As the daughter of a public school teacher and a nonprofit bookkeeper, Niki Zupanic grew up in a family deeply committed to public service and supporting their community—a commitment that remains at the center of all her work.

Niki started her career working for the California Legislature, developing public policy on issues as varied as campaign finance and election reform, homeowner association regulations, and school anti-bullying policies. Niki graduated from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law with distinction, served on the Pacific McGeorge Law Review, was elected as class graduation speaker, and was inducted into the Order of the Coif for ranking in the top ten percent of her class. Following graduation, Niki joined one of Sacramento’s largest law firms in its Public Law practice group, where she primarily represented municipalities and special districts.

Since moving to Montana in 2008, Niki has worked as senior staff for several statewide nonprofit organizations. As the Public Policy Director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana, Niki helped secure important civil rights victories, including LGBTQ-inclusive laws and policies, criminal justice reform, and voting rights protections. Niki also served as Executive Director of the Montana Justice Foundation, where she oversaw Montana’s IOLTA program and worked to improve access to the civil justice system for ordinary Montanans.

Before opening Zupanic Law, Niki was the Deputy Director & Staff Attorney at Upper Seven Law, a nonprofit law firm dedicated to holding the powerful accountable, where she litigated constitutional rights cases. Niki is admitted to practice in Montana and California, the United States District Court for the District of Montana, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Niki spends her free time with her family in Helena, hiking the trails with their adopted Weimaraner, and volunteering for local entities.