Profile
Shaheen Mamun has a growing reputation in the legal profession as an Award-Winning Solicitor who has an interest in the increasingly complex interrelationship between Civil, Commercial and Public Law.
As a Director at Black Antelope Law, Shaheen heads the day-to-day running of the organisation’s financial administration with a primary focus on maintaining quality mark standards, legal, regulatory and data protection compliance, risk management, performance, and business development.
He provides training, development, and support to ensure that the organisation’s strategic objectives are met, and that the quality of services being offered is second to none. His unique experiences have been shared ‘In the Management Chair’ by the Law Society Management Section and ‘My Legal Life’ in the Law Gazette. Notably, Shaheen is one of the youngest director owners of a legal regulated law firm in the UK.
Specialisms
Civil Litigation; Commercial Law; Chancery; Commercial and Business Immigration; Criminal Law; Public and Administrative Law; Family Law; Property Law; Regulatory and Professional Disciplinary Law.
Commercial Law
Shaheen has previously successfully represented clients and their organisation in chancery and commercial law matters concerning commercial litigation, partnership disputes, company law, solicitors’ negligence, insurance disputes, and property law.
‘Shaheen has shaped and emboldened the way in which law is perceived and it has been a great pleasure working with him on a recent project regarding personal and industry transformation, as well as narrative building.
At Rizq Communications, we aided Black Antelope in shaping their narrative and guided them through key topics we believe would be of benefit, as well as shaping their story of individuality in the legal profession.
Throughout the project, Shaheen has shown himself to be mindful and aware of key issues. He embraces being thrown into challenging environments and is able to speak about taboo subjects as a leader. He is truly a change maker.
As a communications expert, Black Antelope have certainly led the conversation on diversity in the legal sector, mental health awareness and the importance of equality. It has truly been a pleasure to work with Shaheen and the team.’ – Uneesa Zaman, Communications Consultant at Rizq Communications
Public and Administrative Law
Recognised as a meritorious Solicitor who understands a proficient demand for high quality and sophisticated representation, he remains very active in successfully holding Public Bodies to account in their decision making where particularly there has been a breach of policy, legitimate expectation, and proportionality in addressing complex legal decisions which may interfere with an individual’s human rights and civil liberties. Shaheen has extensive experience of bringing judicial Review proceedings within his core practice areas.
Immigration
Shaheen’s expertise in all areas of immigration and nationality law enable him to give comprehensive and strategic advice. He acts on behalf of all types of clients and is accustomed to working on complex cases, often being recommended by various Counsel to act as their preferred instructing solicitor. Prior to becoming a Partner of Black Antelope Law, Shaheen was practising from a renowned Legal 500 firm and an award-winning City boutique Business Immigration Firm.
Shaheen advises Clients on economic migration and settlement, PBS applications and compliance issues such as illegal working. He has detailed knowledge and experience of the law relating to Article 8 ECHR and private life or family-based visas whilst also being versed in EEA free movement law and the emerging EU Settled Status scheme. Shaheen also has experience in bringing challenges to unlawful detention, Deportation Orders and in advising in cross over areas, such as family law proceedings. Under his tutelage, Black Antelope Law were recognised as the ‘Best Business Immigration Law Firm in England’ by the SME News Awards 2020 and ‘Most Outstanding Business Immigration Law Firm – England’ by the Global Business Insight Awards 2021.
Shaheen previously served as a Trustee and Pro-Bono Lawyer of the Habeas Corpus Project (HCP),
a charity that provided pro-bono legal representation in challenging unlawful detention of migrants and
asylum seekers in the UK. The work the Charity promoted was the rule of law, accountability in immigration control and access to justice for all. In the first year of operation the HCP provided pro-bono legal assistance to over 100 people held in immigration detention. In November 2015, the HCP were awarded the PILnet Award for Pro Bono Work and established a reputation for innovation within the pro-bono sector as a serious provider of pro-bono legal representation whilst having trusting relationships with legal aid providers, NGO’s and other charities including Bail for Immigration Detainees, the Helen Bamber Foundation and Medical Justice.
