Photo by Mirelle Inglefield
By Phoenix Magazine
Specialty: Immigration
Law School/Year Graduated: Arizona State University, 2010
Years in Practice: 12How does your own immigration story inform how you approach your clients and cases?
My father is an Iranian immigrant. He attended college in America and met my mother here during his studies. They returned to Iran for his compulsory military service, and, during their stay, the Iranian revolution happened. He was incredibly fortunate to escape and relocate to America with my mother to start his family, pursue an MBA, become a small business owner and ultimately an American citizen… His experience played a big role in my decision to become an immigration lawyer, and I am constantly reminded of this and inspired by my clients who I see come from all walks of life and all corners of the globe with a passion and desire to call America home.Arizona has one of the highest immigration caseloads in the country. Do you and your team ever feel overwhelmed or spread thin?
It’s part of the practice. Client management, expectation management [and] improvements in technology, along with remote appearances in courtrooms and interviews, have made things better. But ultimately, immigration is not for everyone. You have to really enjoy what you are doing, be up for the fight, be patient and remember to allocate time for self-care.
