"Hot Topics in District Court Litigation" for American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference. Invited panel speaker., 2020
"Hot Topics and Updates," AILA Philadelphia Chapter Annual CLE, panelist, 2020
U.S. Court of Appeal for the 8th Circuit., 2015
Pennsylvania
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Chair, Executive Committee of the Philadelphia Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2017
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Philadelphia Chapter
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Member, National Association of Muslim Lawyers
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Summer Adjunct Lecturer, Villanova University School of Law CARES (Clinic for Asylum, Refugee, and Emigrant Services) Clinic., 2015
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Member, USCIS Liaison Committee
Chair, Executive Committee of Philadelphia AILA, 2017-2018
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2014
Representative Clients:
Fiadjoe v. Ashcroft, 411 F.3d 135 (3d Cir.), 2005
Torres v. Attorney General USA, Oct 16, 2009
Thu v. Attorney General USA, 510 F.3d 405 (3d Cir.), 2007
Shah v. Gonzales, 446 F.3d 429 (3d Cir.), 2006
"Ay v. Holder," Docket #11-2102-ag, 2nd Circuit, 2014. For the first time, the Second Circuit recognized what other Circuit Courts previously failed to appreciate: that even though a waiver exists for individuals who provided material support under duress, there is no application process for duress waivers and hardly any transparency about the terrorism bars and the process for adjudicating waivers. The case was remanded to the Board of Immigration Appeals, 2014
Pro bono/Community Service:
5th Annual Haitian Health Festival in Philadelphia: Provided packets in English and French with information about Haiti TPS and answered immigration law questions for attendees., 2010
Mentor Attorney, National Citizenship Day. Mentored pro bono attorney taking their first naturalization client, 2015
Community Outreach booth at the "Vive tu Vida!" Event. Assisted community members with immigration support at this annual event for the Hispanic Community in Chester County, 2014
Immigration Law speaker for the FunTimes Magazine "Knowledge is Power" Lecture Series. Fun Times Magazine is a general interest magazine for the African and African diaspora community. Gave presentations at the Mount Zion United African Church, Philadelphia, PA, St. Cyprian Roman Catholic Church, and Masjid Ahlus Sunna wal Jamaah Community Center, all in Philadelphia, 2010
Honors/Awards:
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2015
Won, Villanova Law School Client Counseling Competition
Recipient, Brenda Joan Ruggiero Scholarship, 2001-2002
Best Immigration Attorney on the Main Line, Main Line Today Magazine, 2007, Main Line Attorneys, Main Line Today Magazine, 2007
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2013
President, International Law Society from 2000-2001
Represented Villanova at the Regional Level
Faculty Recognition Award, for his Contributions to the Law School
Top Lawyer in Immigration, Main Line Today, 2012
Co-Founder, The Islamic Law Forum
Received, Global Democracy Project/Project Bosnia Study Grant
Recipient, Matthew Baxter Mentorship Award in recognition of his outstanding mentorship to the Philadelphia Chapter of AILA, 2012
Super Lawyer Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2012
Educational Background:
American Immigration Council/American Immigration Lawyers Association in Litigation Institute, 2010
University of Texas, Austin, Texas, B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies, Arabic Language, History and Culture of the Middle East, with Departmental Honors, 1996
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
One of 3 panelists discussing solutions for lawyers whose clients have national security issues to be resolved. Co-author of accompanying article, Speaker, Handling a Load of CARRP: Immigration & National Security, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2015 AILA National Conference, 2015
Served as one of three panelists providing information on preparing an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals and the U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal, Panelist, Becoming an Appellate Ninja - An Overview of How to Approach an Immigration Appeal and Legal Strategies for Success, American Immigration Council/American Immigration Lawyers Association, Legal Community In Philadelphia, 2019
Panelists will provide an introductory overview of the adjustment of status process. They also will discuss initial requirements for adjustment applications, the various forms and documents needed, and red-flag issues that could potentially complicate the process., Panelist, The Basics of Adjustment of Status, American Immigration Lawyers Association, AILA Is The Largest Organization Serving Immigration Lawyers In The United States, 2017
