Meet Your Immigration Advocate

Immigration is one of the most controversial, complex issues facing society today. Choosing the right immigration attorney can be a challenge — it is essential to work with a professional team who understands the law and is invested in your story.

At Taghavi Immigration Law, our team comes from unique and diverse cultural backgrounds, which underscores our extensive knowledge of the United States immigration system. We believe in building connections with our clients to further empathize with their immigrant experience and make them feel at home.

How We Can Help You or Your Family

Representing clients around the world.

Our firm operates out of two offices in Richmond, VA, and Scottsdale, AZ. Our bi-coastal presence allows us to serve clients in every corner of the country. Our commitment to customized, cutting edge solutions through virtual casework allows us to serve clients internationally, including those who have family members fighting their case and seeking bond at the United States southern border.

Contact Our East Coast Office

Contact Our West Coast Office

east coast immigration lawyer, Taghavi Immigration Law, Richmond VA

Immigration Lawyer in Virginia Beach, VA

Meet Soulmaz Taghavi

Email: soulmaz@tilimmigration.com
Phone: 804-408-3522

Soulmaz Taghavi is the Principal Attorney and Founder of Taghavi Immigration Law located in Richmond, VA, and Phoenix, AZ. Taghavi’s law firm focuses on all areas of immigration law, focusing on removal defense (asylum law) and employment-based cases (NIW).

Soulmaz is a long-standing member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and serves as the Congressional Liaison for Congresswoman Spanberger. She has argued before the Fourth Circuit Court and has had work published in a law journal regarding the right to Counsel in removal proceedings.

Background

Soulmaz’s family emigrated to the United States from Iran in the 1980s, which in part, helped cultivate her desire to use her education to help individuals and families navigate our legal system efficiently and effectively.

Education

A native of Richmond, Soulmaz, received her bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Economics from Virginia Commonwealth University, and subsequently received a masters degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Virginia. She graduated with honors from the North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham, N.C. Soulmaz also spent a summer abroad at American University in Cairo, Egypt, where she studied Arabic and International Business.

Work Experience

Today, Soulmaz has immense experience in litigating defensive relief before Immigration Courts and Board of Immigration Appeals, including, Asylum, Cancellation of Removal, Prosecutorial Discretion requests, Convention against Torture, I-212(h) Criminal and Inadmissibility Waivers, and I-601A/I-601 Provisional Waivers.

Soulmaz was chosen as Superlawyer’s Rising Star in 2022, has won the Virginia Business Legal Elite for Immigration Law 4 years in a row, and has recently been awarded the Pro Bono Service HonorRoll Award and Pro Bono Investment Champion by the Virginia State Bar for her pro bono work with Afghan women during the US withdrawal of Afghanistan in 2021.

Well-versed in state and federal appeals, Soulmaz single-handedly gave oral arguments before a three-panel judge at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, arguing for procedural due process rights in a contested alleged immigration marriage fraud case in Bassam Hanna v. Loretta Lynch on March 21, 2016.

Publications & Awards

Memberships

Languages

English
Persian
Dari
Spanish

Explore Articles & Resources On Our Blog

Meet Our Team

Our team is as multifaceted as the immigration process. Each staff member is bilingual or multilingual, which deeps our communication with — and understanding of — clients.

Narina Sayadova

Practice Manager

Fluent in: English, Russian, and Spanish

Fatoumata “Kaira” Balde

Paralegal

Fluent in: English, French & Fulani

Lily Díaz

Paralegal

Fluent in: English & Spanish

Laura Villarreal

Intake and Billing Specialist

Fluent in: English & Spanish

Elize Smith

Legal Secretary

Fluent in: English & Afrikaans

Shamsi Taghavi

Business Administrator

Fluent in: English & Persian/Dari

Adriana Perez

Marketing Manager

Fluent in: English & Spanish

Simon Manotas

Client Support Specialist

Fluent in: English & Spanish

Carlos Bone

Intake Specialist

Fluent in: English & Spanish

Juan Burgos

Intake Specialist

Fluent in: English, Spanish & French

Taking a holistic, multi-faceted approach to every case.

Empathy is essential

It is not enough to have extensive knowledge of our nation’s immigration system — to be a good advocate for clients, we believe it is essential to have empathy and understanding of their situation, background, and personal journey. We stress maintaining open communication and building connections with clients.

