Shainul qualified as a corporate lawyer specialising in stock market flotations. Aged 29, she founded her own commercial law firm Fortune Law. She was reported at that time to be the youngest female to start a law firm in the UK solo. In her first year of trading, and initially from her kitchen table, she advised on 2 stock market flotations and was a finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards.
Her expertise covers corporate matters including M&A, fundraising and sensitive boardroom issuesadvising on domestic and international shareholder and partnership disputes and unrest within family businesses. She has acted as expert witness for the CPS on AIM boiler room fraud cases and for defendants in FCA proceedings. Her primary focus however is advising business founders and smart start-ups. She has recently launched a legal boot camp for young entrepreneurs in partnership with The Budding Entrepreneur Academy with plans for national roll-out. Her key message for those wanting to start their own business: “if you don’t get a seat at the table, you can #buildyourowntable”.
Her commitment to pro bono work and giving back has changed her life in many unexpected ways. She is currently a board member on His Highness Aga Khan International Conciliation and Arbitration Board where, as an accredited mediator, she represents the UK and Europe dealing with cross border disputes, hearing arbitration appeals and drafting policy for 18 jurisdictions globally. She has contributed to the drafting of the Charter for International Family Mediation Processes an initiative of International Social Service (ISS) a Swiss NGO promoting child protection and welfare across borders.
Shainul has held several long standing trusteeships including the African Environmental Film Foundation. She lives in West London with her husband and two young sons with whom she runs, bakes and travels the world.