Staff

Anastasia Kharitonova-Gomez joined Gibbs Houston Pauw in 2021, after graduating from the University of Washington with a Master of Arts in Russian, East European, and Central Asian Studies. During her undergraduate and graduate years, Anastasia’s interest in immigration issues grew through her coursework, thesis research on the Ukrainian diaspora, and internships with local nonprofits that support migrants. As the daughter of Ukrainian and Russian immigrants she speaks fluent Russian and is learning Spanish. Outside of the office, Anastasia enjoys photography, frequenting ethnic grocery stores, and going on road trips. 

Davina joined GHP on December 2, 2024. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, she holds a degree in Public Health – Global Health from the University of Washington, Seattle, where she graduated in 2022. Prior to joining GHP, she worked as an immigration interpreter, gaining valuable experience in cross-cultural communication and community engagement. She is fluent in English, French, and Lingala. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time in the sun and relaxing at the beach.

Jason Kim joined Gibbs Houston Pauw in 2021. He was born and raised in New York. Prior to joining the firm, Jason lived in Japan from 2003 to 2007 doing missionary work. He returned to the U.S. in 2007 and began his career as an immigration paralegal in 2012. He moved to Seattle in 2018 and has worked as a paralegal at other area firms. Jason is fluent in both English and Korean.

Jason received a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences at Stony Brook University in New York. He also has a Master’s of Divinity from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In his spare time, he enjoys working with his ministry, watching the New York Yankees and New York Rangers, and spending time with his wife and son.

Komal Bhullar joined Gibbs Houston Pauw in 2025 after graduating from the University of Washington Tacoma with a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Policy. Prior to joining GHP, she gained valuable experience across various legal settings, including interning at an employment law firm, volunteering with a housing justice project, and working as a legal assistant in a prosecutor’s office. Komal is currently pursuing a J.D. degree and looks forward to applying the skills she develops at Gibbs Houston Pauw to support future clients. She is fluent in both Punjabi and English. Outside of work, Komal enjoys baking, cooking, listening to music, and painting.

Lara Wolfe first joined Gibbs Houston Pauw in 2019 and rejoined the firm in 2024. She brings more than eight years of experience handling a broad range of family, employment, and humanitarian immigration matters, including complex cases involving criminal and inadmissibility issues. Lara earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Criminal Justice, from Colorado State University. During her undergraduate studies, she completed an internship with the Colorado State Public Defender’s Office in Fort Collins. Lara also holds a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Telecommunications from the University of Denver and an ABA-approved Advanced Paralegal Certificate from Edmonds Community College. She is a Notary Public for the State of Washington. Lara regularly volunteers at citizenship clinics through OneAmerica’s Washington New Americans program, and she has volunteered with the Chinese Information Service Center (CISC) and Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA). Lara is passionate about helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of the U.S. immigration system while preserving their dignity and legal rights.

Miriam Borges joined Gibbs Houston Pauw March of 2021. Originally from Yakima, Washington, Miriam comes from an immigrant agricultural family. It has been a lifelong mission and joy to advocate for underrepresented marginalized communities.
Miriam received a Bachelor of Arts in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, with an emphasis in Psychology from the University of Washington. Prior to working at GHP, she worked as a legal assistant at a multi-practice firm in Yakima, Washington and has over 8 years of immigration law experience. Miriam enjoys community gatherings, volunteering, supporting the arts, and spending time with their cat, Chai, and dog, Chloe.

Raquel Álvarez Cordier joined Gibbs Houston Pauw in 2025. Originally from Cusco, Peru, she earned her Bachelor of Law and Political Science degree from Universidad Andina del Cusco in 2023. Prior to moving to the United States, Raquel worked for three years as a paralegal at law firms in Peru, gaining experience in both criminal and civil cases.
She also holds certifications in English as a Second Language and continues to expand her knowledge in the field of immigration law. Outside of work, Raquel enjoys reading, dancing, and baking pastries.

Ruby Figueroa joined Gibbs Houston Pauw in February 2025. Originally from El Paso, Texas, she brings five years of experience working at an immigration law firm, where she developed a strong foundation in family-based immigration petitions.

Ruby is pursuing her degree in Arts in Chicano Studies at The University of Texas at El Paso. At Gibbs Houston Pauw, she continues to expand her knowledge and skills in immigration law.

Ruby is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Outside of work, Ruby enjoys outdoor activities like running and hiking. She loves spending time with her two dogs, Remy and Ronnie, who are a cherished part of her life.

Samuel Knight joined Gibbs Houston Pauw in 2022. Originally from the Isle of Man, United Kingdom, he immigrated to the United States in 2015.  Samuel earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Law and Policy, with a minor in Spanish Language and Culture from the University of Washington Tacoma. Prior to working at GHP, Samuel gained immigration experience in two boutique law firms in the Puget Sound area, and as a humanitarian parole volunteer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Samuel works remotely from Providence, Rhode Island. Outside of work, he enjoys playing soccer, gardening, and spending time with his family.

Sirak Iyassu joined Gibbs Houston Pauw in June of 2023. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Bahir Dar University and his law degree from St. Mary’s University in Ethiopia. He later completed his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in American Legal Studies at Seattle University. Prior to joining GHP, Sirak was a managing partner at a law practice in Ethiopia and co-founded several entrepreneurial ventures focused on environmentally sustainable business. Since moving to the U.S. in 2018, he has been deeply committed to immigrant advocacy, driven by firsthand experience of the challenges immigrants face in transitioning and thriving in a new country. Sirak enjoys reading and outdoor activities, especially mountain biking.

Tibisay Benitez De Jesus joined Gibbs Houston Pauw in 2023. Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, she earned her Bachelor of Law and Political Science degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo in 2007, the first university in the Caribbean. She also holds two master’s degrees—one in Land Law and the other in Civil Procedural Law. Before relocating to the United States, Tibisay owned her own law firm for 12 years in the Dominican Republic, where she gained valuable experience handling land law and civil matters. She is bilingual—Spanish is her first language and English her second. Since she was a child, her passion has been helping others through her work as a lawyer. She hopes to continue growing her knowledge and experience in U.S. immigration law. Outside of work, Tibisay enjoys baseball, spending time with her family, cooking, dancing, and playing dominoes.

Harjot Singh joined Gibbs Houston Pauw in 2024 after graduating from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in History and Labor Studies. His career as a junior paralegal stems from a strong desire to help underrepresented communities navigate their immigration journeys and to empower them with greater confidence and autonomy. Harjot plans to pursue a Master’s in Teaching and hopes to apply the skills he gains at Gibbs Houston Pauw to educate and inspire future generations. He is fluent in both Punjabi and English, and outside of the office, he enjoys mountain biking and hiking.