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The Inside Perspective Makes all the difference.
Get the view from the other side of the desk.
I love helping people get certainty about their future.
If you're afraid of being harmed in your home country, and you're not clear on how you'll manage to stay in America, you're probably anxious. Uncertainty leads to stress. The prospect of losing the life you built - or dream of building - in the United States can be overwhelming. It can tear families apart. And for some, having to return to their country can be a matter of life or death.
It's hard.
But you may have options.
I would love to help you.
Some people in this situation qualify for political asylum. Helping them get it is my mission. It's my calling. My passion.
I use the insights and skills I gained while working as an Asylum Officer with the Department of Homeland Security to help people secure their future in America through asylum.
During my 11 years working for the government's two main agencies for asylum and refugee affairs, I interviewed thousands of people applying for immigration benefits.
I saw what works, and what doesn't.
I was trained in asylum law in a way that few other immigration lawyers have been. I developed a sense as an Asylum Officer for how to present a case in a way that gives the Officer what they need to approve the application.
I'm honored to bring this inside perspective to bear in helping my clients get asylum.
It's an advantage that those I help appreciate. It's one I would be glad to tell you more about if you think asylum might be a good fit for you.
Why work with our asylum lawyers:
- FOUNDED BY FORMER DHS ASYLUM OFFICER
- OWNER HAS DECIDED THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRATION APPLICATIONS
- TEAM IS LED BY FORMER U.S. DIPLOMAT
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PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING CLIENTS ACHIEVE IMMIGRATION GOALS
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COMMITTED TO COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH CLIENTS
Meet Our Asylum Professionals
Meet Our Asylum Professionals
Brian Manning
Owner, Founder, Asylum Lawyer
Brian speaks Spanish fluently, and has previously studied and spoken, to varying degrees of fluency, Russian, Croatian and Bulgarian. Brian holds a law degree from the University of Minnesota and an undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University. He is originally from Oklahoma, and now lives in Texas with his wife and two children.
Laure Dachelet
Supervising Attorney
Laure holds the position of Supervising Attorney at Political Asylum Lawyers, where she oversees an exceptional team of attorneys and paralegals, and provides legal representation to clients from across all states. From the courts of France to the legal circles of Houston, Laure's professional journey is a testament to her diverse expertise and adaptability. She started working in France in 1998 as an in-house counsel, handling complex contract negotiations for global tech companies. She then pivoted careers and worked as a judge, hearing a broad range of matters, from civil, to criminal and family.
Upon moving to the United States in 2015, Laure worked as a consultant on international family law matters. After passing the California bar, and since joining the firm in 2021, her heart and skills have been devoted to representing asylum seekers before USCIS and in immigration court, ensuring they receive the justice and support they deserve.
Laure holds the position of Supervising Attorney at Political Asylum Lawyers, where she oversees an exceptional team of attorneys and paralegals, and provides legal representation to clients from across all states. From the courts of France to the legal circles of Houston, Laure's professional journey is a testament to her diverse expertise and adaptability. She started working in France in 1998 as an in-house counsel, handling complex contract negotiations for global tech companies. She then pivoted careers and worked as a judge, hearing a broad range of matters, from civil, to criminal and family.
Upon moving to the United States in 2015, Laure worked as a consultant on international family law matters. After passing the California bar, and since joining the firm in 2021, her heart and skills have been devoted to representing asylum seekers before USCIS and in immigration court, ensuring they receive the justice and support they deserve.
Laure Dachelet
Supervising Attorney
Laure is an alumnus of the elite Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature in France, where she qualified as both a judge and a prosecutor. Before that, she obtained law degrees from the Université Paris 2 Panthéon Assas and the Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense. With fluency in French, English, and Spanish, Laure ensures a culturally sensitive approach to her cases. Outside of work, Laure enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, and traveling.
Laure holds the position of Supervising Attorney at Political Asylum Lawyers, where she oversees an exceptional team of attorneys and paralegals, and provides legal representation to clients from across all states. From the courts of France to the legal circles of Houston, Laure's professional journey is a testament to her diverse expertise and adaptability. She started working in France in 1998 as an in-house counsel, handling complex contract negotiations for global tech companies. She then pivoted careers and worked as a judge, hearing a broad range of matters, from civil, to criminal and family.
Upon moving to the United States in 2015, Laure worked as a consultant on international family law matters. After passing the California bar, and since joining the firm in 2021, her heart and skills have been devoted to representing asylum seekers before USCIS and in immigration court, ensuring they receive the justice and support they deserve.
Laure Dachelet
Supervising Attorney
Laure is an alumnus of the elite Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature in France, where she qualified as both a judge and a prosecutor. Before that, she obtained law degrees from the Université Paris 2 Panthéon Assas and the Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense. With fluency in French, English, and Spanish, Laure ensures a culturally sensitive approach to her cases. Outside of work, Laure enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, and traveling.
