SETHIMAZ - Key Persons
Amir works as an of counsel to Sethi & Mazaheri on topics related to the Office of Foreign Assets (OFAC) regulations. He helps individuals to understand the restrictions put in place by OFAC. For instance, in many immigration cases, OFAC regulations come to play as there are transactions between the individual seeking to immigrate and her family in a country where the United States Government has imposed some restrictions. He also advises Sethi & Mazaheri clients on subjects like securing specific licenses, the applicability of general licenses, and how to reach out the Government agencies in cases related to sanctions.
Licensed to practice in New York, Amir graduated from Fordham School of Law magna cum laude where he was mainly focused on banking and finance law. He has the experience of working with one of the major global financial institutions both in the United States and Europe. Prior to focusing his practice area on sanctions, he worked on immigration matters for a firm in New York City. In addition, he has been involved in helping the community members in small claims court on a pro bono basis. He served as a board member of the Iranian-America Bar Association (IABA), NY Chapter. Amir is interested in running and he has done several semi-marathons. His goal is to finish the New York marathon in the upcoming years.
Job Titles:
- BUSINESS OPERATION and CASE MANAGER
Ashley Nuñez serves as the business operation and case manager in our Jersey City and New York offices. Ashley is extremely passionate about attaining higher education and parallel to her role at Sethi and Mazaheri LLC, she pursues a legal degree as an evening law student at Rutgers Law School. Ashley has worked with non-profit organizations to improve the lives of underrepresented communities, specifically, new immigrants in the United States.
She graduated from the University of Tennessee's Chancellor's Honors Program in May 2015 with a double major in Political Science and International Studies. She has spent her time post-graduation traveling extensively and teaching in Madrid, Spain, and Franklin, TN. Ashley spends her time planning exotic vacations she can't afford and park-hopping.
Gustavo studied biochemistry at Bergen Community College, working in Dr. Judith Fitzpatrick's team for the initial research of the now patented microBIOMETER®. Before working at Sethi and Mazaheri, he had worked in both science and healthcare settings, the latter of which instilled in him a mindset of service to the community. He is an immigrant himself and intimately knows how difficult and nerve-wracking it can be to navigate the US immigration system, and his own experiences and interactions with USCIS pushed him to pursue the field of immigration law.
Gustavo has volunteered for Amnesty International, the International WeLoveU Foundation, and his local church. He also has strong ties to the local Hispanic community in Hudson County. He speaks English and Spanish, is proficient in French, and would love to pick up at least two more languages. In his barely existing spare time, he likes to read anything related to history or linguistics and tell everyone how awesome Peruvian food and Cuban coffee are.
Job Titles:
- PARALEGAL
- Paralegal at Our New York
Irene Hsu is a paralegal at our New York office. She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Sociology and a certificate in History and Practice of Diplomacy. Prior to working at Sethi & Mazaheri, Irene taught English in Taiwan on a Fulbright grant. Her immigrant background and her international experiences are led to her interest in immigration law. In her spare time, Irene enjoys hiking, rock climbing, going to the movies, and trying all the delicious foods that New York City has to offer.
Lara is a recent LLM graduate from Benjamin Cardozo School of Law in New York, who will be sitting for the NY Bar Exam in February 2022. Lara is also a licensed attorney in Brazil with three years of experience in civil litigation and transactional matters and she is looking to build a legal career in the United States. She has worked as a paralegal for the past five years in different fields of law which she says helped her gain the ability to learn about the US justice system and helped her develop skills such as client approach and case management.
Lara who is an immigrant herself, taking from her personal experience now works in immigration law and helps other people obtain legal status in the United States. She says she choose this particular field of law because it resonates with her on a personal level and experience and because she enjoys talking to people and help bring justice for the ones who do not always have access to information about their rights.
In her free time Lara spends time with her family and friends, loves to plan small vacations, and practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- Paralegal at Sethi
Melissa Showers, a paralegal at Sethi and Mazaheri LLC, has devoted over a decade to the legal field, specializing in both bankruptcy and immigration law. Her career began in 2009, as a receptionist at a bankruptcy law firm in New York. Within two years, Melissa had ascended to a bankruptcy paralegal role, handling a variety of cases, including Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11 filings.
In 2020, Melissa expanded her legal expertise, branching out into immigration law and filing immigrant visa cases for a law firm based in Brooklyn. Her dedication to her work is fueled not only by her professional passion but also by her love of a bustling work environment that offers a temporary escape from her energetic household.
Outside the professional arena, Melissa's heart resides with her family. As a mother of four and grandmother to a three-year-old grandson - her favorite little being of all - Melissa cherishes the moments of joy and fulfillment her family brings. Her wide-ranging experience and dedication to her role continue to make her an invaluable asset to Sethi and Mazaheri LLC.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- PARALEGAL and RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Michael Ibarra serves as a Paralegal in our New Jersey office. He graduated from the City College of New York with a degree in Biology, after leaving the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education's seven-year B.S./M.D. program. While his passion for medicine has waned, he has continued their mission of serving marginalized and underrepresented communities through his work in Sethi & Mazaheri's green card, citizenship, asylum, and deportation defense practice areas.
