Umar Farooq

I am a U.S.-licensed attorney with extensive experience advising companies and individuals on corporate and commercial law matters. I see my law practice as a journey – gaining insight, building relationships and serving clients as their trusted attorney and advisor. My facility with languages, commercial and legal background, and insight into diverse cultures empowers me to ensure my clients thrive within their own milieu and as I help pilot them through the challenges impacting their international ventures.

I began my career not as an attorney but as a working journalist for American print and television firms (AP, Reuters, CNN). Those experiences taught me to be a careful listener and critical thinker. Reporting requires understanding and I believe the great lesson the practice of journalism teaches is the ability to listen, hear all points of view, and use that knowledge to make critical judgments about key issues and events.

Ultimately, it was my curiosity and desire to impact events, rather than report on them, that led me to pursue a legal career and become an attorney. Along the way, I’ve learned that as an attorney ambition must be tempered with the ability to listen and exercise judgment; that information and knowledge must serve understanding. These are qualities I embrace and qualities that help me serve my clients as their trusted attorney.

I studied law at the University of Buffalo Law School where I graduated with honors and am admitted to practice law as an attorney in the State of New York and the District of Columbia.

I started my legal career with the global law firm Dentons and then moved in-house as Head of Legal of an investment bank before starting my own practice. I am currently part of Dentons Nextlaw Global Referral Network that enables my clients access to the highest quality legal services anywhere in the world.