Comprehensive training

We offer our clients the resources and support they need to succeed during and long after their legal proceedings. Each member of our team has completed domestic violence and gender sensitivity training to ensure we protect the legal interests of survivors or those facing sexual assault or domestic violence. Additionally, our office has alliances with nonprofits and organizations that provide mental health resources.

What our clients are saying…

“I’ve known Soulmaz as a fellow attorney for four years now, and I’ve forwarded many of my own clients to her for representation at various Juvenile & Domestic Relations Courts in Virginia. I can attest to great success that we’ve had in these cases and I’m impressed with the good team that Soulmaz has put together in her firm. She’s a boxer too, so is there any surprise that she fights hard in the courtroom? I think not!”

– Sacha S.

“I highly recommend Attorney Soulmaz Taghavi. She fought hard to get me and my daughter asylum status. I am grateful and very satisfied with her work. Thank you, Soulmaz.”

– Norma A.

“After I switched my case to your firm, I felt the professionalism from you and your firm. Also, I don’t feel like I got treated like a client, I was treated more like a friend who’s hopeless, seeking for help, and you are the only friend who can help me. Keep it up.”

– Nan

“Extremely professional and thorough. They provide superior support and, most importantly, have a heart for helping.”

– Wilson J.

“I am a highly satisfied client! Because of you, I got a green card. You are efficient and have saved a lot of my time in handling my complicated immigration case.

I will always stay with you for all my legal and immigration advice. I am also highly recommending you to all my friends and colleagues for immigration/ criminal issues.”

– Umar

“Excellent Lawyer! I highly recommend Attorney Soulmaz. If you need quality legal representation and someone who alleviates your concerns, goes the distance, is passionate, and wins your case, this is your attorney.”

– Arash A.

“I want to extend a huge thank you to Mrs Taghavi. She was a referral and from the moment we spoke I realized how knowledgeable she was in immigration and criminal law. Her expertise was further demonstrated in the courtroom by her level of preparation and professionalism. I would highly recommend her and It has been a pleasure to work with her.”

– Homan S.

“The quality services I received were remarkable. Thank you Ms. Taghavi and the entire team at Taghavi Immigration Law, look forward to working with you guys!”

– Fernandez E.

“I’ve known Soulmaz as a fellow attorney for 4 years now, and I’ve forwarded many of my own clients to her for representation at various Juvenile & Domestic Relations Courts in Virginia. I can attest to great success that we’ve had in these cases and I’m impressed with the good team that Soulmaz has put together in her firm. She’s a boxer too, so is there any surprise that she fights hard in the courtroom? I think not with this lawyer.”

– Hossein S.

“Soulmaz is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney. She really knows Immigration law and is an excellent resource whenever I have issues. I highly recommend.”

– Joel M.

“I was working with the office for my immigration case. The level of professionalism could not pleased me more. She is highly knowledgeable in the area which makes you feel confident about your case. I am more than happy for giving my case to her.”

– Mojtaba J.

“I’ve forwarded many of my own clients to [Soulmaz] for representation at various [courts] in Virginia. I can attest to great success that we’ve had in these cases…”

– Sacha S.

“I highly recommend Attorney Soulmaz Taghavi. She fought hard to get me and my daughter asylum status. I am grateful and very satisfied with her work. Thank you, Soulmaz.”

– Norma A.

“After I switched my case to your firm, I felt the professionalism from you and your firm. Also, I don’t feel like I got treated like a client, I was treated more like a friend who’s hopeless, seeking for help, and you are the only friend who can help me. Keep it up.”

– Nan

“Extremely professional and thorough. They provide superior support and, most importantly, have a heart for helping.”

– Wilson J.

“I am a highly satisfied client! Because of you, I got a green card. You are efficient and have saved a lot of my time in handling my complicated immigration case.”

– Umar

“If you need quality legal representation and someone who alleviates your concerns, goes the distance, is passionate, and wins your case, this is your attorney.”

– Arash A.

“From the moment we spoke I realized how knowledgeable [Mrs. Taghavi] was in immigration and criminal law… It has been a pleasure to work with her.”

– Homan A.

“The quality services I received were remarkable. Thank you Ms. Taghavi and the entire team at Taghavi Immigration Law, look forward to working with you guys!”

– Fernandez E.

“I’ve known Soulmaz as a fellow attorney for 4 years now… I can attest to great success that we’ve had in these cases… She’s a boxer too, so is there any surprise that she fights hard in the courtroom?”

– Hossein S.

“Soulmaz is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney. She really knows Immigration law and is an excellent resource whenever I have issues. I highly recommend.”