Meet Our Lawyers
Westkin are leading immigration lawyers in London.
We are incredibly proud of our team of both associates and junior immigration lawyers. A full list of staff can be requested upon application. Only our associate level immigration lawyers are detailed, junior lawyers are not included. All are regulated by the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner.
If you wish to contact any of our lawyers directly, please give us a call or email at your convenience. If you are unsure which immigration lawyer is right for you – call in or use the enquiry box on the right, and we will ensure you speak to the right expert.
Amir Zaidi
Our team of specialist immigration lawyers is headed by Mr. Amir Zaidi.
Amir specialises in Immigration in all categories, with a focus on the needs of private clients, including High Net Worth Individuals, Business Leaders and international dignitaries. Aside from undertaking all aspects of immigration work, Amir can advise on all aspects of relocating to the United Kingdom and UK business generally.
Prior to heading up the immigration team at Westkin Associates, Amir practiced as an Immigration barrister at 1 Mitre Court Buildings.
He was called to the Bar in 1999 and specialised in immigration (personal and business), nationality and human rights law for a period of 18 years.
Amir built up a strong reputation amongst immigration solicitors as a leading practitioner within all areas of personal and business immigration law. He is well known for his unshakeable commitment in achieving outstanding results for all his immigration clients. Amir has conducted well over a thousand immigration appeals before the First Tier and Upper Tier Tribunals (Immigration & Asylum Chamber) and has advised an equal number of clients on a wide range of immigration matters to a successful conclusion.
Amir holds Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) accreditation at the highest level.
Amir is also a panel member of OISC, an invitation only position.
Amir is registered as a Funding Review Adjudicator for the Legal Services Commission and has published articles in Immigration & Nationality Law and Practice, Independent Lawyer magazine and has been profiled in The Times newspaper for his work in immigration law. Amir also writes on Immigration matters for London Chamber of Commerce and comments regularly in the UK and international media.
Amir provides immigration law training and undertakes immigration accreditation marking for Central Law Training on the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) Immigration Accreditation Scheme. He also trains immigration lawyers, solicitors and caseworkers in a number of areas of immigration law for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) and teaches courses for OISC accreditation for Immigration-Training.co.uk.
He can be contacted directly on amir.zaidi@westkin.com
Associates
Houman Mehr
Houman joined Westkin Associates in June 2011 and has become head of the Business Immigration department. He is regulated at the highest level by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner.
Houman specialises in Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Investor) and all forms of Tier 2 under the Points-based System. Houman regularly assists individuals whom wish to establish a business in the UK via the Tier 1 categories, as well as advising numerous multi-national companies on obtaining a Tier 2 sponsorship licences.
Having had half a decade of practical experience in Immigration law, he has become adept at providing expert legal solutions and advice to assist not only in Point Based applications but also all other Immigration categories such as appeals and family based applications.
After graduating from the University of Northampton with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree, he went on to achieve a Commendation for his Post-Graduate Diploma in Law at the prestigious London University of Law. Houman was an active member of the respective student unions and other organisations.
Houman regularly contributes to national and international press as a UK immigration expert.
Houman is renowned for his great attention to detail and commitment to understanding the Finance, business, political and cultural context of every visa application.
Furthermore he has an acute awareness of cultural differences in business having lived in three different countries and being able to speak five different languages: English, Swedish, Farsi, Norwegian and Dari.
What our Client’s say:
“Houman kept me fully up to date before and after my application was submitted, he is very well read on the immigration rule and regulation and always gave me fair and professional advice each time we communicated”
“I have been in regular contact with Houman, who has really been very supportive, answering all queries on time. Moreover, he has been very honest with me, and therefore made everything clear to me. This combination of efficiency, honesty, fairness and professionalism are keys to Westkin’s success. I thank them all for helping me and I am very delighted with the high service they provide”
“very professionally providing a very high service”
He can be contacted on houman.mehr@westkin.com
Hassan Mehdi Padhani
Hassan Mehdi Padhani read law at Queen Mary University of London graduating with a 2;1 with Honours.
He also holds a Post Graduate Qualification from the prestigious College of Law in London where he attained his Legal Practice Certificate with Commendation all at first sitting.
