Recognition and Awards

Attorney Spotlight: Shehla Syed Named to Best Lawyers® 2027 

West Hill Technology Counsel is proud to announce that Shehla Syed, Shareholder & IP Strategist, has been named to the Best Lawyers® 2027 list. 

This recognition reflects Shehla’s exceptional work in intellectual property law and her commitment to helping innovative businesses protect and maximize the value of their ideas, brands, and creative assets. Her inclusion in the 2027 edition of Best Lawyers underscores West Hill’s ongoing mission to empower technology-driven companies through sophisticated, strategic legal counsel. 

“For more than 40 years, the rigorous methodology of Best Lawyers has ensured the integrity and esteem of our legal recognition,” said Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer. “It is with great pleasure that we continue to provide potential clients with the pinnacle measurement of credibility through our Best Lawyers awards as they search for counsel.” 

Lawyers recognized in Best Lawyers are selected through a comprehensive peer-review process that evaluates professional expertise, ethical standards, and overall standing within the legal community. Honorees are organized by geographic region and practice area and undergo an authentication process to verify they remain in current practice and good standing. 

About Shehla Syed 

Shehla specializes in Intellectual Property, Litigation, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. She advises clients across the full spectrum of intellectual property matters, including trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets. By combining legal acumen with strategic business insight, Shehla helps organizations protect, enforce, and maximize the value of their innovations, content, and brands. 

Her recognition in Best Lawyers 2027 reflects both her professional excellence and her dedication to delivering practical, business-focused solutions for clients operating in today’s rapidly evolving technology landscape. 

About West Hill 

West Hill Technology Counsel is a boutique business and technology law firm that provides proactive, practical legal guidance designed to prevent legal problems before they arise. Our clients are innovative startups and growth-stage companies that create or leverage technology as a core part of their business model. 

About Best Lawyers 

Best Lawyers® is one of the oldest and most respected peer-review legal publications in the profession. Lawyers included in The Best Lawyers in America list are recognized based on comprehensive peer evaluations, verified practice status, and professional standing. 

Learn more about Best Lawyers. 

Attorney Spotlight: Boston Magazine Selects Shehla Syed to 2025 Top Lawyers List  

West Hill proudly announces that Shehla Syed has been named to the  Boston Magazine Top Lawyers™ 2025 list for her excellence in Intellectual Property Law.  

Launched in 2021, the Boston Magazine Top Lawyers list showcases the regions top legal talent. Peers nominate  attorneys in their practice areas, and an independent advisory board reviews the nomination to select the final honorees.

“I am honored to be named a Top Lawyer by Boston Magazine alongside so many exceptional peers.” said Shehla Syed.  

Shehla consistently receives recognition for her professional achievements, including honors from  Boston Magazine (since 2023), Best Lawyers (since 2022) and Super Lawyers (since 2019) in her areas of expertise.  

Click here to view Shehla Syed’s listing.  

About Shehla Syed 

Shehla Syed is a Shareholder and IP Strategist at West Hill, where she focuses on Intellectual Property, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. She  advises clients on all aspects of intellectual property – including trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets – to help them maximize the value, protection, and enforceability of their content, brands, and technology.  

About  Boston Magazine Top Lawyers 

The complete list of 2025 Top Lawyers is available online. The December issue of Boston Magazine, featuring the highly anticipated 2025 Top Lawyers list, is now available in both print and digital editions. 

About West Hill  

West Hill Technology Counsel  is a boutique business and technology law firm. The firm provides proactive, practical legal advice designed to solve problems before they arise. West Hill represents emerging and growth-stage companies that create or leverage technology as a core component of their business model.   

Attorney Spotlight: Two West Hill Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers 2025

West Hill Technology Counsel is pleased to announce that Shehla Syed was named to the Best Lawyers in America^® list and Kim Prior – Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch^® list 2025.

West Hill’s approach to law is grounded in fueling the growth of our business clients and the success of our communities. The recognition of its attorneys by Best Lawyers reflects this mission and highlights the team’s collaborative effort to provide sophisticated legal services to protect technology businesses.

“For more than 40 years, the rigorous methodology of Best Lawyers has ensured the integrity and esteem of our legal recognitions,” said Best Lawyers CEO Phillip Greer. “It is with great pleasure that we continue to provide potential clients with the pinnacle measurement of credibility through our Best Lawyers awards as they search for counsel.” 

Lawyers on the Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to ensure they are in current practice and good standing. 

About Shehla Syed

Shehla is a Shareholder and IP Strategist specializing in Intellectual Property, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Ms. Syed counsels clients on all aspects of their intellectual property – trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets – to help them maximize the value and enforceability of their content, brands and technology.

About Kim Prior

Kim is a business law attorney with experience advising clients on corporate matters. Kim has specialized knowledge in private investment funds, domestic and international securities offerings, corporate formation, equity structuring, financings and contract negotiations representing both for-profit and non-for-profit businesses.

