Shiv Haria-Shah

Commercial Crime

Partner and

Founder of RISE

Diversity and inclusion is a major aspect of good governance

The firm has provided support, both in terms of time and facilities and funding, for my broader positions as a member of the Board of a County Cricket Club, trustee of a charity which seeks to improve access to sport, mentor for the Social Mobility Foundation and ambassador to Young Enterprise.

It has become clear to me that if
you have a good idea, your voice
will be heard and your opinion
valued, irrespective of seniority.
That meritocratic, unbureaucratic and entrepreneurial culture is pervasive throughout the firm.

In the same way that our clients are under increasing scrutiny from their customers and clients to demonstrate they abide by good ESG principles and standards, it is only right that we, as professionals, are truly driven by and committed to the same standards.

I am in the privileged position through my practice of being trusted by companies, board, executives and entrepreneurs to manage and navigate the most important opportunities and risks that they and their businesses face.

L to R: Dispute Resolution Director Emma Birch, Trainee Rebecca Stopps and Commercial Crime Partner
Shiv Haria-Shah attended the 60th anniversary YE event at HSBC's headquarters in Birmingham.

In addition to litigation, a large part of that involves investigations and the implementation and evolution of corporate compliance programmes. Regulators are increasingly and explicitly recognising what many have known for some time - that DE&I is inextricably and directly linked not only to performance but also to risk.

In 2023, we launched RISE (Race Inclusion Support and Education) as part of a relaunch of our internal employee networks.

Through a series of internal and client events, a reverse mentoring scheme, anti-bias training and outreach programmes, RISE, working collaboratively with our other networks, has sought to assist to ensure that Fieldfisher continues to be a diverse, welcoming and inclusive place to work.

I have always valued the perspective and network that my real-world experience, outside of the legal
sector, provides.