‘The two points to make about Shaheen, and these are conclusions I would hazard most who interact with him will similarly reach, are first that he is extremely quick in delivering results. A second point worth making about Shaheen is that Shaheen has a unique ability of making complex legal matters explainable to someone who is neither educated in these matters nor particularly inclined to fully grasp them.’ – Dr Akali Omeni, Author of ‘Counter-insurgency in Nigeria: The Military and Operations Against Boko Haram 2011 – 2017’
‘Shaheen was an excellent Trustee who delivered his responsibilities to an impeccable standard. The charity greatly benefited from oversight and input as a Trustee for the Charity. I found that Shaheen was dedicated to providing a high quality of service to individuals. He had a very strong understanding of the law and procedure and delivered work in a timely manner. I was always impressed with his dedication to his work and commitment to improving access to justice for the most vulnerable.’ – Ousman Noor, Barrister and Director of the Habeas Corpus Project
‘Shaheen has rightly won many awards over the years for excellence. His boutique law firm, Black Antelope Law have personally assisted myself and my family for both land law and probate matters, where we were delighted with the outcome.
Shaheen is also an expert when it comes to immigration matters too. Whether it’s advice on civil litigation, housing law, family law, probate or immigration, I highly recommend Shaheen and Black Antelope Law for their warm, friendly and first-class professional service.’ – Mark Robinson, Barrister at Great James Street Chambers
Regulatory and Professional Disciplinary Law
Shaheen is also regularly instructed to represent other professionals before their regulatory bodies (i.e., GMC, NMC) and is often called upon for his tactical advice before a matter is litigated. He is available to be instructed at short notice and always applies an intense level of scrutiny to each allegation made against his clients by tenaciously critiquing weaknesses of the regulatory bodies’ case.
Awards
Shaheen has received significant recognition for his work in promoting better Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within the legal sector by being awarded the “One to Watch” at the British Muslim Awards 2018, the ‘Malcolm X Young Person’s Award for Excellence’ by the Muslim News Award 2017. He was also Highly Commended for the ‘BSN Rising Star’ at the UK Legal Diversity Awards 2016.
Shaheen also spearheaded Black Antelope Law in being the first BSB Entity to be awarded a certificate of well-being from the Bar Council for addressing Mental Health at the workplace, the London Healthy Workplace (Micro) Award by the Mayor of London, recognised on the Honour Roll for the 2018 UK Social Mobility Awards and being shortlisted for the Equality and Diversity Award at Modern Law Awards 2020.
Shaheen is also proactively involved with the British Bangladeshi community throughout the UK where he represents many individuals and companies in their legal matters. Shaheen was named a ‘Community Champion of 2019’ by the Sunamganj Jela Welfare Association UK and mentioned as an inductee in the annual publication of the British Bangladeshi’s Who’s Who 2018 and 2019.
