SAMIYA (SIMI) MIR
Ms. Samiya (Simi) Mir earned her bachelor's degree in political science at Colgate University and graduated cum laude from American University, Washington College of law. Upon graduation from law school, she served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable Vanessa Ruiz, D.C. Court of Appeals. Simi worked at the law firm of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jacobson from 2001 to 2004, where she practiced trial and appellate litigation and represented businesses and individuals on cases involving securities and white collar crime. She also served as a staff attorney at The Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Division where she defended indigent individuals on cases involving various types of criminal conduct.
Ms. Mir has taught classes on immigration consequences of criminal conduct, and has also taught contracts and business law in Milan, Italy. She also served as an Adjunct Professor at the prestigious Fordham University School of Law. Ms. Mir is on the executive committee for the South Asian Women's Leadership Forum, Women in the Law, and is a member of Asian Women in Business.
DAVID G. KATONA
Mr. David Katona earned his bachelor's degree from Wake Forest University, his Master of International Affairs degree from American University's School of International Service and graduated cum laude from American University, Washington College of Law. David Katona has worked as a senior attorney in the Immigration Department at Hodgson Russ LLP and has practiced as an immigration attorney at Bondy & Schloss LLP and at Susie Kim & Associates, PC. Mr. Katona has also worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce and American University. In addition to being a partner at Katona & Mir, Mr. Katona also currently serves as Of Counsel to law firms in New York City and Palo Alto, CA.
Mr. Katona is highly experienced in all aspects of business and family immigration as well as removal (or deportation) defense and federal appeals, and he has experience representing all types of business, from Fortune 500 to small- and mid-size companies, as well as individuals from all over the world.
Mr. Katona is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Assocation (AILA) and the NYC Bar Association. Notably, he currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Corporate Practice Committee of AILA's New York Chapter (2007/2008) and is a member of the Immigration Committee of the NYC Bar Association. Additionally, Mr. Katona regularly conducts seminars on various immigration related topics for trade associations and other professional groups.