Rishi Kohli

My name is Rishi Kohli, and I am a lawyer who has practiced for over ten years. I have built my entire career in the North-East – a region I am proud to call home, having lived in Newcastle upon Tyne my whole life.

I began my career at Womble Bond Dickinson, where I trained and qualified as a projects lawyer, advising local authorities on large-scale infrastructure projects. From there I moved in-house at Siemens as legal counsel, negotiating wind farm projects and contributing to the UK’s renewable energy transition. These foundations led me to my current role as Senior Legal Services Manager at Norton Rose Fulbright (a top 10 global law firm), where I lead one of the firm’s largest teams, based on the Quayside.

Today I manage and supervise around 50 paralegals, many of whom are graduates from local universities. Central to my role is the delivery of high-quality legal services for clients across corporate, banking and disputes matters. I work with offices and clients across the globe – regularly collaborating with the likes of London, Paris, Dubai and Amsterdam and the team is on track to have our busiest year in terms of hours and fees on record. Notably, my role is also about supervising juniors, building their confidence and showing that there are many routes to success. I make a point of being approachable and sharing the lessons I have learned. Seeing team members progress into more senior roles has been one of the most rewarding parts of my role.

Beyond my firm, I work to raise the profile of the North-East’s professional community. Over the past year I have made a concerted effort to increase my LinkedIn presence. Through my LinkedIn platform I highlight local opportunities and talent, which has led to national recognition as a Top 50 Legal Influencer for three consecutive quarters. The real value, however, lies in showing that careers built in this region deserve visibility and can inspire others.

Social mobility and access to education are important to me on a personal level. I attended a state secondary school (Heaton Manor School) and was the first in my family to attend university (Northumbria University). I was a key part of the firm’s national effort to publicise Social Mobility Day in June, and I have partnered with IntoUniversity and the 93% Club to support various initiatives. I know how important it is to show others that a career in law is possible, regardless of background. I regularly visit local schools to speak with students, and I also collaborate with local universities (particularly Northumbria and Newcastle), joining panels talks to help demystify the profession.

Beyond law, I have served for over seven years as a Director on the Board of Pele Trust, a multi-academy trust which helps to shape the education of thousands of young people across 14 schools in the North-East, including Ponteland High School, Darras Hall Primary and John Spence High School.

There have been challenges along the way. Leading a large team in a global firm requires balancing the pressure of client delivery with supporting people at different stages of development. I have learned that leadership is as much about listening as it is about setting direction, and that people do their best work when they feel valued and included. The legal profession can also still feel traditional in its structures, with barriers that need to be challenged. I try to use my voice to encourage change and help break down glass ceilings that remain.

Being nominated for this award is a real honour. Personally, it reflects my journey from trainee to leader while staying rooted in the North-East. Professionally, it highlights the importance of developing future talent, promoting inclusion, and raising the profile of our region. Above all, it reinforces my belief that hard work and helping open doors for others can lead to a stronger and fairer profession.