From Norco College to Harvard Law School, and now to a leading international law firm in New York City, Saeed Ahmad’s journey exemplifies how unwavering academic excellence, professional discipline, and community commitment can inspire lasting impact.
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, and raised in Corona, California, Ahmad began higher education at Norco College and earned three associate degrees. He credits this time as foundational, shaping his academic direction and ambitions. After Norco College, he transferred to UCLA and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2020.
Following graduation, Ahmad worked as a Client Advisor at Louis Vuitton’s Rodeo Drive flagship store, developing strong client-facing and professional communication skills. In 2021, he matriculated at Harvard Law School, marking the start of an intensive period of academic, clinical, and leadership engagement.
(Saeed moderating conversation at the International House of New York with Michael Carter-Williams, 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year.)
During law school, Ahmad pursued legal and professional opportunities in both public and private sectors. For example, he worked with Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah of Pakistan’s Supreme Court and gained litigation experience at Waymaker LLP, a boutique firm in Los Angeles. Additionally, he served as a Summer Associate at Sidley Austin in New York, working on complex corporate and transactional matters.
On campus, Ahmad was actively involved in student organizations and professional development programs, including the Harvard Association for Law and Business, the J.D. Admissions Fellows Program, and the Committee on Sports and Entertainment Law. He completed the Negotiation Clinic and participated in various competitions focused on advocacy and negotiation skills.
Beyond academics, he inspired others through community initiatives, organizing an Interfaith Iftar Dinner and championing student-faculty programming, such as the Harvard/Yale Basketball Courtroom Classic. Driven by a vision of inclusivity, he worked to expand pathways for community college students, leading a collaboration in which Norco College served as a client in a design-thinking course taught by Professor Scott Westfahl. Ahmad’s steadfast leadership and commitment to uplifting others was honored with the Dean’s Award for Community Leadership upon graduation.
(Saeed during his time working at the Supreme Court of Pakistan.)
After earning his law degree in 2024, Ahmad served as a Visiting Fellow at the Harvard Law School Religious Freedom Clinic, where he worked on First Amendment and religious liberty matters for a diverse range of clients. Subsequently, he returned to education-focused work as a Teaching Assistant for the Advantage Testing Foundation TRIALS Program, helping pre-law students prepare for the LSAT, a role with personal significance, as he had once been a participant in the program.
Most recently, Ahmad began his role as an Associate at Sidley Austin in New York City. His practice focuses on corporate and securities law, including mergers, acquisitions, and capital markets transactions. This work builds on his legal training and prior experience as he now handles complex, high-stakes deals.
Alongside his legal work, Ahmad remains active in professional and cultural programming. He serves on the Programming Committee at the Harvard Club of New York City and as a Programming Fellow at International House New York. Through these roles, he organizes and moderates conversations with leaders in sports, business, and entertainment, such as Mario Ančić and Michael Carter-Williams.
(TRIALS (Training and Recruitment Initiative for Admission to Leading Law) Cohort)
Looking ahead, Ahmad is committed to developing as an attorney, negotiator, and dealmaker. He has long-term interests in law, business, and entrepreneurship, as well as governance roles within sports and entertainment. He has also expressed interest in teaching negotiation courses in the California Community College system.
Throughout his journey, Ahmad emphasizes the importance of representation. He proudly identifies as Pakistani-American, Muslim, an Inland Empire native, and a California Community College alumnus. He credits mentors from Norco College, including Professors David Mills and Khalil Andacheh, for shaping his academic foundation and supporting his early success.
Saeed Ahmad’s journey, from Norco College classrooms to international legal institutions, inspires by showing how opportunity, mentorship, and determination create lasting global impact while honoring strong community roots.