Ms. Yalda Hajavi focuses her practice primarily on obtaining employment-based immigrant visas for highly skilled individuals, including extraordinary ability visas (EB-1As), National Interest Waivers (NIWs), and extraordinary ability or achievement visas (O-1s). Ms. Hajavi also works on waivers of the two-year home residency requirement for J visa holders, H-1B petitions, and works with individuals and employers applying for the Permanent Labor Certification Process (PERM).

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Ms. Hajavi began her career in law working as an Associate Attorney at the trial department of the Philadelphia Office of Duane Morris LLP, where she also conducted substantial pro bono asylum work. She has also served as an Attorney at Haynes Novick Kohn Immigration, where she worked substantially on employment-based immigration matters. 

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Ms. Hajavi has extensive experience working with individuals and employers applying for the Permanent Labor Certification Process (PERM), as well as working with individuals in obtaining waivers of the two-year home residency requirement for J visa holders, naturalization and citizenship, family-and marriage-based green cards and affirmative asylum.

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Ms. Hajavi migrated to the United States from Iran with her family when she was eight years old. Her experience and journey as an immigrant allows her to connect with clients and better serve each client’s needs because she not only understands the law, but she also understands what it means to be an immigrant.​

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Ms. Hajavi received her law degree from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law and her bachelor’s degree from Villanova University.

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Admissions:

Pennsylvania

District of Columbia​

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Memberships:

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Member 

AILA Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Philadelphia Chapter, Chair

Villanova Law Women’s Network, Board Member

Iranian American Bar Association, Member 

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Languages:

English (fluent)

Farsi (fluent)

Italian (conversational)

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 Presentations/Speaking Engagements:

“Discovering Employment Immigration Options for Highly Skilled Individuals,”  TRT CLE (2024).

“Strategic Initiative for Migrants and Refugees: Immigration 101,” Villanova University (2023).

“Asylum Law: Applications, Current Trends, and Best Practices,” TRT CLE (2023).