After receiving a First Class Honours BSc and PhD in civil engineering at Warwick University, Alan Ma followed a career in engineering. He rose to the position of head of technology development of a major multi-disciplinary engineering and construction company which has its headquarters in Brazil. He studied law whilst in full time employment. He was called to the Bar in 1993 and subsequently transferred to become a solicitor.

 Alan has worked on major capital projects and dealt with the day-to-day commercial issues.  In 1996, he was appointed legal counsel and extended the breath and diversity of his legal functions within the multi-national organisation. Whilst there, he also became deputy company secretary. In 2000, Alan joined a city law firm, and worked on a range of energy and engineering matters, both contentious and non-contentious. In 2003, he set up Maxwell Alves’ London office.

He has worked on contracting strategies, commercial agreements, final account settlement, dispute resolution, both in the courts and ADR, and general issues arising from a corporate environment. His diversified background enables him to give sound business orientated legal advice to clients. He believes he is the only lawyer who has worked on an offshore oil rig.