Niki Ikahihifo-Bender is an intellectual property attorney from Alaska who married Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata in July 2023. Born in December 1991, she built her legal career at major firms like Norton Rose Fulbright and Ballard Spahr before becoming known to the public through her relationship with the Super Bowl champion.
Mailata helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX in February 2025, defeating Kansas City 40-22. While Jordan’s athletic journey captures headlines, Niki’s story reveals a different kind of achievement: a Tongan-American woman from Alaska who earned her law degree from Duke University and specialized in one of the most competitive legal fields.
You’ll learn about her education, career path, community work, and how she balances professional ambition with life in the NFL spotlight.
Key Takeaways About Niki Ikahihifo-Bender
Niki Ikahihifo-Bender earned her law degree from Duke University and built her career in intellectual property law at firms like Norton Rose Fulbright and Ballard Spahr. She married Jordan Mailata in July 2023, creating a partnership that balances two demanding careers.
Her dual training in psychology and law gives her unique advantages in intellectual property cases. Her work with the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance demonstrates commitment beyond professional advancement. Her ability to maintain a professional identity while supporting Jordan’s NFL career shows the possibility of a modern partnership.
She represents Pacific Islander achievement in law, proving that ambition and cultural authenticity can coexist. Her story matters because she built her own path rather than riding on someone else’s success.
From Alaska to Duke to Philadelphia’s legal community, Niki carved her own journey. Her marriage to a Super Bowl champion adds dimension to an already accomplished life, but it doesn’t define her.
Early Life and Family Background
Niki grew up in Alaska with her sister Jade and parents Thomas Bender and Talita Ikahihifo, both medical professionals. Her family emphasized education and cultural pride, creating a foundation that would shape her professional drive.
Living in Alaska meant growing up far from large Polynesian communities. This geographic distance made her Tongan heritage more intentional than automatic. Her parents modeled professional excellence while maintaining cultural connections, showing Niki that you don’t have to choose between achievement and authenticity.
Her sister Jade remains close to her. When Jordan proposed, Jade posted on social media, taking credit for helping orchestrate the moment, joking about the proposal happening.
Education: From Psychology to Law
Niki’s academic path shows unusual depth and versatility.
She started at Mary Baldwin University before transferring to New York University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Rather than stopping there, she pursued graduate studies that would give her a competitive edge in intellectual property law.
At Duke University, she completed both a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law. This dual training in psychology and law creates an advantage when working with clients on innovation, creativity, and ownership rights. Understanding how people think helps her navigate the human side of intellectual property disputes.
Duke Law consistently ranks among the top law schools nationally. The intellectual property program there prepares students for complex technology and biotech cases. Niki’s background in both sciences and law positions her uniquely for cases requiring an understanding of scientific methods or physiological concepts.
Legal Career: Building an IP Practice
Niki worked at Ballard Spahr LLP in intellectual property matters until November 2022, with previous experience at Norton Rose Fulbright and internships at BP in Anchorage, Alaska.
Her career began during law school with internships that gave her real-world exposure. BP’s Alaska operations involve complex energy and environmental issues. Lane Powell PC, another early employer, focuses on business and intellectual property matters in the Pacific Northwest.
After graduating in 2016, she joined Norton Rose Fulbright in New York. This global firm handles sophisticated legal matters across industries. The experience exposed her to high-stakes cases and demanding clients from day one.
She later moved to Philadelphia and joined Ballard Spahr’s IP practice. The firm focuses on patents, trademarks, and copyrights—protecting the creative and technical work that drives innovation. Her LinkedIn profile lists her most recent role as an attorney at JM&NB LLC in Philadelphia.
Intellectual property law requires technical knowledge, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to explain complex concepts clearly. Niki’s education in psychology gives her insight into how inventors and creators think about their work, making her more effective at protecting their interests.
How She Met Jordan Mailata
Niki and Jordan met in 2018 at Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia when she was visiting for her father’s 50th medical school reunion. Jordan, newly drafted by the Eagles, was having lunch with friends when their paths crossed.
The timing was perfect. Jordan had just entered the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program, never having played American football before arriving in the United States. Niki was building her legal career in New York. Their connection grew naturally over shared values and Polynesian heritage.
After dating for four years, Jordan proposed at Reading Terminal Market in May 2022—the same place they first met. He surrounded her with white roses and proposed in front of friends and family. Niki shared the moment on Instagram with the caption “Went off the market at the market.”
Their July 2023 Wedding
They married on July 1, 2023, in Maui, Hawaii, celebrating both their love and shared Polynesian heritage. Niki wore a beige Oscar de la Renta gown with ruffles flowing down the train.
