What is Fiona Shackleton’s background?

According to Hello! magazine, Shackleton boasts a privileged background: her father Jonathan Charkham is a former adviser to the Bank of England and also sheriff of the City of London.

Her mother, meanwhile, is Moira Salmon. Per The Guardian, her mother’s family founded the Lyons Corner House empire, making her TV chef Nigella Lawson Shackleton’s cousin.

She didn’t always want to go into law

According to Hello!, Shackleton, now 68, initially wanted to study medicine but didn’t make the cut. She then went to Exeter University, graduating with a third class honours law degree – a term used for a low-pass grade that is known to negatively impact future job opportunities. According to The Guardian, she tried her hand at being a cordon bleu chef after university, but ultimately decided to follow a career in law. She was eventually hired by Farrer & Co, the law firm for the royal family.

She has many celebrity clients

She was also hired by Princess Haya in her custody battle with the Emir of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum. Per Spear’s, the divorce settlement for the princess was £554 million (around US$704.7 million), the largest settlement in the UK at the time.

She’s a workaholic ... with a soft side

The Standard reports that Shackleton is known for being a workaholic. While Princess Haya was her client, Shackleton was in hospital for an arm injury, but continued working on the case.

But she has a softer side too, often baking brownies for her clients and other associates.

How much does it cost to hire Fiona Shackleton?

Although her exact net worth is not known, it has been widely reported securing Shackleton’s services comes with a hefty price tag. Per The Standard, her rate starts at £550 (around US$700) per hour.

Shackleton pays close attention to fashion, too. From her Louis Vuitton bags to Ferragamo shoes and Philip Treacy trilbies, the lawyer is not afraid to flaunt her luxury wardrobe.