Our Story
WHO WE ARE
Anne Walsh
Managing Attorney
Anne Walsh is a Managing Attorney with GIA. She received her JD from Marquette University Law School in 2011, and her BA in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin. Prior to joining GIA, Anne worked for an immigration law firm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In law school, she served on the Board of the Marquette Immigration Law Association, earned distinguished merit from the Pro Bono Society for her work with the immigrant community, interned for the Honorable Judge Aaron Goodstein at the US District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and was a devoted volunteer with the Catholic Charities Immigration Project. Anne is licensed to practice in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Ashley Knowland
Associate
Ashley S. Knowland is an Associate at GIA. Ms. Knowland received her JD magna cum laude from Western Michigan University’s Cooley Law School in 2013, after receiving her Master of Arts in Philosophy from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Her practice for GIA focuses exclusively on U.S. business immigration, including immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, labor certifications (PERM), adjustment of status, and I-9 compliance. Ms. Knowland is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and serves on the Legal Services for Detainees Committee. She also participates in pro bono family-based immigration through Chicago Volunteer Legal Services. Ashley is licensed to practice in Illinois, and is an accredited student-at-law in Canada.
Christopher Esmits
Associate
Christopher’s practice focuses on non-immigrant and immigrant business visa issues, as well as advising companies in immigration practice and policy concerns. He works with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Department of State in obtaining immigrant and non-immigrant benefits for clients’ foreign national employees. Christopher graduated from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2013, and prior to law school, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois in 2010. Christopher is licensed to practice in the state of Illinois.
Geeta Shah
Sr. Associate
Geeta Mahendra Shah is a Senior Associate at GIA. Ms. Shah graduated with a BA in Political Science and India Studies from Indiana University. She obtained her JD in 2011 from DePaul University College of Law, where she earned a Certificate in International & Comparative law with a focus on immigration related coursework. She served as the Symposium Editor for the DePaul Rule of Law Journal, where she led the annual symposium “The Changing Face of America: Immigration and the American Identity.” Ms. Shah completed coursework on international competition and antitrust law at the University of New South Wales in Kensington, Australia. Ms. Shah’s practice focuses both on employment-based and family-based immigration matters. Currently she is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and is on the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Committee. Ms. Shah also acts as a mentor to a high school student, through the HFS Chicago Scholars volunteer program. Ms. Shah is licensed in Illinois, and is proficient in Gujarati and Hindi.
Gordie Rosoklija
Sr. Associate
Gorjan (“Gordie”) Rosoklija is a Senior Associate with GIA, with over seven years of professional experience in immigration matters gained at GIA and previously at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy. Gordie earned his law degree cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2010, and his BA cum laude from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. While in law school, Gordie served as an Articles Editor for the Wisconsin Law Review and was also a member of the Moot Court Board. He has extensive professional experience in the immigration field and was recently named a Super Lawyers “Rising Star.” Gordie possesses deep expertise in guiding companies through the workforce impact of corporate restructuring and also serves as a lead attorney for I-9 program implementation and development. He has authored numerous articles in the immigration field, including his most recent titled “Why It Is Time for Congress to Eliminate the Arbitrary H-1B Cap”. Gordie is licensed to practice in Illinois & Wisconsin.
Ian Love
Sr. Associate
Ian Love is a Senior Associate at GIA. Ian received his JD cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School in 2012, and earned a BA in French magna cum laude from Lawrence University in 2005. While in law school, he completed coursework in immigration and related subject areas, served with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Geneva, Switzerland, and handled pro bono representation of immigrant clients. Mr. Love practices employment-based immigration with GIA and has experience representing clients before USCIS, the Department of State, and the Department of Labor. Mr. Love is proficient in French, and is licensed to practice in Illinois and New York.
Jaclyn Pettit
Associate
Jaclyn E. Pettit is an Associate at GIA. Ms. Pettit received her JD from DePaul University College of Law in 2012, and a BA in Communications Law & Policy from the University of Michigan in 2007. Ms. Pettit focuses on employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions. Prior to joining GIA, Ms. Pettit worked as a prosecutor with the City of Chicago Department of Law, where she gained extensive administrative law experience. She is licensed to practice in Illinois, and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Chicago Bar Association.
