The people behind your case

Anser Ahmad founded the firm and has more than 25 years of legal experience, including 20 years in immigration proceedings and hundreds of USCIS filings. He handles all aspects of immigration law — bond, master, and merits hearings; removal defense, including cases with criminal convictions; USCIS appeals; and federal habeas corpus — and has tried more than 50 cases. He is licensed before the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Circuit Courts of Appeals and the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Focus areas

Bond, master & merits hearings; removal defense including cases with criminal convictions; USCIS appeals; federal habeas corpus.

Admissions

Third, Fourth & Fifth Circuit Courts of Appeals; Board of Immigration Appeals.

Education

J.D., University of Richmond.

Ana Quinteto focuses on removal defense and family-based immigration, helping clients navigate the immigration process from start to finish. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida and her law degree from Lincoln Memorial University. Having come to the United States through the asylum process as a child, she finds deep meaning in helping clients pursue the same security her own family received.

Education

B.A., University of Central Florida; J.D., Lincoln Memorial University.

Personal note

Came to the United States through the asylum process as a child, and finds deep meaning in helping clients pursue the same security her own family received.

Manasa Chilakala advocates for individuals and families in complex immigration matters, primarily removal defense, appellate briefs before the Board of Immigration Appeals, VAWA petitions, and U visa cases. She earned her B.A. in Political Science from New York University and her J.D. from George Mason University School of Law. She previously interned with the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Education.

Education

B.A. in Political Science, New York University; J.D., George Mason University School of Law.

Prior experience

Interned with the Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Education.

As Firm Administrator, Uzma Ahmad oversees the firm’s day-to-day operations — staff, finances, technology, marketing, and administration — so the attorneys can focus on serving clients. She is passionate about building efficient systems that improve both the client experience and the workplace, and works closely with firm leadership to support long-term growth.

Focus areas

Building efficient systems that improve both the client experience and the workplace; works closely with firm leadership to support long-term growth.

Jessica Gonzalez leads the paralegal team and brings six years of experience in immigration law. A fluent Spanish speaker and first-generation Latina raised in Northern Virginia, she brings a personal perspective and a deep understanding of the challenges immigrant families face, assisting clients with compassion and close attention to detail.

Experience

Six years in immigration law, leading the firm’s paralegal team.

Personal note

A first-generation Latina raised in Northern Virginia who brings a personal perspective to serving immigrant families.

Lynda Iraheta has worked in the paralegal field at the firm for more than four years, advancing to Senior Paralegal after completing her paralegal studies at Montgomery College. Her bilingual communication, efficiency, and commitment to high-quality work are among her greatest strengths, and clients frequently praise her dedication throughout their cases.

Education

Paralegal studies, Montgomery College.

Strengths

Bilingual communication, efficiency, and a commitment to high-quality work; clients frequently praise her dedication.

Stephanie Gutierrez has worked in the legal field for roughly nine years — seven in family law and nearly two focused on immigration. Coming from a Mexican family and working closely with immigrant families each day, she treats every client with compassion, respect, and careful attention, ensuring each person feels heard, supported, and informed.

Experience

Roughly nine years in the legal field — seven in family law and nearly two focused on immigration.

Personal note

Comes from a Mexican family and treats every client with compassion, respect, and careful attention.

Andrea Phillips is a licensed attorney in Colombia who brings a strong legal foundation, international experience, and a thorough understanding of complex procedures to her paralegal work in immigration law. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is dedicated to making the legal process as clear and accessible as possible for clients.

Credentials

Licensed attorney in Colombia, with international legal experience and a thorough understanding of complex procedures.

Jenny Morales is a licensed attorney in Colombia and holds a Master of Laws from American University Washington College of Law. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is passionate about serving immigrant communities and helping clients feel informed, supported, and confident throughout the immigration process.

Education

Master of Laws (LL.M.), American University Washington College of Law.

Credentials

Licensed attorney in Colombia.

Daniela Tobar serves as an Intake Specialist and Junior Paralegal. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Government and a minor in Philosophy, and previously volunteered with organizations supporting immigrants and Afghan refugee families. Growing up surrounded by immigrant communities shaped her passion for immigration law.

Education

B.A. in Government with a minor in Philosophy, University of Virginia.

Community work

Volunteered with organizations supporting immigrants and Afghan refugee families.

