Golnaz Fakhimi serves as the Legal Director of Muslim Advocates.

She has worked with and for historically and structurally marginalized people across a wide spectrum of contexts and strategies. Her experience and expertise encompass deportation defense, criminal defense, defense of alleged "war on terror" suspects, habeas corpus actions, civil rights actions, technical assistance to movement leaders and partners, and collaborative advocacy with them.

Most recently, Golnaz was a Senior Staff Attorney at the Civil Rights Education and Enforcement Center, leading its work at the intersection of immigrant justice and disability justice. Previously, she co-taught the Immigrant and Non-Citizen Rights Clinic at the CUNY School of Law and held positions as an Immigrants’ Rights Attorney at the ACLU of Pennsylvania; a Staff Attorney at Appellate Advocates; an Immigration Staff Attorney with The Bronx Defenders; and a Staff Attorney with the International Justice Network.

Representing clients at the trial and appellate levels across a variety of administrative and judicial fora, training the next generation of advocates, and educating the public through trainings and media advocacy, Golnaz roots her practice in community-led movements for change.

Outside of work, Golnaz draws comfort and inspiration from nature—the ocean, especially. These days she’s particularly into whales and elephants.