recycling schemes.
- Supervised design of systems, processes and equipment to control, manage and remediate water, air and soil quality.
- Conducted field surveys to collect data about levels of pollution and contamination at sites and areas of consideration.
- Completed analytical testing to determine environmental compliance for waste streams.
- Prepared emission inventory reports to quantify air pollutant emissions and impacts.
- Performed continuous reviews of construction practices to check whether debris or chemicals entered protected areas.
- Obtained environmental permits to develop Hotel, largest Water Park in Trinidad, Large Scale Commercial Construction and Industrial Estate environmental programs for industrial clients.
- Researched and recommended new processes to reduce environmental damages, reducing damages especially when dealing with sensitive receptors.
- Analyzed inspection data to determine pollution and contamination levels.
- Inspected industrial and municipal facilities and programs to evaluate operational effectiveness and determine compliance with environmental regulations.
- Carried out environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for proposed major new developments such as industrial plants, roads, electricity pylons and water sources.
- Tracked key compliance metrics and implemented systems to improve performance.
- Liaised with the EMA to develop and maintain environmental-related programs, procedures and compliance tasks.
- Shared best practices and developed synergies for businesses to achieve results.
- Developed and executed initiatives to improve environmental knowledge and awareness.
- Released reporting and recordkeeping to meet environmental regulations.
- Reviewed, interpreted and communicated current and proposed legislation to determine applicability for regional areas.
- Identified training for environmental compliance and implemented training to operations and other team members.
- Implemented environmental stewardship to improve organizational culture.
Director
Board of Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago
Port of Spain
05.2013 - 11.2016
- Of the Company, I was appointed to be part of a Board of Directors to manage the day-to-day business activities and finances and ensure that all Statutory Requirements were fulfilled.
- As a Director I had the opportunity to learn and experience policy creation and working in a Corporate Environment.
- Furthermore, I was part of the Tenders, Human Resources, Legal and Regulatory Sub Committees of the Board of Directors.
- Created annual budget and developed comprehensive plan to accomplish company objectives while staying within budget.
- Focused teams on developing innovative and cutting-edge approaches with effective resource allocation and strategic planning.
- Leveraged marketplace trends to create solutions and refine business strategies.
- Chaired technical leadership group in directing process development and technology transfer activities within technical operations and corporate governance matters.
- Developed impactful and strategic partnerships with clients to drive business development.
- Mitigated costs while collaborating with vendors to manage inventory items.
- Made recommendations for changes in funding process and policies based on data and judgment.
Head of Legal Department
Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources
Port of Spain
11.2012 - 09.2015
- Planned, directed, and coordinated the activities of the professional legal staff and other support staff engaged in the provision of legal services to a Ministry/Department.
- Planned, organised and directed the development of the work programme and budgetary allocation of the Legal Services Unit/Division for the period of employment.
- Directed, coordinated and reviewed the work of professional legal staff performing duties such as:
- Appearing in court and before other tribunals.
- Providing advice on legal issues related to the administration, interpretation and enforcement of laws pertinent to the Ministry/Department’s operations;.
- Drafting legal documents such as contracts, leases and agreements;.
- Preparing draft pleadings for filing;.
- Reviewing legal/court documents for completeness and accuracy;.
- Preparing legal opinions; and.
- Researching and analysing legal matters/issues.
- Provided advice and interpretation to senior management and staff on legal matters/issues.
- Drafted and/or lead the drafting of legal documents/instruments.
- Directed and participated in the review of existing laws and regulations pertinent to the Ministry/Department and in the recommendation of or the formulation of appropriate amendments.
- Represented the Legal Team and by extension the Ministry before the Legislative Review Committee of the Ministry of the Attorney General, Chief Parliamentary Counsel Office.
- Represented the Ministry/Department in court and before other tribunals in legal matters.
- Planned, directed and coordinated the review of systems and procedures, and the development of strategies/mechanisms to improve the effectiveness of legal services delivery.
- Drafted budgetary estimates of the Legal Services Unit/Division.
- Identified and made recommendations for staff training and development.
- Lead and/or participated in consultations and negotiations with external parties.
- Prepared Cabinet/Ministerial Notes, memoranda, letters and other documents.
- Represented the Ministry/Department on committees, meetings and other forums, for the development of Policies and Legislation.
- In absence of a, , Legal Services Unit for the entire period of employment, the individual had the sole responsibility of managing and building the Legal Services Unit and hiring of the Staff members for the entire period of time.
- Collaborated with department personnel to coordinate multifaceted solutions to emerging problems.
- Evaluated performance continuously to identify areas in need of improvement and implement strategies to keep team on-track.
- Enforced organizational rules and incorporated policy changes into departments' day-to-day activities.
- Improved department operations by capturing numerous opportunities to streamline processes and reduce waste.
- Managed efficient workflows by creating effective schedules and delegating work based on personnel strengths and knowledge.
- Developed highly-efficient administrative team through ongoing coaching and professional development opportunities.