Hassan deals with all forms of immigration with particular experience, ranging from Visitors Visa, Discretionary Leave applications, all Family and Relationship applications, Long Residence applications, EEA applications, and Post Study Work.
Hassan believes every case has a chance of success if dealt with in the right manner and professionalism.
He is renowned for his professionalism, efficiency with each case and attention to detail; with the belief that the client is always priority.
What some of our clients say:
‘‘My case is still up for a decision from the Judge, but whatever the outcome, I know that I have had the best practitioners in London looking after my case…To Hassan, thank you for your kindness. To Westkin Associates, you are second to none, you have got on board a young and very professional and dedicated team with a huge potential, and needless to say that I will be highly recommending your services to anyone seeking professional advice.’’
Hassan can be directly contacted on hassan.mehdi@westkin.com
Jocelyn Howorth
Jocelyn, originally from Cornwall, began working in Immigration in 2005 in Bristol at Douglas and Partners, following completion of her law degree. Jocelyn passed her immigration senior casework exams in 2006 and after a career break that involved sailing across the Atlantic, she returned to law to study her Legal Practice Course in 2009 at the College of Law in Bloomsbury, where she received a commendation.
In 2010 Jocelyn commenced a training contract with seats in Immigration, Human Rights and Civil Litigation and qualified as a solicitor in 2012 at Irving and Co Solicitors in North London. Jocelyn remained at Irving & Co as a supervisor until October 2015, when she joined Westkin as a Senior Caseworker.
Jocelyn is now regulated by OISC to Level 3 and undertakes all type of cases, regardless of their complexity.
Within Westkin, Jocelyn heads up our in-house training team, she also provides training courses on immigration externally. In addition, Jocelyn undertakes the advocacy for Westkin in the First Tier Tribunal and the Upper Tier Tribunal of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber.
Out of the office, Jocelyn enjoys playing netball regularly, with sporadic skiing and sailing, as the weather allows. Jocelyn can be contacted directly via jocelyn.howorth@westkin.com
Kimia Sepahzad
Kimia is a highly qualified and experienced caseworker having joined Westkin Associates in July 2013. Kimia is regulated at the highest (Level 3) by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner meaning she is able to take on a case of any complexity.
Prior to joining Westkin Associates Kimia studied English and History at Loughborough University.
Kimia has an in-depth knowledge of all types of Immigration particularly Tier 1 (Investor), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and Tier 2 (licences and visa applications). Kimia regularly works with prominent individuals and international business to deliver top-quality immigration advice.
Kimia also has vast experience family applications including UK spouse visas, fiancée visas and unmarried partner visas.
Kimia also has experience with applications being made under EEA Regulations including EEA Residence Cards and EEA Family Permits.
Kimia is well known for her attention to detail, organisational skills and in-depth knowledge of Immigration rules. Kimia has been commended for her pioneering approach to improving the experience of clients undergoing visa applications, saving time, effort and costs for all sides involved.
Kimia also speaks intermediate level Farsi
Kimia can be contacted on kimia.sepahzad@westkin.com
Amy Smith
Amy joined Westkin Associates in January 2013 after graduating from Canterbury Christ Church University with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2012.
During her three years of working in UK Immigration, Amy has gained experience in a wide range of areas such as PBS Tiers 1 & 2, family and partner related cases, applications made under the EU regulations, visitor visas and assisting in appeals.
Despite having a varied case working background, Amy is highly experienced in all forms of corporate immigration and has a helped expand the firms Tier 2 department to offer a world-class service standard. Amy regularly provides training sessions to the firm and liaises with the Home office in regards to clarification and Improvement of the rules and policy guidance.
Amy is highly proficient in Tier 2 and Tier 5 Sponsorship licences, Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (ICT) visa applications. Naturally she also has strong expertise in all family applications, including dependents and spouses.
Amy is dedicated to ensuring her client’s best interests are the main priority in her work ethic and her flexible approach to each client’s needs ensures they feel well looked after throughout the entire process. Her dedication to attention to detail ensures no task is completed half-heartedly.
Amy can be contacted on amy.smith@westkin.com
Rosy Romano
Ms. Romano joined the firm in 2016 as a Senior Associate.
Rosy is regulated at the highest (Level 3) by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner.
She studied at the Faculty of Law in Milan, Italy. During her studies she worked as a legal assistant where she gained experience in International and family law and medical negligence cases.