Brian Jacobi
Director of Appeals
Brian serves as the Director of Appeals, a position in which he manages all aspects of our appeals practice before the Board of Immigration Appeals and federal appellate courts. He also leads our mandamus claims in federal district courts around the country.
Prior to joining Political Asylum Lawyers, Brian worked for judges at the trial and appellate levels of the United States federal court system. Brian first served as a law clerk for the Honorable Kathleen Cardone in the Western District of Texas, before working for the Honorable James E. Graves, Jr., at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. In both positions, Brian developed a deep understanding of the federal court system in America.
Brian also brings a range of international experience to Political Asylum Lawyers. While practicing at King & Spalding, a global law firm, he represented some of the largest companies in the world in complex commercial and investment arbitration cases worldwide. He has also worked as a human rights monitor for the United Nations, litigated complex civil rights cases with the Texas Civil Rights Project, and spent two years as a law professor at the University of Clermont-Auvergne in France.
Guy Wolfe
Asylum Lawyer
Guy is an associate attorney who helps prospective clients navigate the tricky world of political asylum law. He has more than ten years of experience as an attorney and holds a law degree from Columbia University. Prior to joining Political Asylum Lawyers, Guy worked as a public defender in both state and federal court, first in New York and then in New Mexico. He helped thousands of people who were charged with a wide array of crimes, including immigration offenses.
Guy is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. When he is not working, Guy enjoys spending time with his wife Jhulie and their twin daughters.
Guy is an associate attorney who helps prospective clients navigate the tricky world of political asylum law. He has more than ten years of experience as an attorney and holds a law degree from Columbia University. Prior to joining Political Asylum Lawyers, Guy worked as a public defender in both state and federal court, first in New York and then in New Mexico. He helped thousands of people who were charged with a wide array of crimes, including immigration offenses.
Guy Wolfe
Asylum Lawyer
Guy is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese. When he is not working, Guy enjoys spending time with his wife Jhulie and their twin daughters.
Laura Eslava
Chief Strategy Officer
Laura serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at Political Asylum Lawyers. With a background in business administration, she understands the nuances of strategy and business operations. Her primary role is to devise and implement strategies that simplify the application process for our clients and staff. She also oversees the intake and client care departments.
With over six years in the immigration sector, Laura’s dedication is deeply rooted in her own immigration journey. She genuinely relates to those navigating the complexities of establishing a life in the United States.
Laura works with the firm belief that every client deserves a streamlined and seamless immigration experience, and she dedicates herself daily to achieving this goal.
Isabela Barahona
Client Success Coordinator
Isabela, originally from the picturesque landscapes of Wales, studied to be a pharmacist in Medellin, Colombia. Her true calling lies in making a tangible difference in the world. Since April 2022, she has channeled her passion for aiding others into a pivotal role as the Client Success Coordinator with Political Asylum Lawyers. In this capacity, she dedicates herself to assisting immigrants in securing a hopeful and safe future in the United States.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Isabela has plans to learn additional languages to connect with even more people. In her free time, Isabela's heart extends to the world of animals, showcasing her love and compassion in every facet of her life.
Isabela, originally from the picturesque landscapes of Wales, studied to be a pharmacist in Medellin, Colombia. Her true calling lies in making a tangible difference in the world. Since April 2022, she has channeled her passion for aiding others into a pivotal role as the Client Success Coordinator with Political Asylum Lawyers. In this capacity, she dedicates herself to assisting immigrants in securing a hopeful and safe future in the United States.
Isabela Barahona
Client Success Coordinator
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Isabela has plans to learn additional languages to connect with even more people. In her free time, Isabela's heart extends to the world of animals, showcasing her love and compassion in every facet of her life.
Daniela Sánchez
Intake Coordinator
Daniela is the Intake Coordinator at Political Asylum Lawyers. She brings 15 years of experience to her role, having worked in customer service both as an agent and later as a supervisor. She speaks English and Spanish fluently and is currently learning French.
Daniela graduated with a degree in psychology in September 2022, aligning with her passion for assisting others. Her commitment extends beyond academics; she spent a year volunteering with Prison Fellowship International, an NGO that promotes restorative justice.
Daniela lives in Bogotá, Colombia, with her partner and children. She joined Political Asylum Lawyers in November 2022 and feels a profound sense of purpose in her role. By aiding immigrants in securing their future in the United States through asylum, she continues to nurture her empathetic nature. With every interaction, she aims to reassure our stakeholders that they have the best team by their side in seeking asylum.
Laura Moog
Paralegal
Laura is a paralegal at Political Asylum Lawyers, bringing her passion for supporting immigrants to every aspect of her work. Hailing from the vibrant city of Cartagena, Colombia, Laura was born into a culturally diverse environment, molded by her origins from abroad, helping her appreciate different backgrounds. She pursued her legal education at Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia, where her commitment to aiding immigrants began through volunteer work with Rotary International.
