Breaking the Ice: New Robins Kaplan partner ‘felt called’

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Raoul Shah has dedicated his legal career to seeking justice for those injured by the actions of others — previously as a prosecutor and as a newly promoted partner in Robins Kaplan‘s Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice and Civil Rights Group.

“Wanting to be that voice for people, wanting to be there to help people, it’s something that I’ve felt called to do, and I’m thankful I get to do that on a daily basis,” Shah said.

Shah, who has tried more than two dozen cases as a first-chair attorney, served as an assistant Hennepin County attorney before he joined Robins Kaplan. He was promoted to partner effective Jan. 1.

In his pro bono practice, Shah advocates for clients in family law, immigration and civil rights matters. “Legal help belongs to everyone, not just people who have the financial means for it,” said Shah, recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 40 Under 40 for Minnesota.

Name: Raoul Shah

Title: Partner, Robins Kaplan

Education: B.A. sociology of law, criminology, and deviance and psychology, University of Minnesota; J.D., Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Q: Best way to start a conversation with you?

A: I’m sometimes introverted, sometimes extroverted. Whether it’s something interesting the other person’s been involved in, a hobby or something at work, let’s start there.

Q: Why law school?

A: I wanted to be in law enforcement at first, then go into prosecution. So, I knew that I wanted to go to law school. It seemed like the best way to get the education, the training, the skills that I would need to be able to help people.

Q: What are you reading?

A: The “Game of Thrones” series. I’ve heard good things about the show and wanted to read the books first.

Q: Pet peeve?

A: When people are rude for no reason.

Q: Best part of your work?

A: When I get a good result and am able to help someone. A few times since I switched to personal injury/medical malpractice, clients have written after getting their settlement check or the funds we’ve won for them and say how it’s changed their lives. That makes it all worthwhile.

Q: Most challenging?

A: When we have to tell them we weren’t successful in their case. Or when somebody’s looking for help and it’s not something we can help them with.

Q: Favorite activity away from work?

A: I play in a brass band with a group of college friends. We’re called B+ Brass because we’re just slightly better than average. I get to use the creative side of my brain, hang out with friends and make music. I also enjoy being outdoors, going for hikes or walks with my dogs and my wife.

Q: Where would you take someone visiting your hometown?

A: I went to the U of M for undergrad, so I would take people to the U of M campus. There are lots of cool historical buildings and good places to eat. Catch a football game, a basketball game or something like that.

Q: Legal figure you admire?

A: Justice Thurgood Marshall. His whole career was dedicated to making sure that there really is equal justice under law. That’s important to me and drives why I do pro bono work, why I do the work that I do.

Q: Misconception about your work?

A: That we’re a bunch of ambulance chasers. Whether people are joking or really think that, that’s what they say about PI lawyers. The majority of us wish nobody ever needed us. I love my job. I don’t want to be out of a job. But if I never got another call from somebody who needed my representation, that would be great, because it would mean people weren’t getting hurt.

Q: Favorite book, movie or TV show about lawyers?

A: I like the “Lincoln Lawyer” series by Michael Connolly. I enjoy the Netflix show just as much. I also like “Suits.” It’s not realistic at all but I got a good kick out of it.