Baker & McKenzie Partner Shima Roy Recognized in National Law Journal’s Minority 40 Under 40 List

Chicago, USA, 31 October 2011 - Baker & McKenzie Partner Shima S. Roy was one of 40 lawyers in the United States recognized in The National Law Journal’s “Minority 40 Under 40” list.

In the October 31 article profiling Ms. Roy’s career, the newspaper noted that she has “made a name for herself at Baker & McKenzie as a go-to partner to handle complex international litigation.” The NLJ highlighted her recent work on behalf of a Korean auto parts manufacturer in a contract dispute suit brought by a U.S. company in federal court. In that matter, Ms. Roy successfully argued that, because the contract was governed by Korean law, the forum-selection clause fell under Korean jurisprudence, and the U.S. case against her client was dismissed. The article also referenced Ms. Roy’s work in developing an India litigation practice in response to growing client demand in that part of the world.

In addition, the newspaper profiled Ms. Roy’s exemplary pro bono work representing an indigent client who was convicted of murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison following an incident that occurred when the client was 16 years old. The NLJ noted that Ms. Roy’s client was “held in a Chicago police interrogation room for close to 60 hours before she allegedly confessed to the crime.” Ms. Roy has represented her pro bono client for six years, arguing that her client confessed to a crime she had not committed. She recently secured an appeal of her client’s case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

The article also referenced Ms. Roy’s commitment to mentoring. “I think that one of the things that’s important to me not only as a minority but as a woman is to mentor other women,” Ms. Roy told the newspaper. “For me what has been my saving grace is the fact that I’ve had great mentors. I feel in a large law firm, you need that.”

View Ms. Roy's profile in The National Law Journal.