Laura's journey made her interested in United States immigration law, and her curiosity in this area was strengthened during her time at her previous position. In December of 2022, she found her professional home at Political Asylum Lawyers, a role where her devotion to ensuring the security and well-being of her clients shines. With fluency in Spanish, English, and French, and conversational German, Laura builds connections based on understanding and empathy.
Laura is a paralegal at Political Asylum Lawyers, bringing her passion for supporting immigrants to every aspect of her work. Hailing from the vibrant city of Cartagena, Colombia, Laura was born into a culturally diverse environment, molded by her origins from abroad, helping her appreciate different backgrounds. She pursued her legal education at Universidad del Norte in Barranquilla, Colombia, where her commitment to aiding immigrants began through volunteer work with Rotary International.
Laura Moog
Paralegal
Laura's journey made her interested in United States immigration law, and her curiosity in this area was strengthened during her time at her previous position. In December of 2022, she found her professional home at Political Asylum Lawyers, a role where her devotion to ensuring the security and well-being of her clients shines. With fluency in Spanish, English, and French, and conversational German, Laura builds connections based on understanding and empathy.
Laura Gabelo
Client Experience Specialist
Laura is a Client Experience Specialist in Political Asylum Lawyers. A Graduate of the University of los Andes with a foundation in human-centered design, she establishes deep connections with individuals, delving into their stories and contexts. Beyond her design background, Laura's experience as a bilingual interpreter in the United States exposed her to the challenges migrants face, igniting a strong passion to provide meaningful assistance. Originally from Medellin, Colombia, and now based in Bogota, she facilitates communication in both English and Spanish.
In addition to her legal advocacy, Laura is an accomplished singer-songwriter. This artistic pursuit reflects her commitment to infusing every aspect of her life with creativity and compassion.
Javier Cardenas
Creative Director
Javier is the Creative Director at Political Asylum Lawyers, overseeing all aspects of the firm’s content creation. His yearning to deliver value and contribute to just causes motivates him to produce informative and engaging content that advances the law firm’s mission of helping immigrants secure their future in the United States through asylum.
Beyond his creative work, Javier is passionate about nature, environmental care, and sustainability, as well as the joy of discovering new culinary experiences. His versatile experience includes roles in the Peruvian government and local advertising agencies, and he previously excelled as an international freelancer. A graduate in Audiovisual Communication and Interactive Media from the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Peru, Javier further deepened his passion by specializing in post-production, thus refining his art and skills.
Javier is the Creative Director at Political Asylum Lawyers, overseeing all aspects of the firm’s content creation. His yearning to deliver value and contribute to just causes motivates him to produce informative and engaging content that advances the law firm’s mission of helping immigrants secure their future in the United States through asylum.
Javier Cardenas
Creative Director
Beyond his creative work, Javier is passionate about nature, environmental care, and sustainability, as well as the joy of discovering new culinary experiences. His versatile experience includes roles in the Peruvian government and local advertising agencies, and he previously excelled as an international freelancer. A graduate in Audiovisual Communication and Interactive Media from the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Peru, Javier further deepened his passion by specializing in post-production, thus refining his art and skills.
David Marin
Receptionist
David is a receptionist at Political Asylum Lawyers. After working for more than four years as a customer success specialist and strategic executive assistant for companies around the world, he found his calling to help immigrants secure asylum. As an immigrant himself, David deeply understands and connects with the firm's mission and values in support of providing outstanding service to all stakeholders.
David is fluent in both Spanish and English. He earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from Universidad Politecnica Territorial in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela. Originally from the picturesque city of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, he now resides in the beautiful city of Barranquilla, Colombia.
Naomi Chavez
Paralegal
Naomi is a paralegal at Political Asylum Lawyers. She brings more than four years of experience in the legal field, which has fostered her analytical ability to address complex legal matters. Originally from Lima, Peru, Naomi’s fervor for upholding human rights through through the law led her to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she has been living since 2019. She is currently studying law, with a specialization in international public law, at the University of Buenos Aires.
Naomi is fluent in both English and Spanish, and she is actively honing her proficiency in Portuguese and French, expanding her ability to assist migrants in their pursuit of political asylum in the United States.
Naomi is a paralegal at Political Asylum Lawyers. She brings more than four years of experience in the legal field, which has fostered her analytical ability to address complex legal matters. Originally from Lima, Peru, Naomi’s fervor for upholding human rights through through the law led her to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she has been living since 2019. She is currently studying law, with a specialization in international public law, at the University of Buenos Aires.
Naomi Chavez
Paralegal
Valentina Jimenez
Paralegal
Valentina is a paralegal at Political Asylum Lawyers. Born in the vibrant city of Barranquilla, Colombia, Valentina earned her law degree from Universidad del Norte. She is Fluent in both English and Spanish, and has a solid grasp of French.
Valentina's passion for travel has nurtured her adaptability in multicultural settings. Her legal education and hands-on experience in supporting legal teams underscores her commitment to upholding justice.