The wedding wasn’t just elegant—it was personal. Jordan, who competed on The Masked Singer in 2022, grabbed the microphone and serenaded Niki with Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely.” His teammates, including Jalen Hurts and Lane Johnson, cheered from the crowd.
The ceremony honored their Polynesian roots. Both come from Pacific Islander families: Niki’s Tongan heritage and Jordan’s Samoan background create a shared cultural foundation. Their wedding reflected modern elegance blended with traditional values.
One Instagram post from Niki after the Eagles’ Super Bowl appearance captured their mutual support: “From being the first draft pick with absolutely no American football experience to the first Australian to start in and win a Super Bowl. Just unreal.”
Shared Polynesian Heritage
Niki identifies as Tongan on her Instagram bio, calling herself a “Tongan lawyer from Alaska.” Jordan was born in Sydney to Samoan immigrant parents. Their shared Polynesian background creates cultural common ground that strengthens their relationship.
Pacific Islander representation remains limited in both law and professional sports. Niki and Jordan both challenge stereotypes in their respective fields. For young Tongan-American women or Samoan-Australian athletes, their achievements demonstrate possibilities beyond traditional expectations.
They travel during the NFL off-season to Cambodia, Singapore, Australia, and Pacific Island nations. These trips help them reconnect with roots and maintain perspective during demanding professional lives. Their social media shows moments at iconic landmarks, always together.
Community Involvement: Philadelphia Children’s Alliance
In 2023, Niki joined the board of the Philadelphia Children’s Alliance, an organization supporting child victims of abuse through advocacy and legal aid.
The Philadelphia Children’s Alliance coordinates response efforts for child sexual abuse cases in Philadelphia. They provide forensic interviews, victim support, medical services, trauma therapy, and court accompaniment at no cost to families. The organization works with police, child protective services, and medical professionals to create a coordinated approach.
Niki and Jordan donated an auction item titled “An Evening with the Mailatas” to support the organization’s annual Bear Affair fundraiser. Their contribution supports child protection initiatives and advocacy programs.
For Niki, this work reflects values learned from her parents. Using professional success to help vulnerable populations aligns with both her upbringing and Polynesian cultural values of service and community care.
Balancing Career and Life in the Spotlight
Being married to an NFL player means living under public scrutiny. Every game brings tens of thousands of fans, media coverage, and social media attention. Niki navigates this visibility while maintaining her professional identity.
Her Instagram account shows this balance clearly. She posts vacation photos, game-day moments with Jordan, professional content, and family celebrations. The feed reveals authenticity without overexposure. She shares pride in Jordan’s achievements without making his career her sole focus.
She maintains her hyphenated professional name on LinkedIn as Niki Ikahihifo-Bender. This choice signals that marriage doesn’t erase professional identity. She’s not just “Jordan Mailata’s wife”—she’s an attorney with her own career.
The couple supports each other’s professional ambitions. Jordan credits Niki with providing stability during injuries, performance pressures, and the demands of public life. She attends Eagles games, celebrates victories, and remains present during setbacks.
Their relationship shows a modern partnership. Both pursue demanding careers. Both achieve recognition in their fields. Both maintain individual identities while building a life together.
Life After the Super Bowl Win
Jordan’s Super Bowl LIX victory in February 2025 created new levels of attention. He became the first Australian player to start in and win a Super Bowl championship game. The achievement brought international recognition, media interviews, and celebration parades through Philadelphia.
Through all this, Niki remained supportive while protecting her professional boundaries. She celebrated publicly but maintained privacy around their personal life. This balance requires discipline when every moment could become content for fans and media.
Jordan signed a three-year, $66 million contract extension in April 2024, securing his position as one of the NFL’s highest-paid offensive tackles. Financial success brings opportunity but also pressure. Niki’s legal background and professional experience help navigate these complex situations.
They’re building a foundation that extends beyond sports. Jordan plans to launch a foundation providing academic and career development opportunities for children of Polynesian descent in Australia and the United States. Niki’s community work and legal expertise position her to support these philanthropic efforts.
What Makes Her Story Unique
Niki represents a growing demographic: Pacific Islander professionals succeeding in competitive fields traditionally dominated by other groups. Her achievements matter not because she’s married to a famous athlete but because she built her career independently.
Duke Law graduates often work at prestigious firms or corporations. The intellectual property field requires technical knowledge and legal expertise. Niki earned her place through academic achievement and professional competence.
Her story challenges assumptions. People often reduce partners of professional athletes to “wife of” status. Niki’s career stands on its own merit. She was practicing law at major firms before most people knew Jordan Mailata’s name.
For young Tongan-American women considering law school, her path provides representation. For first-generation professionals from underrepresented communities, she demonstrates what’s possible when you lead with competence and authenticity.