Ms. Vakili is the co-founder and Managing Director of Vakili Karimi LLC in Boston, MA.  Vakili Karimi is a full service immigration law office with expertise in the representation of businesses employing foreign nationals. 

Ms. Vakili’s focus is in directing the firm’s attorneys, paralegals and administrative staff in supporting the foreign staffing efforts of their client companies in all business immigration matters including: providing clients with a complete “public access” file required in H-1B filings; preparing the recruitment files for PERM/employment based lawful permanent resident process and all of the formal documentation required to be maintained by USCIS/DOL for 5 years; assisting and advising the client with its I-9 compliance responsibilities including mock audits; preparing immigration specific employment contracts to retain employees sponsored by the client; and maintenance and operation of an automated tickler system for tracking and preparing all filing deadlines and other related matters.

Many employees, once they receive their permanent resident status (“green card”), need further assistance in helping family members to immigrate to the United States, and Vakili Karimi also will represent these individuals and families throughout all aspects of the immigration process.  Early in her career, Ms. Vakili began as a criminal defense attorney and that background as well as her litigation skills is particularly useful in the practice of immigration law for the family and individuals. 

Prior to forming Vakili Karimi LLC, Ms. Vakili founded Vakili & Associates, P.C. and developed the practice for six years.  Initially handling criminal defense, Ms. Vakili quickly became involved in many of the immigration issues affecting her clients.  After the first couple of years the majority of her client base was immigration related.  As she became involved with immigration law associations such as AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association), other lawyer members would bring Ms. Vakili in on their most difficult cases because of her experience as a trial lawyer and her criminal defense background.  By the time she joined Shiva Karimi to form Vakili Karimi, the majority of her clients were business and related family immigration.

Ms. Vakili’s work as a law clerk in the United States District Court in Philadelphia, PA involved handling many cases dealing with the complex issues of criminal and immigration law. It was during this time of Attorney Vakili’s work that she saw first hand the implementation of the new immigration laws (IIRAIRA) in the Federal Court system.

Vakili Karimi attorneys are members of the Boston Bar Association (BBA), Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA), and American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).  As an AILA member, Ms. Vakili was past Chair of the New Members Division and will serve as the Student Liaison for 2008-2009.

Ms. Vakili earned her Juris Doctor from New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts and her Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University, W. Lafayette, Indiana.  During law school Ms. Vakili was a member of the Law Review where she served on the Executive Committee, as the Business Managing Editor.

Attorney Vakili is a lecturer/speaker at MCLE, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, AILA, American Immigration Lawyers Association and provides workshops to professional organizations and various community organizations throughout Massachusetts. 

© 2008 Vakili Karimi LLC. All rights reserved.