About West Hill

West Hill Technology Counsel is a boutique business and technology law firm. Providing proactive, practical legal advice to help solve problems before they arise. Our clients are new and growing businesses that create or leverage technology as a core business model.

About Best Lawyers

For more information on Best Lawyers, click here.

Nine Key Takeaways from the 2024 WBENC National Conference

Attending the 2024 WBENC National Conference was truly an inspiring event. With over 5,000 women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders connecting and supporting each other. West Hill’s Louise Kennedy, Shehla Syed and Jennica Holoquist discovered innovative best practices and celebrated the accomplishments of women-owned businesses.

1. Women entrepreneurs should never be afraid to ask for help.

This conference was all about supporting women business owners, making connections, and sharing ideas. Answers and help were around every corner, from informal advice to corporate mentorship programs for diverse businesses. The focus was on helping women-owned businesses grow and thrive. 

2. Corporate leaders see the value of working with women-owned businesses.

According to WBENC, more than 1,000 corporations in the US have committed to spending over $1 billion each year with Women-Owned Businesses. At the conference this year, many of these corporations were honored for their long-term commitment to diversifying their supply chains. 

3. Be prepared. There’s opportunity around every corner.

Some of the best connections are made while standing in line for coffee, waiting for a program to start, or wandering through the expo. Make the most of these opportunities by introducing yourself. Explain what you do and who you serve. Tell your brand story. Know your differentiators. Ask about others’ businesses. Each person you meet may not be an ideal potential client, but they can be connectors, referral sources and mentors. 

4. Celebrating the accomplishments of women-owned businesses is important.

The conference included a variety of celebrations and fun activities to recognize the achievements of women entrepreneurs. The business journey, particularly in male-dominated fields, is challenging, and it’s important to celebrate wins along the way! Shout out to the 2024 WBE Stars, including the West Hill Founding Attorney, Louise Kennedy, for being recognized for their achievements live at the conference. 

5. Birds of a feather flock together.

Dynamic entrepreneurs are always looking for ways to improve their skills and build their networks. So it’s not a surprise that the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program was well represented with both an expo table and lots of alumni in attendance. The 2024 WBE Stars alone included multiple 10KSB alumni, including Louise Kennedy, Barb Smith, Michele Adams, and others.  

6. Roll out the welcome mat.

The vibe of the West Hill conference booth was friendly and approachable. Tucked in a corner but with brightly colored graphics, a bouquet of flowers, and a pitcher of lemonade, WBEs, and corporate members stopped by for a chat. Smiling, friendly, and passionate about what they do, the West Hill team put people at ease (despite their prior experiences talking to lawyers).  

7. WBENC certification is a valuable tool for women-owned businesses.

According to WBENC, women-owned businesses that are certified through their program are more likely to win contracts and secure new business opportunities. The WBENC application (especially the legal documentation section) can be daunting, but if you are ready to get certified as a Women-Owned Business, West Hill can help you navigate the process.  

“West Hill has been WBENC certified since 2013 and it has unlocked countless opportunities for our firm. WBENC is truly the leading women’s business development organization and I encourage all current WBEs and other women-owned businesses to tap into the limitless potential of the WBENC network,”

said Louise Kennedy.

8. Amplify. Collaboration is key to success in business.

Through productive Meet & Greets with corporate members and other networking opportunities at every turn, we were able to connect with other women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders to explore potential partnerships and collaborations. It was also a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with friends from WBENC educational events like WeThrive and the Advanced Leadership Seminar. 

9. Walk the Walk.
The best way to help a woman owned business is to work with a women owned business.

Hire or source products from a woman-owned business. It is good for business and good for your community. Women-owned businesses fuel the economy, representing 39.1% of all businesses – over 14 million – employing 12.2 million workers and generating $2.7 trillion in revenue. According to the 2024 Wells Fargo Impact of Women-Owned Business Report, in partnership with Ventureneer, CoreWoman, and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), the number of women-owned businesses increased at nearly double the rate of those owned by men between 2019 and 2023; and from 2022 to 2023, the rate of growth increased to 4.5 times. 

 “How long do you want to sit and admire the problem before you start working on addressing the issue? Ignite change.”

Nellie Borrero, author of Unwavering

2024 WBENC National Conference Recap

On Tuesday, March 21, 2024, Louise Kennedy, West Hill Founding Attorney was honored by WBENC (Women’s Buisness Enterprise National Council) as a 2024 WBE Star in Denver, CO. President & CEO Pamela Prince Eason and WBENC Board Chair Nedra Dickson, kicked-off the conference with an inspiring welcome. Bringing the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) President, Gabrielle King Morse , and Louise on stage to be recognized for outstanding business achievement, leadership and impact among women owned businesses. 

Legal Questions? Ask West Hill.

A glimpse at the WBENC Expo and the inside the West Hill booth. The team was asked questions about the complexities of buisness ownership, challenges in executing a Strategic Alliance, entering into contracts with corporates, Saas problems and in-house lawyers did not know anything about Saas. Interestingly, when we asked the business owners about plans for their exit, most people said, “no”.

