Shazia Niaz immigrated to Canada with a clear vision to pursue her education and a Ph.D. However, her educational journey took a unique turn while volunteering at Kerby Centre. She encountered a woman urgently needing legal assistance, but lacked the financial means to obtain it. Witnessing the woman's distress and feeling a profound sense of helplessness for the first time, Shazia realized how important it was to be able to help marginalized individuals in the community. This experience motivated her to seek legal education. Determined to make a difference, Shazia visited the University of Calgary after her volunteer shift to explore the path to becoming a lawyer. Despite being advised that the path to becoming a lawyer in Canada would be challenging, she remained firm, driven by the memory of that woman and the desire to create a meaningful impact.

Shazia earned her LLB from the University of London, with a focus on national and international protection of human rights. She subsequently completed an LL.M. (General Law) at Nottingham Trent University, where she assisted a professor who delivered lectures to prisoners, especially on the blanket ban on prisoners' voting rights.  She also participated in debates about secondary victimization and the criminal justice system. Her LL.M. General Law research paper was focused on Canadian Indigenous land rights through the landmark   Delgamuukw   decision, for which she was granted special departmental approval to conduct research on Canadian Indigenous land rights while based in the UK.   Shazia completed an LL.M. in Common Law at Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, focusing her constitutional law studies on the Multani case and the right to wear the kirpan, further emphasizing her commitment to civil liberties advocacy.

Before commencing her articles and being called to the Bar, Shazia gained extensive paralegal experience at several law firms in Calgary. She managed residential real‑estate files, closing numerous transactions from initial instructions to registration with the Land Titles Office. In family law, she managed multiple divorce applications in the Court of King’s Bench, obtaining divorce certificates in each case. She also drafted a broad range of Wills and Estate‑planning Documents—including trusteeship appointments—and gained experience in personal injury and immigration matters from start to finish.

Shazia has numerous volunteer experience in the following non-profit organizations: Calgary Legal Guidance, Kerby Centre Elderly Law Legal Clinic, Pro Bono Law Alberta, 1000 Voices Legal Clinic, Immigrant Services Calgary, Pro Bono Legal Advice Centre, UK, Red Cross, Inn From the Cold, and Future of the Foundation Charter Academy.

Shazia has successfully argued her family law case before the Court of King's Bench, addressing parenting and child support issues. She has also successfully conducted bail hearings, show-cause hearings, trials, and trial preparation and successfully argued restraining orders. 

Shazia enjoys spending quality time with her family, including her beautiful children and husband. She is also passionate about hiking and is a member of the Law Society of Alberta.

          Educational Background

• LL.M. (Common Law) – Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Canada

• LL.M. (General Law) – Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom

• LL.B. (Hons.) – University of London, United Kingdom

• M.A. (Linguistics) – University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir

• B.A. (Psychology and Political Science) – University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Practice Areas

• Criminal Law - Adult and Youth

• Residential Real Estate

• Wills & Estates