This episode of Soulful Conversations with Bithika Anand features Nish Shetty, Senior Partner in the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice at Clifford Chance, Singapore.
With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Shetty has advised on complex cross border disputes across Asia and Europe and is widely recognised as a leading figure in international arbitration. He is the founder and former Chairman of the SIAC Users’ Council, Co-Chair of the Council of Arbitration of the Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration, and notably, the first Asian appointed as a Judge of Appeal on the FIA International Court of Appeal in Paris.
Shetty's journey into law, as he candidly describes it, was not entirely planned. “I call myself an accidental lawyer,” he reflects. Encouraged by a family friend to pursue law as a starting point, he entered the profession without a fixed roadmap. However, his first experience in practice proved transformative. “Doing my first case and really enjoying it… I realised this could be a fulfilling career.” More than thirty years later, that sense of purpose remains unchanged. “I still enjoy coming to work,” he says, a sentiment that reflects both longevity and genuine engagement with the profession.
Early influences also shaped his perspective as a lawyer. Observing entrepreneurs, including his father, instilled in him a strong sense of commercial awareness. He emphasises that law, particularly in a business context, cannot exist in isolation. “Understanding commercial motivations is critical,” he notes. For him, the role of a lawyer is to apply the law in a way that delivers clear and practical solutions within a commercial reality.
Beyond professional rigour, Shetty places equal importance on balance. An avid sports enthusiast, he enjoys golf, tennis, skiing, and water sports, integrating these into his routine to maintain physical and mental wellbeing. His advice to young lawyers reflects this belief: do not lose sight of life beyond work. “Your health and mental wellbeing are as important as your career,” he says, reminding them that success in law is a marathon, not a sprint.
He also speaks with warmth about his mentor, the late Alvin Yeo, who influenced not just his legal thinking but his demeanour. “You can win just as well with a smile as with a frown,” he recalls, highlighting the importance of restraint and quiet confidence.
On a personal note, Shetty describes himself as deeply spiritual. A practising Hindu, he finds grounding in daily prayer and regular visits to the temple, which shape his values and sense of balance.
Offering advice to young lawyers, he emphasises patience in a world driven by instant gratification. “The law does not offer instant gratification but it offers deep, long-term fulfilment if you stay the course.” Looking back, he reflects that while he once aspired to be a pilot, the path he chose has been both impactful and fulfilling.
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The Soulful Conversations series looks into lawyers' lives beyond the law - their experiences, personal journeys, values and beliefs that have made them true achievers.
The series is presently in its second season. The last episode featured Dr. Manoj Kumar, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Law & Justice.
The episode before that featured Tejal Patil, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Wipro Limited.
The seventh episode featured Vineet Vij, Global General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of Tech Mahindra and its group companies.
The sixth episode featured Rajendra Misra, Executive Vice President & General Counsel of the Indian Hotels Company Limited, South Asia’s largest Hospitality group
The fifth episode featured Mayur Vasani, Head of Legal – India and affiliates, Indonesia, and the Philippines at Kenvue (formerly Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health Division).
The fourth episode of the second season featured Dr. Akhil Prasad, the Country Counsel-India and Company Secretary with Boeing India.
The third episode featured Group GC at HDFC Bank, Sudhir Kumar Jha.
The second episode featured Deepak Acharya, Chief Legal Officer of Aditya Birla Group, while the first episode of the second season featured Dr Sanjeev Gemawat, Managing Director and Group General Counsel at Essar Group. The third episode featured Dr. Vivek Mittal, the Executive Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs at Hindustan Unilever Limited.