Evening Receptions at Wings Over Rockies and Gaylord Hotel Colorado Ski Lodge Party

Louise Honored as a 2024 WBE Star at the VIP Brunch

Best Lawyers Names West Hill to 2024 Best Law Firms® list

West Hill is pleased to announce our firm has been recognized in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms®” as a Boston Tier 3 firm in Litigation and Intellectual Property. Firms included in the “Best Law Firms” rankings are recognized for excellence and have impressive ratings from clients and peers. 

“We are both delighted and proud to be awarded this designation and recognized for our firm’s expertise in handling intellectual property disputes. There has been a steady increase in the use of arbitration provisions in software development and other technology agreements. Our technical, contract, and IP expertise allows us to handle these matters effectively and efficiently,” said Louise Leduc Kennedy, Founding Attorney, West Hill. 

According to Best Lawyers, achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. Ranked firms, presented in three tiers, are recognized on a national and regional scale. Firms that receive a tier designation reflect the highest level of respect a firm can earn among other leading lawyers and clients from the same communities and practice areas.  

For the West Hill Technology Counsel ranking click here.

About Best Law Firms List

For the official press release for the 14th edition of Best Lawyers® and the Best Law Firms click here. For more information about  Best Lawyers and the Best Law Firms list, click here.  

About West Hill

West Hill Technology Counsel is a boutique business and technology law firm. Providing proactive practical legal advice to help solve problems before they arise. Our clients are new and growing businesses that create or leverage technology as a core part of their business model.  

Attorney Spotlight: Boston magazine Selects Shehla Syed to 2023 Top Lawyers List

West Hill is pleased to announce that Shehla Syed has been named to the Boston magazine Top Lawyers™ 2023 list. Shehla has been recognized for excellence in Intellectual Property Law. This annual accolade, initiated in 2021, is designed to highlight outstanding legal talent in the region. Attorneys have the opportunity to nominate their peers in specific areas of expertise, with the rankings determined through peer voting and an advisory board.

“I am honored to be named a Top Lawyer by Boston magazine alongside so many great peers also recognized on this year’s list,” said Shehla Syed.

Shehla has also been recognized by Best Lawyers (2023) and Super Lawyers (since 2019) in her areas of expertise.

Click here to view Shehla Syed’s listing.

About Shehla Syed

Shehla Syed is a West Hill Shareholder and IP Strategist specializing in Intellectual Property, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Ms. Syed counsels clients onhttps://www.bostonmagazine.com/lawyers all aspects of their intellectual property – trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets – to help them maximize the value and enforceability of their content, brands and technology.

About Boston magazine Top Lawyers List

Click here to view the complete list of 2023 Top Lawyers. The December issue of Boston magazine featuring the highly anticipated 2023 Top Lawyers list is now available in print and online.

About West Hill

West Hill Technology Counsel is a boutique business and technology law firm. Providing proactive, practical legal advice to help solve problems before they arise. Our clients are new and growing businesses that create or leverage technology as a core part of their business model. 

Attorney Spotlight: Shehla Syed named to 2024 edition of Best Lawyers 

West Hill is pleased to announce Shehla Syed was recognized by Best Lawyers® in their 2024 edition for Litigation – Intellectual Property. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers follows a peer-reviewed process recognizing lawyers in the U.S. who are demonstrating professional excellence in private practice. Best Lawyers has earned the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as a reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. The selected lawyers are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process.

About Shehla Syed

Shehla is a Shareholder and IP Strategist specializing in Intellectual Property, Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Ms. Syed counsels clients on all aspects of their intellectual property – trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets – to help maximize the value and enforceability of their content, brands and technology.

Shehla is a member of the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts, Boston Patent Law Association and the New England Muslim Bar Association, for which she was one of the founding members. Shehla has also served on the Community Ethics Committee at the Division of Medical Ethics of the Harvard Medical School which provides ethics feedback to Harvard teaching hospitals.

About West Hill

West Hill Technology Counsel is a boutique business and technology law firm. Providing pro-active, practical legal advice to help solve problems before they arise. Our clients are new and growing businesses that create or leverage technology as a core part of their business model.

About Best Lawyers

For the list and more information on Best Lawyers, click here.

West Hill Recognized as One of the Boston Metropolitan Area Best Law Firms by US News – Best Lawyers in America®

Firms that received a tier designation reflect the highest level of respect a firm can earn among other leading lawyers and clients .

“We are both delighted and proud to be awarded this designation and recognized for our firm’s expertise in intellectual property law,” said Louise Leduc Kennedy, Founding Attorney, West Hill.

For more information about Best Lawyers in America® and the “Best Law Firm” list, click here.

About West Hill

West Hill Technology Counsel is a boutique business and technology law firm. Providing pro-active, practical legal advice to help solve problems before they arise. Our clients are new and growing businesses that create or leverage technology as a core part of their business model.