Saracens Solicitors pays tribute to the extraordinary life of Nishtar Saleem. His sudden passing, on the evening of 13 January 2025, leaves an irreplaceable void with tributes continuing to pour in from those that had the privilege of witnessing his commitment to justice.
Throughout his illustrious career, Nish represented royalty, global celebrities, high-profile sports figures and diplomats to name a few. His profound understanding of the law earned him the trust and respect of clients and peers alike.
Growing up in south London in the ’70s and ’80s was pivotal. Nish had two adverse experiences during his childhood that would stick with him for the rest of his life. He witnessed the violence during the Brixton riots and the venom of the National Front, a right-wing political party. From this he also observed how an entire community could stand up to oppression, tyranny and racism.
After reading law at the University College London, he completed his training contract in West London making a significant contribution working on the Stephen Lawrence private prosecution; a landmark case that transformed the race relations laws. The pivotal McPherson Report which identified the prevalence of institutional racism, only further fuelled Nish’s desire to improve the legal system.
In a recent interview Nish stated '…there are many different ways to improve the experience both for a client and lawyers. But when you’re a small cog in a large wheel it becomes very difficult to implement change. In order to implement change, you have to be a decision-maker and for most of us, this means, you have to start your own business. That way you can design and implement your vision.'
Nish co-founded Saracens in 2005, a firm that’s synonymous with its motto of ‘building trust through understanding’. Driven by the desire to deliver exemplary legal services the firm grew under his stewardship and over that time Nish demonstrated his prowess as a commanding defamation lawyer.
He successfully represented a number of high-profile individuals in claims for libel against various newspapers and media outlets; restoring the reputations of those unfairly treated.
Nish was known for his ability to navigate highly complex legal issues and winning his clients substantive damages. Just before his passing, Nish celebrated having successfully concluded a multi-million-pound dispute, an instruction he described as one of the most complicated he’d ever worked on.
Nish revelled in being a mentor, moulding the next generation of legal professionals. He took great pride in building junior lawyers, fostering their development using empathy and humour, to motivate.
Nish was also known for his devotion to charitable endeavours, often working pro bono to support those in need. He generously shared his expertise and provided guidance wherever possible.
Nish balanced his professional commitments with a deep love for his family and Liverpool Football Club.
'He was a true pioneer, a mentor to many, and a source of unwavering support to his colleagues and clients. With Nish in our corner, we felt safe,' said a senior member of Saracens Solicitors. 'His legacy will endure in the lives he touched and the principles he championed.'
Nish will be deeply missed by all who knew him and his work will continue to inspire generations to come. May he rest in peace.
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