Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Bar Associations
References
Timeline
Generic

Simran Sohanpal

San Fernando

Summary

A legal professional with over twelve (12) years' experience, successfully earned a reputation for demonstrating a solid commitment to excellence, delivering judicious and expert analysis and negotiation skills coupled with astute task management expertise. Proven experience in managing legal documentation and providing strategic advice on complex legal matters. Collaborative team player with focus on achieving successful results and adapting to evolving legal needs. Expertise in legal research and contract negotiation, valued for integrity, reliability and flexibility. Currently seeking an opportunity to further build my legal career within an established organisation.


Overview

13
13
years of professional experience

Work History

Legal Officer II

Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
09.2022 - Current
  • Providing quality legal advisory services primarily to the Honourable Minister, Permanent Secretary, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Heads of Divisions and other Officers;
  • Drafting and executing numerous employment contracts, service provider contracts, project and facilities management contracts, contracts extensions and Amendment of Contracts for the sites under the Ministry's purview;
  • Drafting and executing Licence Agreements-Maracas Beach Facility Vendors and the Vessigny Beach Restaurant Vendor, Memoranda of Understanding (Tourism Trinidad Limited (TTL)-Festivals, Naparima Bowl-UNESCO Grant;
  • Drafting and executing numerous Sponsorship and Grants Agreements-Culture and Creative Arts Fund (CCAF) and Nationals Days and Festival Fund (NDFF);
  • Reviewing draft tender documents for various Heads of Departments within the Ministry eg. Requests for Tender and Proposals/Quotations;
  • Ensuring that all terms and conditions of contracts are in compliance with the relevant procurement laws (the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act, No. 1 of 2015 and its concomitant Regulations/policies prior to execution and to ensure that there is compliance with such terms and conditions by the relevant parties subsequent to the execution of the contracts;
  • Drafting Legal Opinions (Employment/Contract/Construction/Procurement issues);
  • Drafting relevant Notices eg. Eviction, Notices to Quit and reminder notices or notices of breach to the Maracas Beach Facility Beach Vendors or service providers/contractors;
  • Drafting/Preparing Cabinet and Ministerial Notes;
  • Drafting numerous correspondences and/or letters to various Ministries, State Enterprises and Statutory Bodies;
  • Conducting extensive legal research for various issues and/or matters relative to the Ministry;
  • Reviewing Procurement and Policy documents;
  • Attending Procurement and Disposal Advisory Committee (“PDAC”) Meetings;
  • Attending several seminars and training workshops;
  • Participating in contract negotiations on behalf of the Ministry;
  • Proposing amendments to various current pieces of legislation;
  • Drafting responses to several Freedom of Information (FOIA) Requests;
  • Providing advice and support to other Units in the Ministry;
  • Reviewing and providing comments on proposed legislative amendments, draft Bills and Policies e.g. Act No. 5 of 2022 National Academy for the Performing Arts, Act No. 6 of 2022 Southern Academy for the Performing Arts and Act No. 13 of 2024 The National Instrument Act;
  • Providing sufficient instructions to the Office of the Attorney General and the Chief Personnel Officer in relation to potential or actual litigation;
  • Conducted comprehensive research to support legal proceedings, formulate defenses and initiate legal action;
  • Drafted and reviewed a wide range of legal documents to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
  • Streamlined contract review process, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced turnaround time;
  • Assisted in the development of Ministry policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and best practices;
  • Supported human resources department by addressing employment law matters and employee relations issues; and
  • Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.

Legal Officer I/Legal Support Officer

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
07.2017 - 09.2022
  • Drafts Project Management/Facilities Management Contracts/Contract Extensions/Contract Amendments for the Ministry in respect of the sites and attractions under the remit of the Ministry.
  • Drafts Service Provider Contracts/Extensions/Amendments for the various sites and the Ministry.
  • Drafts Employment, Sponsorship and Licence Agreements.
  • Drafts Memoranda of Understanding.
  • Drafts Contracts relating to the Tourism Accommodation Upgrade Project (TAUP)- This Project is a tourism incentive project that provides a reimbursable grant for approved upgrade work done to accommodation facilities in both Trinidad and in Tobago.
  • Drafts Cabinet and Ministerial Notes.
  • Conducts research, interprets laws, rules and regulations.
  • Prepares legal opinions and briefs in respect of simple and complex legal matters.
  • Prepares research and analysis for various Bills that are introduced and debated in Parliament.
  • Provides advice by supplying legal authorities based on research.
  • Assists in the development and maintenance of an up-to-date repository of laws, judgments, contract precedents and related material in respect of the Ministry's/Departments' operations.
  • Drafts and Reviews Procurement/Tender Documents including but not limited to Request for Proposals and Requests for Quotations.
  • Maintains a Contract Registry for all executed Contracts and Agreements.
  • Drafts correspondences and/or memoranda letters and other documents on legal matters.
  • Liaising, assisting and facilitating the Statutory Bodies and State Enterprises under the purview of the Ministry as to ensure that they act in accordance with their respective legislation and State Enterprises Performance Monitoring Manual.

