Mr Assadullah Durbarry

Barrister at Law | Multidisciplinary Legal & Tech Professional | Researcher | Academia
Founder, Durbarry Chambers (www.durbarry.com)

A dual-qualified legal professional, admitted to practice in both Mauritius (2025) and Australia (2023), and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb). With over a decade of experience leading IT, data analytics, and global business operations at Cisco, Assadullah Durbarry’s work spans the intersection of law, technology, and education—designing systems and sharing knowledge to empower individuals and institutions in an increasingly complex world.

Combining a multidisciplinary background in legal practice, AI/ML governance, data compliance, and emerging technology regulation, this profile offers a distinctive blend of operational, legal, and academic expertise.

As a lecturer and tutor—particularly with the University of London—has delivered undergraduate and postgraduate modules in artificial intelligence, programming, and data science. Legal expertise includes corporate and commercial law, financial regulation, employment and labour law, and technology law, with advisory capabilities across cross-border structuring, compliance, dispute resolution, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence law and Islamic finance.

Founder of the Ilma Foundation (www.ilmafoundation.com), a non-profit initiative focused on advancing education, promoting ethical innovation, and safeguarding fundamental rights across Mauritius and the African region. Through Ilma, leads research and policy efforts in areas such as child protection, education reform, environmental justice, and access to legal services—anchored in the values of knowledge, equity, and social impact.

Mr Sheffick Sookia

Mr. Sheffick Sookia is a seasoned legal professional with over three decades of experience in civil, corporate and commercial litigation in Mauritius. Since being admitted as an Attorney before the Supreme Court in October 1987, he has exclusively held the mandate ad litem for clients in civil, corporate and commercial matters, guiding clients through legal strategy, litigation, and procedural representation.

He is the founding practitioner of Étude Sookia, a well-established legal practice based in Port Louis, known for its rigorous litigation expertise and dedicated client service. Through Étude Sookia, Mr. Sookia has built a reputation for delivering trusted legal representation to both local and international clients.

In addition to his private practice, Mr. Sookia has served as a member of the Arbitration Panel of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry and has sat on the Disciplinary Committee of the Mauritius Football Association. He has been the Vice-President of International Preparatory School (CIS accredited). He has also acted as principal legal adviser to a wide range of governmental bodies, municipalities, and private entities, offering both litigation support and strategic legal advice.

His distinguished clientele has included Embassies and Consulates (Egypt, Libya, Germany and Mexico), financial institutions (Deutsche Bank Mauritius and Deutsche Bank New York, ABC Banking Corporation, Bank of Mellon NY, Federal Bank of Lebanon), Public Authorities (Mauritius Ports Authority, Central Electricity Board, Municipal Council of Port-Louis), and Global Corporations (Telecom Italia, Laurelton Diamonds, Groupe Accor, Galileo Travel Port ). He has also acted for several dignitaries, including four different Deputy Prime Ministers of Mauritius, Princess Crociani de Scissile.

Mr. Sookia is fluent in French, English, Urdu, and Creole, with reading proficiency in Arabic.

Mr Shah Peerally

Immigration Attorney | Author | Advocate for Justice
Founder, Shah Peerally Law Group (www.peerallylaw.com)

Shah Peerally is a distinguished immigration attorney, author, and human rights advocate with over two decades of experience in U.S. immigration law. As the Founder and President of the Shah Peerally Law Group, based in California and serving clients globally, Shah has built a trusted reputation for handling complex immigration matters with clarity, compassion, and exceptional legal insight.

Born in Mauritius and inspired by his own immigrant journey, Shah holds a Juris Doctor (JD) from New College of California School of Law and is admitted to practice in California, including the Federal District Courts and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Since founding his firm in 2005, he has successfully handled over 10,000 cases, including EB-1A, NIW, H-1B, L-1A, asylum, family petitions, and deportation defense.

Beyond the courtroom, Shah is a thought leader, podcaster, and media personality. Fluent in English, French, and Creole, he remains committed to legal excellence and social justice.