- Initiated timely project management within budget constraints for multi-faceted problems concerning executive leaders.
- Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, conducted performance reviews and administered salaries for staff.
Legal Officer
Environmental Management Authority
Elizabeth, St. Clair, Spain
10.2010 - 07.2012
- As a member of the Legal Services Department, I worked with the team to provide a full range of legal services to the Authority including the development environmental regulations and legislation as well as enforcement of the said legislation.
- As a Legal Officer 1, my job duties included as follows: -.
- Litigation- representing the Authority in the capacity of both Counsel and Instructing Attorney at the Environmental Commission, High Court, Industrial Court as well as the Magistrates Court.
- Provided legal support of enforcement actions, including formal and informal Authority actions against government and non-government bodies, individuals, and private organizations.
- Enforced compliance with environmental requirements by the individual, private and public sectors.
- Developed and aided drafted of the Authority’s subsidiary legislation under the Environmental Management Act, Chapter 35:05, inclusive of the Draft Air Pollution Rules, 2014, Draft Waste Management Rules and the Draft Beverage Container Bill.
- Reviewed current environmental legislation with a view to legislative amendment and/or reform.
- Worked with a team, representing the Authority before the Legislative Review/Drafting Committee of the Ministry of the Attorney General.
- Policy formulation: drafting of policies to enable the legislative mandate.
- Provided legal advice and preparing legal opinions on the applicability of environmental laws on contemporary issues affecting the EMA and the wider public.
- Provided internal legal advice to The Board of Directors, the CEO’s Office; Preparation of Memoranda of Understanding; Liaising with Ministries and Agencies; Preparation and Vetting of Contracts; Employment issues.
- Participated in mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution sessions before the Environmental Commission.
- Represented the Department as a speaker at external seminars, training sessions for private sector institutions and at stakeholder and other external meetings.
- Interacted with members of the public who were found to be in breach of the environmental laws of Trinidad and Tobago.
- Interacted with members of the public and major stakeholders during consultations on Policies and Draft Legislations.
- Typed and processed legal documents to prepare for court filings and legal pleadings.
- Gathered and analyzed research data such as statutes, decisions and legal articles, codes and documents.
- Represented the EMA for a number of cases in court and won 95% cases.
- Managed and supervised document database to maintain litigation records.
- Utilized specialiased computer software to draft pleadings, motions, briefs and various other legal documents.
- Kept up with and reviewed changes in laws that could affect the EMA, informed staff of changes and advised appropriate departments on actions to prevent legal issues.
- Conducted comprehensive research to support legal proceedings, formulate defenses and initiate legal action.
- Reviewed legal publications and performed database searches to identify laws and court decisions relevant to pending cases.
- Launched quality assurance practices for each phase of development
- Delivered training for staff development, change management and materials, process and technical controls.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
Education
Master of Laws - Communication And Computer Science in Business
University of London
Distance Learning 02.2022
Attended And Completed Training -
Dispute Resolution Centre
Chamber Of Commerce2017
Attained Legal Education Certificate -
Hugh Wooding Law School
St. Augustine, Trinidad 09.2010
Bachelors of Law Degree -
University of The West Indies
Cavehill Barbados07.2008
Skills
- Environmental laws and litigation
- Proficient with AutoCAD
- Environmental surveying, assessment & remediation
- Corporate and business legal issues
- Safety and environmental standards
- Legal Interpretation and Adaptation
- Contract Review and Negotiation
- CEC permitting
- Construction procedures
- Emergency response procedures
- Data Collection & Research
- Project management skills
- Inspection & Report writing
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of researchers, environmental professionals and lawyers in the development of several key pieces of legislation for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources.
- Achieved the first and only (to date) EMA driven Injunctive Relief Matter brought before the Environmental Commission as the Instructing Attorney, re: The Environmental Management Authority v Michael Trestrail.
Golf, Reading, Cooking
In effort to keep balanced and being mindful of the importance of mental health, I have taken the approach to involve myself in several activities to lighten my mood and tension when it comes to work related stress. I have found that being in nature, playing a round of golf in the early mornings provide me with a clear mind and allows me to start my day in a positive manner.
Reading for pleasure has always been a hobby of mine and now that I have completed my essential reading for school work, in furtherance of my LLM, I can now indulge some more into sordid mysteries and historical documentaries.
Cooking and providing a warm meal for my friends and family has been a passion that I was allowed to explore further during this COVID-19 Pandemic.
Timeline
Legal and Environmental Consultant
Corporate Clients
10.2015 - Current
Director
Board of Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago
05.2013 - 11.2016
Head of Legal Department
Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources
11.2012 - 09.2015
Legal Officer
Environmental Management Authority
10.2010 - 07.2012
Master of Laws - Communication And Computer Science in Business
University of London
Attended And Completed Training -
Dispute Resolution Centre
Attained Legal Education Certificate -
Hugh Wooding Law School
Bachelors of Law Degree -
University of The West Indies