The Silicon Review
“One thing I want AG Legal to be known for is integrity.”
Immigration is constantly evolving and changing. Whether it’s accommodating Ukrainian refugees fleeing an ongoing Russian invasion, or Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban takeover, challenges in ensuring that these individuals are given adequate legal protection and representation is a prevailing theme in our world today. AG Legal, PLLC distinguishes itself from other law practices by being one of the few (if not only) immigration law firms in the DC metropolitan area that offers free initial consultations. This is unheard of in almost any major metropolitan area and establishes the firm as an integrity-driven, results-focused, and client-centered practice. Moreover, AG Legal caters to a large swathe of immigrants, with a team that is fluent in over six different languages and counting (English, Spanish, Portuguese, Farsi, Dari, and Serbian).
AG Legal was founded in 2020 and is based in Falls Church, VA.
The Silicon Review reached out to Amin Ganjalizadeh, owner and Managing Attorney at AG Legal, PLLC, and here’s what he had to say.
Interview Highlights
Q. Setbacks are a part of every growing business. Tell us about a few roadblocks and learning lessons that helped AG Legal grow through the years.
Scaling and handling the war-driven influx of business has been a challenge. There has been a boom in humanitarian-based immigration, not only from Ukraine and Afghanistan, but also from places such as Russia, the Caucasus region, Africa, and other parts of Latin America, which has made it challenging to balance between offering high-quality service while simultaneously vetting, and at times, turning away cases. We have learned that our most powerful asset is our manpower and team. Investing, training, and being patient with potential talent and staff is the ticket to continued growth and client satisfaction. No one is expendable, and everyone gets better at their job daily, rendering them the ultimate ROI.
Q. What groundbreaking and proactive methodology does AG Legal implement to ensure clients receive a high level of service quality?
I would say that automation and round-the-clock service has been the key ticket to ensuring a high level of service quality. Several of our biggest leads and clients have terminated agreements with other attorneys and law firms because those attorneys and firms just didn’t have time for them, didn’t return their calls and emails, and didn’t keep them informed of their cases’ progress. We are the opposite. No matter what day of the week or time of day, we are available to keep clients informed and have developed a system to keep that communication automated.
Q. Can you introduce us to your services? What are their key features?
AG Legal is a full-service, multi-lingual, and results-driven immigration firm that offers legal services to individuals from all over the world. We specialize in affirmative cases such as family petitions, waivers, asylum, work permits, VAWA, DACA, TPS, U/S/T visas, as well as defensive cases such as bond, cancellation of removal, appeals, and much more.
Q. Can you provide us with one or two success stories describing the challenges your clients faced and how AG Legal helped them overcome those challenges?
I would like to share two success stories.
Q. What new endeavors are AG Legal currently undertaking?
AG Legal has been working to maximize efficiency while minimizing the stress associated with the severely antiquated, outdated, and backlogged immigration system. We are also working on expanding to open up a satellite office to become more available to other geographic regions.
Q. What’s the one thing you want AG Legal to be known for?
One thing I want AG Legal to be known for is integrity. This is the primary reason why our first consultation is always free.
Q. How do you see AG Legal changing in five years, and how do you see yourself creating that change?
In five years, I see AG Legal branching out to open satellite offices in other parts of the DC metropolitan area, as well as other parts of the eastern seaboard (the Boston area is what comes to mind after the DC area).
Q. Is there anything you would like to add before we wrap up?
Last thoughts: I never thought I would be a business owner with a team of six and growing. If I can do it, anyone can do it, and I hope everyone out there reading this is motivated to follow their dreams. I like to think of myself as personable and approachable, and if anyone feels inspired or wants some advice, words of encouragement, or to ask questions about my journey, feel free to reach out and I would be happy to chat!
Amin Ganjalizadeh | Owner & Managing Attorney
Amin Ganjalizadeh is the son of immigrants who fled turbulent Iran in the mid-1980s not long after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 in search of a better life and future for themselves and their two sons. Settling in the DC area, Amin was born in the nation’s capital where he would graduate Cum Laude from The Catholic University of America, majoring in political science with a focus on international affairs, and minoring in Spanish. Amin was a proud member of the National Honors Society and the Spanish Honor Society, all while waiting tables at night after class, which allowed him to grow and hone his language and professional skills both in and out of the classroom. It was these experiences, coupled with his background and childhood that led him to a career in law.
In 2020, Amin founded AG Legal, PLLC which offers legal services to individuals from all over the world. Amin handles a wide array of complex litigation matters, spanning from coast to coast, having recently reopened and resolved cases out of Los Angeles, Tucson, Eloy, San Antonio, Harlingen, and more. Amin was previously the supervising attorney at Leyruta, PLLC (from 2015 to 2020) in Herndon, VA where he managed a team of up to five attorneys. Amin is also a senior member and mentor at the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Washington DC Chapter, and has been a panelist at the November 2019 and November 2022 AILA Fall Conferences lecturing on the best methods of immigration litigation. Amin is a regular contributor to AILA Listserve, helping/advising veteran colleagues and newcomers alike, and is also an avid participant in AILA’s Military Assistance Program (“MAP”), offering pro bono representation to active duty members of the military.
Amin is fluent in Spanish, Farsi/Dari, and Portuguese, which has allowed him to represent a wide array of diverse clientele, including the recent influx of Afghan and Ukrainian refugees. Amin received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in political science from The Catholic University of America, with a minor in Spanish, and his juris doctor from New England Law | Boston.