Shima Roy has made a name for herself at Baker & McKenzie as a go-to partner to handle complex international litigation. She mainly deals with international clients doing business in the United States and domestic clients doing business abroad. Juggling the various laws in different court systems poses an interesting set of challenges for the 37-year-old Chicago partner. “What has been really interesting is that you get the chance to experience and learn about different legal systems,” Roy said.
From 2007 to 2008, Roy represented Karamtech Co. Ltd., a Korean auto parts manufacturer and the defendant in a contract dispute suit brought by Global Link LLC, a sales agent for the automotive industry. Roy successfully argued that, because the contract was governed by Korean law, the forum-selection clause fell under Korean jurisprudence. Roy, who earned her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, is also developing an India litigation practice that she said is in response to the rapid growth of the country.