Attorney at Law

Private/Independent
02.2016 - 07.2017
  • Drafts Wills, Agreements, Deeds, Probate Applications.
  • Interviewing and corresponding with Clients.
  • Advocate and present cases at Trinidad & Tobago's Magistrate Court.

Legal Support Officer

Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government
07.2015 - 01.2016
  • Drafts the less legal documents and assist in the drafting of the more complex documents including contracts, leases, Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements.
  • Conducts research, interprets laws, rules and regulations and prepare legal opinions and briefs in respect of the less complex legal matters.
  • Provides advice by supplying legal authorities based on research.
  • Assist in reviewing existing legislation, rules and regulations related to the Ministry's/Departments' operations and recommending appropriate amendments.
  • Assist in development and maintenance of an up-to-date repository of laws, judgments, contract precedents and related material in respect of the Ministry's/Departments' operations.
  • Liaising with the other Departments in respect of ongoing projects within the Fourteen (14) Corporations such as road works and bridge constructions.
  • Liaising with the fourteen (14) Corporations in respect of any issues and/or complaints made by the public.

Legal Support Officer

Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government
07.2015 - 01.2016
  • Drafts the less legal documents and assist in the drafting of the more complex documents including contracts, leases, Memoranda of Understanding and Agreements.
  • Conducts research, interprets laws, rules and regulations and prepare legal opinions and briefs in respect of the less complex legal matters.
  • Provides advice by supplying legal authorities based on research.
  • Assist in reviewing existing legislation, rules and regulations related to the Ministry's/Departments' operations and recommending appropriate amendments.
  • Assist in development and maintenance of an up-to-date repository of laws, judgments, contract precedents and related material in respect of the Ministry's/Departments' operations.
  • Liaising with the other Departments in respect of ongoing projects within the Fourteen (14) Corporations such as road works and bridge constructions.
  • Liaising with the fourteen (14) Corporations in respect of any issues and/or complaints made by the public.

Associate Attorney-at-Law

Harrikissoon and Company
09.2012 - 06.2015
  • Develop litigation strategies, inclusive of performing client needs-assessments, case evaluations, evidential objections, propositions of law, defence, counterclaims and other legal documents.
  • Advocate and present cases at Trinidad & Tobago's High Court and Magistrate Court.
  • Proven ability to adapt to diverse areas of law practice.
  • Compose and administer pre-action protocol letters, claim forms, witness statements, application notices, list and bundle of documents and trial bundles and submissions.
  • Interviewing and corresponding with clients.
  • Document clients' statements and compiled extensive notes and case summaries for senior counsel.
  • Drafts Wills, Agreements, Deeds, Probate Applications and Title Reports.

Education

Master of Laws - Corporate & Commercial Law

University of The West Indies, Cave Hill
05.2018

University Postgraduate Diploma - Legal Practice

Staffordshire University
Stoke-on-Trent, UK
06.2012

Bachelor of Laws - Hons

University of London
Chaguanas, Trinidad
05.2010

Skills

  • Technological affinity
  • Innovative legal academic research
  • Web search techniques
  • Dispute resolution
  • Research skills
  • Constructive analysis
  • Delivering persuasive arguments
  • Drafting legal documents
  • Legal research methods
  • Interpret and analyse the law
  • Strong organisational skills
  • Multi-tasking
  • Prioritising
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Work independently
  • Collaborate effectively
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships
  • Excellent communication

Bar Associations

Member of the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago, 2013-01-01, Called to the Bar on 2013-04-26

References

  • Ms. Jennifer Juteram, Attorney-at-Law, 1 (868) 721-8322
  • Ms. Kendy Jean, Attorney-at-Law, 1 (868) 383-2125
  • Ms. Kera Cuffie, Attorney-at-Law, 1 (868)-375-0034

Timeline

Legal Officer II

Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
09.2022 - Current

Legal Officer I/Legal Support Officer

Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
07.2017 - 09.2022

Attorney at Law

Private/Independent
02.2016 - 07.2017

Legal Support Officer

Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government
07.2015 - 01.2016

Legal Support Officer

Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government
07.2015 - 01.2016

Associate Attorney-at-Law

Harrikissoon and Company
09.2012 - 06.2015

University Postgraduate Diploma - Legal Practice

Staffordshire University

Bachelor of Laws - Hons

University of London

Master of Laws - Corporate & Commercial Law

University of The West Indies, Cave Hill

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Simran Sohanpal