Alumni

S M Shahnewaz Karim Arko

Career Path: Junior Counsel, SK & ASSOCIATES
Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Since I was in Elementary school, all I've ever wanted to do was to put on the Barrister's gown and advocate on behalf of my clients. My journey towards the dream began with pursuing L.L.B at the University of London. My ambition was to become a Barrister, so I put my best effort in my studies and shadowed practising Barristers to learn how to conduct legal work. I joined as a BPTC student at University of Northumbria shortly after finishing my LLB. After investing a lot of effort and attention on my part, I completed the BPTC and was called by the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn in November 2020.

Since my call, I've worked for a number of major legal firms in Bangladesh, where I obtained experience in Commercial, Property, Admiralty, and Alternative Dispute Resolution matters, and I'm still practising in these areas.

What are you doing now?

I am currently acting as a junior counsel at SK & ASSOCIATES, a leading litigation firm in Bangladesh and my major practising areas are Admiralty, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Commodities & Mercantile Disputes and Construction, Foreign Investment and Construction & Tender Dispute.

What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?

Because of the teaching assistance and student-friendly campuses, Northumbria has always been a viable option for international students. One of the most important factors in my decision to attend Northumbria was the teaching support. The course was well-structured, and the university's assistance was greatly appreciated.

What was it like studying at Northumbria?

We never felt like we were miles away from home while studying at Northumbria. I never felt like I wouldn't be able to make it because of the dynamic campus and the kind and cooperative teaching staff. The lectures were well-structured, with some of the top lecturers in town, and the small group sessions were really beneficial in helping me prepare for my bar exams.

What was the best thing about your course?

While studying for the Bar Course at Northumbria, I was able to put my knowledge to good use and gain confidence. What I most needed was the help provided by the courteous teachers.