Zeenat Phophalia knows firsthand the challenges immigrants face when moving to a new country. As she says, it is “a life-altering decision that often entails its share of rewards, challenges, and self-discovery.” Through her own experiences, she has developed an empathic approach to helping others to achieve their mobility goals. “Being a part of that process that helps toward realizing someone’s aspirations and dreams,” she says, “has been truly enriching and fulfilling for me.” In her practice, Zeenat advises clients on multiple visa categories including H-1B, L-1, EB-1, E-2, and O visas. Zeenat possesses an in-depth understanding of the legal landscape: She has represented clients in consular matters, naturalization, and waivers of inadmissibility. In addition, she has represented corporate clients including large and medium-sized companies and startups across sectors such as IT, consulting, consumer goods, manufacturing, and telecommunications. Zeenat has worked closely with multi-national companies and their employees to facilitate the transfer of key personnel and their dependents to the U.S. Zeenat earned her Master of Laws (LL.M.) from the University of Georgia, United States, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Mumbai in India. In her past role, she was an associate partner at a leading immigration law firm in India where, in addition to advising on U.S. immigration law, she also assisted clients on Indian commercial and employment law matters, and spearheaded the firm’s content creation process. Zeenat has also authored immigration-related articles for major Indian newspapers – The Economic Times and the Times of India. In addition, she has also been a frequent contributor of immigration articles to Mondaq – a global platform that curates and publishes legal, regulatory, and financial information for professional services firms. She is also a member of many organizations including the New York State Bar Association, the Law Society of England and Wales, the Bar Council of Goa and Maharashtra (India), and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. In her spare time, Zeenat likes to read and write poetry. Asked to summarize her approach to immigration law, she says, “no matter how good of an immigration counsel I may be, if my services are devoid of empathy, I do not think my clients would be well-served. The human aspect is deep seated in the practice of immigration law.”

Rami D. Fakhoury is the Founder and Managing Director of Fakhoury Global Immigration USA, PC (FGI), one of the largest independently owned business-based immigration law firms in the United States and a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rated firm. Based in Troy, Michigan, FGI has provided comprehensive legal immigration services to leading and innovative companies in such verticals as architecture, automotive, IT, and health care, among others for over twenty-five years. FGI was recently named a Tier 1 Immigration Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers/U.S. News and World Report. Rami has received numerous commendations as an immigration thought leader. These include being named a Fellow of the American Bar Association, a Leading Lawyer and Equity Member of the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers (ABIL), an AV Preeminent Lawyer from Martindale-Hubbell, a Best Lawyer recognition from Best Lawyers, and a member of Leading Lawyers. He has also been recognized as a Global Immigration Thought Leader by Who’s Who Legal – Corporate Immigration, recognitions from Super Lawyers and from Lawyers of Distinction, a Top Business Attorney from Crain’s Detroit Business, and a Top Lawyer from DBusiness and Hour Detroit magazines. He has received a Global Detroit Champion Award (2016), and as Immigration Attorney of the Year from Detroit Lawyer Monthly (2011). Rami is also affiliated with the American Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers (ABIL), the State Bar of Michigan (International Law Section), and the Immigration Law Committee of the International Business Association. He has served on the CEO Panel of MICHauto, an affiliate of the Detroit Regional Chamber. Rami is a Steering Committee member for Global Michigan and was a longtime board member for Global Detroit, a southeast Michigan economic development organization focused on immigrant inclusion. He is a VIP Member of the Detroit Economic Club. Rami was an immigration policy advisor to former Michigan governor Rick Snyder and served as one of thirty managers for the Michigan for Biden campaign. Rami’s publications comprise several immigration law books including, as editor, The Consular Posts Book, 2015-2016 ed. (ILW.com: 2016) and USCIS Immigration Procedures and US State Department Consular Processes (ILW.com: 2009); and, as author, The Immigration Practitioner’s Guide to U.S. Export Control Regulations (ILW.com: 2011) and The PERM Book, 3rd ed. (ILW.com, 2018). He has also written a regular column on global IT and US immigration law for the Financial Times of India, authored numerous policy articles and white papers, contributed articles to Lexology, Mondaq, and Crain’s Detroit Business, among others, and is a frequent presenter at immigration and trade group conferences. Rami has organized informational sessions and webinars for businesses, universities, and other stakeholders worldwide, and has presented to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) on several occasions. A Detroit native, Rami earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wayne State University and his J.D., cum laude, from Michigan State University, with a specialization in international law. In addition, he is a Licensed Foreign Legal Consultant with the Law Society of Ontario, Canada.

Hass M. Merhi earned his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University before going on to receive his Juris Doctor degree from Michigan State University’s College of Law. He joined Buckfire Law in August 2025, focusing primarily on automobile accidents, dog bite cases, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, as well as wrongful death claims. Prior to joining the firm, Hass worked for an insurance defense law firm, focusing on defense litigation in areas such as third-party auto negligence, personal injury, premises liability, and general negligence. As an experienced trial attorney, Hass successfully advocated for those injured in a wide range of accidents, including car, motorcycle, and bicycle crashes. Hass is also fluent in Arabic. Call (888) 797-8787 for a free case review and speak to Hass Merhi about your case today.

Muskan B. Ali earned her bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University before going on to receive her Juris Doctor degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. She joined Buckfire Law in February 2026, focusing primarily on medical malpractice cases, birth injuries, nursing home abuse, and wrongful death claims. Prior to joining the firm, Muskan worked for a national personal injury law firm, focusing on areas such as medical malpractice, birth injuries, premises liability, and wrongful death. As an experienced trial attorney, Muskan has successfully advocated for the rights of individuals injured in a wide range of medical malpractice and personal injury cases. Muskan is also fluent in Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi. Call (888) 797-8787 for a free case review and speak to Muskan Ali about your case today.