Emiliano Parodi prepares asylum, naturalization, 42B cancellation of removal, bond, and adjustment of status applications, communicates directly with clients, and manages filings with the immigration courts and USCIS. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 2025 and previously worked in business immigration. As the child of Argentine immigrants, he is committed to compassionate, reliable service.

Focus areas

Asylum, naturalization, 42B cancellation of removal, bond, and adjustment of status; filings with the immigration courts and USCIS.

Education

University of Delaware, 2025; previously worked in business immigration.

Personal note

The child of Argentine immigrants, committed to compassionate, reliable service.

Antigoni Zoupa supports the firm’s attorneys with legal research and brief preparation. A rising second-year student at The George Washington University Law School, she plans to pursue a career in immigration law and previously worked as a business immigration analyst at Fragomen. She has completed pro bono immigration research and volunteered with the International Refugee Assistance Project.

Education

Rising second-year student, The George Washington University Law School.

Experience

Former business immigration analyst at Fragomen; pro bono immigration research and volunteer work with the International Refugee Assistance Project.

Naya Shams has worked at the firm since 2022, managing family-based, asylum, and employment-based immigration cases. She handles case preparation and filings independently, conducts legal research, supports the attorneys, and serves as a point of contact for clients — building a strong foundation in immigration law while pursuing her path toward law school.

Focus areas

Family-based, asylum, and employment-based immigration cases; case preparation, filings, and legal research.

Role

Serves as a point of contact for clients while pursuing her path toward law school.

Kaitlyn Ramirez leads the intake team and manages billing, drawing on three years with the firm and a B.S. in Business Management. Bilingual in English and Spanish and a first-generation Salvadoran, she helps a diverse range of clients understand the billing process and creates a positive experience from their very first interaction.

Education

B.S. in Business Management.

Personal note

A first-generation Salvadoran who helps a diverse range of clients understand the billing process from their first interaction.

Ruth Romero is often one of the first points of contact for clients and is dedicated to creating a welcoming, positive experience. She holds an Associate Degree in Information Technology and, as a first-generation Salvadoran, is bilingual in English and Spanish, communicating effectively with the firm’s diverse client community.

Education

Associate Degree in Information Technology.

Personal note

A first-generation Salvadoran, bilingual in English and Spanish, serving the firm’s diverse client community.

Isabella Mejia is a bilingual receptionist who welcomes clients in both English and Spanish, answers questions, coordinates communications, and helps each person feel supported from their first interaction. She is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology, which strengthens her interest in understanding and helping others.

Education

Currently pursuing a degree in Psychology.

Alex Velandia serves as part of the firm’s bilingual intake team. He handles initial calls, scheduling appointments, and lead follow-up, and brings experience as a marketing and international business professional. Alex finds it rewarding to help different communities as they move through difficult and often complex immigration cases.

Role

Initial calls, appointment scheduling, and lead follow-up for the firm’s bilingual intake team.

Background

Marketing and international business professional.

Patricia Sanchez serves as a bilingual receptionist and the first point of contact for prospective and current clients, managing intake and reception work. She combines a background in communications, journalism, public relations, and advertising with experience in the legal field. She has a B.A. in Communications and an M.A. in Public Relations and Advertising. Patricia finds fulfillment in making people feel heard, supported, and cared for, and believes that a positive interaction, no matter how small, can make a lasting difference.

Education

B.A. in Communications; M.A. in Public Relations and Advertising.

Background

Communications, journalism, public relations, advertising, and legal-field experience.

Matthew Tamir keeps the firm’s technology operating smoothly — providing technical support to attorneys and staff, troubleshooting hardware and software, managing accounts and devices, and maintaining the firm’s infrastructure. Known for his responsiveness and attention to detail, he helps minimize downtime so the team can stay focused on clients.

Focus areas

Technical support, hardware and software troubleshooting, account and device management, and infrastructure maintenance.

Anshra Malik leads the firm’s marketing, strengthening its digital presence through content creation, social media, and website design. An incoming senior at George Washington University studying International Affairs and Business, she is especially interested in the intersection of law and marketing and uses both to create informative, accessible content for clients and the community.

Education

Incoming senior at George Washington University, studying International Affairs and Business.

Interests

The intersection of law and marketing, used to create informative, accessible content for clients and the community.