Dori L. Zavala

Phoenix, Arizona
Phone (602) 633-5334
Fax     (623) 565-8913

Dori Zavala earned her B.A. in Political Science/International Studies from Northwestern University in 1996. During her time at Northwestern, she received a full scholarship from the U.S. Department of State to participate in a study-abroad program at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, Mexico. She went on to attend law school and graduated with honors from the University of Arizona with a J.D. in 2000. During law school she was chosen to serve as an Assistant to a U.S. panelist on a bi-national NAFTA Arbitration Panel regarding a U.S.- Canadian dispute under international treaties.

After graduation from law school, Ms. Zavala worked as an associate for Snell & Wilmer, LLP, one of the largest law firms in Arizona, where she handled employment immigration matters as well as complex commercial litigation. Ms. Zavala next opened her own law practice focused on all aspects of immigration law, including employment visas, family-based petitions, and removal defense. As part of her practice, Ms. Zavala has handled extensive immigration appeals with the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. District Court including petitions for review, writs of mandamus, habeas corpus petitions, and petitions for naturalization. Ms. Zavala also has experience handling complex commercial litigation.

Ms. Zavala's primary focus is on criminal removal defense before the Immigration Judge and Board of Immigration Appeals and appellate work before the Ninth Circuit and the U.S. District Court. Ms. Zavala prides herself in providing professional and personal representation for her clients.

Areas of Practice:
Deportation defense before the Immigration Judge
Appeals to the BIA
Petitions for Review
Writs of Habeas Corpus
Writs of Mandamus
Petitions for Naturalization Hearing
Federal civil and criminal appeals
Criminal defense
Federal Crimes
1326 Charges (Illegal Presence after Re-entry)
Constitutional Violations
Forfeiture Defense

Litigation Percentage:
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions:
Arizona, 2000
U.S. District Court District of Arizona
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit

Education:
University of Arizona College of Law, Tucson, Arizona, 2000
J.D.
Honors: Cum Laude
Northwestern University, 1996
B.A.
Major:  Political Science/International Studies

Classes/Seminars Taught:
Immigration implications for international students, Arizona State University
Immigration enforcement issues in the workplace for employers, including I-9 compliance, Arizona State University
Ethics for attorneys regarding retainer agreements in the immigration law context and dual representation of immigration clients, Arizona State University
Panelist speaker on the fundamentals of immigration law for new attorneys, Arizona State University
Immigrant and refugee issues as related to social work in Arizona, Arizona State University

Honors and Awards:
University of Arizona 1999 Moot Court Competition - Best Oral Advocate/Best Legal Brief, 1999
University of Arizona 2000 Regional Moot Court Team Varsity Team Member, 2000
University of Arizona College of Law Journal of International Affairs Staff Writer
University of Arizona College of Law - Tutor on Contracts Law

Professional Associations and Memberships:
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
AILA Young Lawyers Division Chapter for Arizona
Former Chairperson
Litigation Committee of AILA
Member
Arizona Bar Association
American Bar Association
Maricopa County Bar Association

Pro Bono Activities:
Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
Lutheran Social Ministries of the Southwest
Telemundo Television - Participant in Miercoles de Inmigracion"

Languages:
Spanish