Shamima has litigated in all the courts including Labour and Labour Appeal Court, The Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. Shamima served as an acting judge in both the Labour Court and the High Court. She lectured in the Labour Law Masters Programme at the School of Law, University of Witwatersrand and previously lectured undergraduate students at the University of Witwatersrand in advanced labour law and law of contract. Shamima has authored numerous legal articles and various texts and journals. Shamima is also a former president of the Southern African Society for Labour Law (SASLAW).

She received a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Witwatersrand in 1988 and a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London). She has practiced for more than 20 years after completion of her articles.