When she relocated to the UK in 2009 she started working for ‘Lawrence Lupin’ Solicitors where she expanded her skills and specialised in immigration. She gained extensive experience in all aspects of immigration law, with particular emphasis on asylum, detention, appeals (both 1st and Upper-tier tribunals) and personal immigration.
Rosy also has strong experience in initial and extension applications for the Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa, having assisted many clients in both the £200,000 and £50,000 variation of the visa.
She qualified under the Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme at supervisor level. Since then she has branched into corporate and business migration and has proven herself at Westkin with her directness and being able to manage any application with the upmost professionalism.
Rosy also speaks Italian and French fluently.
Mauricio Cruz
Mauricio studied Politics and development at the University of Sussex and graduated with an Honours degree.
He spent time working abroad in Lima, Peru for the Foundation of the bank ‘BBVA Continental’ assisting in their national literacy programme. Upon his return, always drawn to immigration and related issues, he started at Westkin as a trainee assistant in October 2014.
Mauricio has since grown and now is a key member of the client management team under Hassan Mehdi. He has passed and attained his OISC regulation and has a broad knowledge of all case types including but not limited to family based visa applications, Human Rights, Tier 2, Entrepreneur visas and British nationality applications.
He is one of the first points-of-contact for many clients at Westkin, where his helpful and determined attitude has been cited by numerous clients. He will always think outside the box to provide a solution.
Being of Latin American descent he is fluent in Spanish, likes to box in his free time and wherever possible travel and try new cuisines.
Adel Abozaima
Adel has an Egyptian heritage; he speaks, reads and writes Arabic fluently. Adel started as an intern at Westkin in 2011 he then went away to read Law (LLB (Hons)) at Nottingham Law School from 2012.
Adel gained experience at a Magic Circle law firm as well as having experience within the legal financial sector at international law firms, central and investment banks.
He has been involved in assisting senior lawyers at Westkin with immigration matters for corporations, high-net-worth clients and foreign government officials as well as assisting in other areas of Immigration Law and Business Development.
Legal Staff
Marta Loboda
Originally from Czech Republic, Marta relocated to London 6 years ago to undertake her law degree.
She initially undertook 2 internships at Westkin whilst doing her undergraduate degree and joined the firm permanently in July 2016 as a trainee lawyer. Prior to working for Westkin she has worked as a paralegal at a City immigration practice, where she has dealt with Human Rights cases as well as undertook casework for European clients.
Marta read law at King’s College in London with a 2:1 with Honours and completed her Legal Practice Course from BPP Law School in London in 2015.
She is fluent in English, Russian, Ukrainian and Czech and enjoys running swimming, film and literature in her spare time.
Sandra
Sandra started working with Westkin Associates in September 2016.
She obtained an Upper Class Honours law degree and was also awarded a Graduate Award from the university. During her time at university, she gained experience at some of the largest corporate law firms in Malaysia.
She went on to study the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) at BPP University. While studying the course, she volunteered at the Immigration Tribunal and gained experience in preparing cases for clients who were unrepresented. She further conducted research for the Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights. She was called to the Bar of England and Wales in July 2016.
She assists Kimia Sepahzad, who is a Senior Associate at the firm. At Westkin Associates, she has gained knowledge in a range of areas including Points Based System applications, family and partner related cases, applications made under the EU regulations and overseas representative visas. She further engages in several areas of business development within the firm.
Due to her Malaysian background, she is fluent in Malay, Indonesian, intermediate Cantonese and basic Mandarin.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking and long distance running.
Ian
Ian joined Westkin Associates in September 2016.
He works as an assistant to Rosy Romano, a senior associate at the firm. Working with Ms. Romano, Ian is gaining experience with family and business immigration as well as asylum applications.
Ian studied History at the University of Leicester, graduating with a 2:1 with Honours. Afterwards, he completed his Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) in 2015 at BPP University, Waterloo. He then completed his Legal Practice Course (LPC) at BPP University, Holborn in 2016, achieving a distinction.
In his spare time, Ian enjoys playing the guitar and regularly trains in Taekwondo.
Kirstin
Kirstin joined Westkin in July 2016 as an assistant in James Canlas’s team.
