Fitim Vertopi

As Independent Counsel, I work on-continues basis with private sector companies operating in specific industries.

Thus, I have been engaged to work closely with their team members to draft and review contracts including identifying risks by performing risk assessment before contract signature of both parties, provide legal opinions and analysis, negotiating business agreements, win national & international bids and prepare legal acts.

In this respect, I have taken part in working directly with client’s team on preparation of lengthy Technical Offers for Projects funded by government funds or funded by international organizations that are successfully awarded.

Provided practical advices on legal compliance on many occasions, process of due diligence for private companies, analysis and research of national or international laws, advices on using contract management and procurement software platform that private companies are interested to purchase and implement.

Participated closely with client team and owners in negotiating agreements for sale of companies, purchase of goods and services, service contracts, construction contracts and other nature of negotiations that resulted in final agreements between two parties.

In many instances have prepared legal opinions, legal analysis and research for clients that requested guidance and professional inputs on laws on public procurement, tort law, investment law, public financial law, banking law, insurance law and other laws that had impact on private sector company’s business activities.

As far it concerns Complaints (bid protest) for administrative bodies prepared legal arguments that Complaints have been approved by Review Bodies that resulted on winning new contracts and Lawsuits for local courts where court decision was in favor of clients.

Under the authority of the Directorate General for Rule of Law, I have managed two projects and provided professional assistance in the implementation of CARDS POLICE and PACO IMPACT project activities.

Assisted Council of Europe experts in planning and implementing project activities in accordance with the project work plan, worked closely with local coordinators and project beneficiaries.

Due to work engagements on implementing project activities under the Project was prepared and adopted National Strategies against organized crime and Anti corruption strategies by Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice and Prosecution Office.

As Legal & Procurement Advisor, I have worked closely with international procurement experts on national procurement law. In this context, took part in working groups of Prime Minister office to provide inputs on finalizing procurement law and other subsequent legal acts.

I have assisted in re-organization of procurement departments in local and national level by writing Terms of References of job descriptions of Procurement Manager, Procurement Officer and Logistic Officers and direct input of establishing procurement departments in all Ministries and Municipalities.

Also, as requested by various procurement departments, I have provided advices during evaluation of tenders, including advices in all aspects of procurement methods.

Managed office of 5 Employees and in random basis has conducted many procurement audits and audit consisted of reviewing procurement projects, purchasing, spend management, contract implementation, and contract management.