Your Bridge to a Brighter Future.

Meet the Advocates at O’Brien Immigration.
Bayardo Aguilar
Remote Receptionist and IT Support
Bayardo Aguilar
Remote Receptionist and IT Support

About Bayardo

Bayardo supports the firm’s operations through reception and technical troubleshooting, systems maintenance, and day-to-day IT support. He brings extensive experience assisting users with hardware, software, and device connectivity issues, as well as managing data and workflows across digital platforms. With a background in technical support, systems engineering, and customer service, Bayardo helps ensure the firm’s phone and other technology runs smoothly so legal teams can focus on their work.

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Daska Babcock
Senior Attorney
Daska Babcock
Senior Attorney

About Daska

Daska joined The O’Brien Immigration Firm in 2016 and launched the firm’s Central Valley office in 2017. Her practice focuses on asylum cases before the San Francisco Immigration Court and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status petitions in family and probate court. Before transitioning to immigration law, Daska practiced civil litigation in federal and state courts throughout California for fourteen years. She has an extensive pro bono background representing survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and her work was recognized with the Father Cuchulain Moriarty Award from the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area.

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Elena Applebaum
Senior Attorney
Elena Applebaum
Senior Attorney

About Elena

Elena focuses her practice on asylum and humanitarian petitions, bringing a global perspective shaped by her work with refugees and international human rights organizations. Prior to joining the firm, she worked with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Malta and in human rights and immigration clinics in California, assisting with asylum applications, appeals, and trauma-informed client representation. Elena is committed to serving immigrant communities with care, precision, and respect, and is fluent in multiple languages, including Spanish and Portuguese.

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Esteban Lasso
Paralegal
Esteban Lasso
Paralegal

About Esteban

Esteban works as a legal assistant supporting immigration case preparation, document review, and client communications. With a background in law, international business, and project management, he assists with drafting and organizing legal documents, managing deadlines, and coordinating administrative workflows. Esteban’s multilingual skills and attention to detail help ensure clear communication and well-organized case files across a range of immigration matters.

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Guisselle Castellon
Intake Specialist and Legal Assistant
Guisselle Castellon
Intake Specialist and Legal Assistant

About Guisselle

Guisselle supports the firm through client intake, screening, and interpretation, serving as an initial point of contact for individuals seeking immigration relief. She conducts detailed intakes in Spanish, assists with interpretation, and helps identify potential eligibility for asylum and other humanitarian and family-based options. With a background in psychology, Guisselle brings empathy, clarity, and structure to the intake process, helping clients feel supported while ensuring accurate information is gathered for legal review.

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Jeffrey O'Brien
Founding Partner
Jeffrey O'Brien
Founding Partner

About Jeffrey

Jeffrey founded The O’Brien Immigration Firm in 2010 with the goal of providing high-quality, affordable, and respectful legal representation to individuals seeking safety and opportunity in the United States. His practice has long focused on protecting the rights of immigrants, particularly asylum seekers and underserved communities. Jeffrey has been recognized by East Bay Sanctuary Covenant for his pro bono work and has served as a mentor with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, reflecting his deep commitment to public service and advocacy.

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Mary Cruz
Legal Assistant
Mary Cruz
Legal Assistant

About Mary

Mary works as a legal assistant on asylum and family-based immigration petitions, supporting case preparation, client intake, and document coordination. Her background in clinical psychology strengthens her ability to work with clients in sensitive situations, conduct thorough screenings, and identify relevant facts for legal review. With a careful, organized, and client-centered approach, Mary helps ensure cases are prepared with accuracy, clarity, and compassion.

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Omar Vega
Project Manager
Omar Vega
Project Manager

About Omar

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Rosanna Katz
Senior Attorney
Rosanna Katz
Senior Attorney

About Rosanna

Rosanna joined The O’Brien Immigration Firm in 2016 and concentrates her practice on asylum cases before both the San Francisco Immigration Court and USCIS, as well as family-based immigration petitions. Prior to joining the firm, she worked as a litigator representing public entities. Rosanna has also provided pro bono legal assistance to asylum seekers through East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, reflecting her ongoing commitment to immigrant advocacy and public service.

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Roshani Sitaula
Senior Paralegal
Roshani Sitaula
Senior Paralegal

About Roshani

Roshani joined The O’Brien Immigration Firm in 2013 and works closely with immigrant communities from Nepal and other countries. Before joining the firm, she worked as a freelance translator and interpreter, as well as a teacher and research assistant. Roshani holds advanced degrees in environmental management and geology from universities in Germany and an undergraduate degree in geology from Tribhuvan University in Nepal. She brings strong cross-cultural and linguistic skills to her work and is fluent in Nepali and Hindi.

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Sadaf Tahib
Legal Assistant
Sadaf Tahib
Legal Assistant

About Sadaf

Sadaf supports the firm through interpretation, communications, and reporting, with a focus on assisting asylum seekers in high-stakes legal and humanitarian settings. She brings extensive experience in multilingual interpretation, digital communication, and outreach, including prior work with government institutions, NGOs, and international organizations. With a strong background in cross-cultural communication and advocacy, Sadaf helps ensure clear, accurate, and culturally informed communication for clients and legal teams.

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