Xiyan Sia Gu is a Senior Legal Assistant in the Palo Alto Office of Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight, a national law firm with offices in the District of Columbia, New York, California, and Tennessee. Sia graduated summa cum laude with Distinction in all Subjects from Cornell University, where she majored in Comparative Literature and minored in Media Studies and Law and Society.

At Cornell, Sia’s senior thesis focused on global Indigeneity and Native American literature. She presented related research at the American Comparative Literature Association’s 2024 Annual Meeting. In addition to her academic work, Sia served as a Writing Tutor for the Cornell Writing Centers and as a campus tour guide with the Office of Visitor Relations. She also volunteered with Legal Assistance of Western New York’s Pro Bono Unit. Beyond campus, Sia interned at the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office and the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York.

Sia plans to attend law school in the future.