Discussion Leader and Panelist for presentation to assist attorneys who have not previously practiced in district court become familiar with common procedures and the type of relief that may be sought. They also will cover the nuts and bolts of filing habeas petitions, as well as the limits of federal court jurisdiction in different circuits., Discussion Leader and Panelist, Federal District Court: Can I Practice There, and What Relief Can Be Sought?, American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, AILA Is The Largest Organization Serving Immigration Lawyers In The United States., 2018
Effectively Dealing with ICE: Anatomy of Removal Proceedings & Overview of Key Defenses, Annual Conference, 2011, Speaker, Effectively Dealing with ICE: Anatomy of Removal Proceedings & Overview of Key Defenses, 2011
Family Based Oddities (VAWA, Special Rule Cancellation, U visas for Domestic Violence, Non-traditional marriages and divorces in the adjustment context, marriages in removal proceedings), Issues in Family-based Immigration Law, AILA Philadelphia Chapter Annual Conference, 2010, Speaker, Family Based Oddities (VAWA, Special Rule Cancellation, U visas for Domestic Violence, Non-traditional marriages and divorces in the adjustment context, marriages in removal proceedings), 2010
"Consular Processing for Employers Seeking Foreign Employees", Employment Law Update (Aspen Publishers), Author, Consular Processing for Employers Seeking Foreign Employees, 2005
Chosen by AILA National to present non-immigrant visa options for attorneys new to the field of immigration law, Speaker, Non-Immigrant Visa Options, American Immigration Lawyers Association, AILA 2015 Fundamentals Conference, 2015
Adjunct Lecturer in Law, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Gittis Center for Clinical Legal Studies, Spring 2012, Adjunct Lecturer for Transnational Legal Clinic, UPenn, Adjunct Lecturer in Law, 2012
Legal Issues Confronting Muslim Americans, Third Annual Muslim Law Career Conference, 2009, Speaker, Legal Issues Confronting Muslim Americans, 2009
Know Your Rights for Immigrants, Know Your Rights for Immigrants, Muslim Associate of Lehigh Valley, 2007
Know Your Rights for Immigrants, Know Your Rights for Immigrants, Islamic Society of Greater Valley Forge, 2007
Speaker regarding defensive applications in Immigration Court, Speaker, Conference: Immigration Law Forum, Defensive Applications in Immigration Court, 2012
Speaker on ethics of fees and IOLTA, Speaker, The Ethics of Fees: Referral Fees, Fee Splitting, and IOLTA Refresher, AILA Philadelphia Chapter Annual CLE Conference, 2012
We advised attorneys how to avoid malpractice in immigration law, and how to mitigate consequences to the client and the bar if they did make an error. We also set out the practice steps to reopening an immigration case where the previous attorney had committed error which prejudiced the immigrant., Panelist and Discussion Leader, Lozada Claims & Ethics - Everybody Wins: How to Effectively and Professionally Use Lozada, American Immigration Lawyers Association - Philadelphia Chapter, 2013
Presented a review of ineffective assistance of counsel cases and how to ethically file a complaint, if necessary, and a motion to reopen., Panelist, "Staying Alive" - Ethics for Immigration Practitioners, AILA DC Chapter Fall 2013 Immigration Law Conference, AILA DC Chapter, 2013
Key speaker for workshop presentation on preparation and filing of I-601 Waivers. This presentation covered fact-finding methods, relevant cases and regulations, and preparing a persuasive application tailored for the agency., Guest Speaker, "How to Prepare Form I-601 Waivers: A Presentation for New Practitioners and Accredited Representatives", Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, Immigration, 2014
Co-authored article on advanced issues in Temporary Protected Status for the AILA's "Immigration Practice Pointers, Tips for Handling Complex Cases.", Author & Speaker, "Important TPS Issues You Did Not Have Time to Research", American Immigration Lawyers Association ("AILA"), Immigration, 2014
Presented R-1 Visa Practice Pointers and sample documents to local immigration bar., Speaker, R-1 Religious Workers, AILA Philadelphia Chapter, 2014
Authored article on H-1B visa checklists and preparation. Presented on addressing pitfalls in Business Immigration context, Speaker, Avoiding Pitfalls in Business Visas:, AILA DC Chapter, 2015
Firm News (Newsletters):
Primary author of blog, "Immigration Law Monitor," exploring issues in immigration law for immigrants, their families, and employers., Immigration Law Monitor, Immigration Law Monitor
Monthly newsletter setting out immigration topics of interests for clients and persons interested in immigrants and immigration law., Hogan & Vandenberg Newsletter
Industry Groups:
and persons in removal/deportation proceedings.
Companies seeking to hire and retain the best international talent