Kirstin is originally from Canada, where she graduated with distinction from the University of Toronto with an Honour’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Sexual Diversity Studies. She later graduated with distinction from the University of Warsaw with a Master’s in International Relations, focusing on EU economic law, international human rights and human trafficking.
Kirstin spent 6 years living in Poland, during which time she ran her own company and completed her Master’s degree. She began as an English language teacher, before becoming Director of Studies and Methodology Consultant of a language school, and eventually starting her own teaching company while completing her Master’s dissertation.
Since moving to London, Kirstin has begun her career in immigration law at Westkin. She applies her own experience as an entrepreneur as well as time spent training professionals in Business English to the preparation of business applications (Tier 1 Entrepreneur and Sole Representative); additionally, her academic training in human rights and EU law towards applications under EU regulations and family visas.
Kirstin speaks Polish in addition to English.
Efrat Shemesh
Efrat joined the firm in 2016.
She is a member of the Israel Bar Association in (admitted in 2004) and assists Jocelyn Howorth, who is a senior associate of the firm.
Efrat has extensive legal knowledge and not only in the UK: She studied her LL. B Bachelors in Law (with a minor in Political Science) in Herzliya Interdisciplinary Centre, Israel.
She pursued her LL.M Master’s degree in Canada within the Institute of Comparative Law (in which she specialised in international law and human rights) McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Since coming to the UK she has completed her Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) from the highly respected BPP University in London. Whilst assisting in the applications for our clients at Westkin she continues to study, pursuing her LPC (Legal Practice Course) at BPP.
Efrat continues to hold an interest in Human Rights and gender and LGBT issues but has vast experience in all visa applications wither her more than 15 years’ knowledge in the field.
Efrat is fluent in her native Hebrew and English.
Office
Darina Netopil
Is a Case Manager at the firm having joined Westkin in October 2014. She graduated with high merit from Kingston University in London, and is currently completing her studies with Charted Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).
Darina works with Amir Zaidi, the Managing Director. Therefore, she largely assists on Citizenship by Investment Programs and corporate migration.
Prior to joining Westkin, Darina enjoyed a number of assignments within the legal industry and also volunteered at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Kingston upon Thames where she provided telephone advice to clients on a range of topics including debt, family matters and landlord and tenant advice.
When not at the office, Darina enjoys travelling and practising her language skills via voluntary and paid translating and interpreting assignments. When time permits Darina also enjoys exercise classes at Yoga and Pilates studios in London.
Chelsea Derksen
Information to be updated
Victoria Dubinscaia
Victoria joint Admin Team at Westkin Associates in December 2016. Prior to Westkin she was a Financial Manager in Moscow.
Victoria has worked hard in her education and career to prepare herself to become a well organised administrator and a good specialist in finance.
She received her MSc Finance and Credit (with Honours) at Financial University in Moscow in 2013. During her study she worked as an Accounts Assistant and a Sales Support Specialist.
In 2013 Victoria had a great opportunity to come and study at Queen Mary University in London, where one year later she received her master degree (Msc Law and Finance) with high merit.
In her spare time Victoria undertakes a wide range of activities. She is particularly keen on traveling. She has visited a lot of fascinating places across the UK and abroad. Also she likes reading, cooking and playing tennis.
London
W1S 1HT
United Kingdom
© 2016 Westkin – London Immigration Lawyers
Immigration Cases
The first lawyer we got for our spouse visa was not even replying back to our emails or calls for a week or so and did not care about anything until we complained to the management and they switched lawyers. The second lawyer was good but due to lack of good advice and the priority of company protocol over our lives, we now have to wait another half a year to apply for the visa because we did not get accurate advice regarding the online submission. We have wasted half a year now and are frustrated. The quality of service definately does not match the very expensive fee this company charges. We paid too much only to now waste half a year of our lives. Will definately use another firm if I have to apply for a visa again. So disappointed.
Our Testimonials
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Highly Recommended for Tier 2 visa. When I started to prepare my Tier 2 visa, I wanted to find a very professional, helpful and experienced solicitor to help me. After Google searching and a few telephone …
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I’ve got my Tier 1 enterpreneur visa hassle free within clearly explained and planned time lines. Overall process appeared to be much easer and faster with Westkin than it was my colleagues with other…
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