Patent attorney Sheila Niaz is deeply committed to expanding access to the legal system. Over the years in her Minneapolis-based private practice, she has provided pro bono legal services to entrepreneurs and inventors from underserved communities, helping them secure patent protection for innovative technologies. She has also donated her time to represent individuals in housing court, served as a special assistant public defender on a criminal state pro bono appeal, and volunteered to help domestic abuse victims secure Orders for Protection and Harassment Restraining Orders. Niaz serves as chair of the intellectual property (IP) practice group at the Minnesota chapter of the Federal Bar Association. A former software engineer, she is passionate about advocating for young women to pursue careers in STEM and IP law.