About Zohreh Mizrahi

Zohreh Mirzahi, from early on discovered her love and passion of defending individuals unable to defend themselves. Her passion was able to find expression when many fellow Iranians had been displaced and uprooted in the aftermath of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Finishing her law studies in two and half years in Houston, Texas, in 1990 Attorney Mizrahi opted to begin her new life and career in Los Angeles, California. For many refugees, Los Angeles had represented freedom and embodied their hopes of escaping the travesties they had experienced in their native countries. However, for many of them, their hopes had turned into a nightmare of confinement at the Immigration Detention Facilities and deportation proceedings.

Attorney Mizrahi’s defense and representation of a 17-year-old Afghani girl set the stepping stone in a long and arduous path of representing other Afghan victims of persecution, caught in the U.S. Immigration system. Attorney Mizrahi made important headways in the legal immigration community and with the aid of a well known Iranian media personality began reaching thousands of Farsi speaking households around the nation. She represented and simplified complex legal terminology in fluent Farsi, a welcomed phenomenon and deeply needed reliable source for many new Iranian immigrants. Her quickness in responding to live callers’ questions, every Thursday afternoons via a closed circuit national radio program won her fame, respect, and trust within the Iranian community.

Attorney Mizrahi initiated and helped in establishing several charitable and non-profitable organizations, improving community relations, mentoring newly-arrived Immigrants, and assisting the less advantaged members of the Iranian ommunity. She also collaborated with the Iranian Political Education Committee organizing a campaign of naturalizing hundreds of Iranians in the Los Angeles County. She has hosted, co-hosted, and lectured at many events, seminars, television shows, and college forums focusing on wide variety of issues.

Aside from community and organizational activities, Attorney Mizrahi has donated her personal and professional time representing individuals facing imminent deportation from the United Sates, detention and incarceration, and persecution in their native homelands.

Having established a solid and respectful rapport with the Immigration Judicial Bench she was consulted by many Judges on non-litigation immigration issues, such as Iran’s country conditions, as well as recommended to provide pro-bono representation of individuals in deportation proceedings. Attorney Mizrahi’s successful representation before Immigration courts extended to four corners of the United States: Arizona, California, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas, including winning a major victory in an oral argument before the U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit.

September 11, 2001 played a turning point in Attorney Mizrahi’s career and her focus on the nature of her legal representation. Safeguarding individual’s liberties caught in the legal system under the new Immigration and National Security Policy became a more pressing challenge. Raising some solid awareness, balance and understanding within the U.S. law enforcement agencies also became a priority. Upon invitation, she initially became a member of the Iranian-American Advisory Council to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and then moved on to co-chair and then chair the Council. In her capacity she bridged the gap between the law enforcement agencies and the Iranian community. To even further promote goodwill and understanding, despite her busy calendar, attorney Mizrahi joined the Reserved Forces of The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and successfully graduated in July 2008.

Despite Ms. Mizrahi’s success, she has not forgotten the cause of the persecuted individuals who had inspired her. Ms. Mizrahi is now actively involved with helping immigrants fleeing the renewed violent repression in Iran in the aftermath of the June 12th presidential election in Iran.

About Mike Manesh

Mr. Manesh has been practicing law in California for over 18 years. As a pioneer attorney in the Iranian-American immigrant community, the focus of the firm has been to act as zealous advocates in fulfilling the high expectations of the clientele with regards to the legal standards present in California. Through the Iranian media in Southern California, Mr. Manesh has consistently availed his professional services to many households and professionals in need of understanding the complex legal areas of trust, estate planning, probate, and tax laws. The firm has earned the reputation of providing the most updated, innovative, and solid legal representation within the community. Mr. Manesh has been characterized as a “straight-shooter and a no nonsense advocate,” by eliminating many cultural taboos and misconceptions of Estate Planning. He has been able to emphasize the urgency and importance of estate planning as a necessary alternative to “doing nothing” and avoiding the long and expensive probate proceedings.

When asked, what is your firm’s most effective contribution to the community? Mr. Manesh responds: “Everyday, I witness how I help clients make decisions that are in their best interests; nothing is more gratifying than that feeling.”

Experience

Mr. Manesh is licensed to practice law in Texas and California as well as numerous Federal and District Courts in the United Sates, including, the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Manesh is also a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, a well respected and credible National Organization of Estate Planning Attorneys.

Education

With a passion for educating, and helping people, Mike S. Manesh traveled a journey that took him through obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Houston and a Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, both well known for their engineering programs. His life’s journey took on a different direction when Mr. Manesh experienced an epiphany in a close encounter with the intricacies of the law on a matter affecting a close friend. His teaching and engineering background proved to be an asset in law school as well as a guiding light, recognizing his analytical skills, talents and strength in law. The burning desire as an advocate made him a champion in defense of those entangled in a web of legal issues and those in need of legal advice and direction. Mr. Manesh graduated Cum Laude from Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law and was regarded by his professors as a “Trophy Student.”

About Masoud Masjedi

In the course of the past 12 years, attorney Masoud Masjedi has represented clients and has been involved with various legal matters and litigation. This includes representation of clients in commercial and other business related litigation, drafting and submission of appellate briefs to the State Court of Appeals, insurance claims, employment-related disputes, administrative claims and proceedings, as well as other adversarial matters. Additionally, attorney Masjedi advises and provides consultation and legal services to clients in commercial and personal transactional matters. He also provides comprehensive planning related to legal concerns and legal advocacy.

About Michele Pashaie

Michele Pashaie earned her B.A. in English from the University of California at Los Angeles, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She received her J.D. from University of California at Los Angeles School of Law where she interned at the El Rescate Immigration clinic and at Bet Tzedek. She is admitted to practice law in California.

About Farideh Davoudpour

Farideh Davoudpour, immigrated to the States in 1988. As the firm’s Office Manager for over twelve years, she has exhibited great leadership skills and the ability to assume the challenging task of running the daily operations of a high volume law firm. Her diligence and her dedication to Law Offices of Mike S. Manesh has been a contributing factor in our office’s success nationwide.

About Lani Phillips

Lani Phillips earned her certification as a paralegal at the Attorney Assistant Training Program at UCLA Extension in 2002. She joined our firm that same year as assistant to Mr. Manesh, overseeing all Trusts, Corporate and Civil Litigation matters. Lani’s organizational skills, discipline and excellent rapport with our clients has made her an integral part of our firm.

About Nadia Rekabi

Nadia Rekabi, a graduate of San Diego State University, launched her career as a legal assistant specializing in Immigration law. Nadia has assisted individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds. Her superb analytical ability and relentless effort to see a case to completion has contributed to our office’s high rate of success in obtaining approvals for immigrant and non-immigrant visas for our clients. Nadia’s remarkable ability to take on new challenges is a vital part of our firm’s excellent reputation.

About Farbod Faizai

Farbod Faizai grew up in Malmo, Sweden and is truly a student of the world. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from the Hawaii Pacific University in 2007, graduating Magna Cum Laude. He is currently a third year student of law at the City University Law School in London, England. Mr. Faizai is interested in International Human Rights and Immigration law. Upon his graduation, he intends on moving to California to begin his legal career. Mr. Faizai fluently speaks five languages, including Farsi, Swedish, German and Danish.