He hopes to revisit higher education at some point, although the thought of student loans still gives him violent heart palpitations. He should probably get those checked out. In his spare time, Michael likes to read, play mediocre piano covers, and wax nostalgic about gatherings of more than six people.
Job Titles:
- Paralegal
- PARALEGAL and RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Natalia serves as a Paralegal in our New Jersey office. She graduated from Monmouth University with a degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations. She has had a strong passion for community and youth development from a young age, both domestic and international, and has been devoted to volunteer work in her neighborhood and internationally in Cusco, Peru. She has dedicated her time to several non-profit organizations, all of which focus on inner-city community building, specifically for Latin Americans and climate justice in marginalized communities.
As a first-generation Latina growing up in Newark, NJ, Natalia feels passionate about immigrants and their cultures' value to any community. This is why she plans on continuing her education and pursuing a law degree to serve her community better and represent Latin America within the realm of immigration. Natalia loves to travel and experience other cultures (especially the food!), watch horror movies, and brag about Peru's long list of culinary awards.
Job Titles:
- FOUNDING PARTNER of SETHI & MAZAHERI, LLC
Mr. Mazaheri represents individuals in immigration and criminal proceedings in New Jersey. His most recent experience as a NJ prosecutor brings trial and litigation expertise in criminal matters including appeals and domestic violence cases. Prior to working as a prosecutor, Mr. Mazaheri served as a judicial clerk in the criminal division of the Essex County Superior Court of NJ for the Honorable Judge Jerome M. St. John.
He served as a faculty research assistant and a student attorney at the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic at Seton Hall Law Center for Social Justice and interned at the South Brooklyn Legal Services. In addition to his extensive commitment to providing public interest based legal services, Mr. Mazaheri worked in the Middle East, North Africa division of Human Rights Watch and is fluent in Farsi.
Mr. Mazaheri received his BA from State University of New York at Stony Brook in Political Science and his JD from Seton Hall University School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey. As an Iranian-American Lawyer, Mr. Mazaheri remains active in the Iranian community.
Job Titles:
- Managing Partner
- FOUNDING PARTNER of SETHI & MAZAHERI, LLC
Sanjay Sethi is the co-managing partner at Sethi & Mazaheri, LLC, practicing in a wide range of areas, including family-based green cards, asylum, removal defense, Federal Court litigation, and appeals. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Northwestern University, his Master's Degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and his JD from the University of Miami School of Law. He also earned a Certificate in Russian and East Central European Studies from Columbia University's Harriman Institute and a Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University.
Sanjay is admitted to practice law in New York, New Jersey, Washington D.C., and the Southern District of New York. Recently, Sanjay co-founded the Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing legal services and resettlement assistance to artists who are censored or persecuted in their countries of origin.
He is currently serving as the interim Executive Director for AFI, where he has built and managed AFI's legal program providing pro bono services globally to over one hundred artists at risk. Prior to founding Sethi & Mazaheri and AFI, Sanjay served as a prosecutor in Union County, New Jersey, and a law clerk in the criminal division of the New Jersey Superior Court. Sanjay's interest in and commitment to public service are rooted in his work experience at the United Nations Children's Fund and the International Labour Organization in Moscow, Russia, as well as at Columbia University's Public Interest Law Initiative in Budapest, Hungary, where he served as a Research Fellow.Mr.
Sethi received his BA from Northwestern University, his MA in International Affairs from Columbia University and his JD from the University of Miami School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey. As an Indian-American Lawyer, Mr. Sethi remains active in the South Asian community.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- SENIOR ATTORNEY
Shervin Abachi holds the position of Senior Associate Attorney at Sethi & Mazaheri, with his expertise lying in immigration, entertainment, and art law. His professional purview encompasses employment-based visa petitions for artists and entertainers such as O, P, and EB-1 Visas, alongside various entertainment law matters including copyright, trademark, and artist contracts. Shervin's educational credentials include a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Rutgers University School of Law, and an Art and Cultural Heritage Law Certificate from Georgetown University Law Center.
Outside of his responsibilities at Sethi and Mazaheri LLC, Shervin stands as the founder of Malbachi LLC, an enterprise dedicated to empowering immigrant artists struggling to find suitable employment and avenues for self-expression. Shervin's commitment to supporting artistic talent extends to his advisory role at the Artistic Freedom Initiative, a nonprofit advocating for at-risk international artists through pro bono immigration representation and resettlement aid. He also contributes as a board member for the Big Dance Theater, a New York-based organization renowned for its innovative blend of dance, drama, and literature.
Demonstrating his passion for art and culture, Shervin directs the FOLCS International Short Film Competition, a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work themed around human rights. He also partakes in producing events for the Forum on Life, Culture, and Society (FOLCS) at renowned venues such as the 92 Street Y, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and NYU School of Law. His collaborations range from prominent figures like Sir Ben Kingsley, Chadwick Boseman, Rosie Perez, Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, to esteemed personalities like President Bill Clinton and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Maintaining a firm stance on civil rights and community development, Shervin co-established the Iranian Community of the Northeast (ICON) to champion justice and representation for the Iranian community in NYC. His invaluable efforts were recognized by then-Mayor de Blasio and current Mayor Eric Adams in 2017.