Our Team: Shehla Syed
Overview
Shehla Syed, Shareholder at West Hill, is a strategic partner to technology-driven companies, helping them protect and grow their competitive edge in today’s fast-moving landscape. With deep experience across the full spectrum of intellectual property, she guides clients through complex legal challenges to build, protect, and enforce the innovation, technology, brands, and creative assets that power their business forward.
Specialties
Shehla brings extensive experience in her trademark and patent practice to advise both growth-oriented and established technology companies across the U.S. and internationally.
She collaborates with companies that value thoughtful, business-focused legal guidance—whether they’re launching their first software service or managing a complex global IP portfolio. Shehla guides clients through the full IP lifecycle, including strategy, clearance and registration, licensing, technology agreements, portfolio management, and enforcement. Clients rely on her practical, business-aligned approach, to transform their innovations and brand assets into long-term competitive advantages.
Shehla has significant experience handling technology-related disputes, both in federal court and through arbitration. She regularly advises tech and SaaS companies on enforcing intellectual property rights, resolving complex contractual and ownership issues, and protecting their brands across digital platforms. With a practical and forward-thinking approach, Shehla focuses on resolving disputes efficiently and strategically—always aligned with her clients’ business objectives.
Recognition and Awards
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Shehla Syed has been recognized for her excellence and leadership in the legal field by numerous top industry publications. She was named one of the Top 50: Women Lawyers in Massachusetts 2024 by Super Lawyers, honoring her outstanding work and impact. She has also been consistently recognized by Boston magazine’s Top Lawyers™ (since 2023), Best Lawyers (since 2022) and Super Lawyers (since 2019) in her areas of expertise. Earlier in her career, Shehla received the Excellence in the Law – Up & Coming Lawyers award from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly and the Massachusetts Bar Association in 2016.
Since 2022, her firm, West Hill has been ranked in Boston Tier 2 – Litigation and Intellectual Property in the 2023 US News – Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms. And West Hill has also been recognized by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly as one of the Best Women-Led Law Firms (2025 and 2026), honored for its leadership and innovation in a competitive legal landscape.
Admissions
Shehla is admitted to practice in Massachusetts, and before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
Education and Past Experience
Shehla earned her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she contributed to the Journal of International Economic Law. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a focus in Biology and Economics. Before joining West Hill, Shehla built her legal skills at leading national firms, including Jenner & Block and Venable.
Professional and Community Involvement
Shehla belongs to the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts, the Boston Intellectual Property Law Association, and the New England Muslim Bar Association, where she helped found the organization. She also served on the Community Ethics Committee at the Division of Medical Ethics of Harvard Medical School which provides ethics feedback to Harvard teaching hospitals.
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Email Address: ssyed@westhill.law
Direct Dial: 978.274.7053
