My family immigrated to the United States in 1978 when I was 8 years old. I still have childhood memories of life outside the United States. Some memories are pleasant, others are not. Growing up in the US under the watchful eye of hard working immigrants taught me to strive for success at every turn. I learned to fight for my beliefs, I learned perseverance and most of all I learned that I can define the direction of my achievements. These lessons helped me graduate toward the top of my class from Loyola School of Law, New Orleans in 1995.
My first position after law school was with a firm in down town Los Angeles, focusing on general civil litigation. In 1997 I moved to Northern California where I married my husband. After a few more years as an employee in the legal field, I decided to take some of my parents' lessons and strike out on my own.
My family background coupled with my experience in law and running a business provides my clients with an attorney who is strong, compassionate and has the resolve and determination to fight for her clients. As an attorney I have learned the law. But as a business owner, I have developed strategies to problem solve, negotiate and help my clients achieve their goals. When taking on a new matter, I work with my client to first determine the most effective course for the case. This includes defining the goals and objectives, but it also requires a careful analysis of my client's personality. Some clients are fighters and need an aggressive knight who battles for the client's beliefs. Other clients prefer a more collaborative approach and need an attorney who finds creative solutions outside the courtroom. Finally, I believe that as a good advocate I need to provide not only a "legal win" for the client, but a "win" that can actually translate to that client's real world.
In sum, I believe an attorney and her client share a bond that reaches a step beyond the law. It's no accident that attorney-client communication is privileged just as communication between doctors and religious leaders. Clients often share their confidences, their concerns and their fears. It's my job to tailor my representation for each client to independently match the needs of that individual. It is with these beliefs, convictions and human understanding, that I offer my services to my clients.
Mrs. Zakheim has been practicing law in California since 1996. Her areas of practice include family, immigration, estate planning and business. In the area of immigration her visa approval success rate is over 98%.