The Law Offices of Alphonso Nickson is a dynamic and accessible legal practice located in the heart of Downtown Lansing, Michigan. catalog.lawyer Led by the experienced and dedicated attorney Alphonso Nickson, the firm distinguishes itself through a commitment to justice, accessibility, and personalized client service. In a legal landscape where many firms operate only during standard business hours, The Law Offices of Alphonso Nickson understands that legal emergencies-whether they involve a sudden arrest, a family crisis, or urgent financial distress-do not adhere to a 9-to-5 schedule. With a client-first philosophy, this firm stands ready to provide the aggressive representation and strategic counsel needed to navigate Michigan’s complex legal system, ensuring that your rights are protected at every turn.

Martin Shepherd serves as the Managing Partner at Mavacy, where he oversees firm strategy, innovation, and client service. With over 20 years of experience in litigation and cybersecurity, Martin offers a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to the legal industry. His track record includes a 90% success rate in high-stakes litigation, executive advocacy, and regulatory compliance. Martin has developed and led cybersecurity legal practices at multiple firms, advised critical infrastructure clients on SOC 2 and CISA standards, and acted as a trusted advisor in executive compensation and data breach response. He is also the CEO and Chairman of CYDEF, a global cybersecurity company, and the founder of Arch Access Control. A recognized thought leader by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, Martin actively promotes cybersecurity education through collaborations with Carnegie Mellon University and serves on various nonprofit and advisory boards. He is licensed in Michigan and Pennsylvania and holds degrees from Miami University, The Ohio State University College of Law, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Daniel Hilker is a seasoned attorney specializing in trusts, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships, with extensive experience in estate planning and litigation. He has represented clients in numerous probate courts across Michigan, as well as the Michigan Court of Appeals. Actively involved in the legal community, Dan serves on several committees for the State Bar’s Probate and Estate Planning Section and is a member of the Ingham County Bar and Greater Lansing Estate Planning Council. Recognized for his expertise, he has been named a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine from 2019 to 2024.

For more than 40 years, Euel W. Kinsey, has focused his practice in representing victims of medical malpractice and auto negligence. His practice includes representing children and their families who sustained injuries during the birthing process as a result of negligence. Over the years, he has recovered millions for his clients. Thus far, Mr. Kinsey’s largest verdict was more than $21 million for a child injured at birth in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Mr. Kinsey has also had extensive experience and success representing military service members, veterans and their families who have been victims of medical malpractice. He has also successfully represented many victims of medical malpractice who were treated at Federally Funded Qualified Health Centers. Mr. Kinsey earned a Bachelor in Business Administration from the University of Michigan, with a Minor in Economics (1981), and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit School of Law (1984). He is an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit Mercy Law School where he regularly teaches Medical Malpractice. Mr. Kinsey is a member of the Michigan and American Associations of Justice and is an active member of the Birth Trauma Litigation Group. He is also a member of the Negligence Section for the State Bar of Michigan and has served on the council for the State Bar of Michigan, Aviation Law Section, and is currently serving as the Chair. Mr. Kinsey is an accomplished Pilot and is very interested in aviation related issues. He was appointed to the National Advisory Board for the AOPA, ASN Program and currently serves as the Chair of that group. In 2005, Mr. Kinsey was awarded the Laurence A. Sharples Perpetual Award, a National recognition by the AOPA in recognition of his advocacy and work to preserve the Coleman A. Young International Airport. He routinely participates in Operation Good Cheer, an annual event where Christmas Presents are delivered. Over the years, Mr. Kinsey has given back to his community in many ways. He served as a Trustee for the Chippewa Valley School Board, and has sat on various other Non-Profit Boards, including serving many years as a Board Member of Lifeline Pilots, an organization dedicated to providing free transportation for patients who require distant medical treatment. He served as the Chair of Lifeline for two years. He has lectured to EMTs, paralegals and firefighters.

Bobby Ficklin is a practicing lawyer in the state of Michigan.

John has dedicated over 30 years, to serving the needs of personal injury clients in Michigan, and across the country. Some of his resilience may have come from playing Big Ten Football for coaching legend Duffy Daugherty at Michigan State University, where he was also a Rhode Scholar Candidate. He then went on to the University of Notre Dame Law School and passed the Michigan bar exam and hung out his shingle as a Personal Injury Sole Practitioner, a first for Livingston County Michigan. He is licensed in both State and Federal Court in Michigan and is a member of the Bar in California. Mr. Schalter views Personal Injury Law as his life calling. His father experienced a massive heart attack and stroke due to carbon monoxide poisoning at his job. For 11 years John’s father, once a healthy man, sat in a wheelchair watching his family suffer and feeling constant confusion and despair. He never thought about talking to a personal injury lawyer, or realized he could even afford one. Since then, John has made it his life’s mission to help bring justice to innocent victims of reckless conduct. Consequently, Jon is constantly trying to bridge the gap between law and the people it was designed to protect. The evolution of OurAdvocate is the product of these efforts. He sees this firm as a "work in progress," constantly evolving into a "better way" of protecting his clients and serving their unique needs in Michigan, and throughout our country. He has been a long-standing member of almost all state and local bar associations. In his free time, he writes screenplays for major studios in Hollywood. Also, he and his wife Carrie have spent the last year building schools in Kenya, Africa. OurAdvocate has a network of lawyers throughout the state who we think are the “best in the business.” This gives our clients the unparalled service at no extra cost to our clients!