Jake Kanyusik
Managing Attorney
Jake Kanyusik is a Managing Attorney at GIA. Jake graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA in Linguistics before earning his JD from DePaul University College of Law. While at DePaul Jake earned a Certificate in Public Interest Law with a focus on immigration‐related coursework, and worked with the USCIS Office of Chief Counsel where he drafted appellate briefs to the Bureau of Immigration Appeals. Jake’s practice focuses on non‐immigrant and immigrant business visas, as well as advising companies on immigration practice and policy concerns. He currently sits on several AILA Chicago Chapter committees, including as acting Co‐Chair of the LGBT Committee; is a founding member of the Associate Board for Life Span, a nonprofit dedicated to providing legal assistance and counseling to victims of domestic violence; and co‐chairs the Pro Bono Committee at GIA. Jake is licensed to practice in Illinois.
Scott Kuhagen
Sr. Associate
Scott Kuhagen is a Managing Attorney at GIA. Scott graduated cum laude with a BA in Government from The College of William and Mary, and was awarded his JD at Temple University’s Beasley School of Law in 2012. At Temple, he served as an Articles Editor for the Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review. Prior to joining GIA, Scott worked for the City of Chicago Law Department. During law school, Scott interned for the Nationalities Service Center in Philadelphia, where he assisted clients in pursuing asylum claims. He also interned for the Philadelphia Immigration Court (U.S. DoJ, Executive Office for Immigration Review), where he drafted decisions and memoranda on various immigration cases and issues. Before law school Scott worked for a consulting firm for nonprofits doing research and data analysis, and worked for a national faith- based refugee resettlement agency. Scott is licensed to practice in Illinois.
Stephanie Wedel
Associate
Stephanie Wedel is an Associate at GIA. Ms. Wedel received her JD from the Chicago-Kent College of Law, and a BA in Political Science from Western Illinois University. Prior to law school, she spent two years in Armenia with the United States Peace Corps as a community health education volunteer. Ms. Wedel is licensed to practice in Illinois, and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Chicago Bar Association.
Ryan Bay
Director of Legal Operations
Ryan Bay is currently GIA’s Director of Legal Operations. He brings over five years of immigration experience to his current role, with both law firm practice and immigration work for CapGemini. Ryan received his BA in Classics cum laude from Monmouth College. He then went on to Western State University, where he was awarded his JD cum laude in 2010. He is currently licensed to practice law in Illinois and maintains eligibility to resume active status in California.
Eric Frank
Director of Business Operations
Eric Frank graduated magna cum laude from Duquesne University School of Law. While studying at Duquesne he participated in its trial advocacy program, earned distinction for outstanding oral argument, and served as a Senior Staff Member for the Duquesne Law Review. Mr. Frank has worked in the field of immigration law for over four years and has extensive experience in all aspects of GIA’s practice, including family, business, and global immigration. Since April 2014 he has served in the positions of Director of Legal and Director of Business Operations, where he oversees the day-to-day operation of the firm.
Louis Massard
Associate
Louis Massard is an Associate with GIA. Louis earned his JD from the University of North Carolina School Of Law and his BA in Economics and Political Science from Northwestern University. During his time at UNC, Louis served on the UNC Pro Bono Board and on the North Carolina Journal of International Law. Prior to joining GIA, Louis worked for an immigration law firm in North Carolina, where he is currently licensed to practice. He is a native Spanish speaker and is proficient in French.
Cynthia S. Coulange
Associate
Cynthia S. Coulange is an Associate at GIA. Ms. Coulange graduated from Kennesaw State University, summa cum laude, with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She earned her JD, cum laude, from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. While at Loyola, Cynthia was the Articles Editor of the Public Interest Law Journal and a member of the Moot Court Staff. During her law studies, she obtained a certificate in International Legal Studies. Cynthia brings over two years of immigration experience in both employment and family-based immigration matters. She is licensed to practice law in Georgia and is proficient in French and Haitian Creole.