Shabana Muneer, Director
If you could write your own job title that best describes what you do here, what would it be?
“I actually quite like the “Director” title I currently hold as it implies having a hand in shaping the future direction of the firm, which I think perfectly describes various elements of my role. I’m currently leading the growth of the firm’s Business Immigration offering, which involves taking our client service offering in a new direction and promoting business development. I’m proud to be leading an initiative to develop the firm’s internal culture around racial diversity and inclusion, an issue which many organisations are currently tackling. I also input into initiatives designed to promote the advancement of women across the firm, especially those who work part-time like I do and therefore potentially face barriers to progression. All of these roles enable me to help shape the future direction of the firm, which I find really exciting and rewarding.”
What volunteering or passion projects do you do outside of work?
“I have 5 children who, at the time of writing, range in age from 11 months to 11 years old – they are my main passion project outside work at the moment!”
What’s your biggest achievement to date?
“I could cite examples of working on multi-million pound, multi-jurisdictional corporate transactions, or winning complex employment tribunal claims, or securing visas for overseas business clients that are particularly difficult to obtain, but if I’m perfectly honest my children are my biggest achievement and what make me most proud. Being able to work for a firm like Walker Morris alongside raising them is a privilege.”
What advice/quote would you give to future graduates wanting to join Walker Morris?
“Good lawyers come from all backgrounds and walks of life. Don’t be put off from applying to Walker Morris or any other law firm because you don’t fit the stereotype of what a lawyer “should” look or sound like, or where they “should” have been educated. There’s room in this industry for anyone who possesses the raw skills required to be a good lawyer, no matter what their background.”
What one thing do you love about your job?
“Being able to help my clients solve problems – I get a lot of satisfaction from coming up with creative solutions they’ve not thought about and getting the results their business needs.”
Why did you choose us?
“I was born and bred in Leeds so working for a firm with a national and international reach, and a high calibre client base, which is based solely in Leeds seemed a natural fit for me. I love the fact that we’re not a satellite office for a London or US based firm that only picks up the clients the “mother ship” doesn’t want to service. The Leeds office at Walker Morris is the firm; this ensures that we’re doing high quality work for the most valued clients, all the time. “