My name is Sheila Niaz, and I am a litigator, developer, and runner. My work sits at the intersection of technology, law, and public service, reflecting my passion for advocacy, innovation, and community impact.

I am currently a senior associate in the litigation practice at Norton Rose Fulbright, where I represent clients in intellectual property, product liability, consumer protection, and commercial and class-action disputes. Before joining NRF, I served as a judicial law clerk to Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz and Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, managing civil and criminal dockets and drafting orders on a wide range of constitutional, statutory, and procedural issues.

I currently serve as President-Elect of the Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Treasurer of the Honorable Jimmie V. Reyna IP American Inn of Court, Treasurer of the Minnesota Intellectual Property Law Association, a Board Member of the ChIPs Twin Cities Chapter Advisory Board, and on the Board of Directors of the Federal Bar Association. Through these roles, I focus on mentorship, representation, and expanding opportunities for young lawyers, women in law, and attorneys from diverse backgrounds.

Earlier in my career, I served as Editor-in-Chief of the Cybaris Intellectual Property Law Review and competed as a semifinalist in the AIPLA Giles S. Rich Patent Moot Court Competition. I studied Computer Science at the University of St. Thomas and previously worked as a software engineer, building web and mobile applications for engineering and transportation clients.

Outside of work, I’m an avid runner and have completed nine marathons, including Chicago and New York, and am currently training to qualify for Boston. I also enjoy reading, baking, hiking, and exploring new trails.

Throughout my career, I’ve remained committed to expanding access to the legal system and supporting diversity in the legal profession. I was honored to be named a 2026 Up and Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer, a 2025 Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer, and recognized as a 2024 Notable Diverse Leader in Law by Twin Cities Business. I approach each new challenge as an opportunity to grow and push the boundaries of what I’m capable of.