Shazil Ishtiaq is a Clerk – Immigration at Brooks Law, where she supports attorneys through legal research, drafting pleadings and supporting documents, assisting with case strategy, and gathering evidence through client outreach and coordination with government agencies. Her role also includes attending hearings with attorneys and, under supervision, representing clients in initial immigration court proceedings—work that requires precision, preparation, and deep respect for client confidentiality.

Shazil values Brooks Law’s collaborative and supportive environment, where each team member is genuinely invested in the success of others. She is especially proud to contribute to a firm that prioritizes competent, compassionate representation for individuals and families navigating some of the most uncertain and challenging moments of their lives.

As an immigrant herself, Shazil’s motivation for pursuing this career is deeply personal. She is driven by a desire to give back and help others overcome challenges similar to those she has faced. Supporting clients as they seek safety, stability, and opportunity is at the heart of her work.

One professional milestone Shazil is particularly proud of was successfully arguing and obtaining a motion to impound in her first appearance before a judge. As her first litigated matter, it affirmed the importance of thorough preparation, effective advocacy, and protecting client privacy.

Shazil’s work is guided by principles that center individual dignity and autonomy, including:

“Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.” — John Stuart Mill

and “Where there is no respect for the dignity of the individual, there is no justice.” — Learned Hand

Outside of work, Shazil enjoys hiking with her dog, reading, or binge-watching a good series. Colleagues may be surprised to learn that she holds a brown belt in Shotokan Karate, speaks five languages, and once had a pet goat growing up.

Shazil approaches client relationships with compassion, empathy, and cultural awareness—believing that in areas of law involving trauma and vulnerability, listening carefully and treating every client with dignity is essential. The advice she wishes more people understood is critical: you truly have the right to remain silent—and exercising that right matters. Constitutional protections apply to everyone on U.S. soil.