Mariyam Shunana

Mariyam Shunana is a corporate lawyer skilled in both law and business, which gives her an added advantage in litigating and negotiating complex business transactions. Shunana graduated with a Master’s Degree in Corporate Law from New York University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of the West of England (Bristol). She has also acquired a First-Class Bachelor (Hons) of Laws degree from the Maldives National University.

Shunana has thirteen years of legal experience and has represented both the Government of the Maldives, Government companies, and major private corporations, including foreign investment companies and individuals, in complex commercial litigation at the courts. Shunana has also assisted many foreign clients in setting up their foreign investment companies, including luxury resort hotels and real estate businesses.

Shunana received the highest honour as a legal practitioner in the Maldives; National Award in Recognition of Outstanding Services in the Field of Law in 2022 from the President of the Maldives. She was also awarded the Top 50 Global Award (Dubai) in the legal category organized by Women in Management (2022). In 2020, she was awarded the National Award "Rehendhi Award" for outstanding social work (in the field of law). In 2019, she received "Leadership Excellence in the Field of Law, Gold Category" in the Maldives Professional and Career Women Awards.

Shunana has secured numerous precedent-setting victories. She has successfully secured a settlement in the largest class action lawsuit in the Maldivian history. She also litigated and won the largest class action employment dispute submitted at the employment tribunal and a win in one of the largest commercial claims against the Government of the Maldives. She has litigated as lead counsel in the most notable public interest lawsuits submitted to the Maldivian courts, which include the first gerrymandering lawsuit. Shunana’s track record of success speaks volume about her ability to navigate legal inticacies and deliver favourable outcome for her clients.

Shunana also found the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC), which provides pro bono services to socially and economically marginalized groups and individuals, works on various policy and law reform and lobbying projects, and advocates for civil rights causes through social activism. PILC is the one and only NGO in the Maldives that provides pro bono legal help in a wide range of areas and has made historical marks in the legal field. Prior to the establishment of Shunana and Co. LLP, Shunana worked at the Attorney General's Office. As a senior attorney at the Attorney General’s office, she has litigated on behalf of the Government in numerous constitutional, commercial, and civil cases lodged by and against Government ministries. She was also involved in international arbitration proceedings against the Government of the Maldives. Shunana provided legal opinions to Government Ministries and departments on contracts, international conventions, and bilateral and multilateral agreements signed by the Government. She also provided legal opinions on bills passed by the Parliament before ratification by the President and reviewed draft laws and regulations.