NICHOLAS CHAN (PARTNER)
Nicholas (Nick) Chan is a founding partner who primarily works on family-based immigration and non-humanitarian immigration relief. Nick was born in Oakland and raised in Fremont and completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Asian American Studies. Upon graduating from Santa Barbara, Nick worked at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which inspired him to become an attorney.
Nick’s passion for law comes from his grandfather, an immigrant from China in the 1930’s who was detained at Angel Island for over six months. Through his work, Nick aims to provide legal recourse for people experiencing harsh conditions, like his grandfather did.
Nick is a graduate from the McGeorge School of Law at University of the Pacific. During law school, he interned with state agencies and nonprofit organizations devoted to helping the public interest. Previously, Nick also worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Socrates Peter Manoukian from the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. Under Judge Manoukian, Nick gained valuable experience in civil litigation, particularly in the area of civil discovery.
When he is not working, Nick enjoys going to A’s games, hiking, and looking for new adventures around the Bay Area. He has traveled to countries around the world, including Nicaragua, Vietnam, China and most of Eastern Europe.
RYAN JANG (PARTNER)
Prior to law school, Ryan worked in the banking industry in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Ryan practiced a conservative lending approach and became involved in personal financial planning for his clients. Ryan attended the University of San Francisco, School of Law, where he represented USF for the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition. While in law school Ryan also participated in the USF Investor’s Justice Clinic, where he represented clients through Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration proceedings.
Ryan was an active participant in oral advocacy activities at USF, where he served as a judge for the USF Moot Court Board in 2012 and completed USF’s Intensive Advocacy Program in 2011.
After completing law school Ryan began working under the Hon. Socrates Peter Manoukian, from the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. Judge Manoukian is the presiding Discovery Judge for Santa Clara County and teaches California Civil Discovery at the University of Santa Clara, School of Law.
DAISY AGUILAR CRUZ (PARALEGAL)
Daisy Aguilar Cruz is one of the firm’s legal assistants who specializes in Spanish translations and consultations. Born and raised in San Jose, Daisy graduated from San Francisco University with a bachelor’s degree in Child Development. After her own experiences with racism and observations of discrimination at her previous customer service job, Daisy realized her passion for law. The daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college student, Daisy treats her clients like family, striving to help them live a fulfilling life in the United States. She loves working with clients through the naturalization process, teaching them English and preparing them for the citizenship interview.
In her free time, Daisy enjoys taking walks on chilly autumn mornings. She has visited cities all over California and enjoys traveling.
PAULINA GANCHEGUI (LEGAL ASSISTANT)
Paulina Ganchegui is an offsite assistant who specializes in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status cases and Spanish telephone interpretation.
ASUSENA GIL-VELEZ (LEGAL ASSISTANT)
Asusena (Susy) Gil-Velez is an offsite assistant who specializes in Spanish document translation and telephone interpretation. Susy is passionate about giving clients a voice and helping them share their stories.
JOHN GONZALEZ (LEGAL ASSISTANT)
John Gonzalez is an offsite assistant who specializes in Spanish document translation and telephone interpretation. John enjoys working on client’s declarations and gathering the documentation required for each application.
VIDYA ACHAR (MEDIA CONSULTANT/LEGAL INTERN)
Vidya Achar is an intern who creates flyers, brochures and presentations. She assists with client organization, research and immigration forms. She has been eagerly learning about immigration law for over one year.