Niles Searls (December 22, 1825 – April 27, 1907) was an attorney, politician, and the 14th Chief Justice of California.

When he decided to join the California Gold Rush, he chose the wagon train company endorsed by the Daily Missouri Republican, the Pioneer Line.

In 1864, Searls moved back to New York and became a farmer for the next six years before returning to his mountain home in California, and retiring.

[2][7] At the 1884 Democratic National Convention, Searls nominated General William Rosecrans for Vice President of the United States, but Thomas A. Hendricks went on to be selected as the running mate to Grover Cleveland.

[16] His great-grandson, Frederick Searls (1912–1998), also an attorney, was Vice President of Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Searls' first cousin, and Mary's brother, Addison Niles, was an Associate Justice on the California Supreme Court during the period of 1872-1880.

[1] Built in 1872, Searls' brick, two room, single story law office on Church Street, across from the Nevada County Courthouse, was converted into the Searls Library, containing the historical documents collection of the Nevada County Historical Society.