Paragon Law

Deirdre Sheahan

Deirdre Sheahan is a Director at Paragon Law where she is head of the Asylum and Human Rights team. Deirdre specialises in asylum and human rights claims, in particular those relating to very vulnerable migrant groups. These include the asylum claims of unaccompanied children, LGBTI claimants and women who have suffered gender based violence as a form of persecution. Deirdre's legal work has led to changes in law at both national and European law level. LQ (Age: immutable characteristics) Afghanistan [2008] changed the UK approach to orphaned children under the Refugee Convention. HJ (Iran) UKSC 2009/0054 at the UK Supreme Court changed the test applied to LGBTI claims. R (MA, BT, DA) v SSHD [2011] EWCA Civ 1446 was referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union and led to changes at EU level regarding responsibility for deciding the asylum claims of children in the EU. Deirdre also provides training and workshops on her areas of speciality for a wide range of organisations.

Emma Okenyi

Emma is the head of the Personal and Family Immigration department, established as a director and Solicitor at Paragon Law. Specialising in representing clients for family and personal immigration matters. She has extensive experience in all aspects of immigration law and in particular family and private life applications (both in country and entry clearance applications). Emma has special interest in complex nationality matters and has represented clients both within and outside the UK. In addition, Emma works closely with various local authorities in resolving immigration matters relating to children in care and victims of domestic abuse. Emma was instrumental in setting up a monthly pro bono immigration advice surgery service for users of Nottingham Citizens Advice Bureau- the advice surgery has been running for over 7 years.

Karen Halliwell

Karen Halliwell is a qualified immigration solicitor and Law Society accredited supervising senior caseworker. Specialising in all elements of deportation and detention-related issues. Karen regularly advises on highly complex cases and her expertise is recognised by excellent working relationships with solicitors in the criminal field, as well as the Probation Service.

Kirin Abbas

Kirin Abbas is a Director at Paragon Law and is also a leading immigration solicitor in our Business Immigration department. Kirin has a particular expertise in the technology, sports, engineering, higher education, and energy sectors. Kirin also works closely with universities and colleges to provide assistance with student visas, sponsor licence applications, and in-house immigration training and seminars. Whilst Immigration Law is often a standardised process with the same processes for a range of enquiries, Kirin Abbas is able to truly understand the nature of your business and what you want to achieve. In doing so, Kirin is able to tailor her advice to your company as opposed to delivering a blanket approach.

Martina Ignatova

A qualified solicitor since March 2023, originating her professional development from the University of Greenwich (LLB - Bachelor of Laws), Martina completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) combined with a master’s at BBP University in London (2021). Specialising in Personal and Family Immigration issues, Martina enjoys sharing law updates and her expertise through webinars and public networking events, that engage fellow industry professionals and students within the immigration law environment.

Nikita Swift

Nikita joined Paragon Law in 2022, shortly after she qualified as a solicitor. Prior to her time at Paragon Law, Nikita studied Law with Criminology (LLB) and the Legal Practice Course (LLM) at Nottingham Trent University. Following her graduation, Nikita joined a small London law firm where she trained as a solicitor before joining Paragon Law.

Shehzad Babar

Solicitor and IAAS Level 2 Senior Caseworker and Supervisor at Paragon Law. Shezhad is a London based associate solicitor specialising in Corporate Immigration, with over 15 years' experience in Immigration Law generally; also, prior work experience (in Karachi, Pakistan) and an academic background in Corporate and Commercial Law.

Thalej Vasishta

Thalej Vasishta is a senior solicitor specialising in corporate immigration law. He works primarily with UK companies wishing to employ skilled foreign nationals and overseas companies and individuals seeking to invest in or trade with the UK. Thal also heads up the Brexit Group at the firm. Thal's work has included advising several large businesses, which are dependent on migrant workers and on their people strategy post Brexit. He has been active training organisations, businesses and trade associations on immigration issues related to Brexit and immigration.

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