Other recognised shortlists where Shaheen was a notable finalist include:
- Shortlisted as a Finalist for Lawyer of the Year at the Modern Law Awards 2020
- Shortlisted as a Finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year at MTM Awards 2019
- Junior Lawyer of the Year category at the Law Society’s Excellence Awards 2019
- Rising Star by the Asian Legal Awards 2018
- BSN Rising Star in Entrepreneurship at UK Legal Diversity Awards 2018
- Rising Star in Law by the London Asian Business Awards 2018
- Excellence in Law by the Signature Awards 2019
- Rising Star of the Year by the Modern Law Awards 2017
- Rising Star at the Society of Asian Lawyers Annual Awards & Ball 2016 and 2017
- Junior Lawyer of the Year by the Law Society Excellence Award 2016
- Young Achiever of the Year at the British Muslim Awards 2017
- Recognition for his pro-bono commitments at the Camden Volunteer Awards 2016 from the Mayor of Camden (Cllr Nadia Shah) and the Deputy Lieutenant for Camden (Sir Ian Johnston)
- Alumni Volunteering Programme Award at University of Westminster Distinctiveness Awards 2017
- Student Achievement Award in 2013 and a prize sum of £1000 by the University of Westminster for academic excellence and progression among his cohorts in law
Professional Qualifications
- LLB Solicitors Exempting Degree from the University of Westminster (2014)
- Young Muslim Leadership Programme (2018), Oxford University
- Professional Skills Course (2016) at BPP Law School
- Rights of Audience before the Astana International Financial Centre in Kazakhstan
- Rights of Audience before the Small Claims and Employment Divisions of the Court of First Instance at the Abu Dhabi Global Market
Shaheen is an outstanding ambassador for Westminster Law School. His innovation in the legal services sector and commitment to diversity in the legal profession has not only garnered several awards, but also the respect of the next generation of students he inspires. We are proud to have him as one of our alumni – Jeanette Nicholas – Assistant Head at University of Westminster, Westminster Law School
Outside of Work
Outside of work, Shaheen currently sits on the Law Society’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (also being selected to sit on The Law Society Grants and Sponsorship Scheme Advisory Panel 2021 and Diversity Access Scheme judging panel 2021) and was also appointed a Social Mobility Ambassador for the Law Society.
Shaheen was also appointed Criminal Law Magistrate (Justice of Peace) and sits as an Independent Disciplinary Panel Member for the London Football Association. was selected as a London Enterprise Adviser by the Mayor of London and Reed in Partnership. Shaheen also volunteers as a Time to Change Champion for Mind and an Everymind Champion with Everymind at Work.
He also currently serves as a Legal Officer at the Maternal Aid Association, a grassroots student led charity striving to improve situations in resource-poor settings such as Bangladesh, to bring about safe, effective, high quality maternal healthcare. MAA was founded by Aqil Jaigirdar, a 3rd year King’s College London medical student, and the team comprises current King’s College London healthcare students supported by Professor Janice Rymer, Vice President for the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Professor of Gynaecology at King’s College London, and Consultant Gynaecologist at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, and Dr Daghni Rajasingham, Consultant Obstetrician Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. He was part of the team who were the successful recipient of the David Walsh Scholarship as part of the King’s20 Accelerator programme (King’s College London Entrepreneurship Institute).
Shaheen also had a brief stint in politics having previously been elected as the BME Officer for the London Green Party in 2016.Shaheen is keen to improve Social Mobility for aspiring lawyers entering the professions and devotes his time to serving as a mentor for organisations such as The Social Mobility Foundation, University of Westminster, London South Bank University and Aspiring Solicitors.
Public and Media Appearances
- Five reasons why start-ups and founders should trademark their business idea – Fintech Bulletin
- Shaheen Mamun from Black Antelope Law appears in Leaders Council podcast alongside Geoff Hurst and Matthew O’Neill
- BBC London Live Radio Interview with Simon Lederman regarding the bankruptcy of Alpha Insurance and its impact on Cab Drivers in 2018
- Featured on ‘Living the Life 2019’ on Islam Channel
- Featured on My legal life on the Law Gazette
- Guest Speaker at The Lawyer Portal 2019 Aspire
- Sharmistha Michaels and Shaheen Mamun of Black Antelope Law on LGBT Asylum Claims – Drystone Chambers
- Deputation before the Camden Mayor and Camden Council and on behalf of the Habeas Corpus Project regarding the Council’s stance on supporting refugees from Syria
- Ramadhan fundraising night with Maternal Aid Association 2018 on Channel S UK
- Guest Panellist at The Law Society’s Black History Month Inspiration Evening 2017
- Guest Speaker at The London Law Fair 2017 and 2018
- Guest Panellist at The University of Westminster’s Legal Skills Academy Trainee Panel 2017