Her Story
She Crossed an Ocean
to Start Over.
She's spent 28 years making sure you don't have to start over alone.
Alexandria, Egypt
Where It Began
Gihan Loutfi Thomas grew up in Alexandria, Egypt, where she earned her first law degree. She practiced law in Egypt, but she wanted more — not for herself, but for the people she saw leaving their homes, crossing borders, searching for safety and opportunity in a world that didn't always welcome them.
At 29, she made the decision that would define her life. She left everything behind — her practice, her family, her language, her country — and came to America. Alone.
Los Angeles, Age 29
Starting Over in a New Language
Her Egyptian law degree meant nothing in America. To practice law here, she would need to earn an entirely new degree, pass the bar exam, and do it all in English — her second language. So she did.
She put herself through law school while working to support herself. No family nearby, no safety net. Just conviction. She graduated, passed the California Bar, and immediately began fighting for immigrants — because she knew, from her own bones, what it felt like to be a stranger in a new country.
“أنقذت حياتنا. لن ننسى فضلها أبدا.”
“She saved our lives. We will never forget her kindness.”
930 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles
Building a Practice, Family by Family
From her office on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock, Gihan built a practice the old-fashioned way: one family at a time. Word spread through the Arabic-speaking community first — immigrants telling other immigrants about the attorney from Egypt who truly understood what they were going through.
Then the Chinese community found her. Then the Indonesian community. Then families from Latin America, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Today, her office serves clients in English, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, and Bahasa Indonesia.
“遇到她们律师事务所是我人生中最大的转折点”
“Meeting this law firm was the greatest turning point in my life.” — 赵云刚
Federal Circuit Courts
She Changed The Law. Four Times.
Most immigration attorneys never argue a case before a federal circuit court. Gihan Thomas has done it multiple times — and won opinions that didn't just help her clients, but changed the law for every immigrant who came after them.
Sumolang v. Holder
A mother fled persecution — but it was her child who was targeted. The law said she wasn't protected. Gihan took it to the Ninth Circuit and won. Families where any member faces harm now have asylum protection because of this case.
Thomas v. Gonzales
A woman facing domestic violence was told she couldn't qualify for asylum because her government refused to act. Gihan argued the refusal to protect her was itself persecution. The Ninth Circuit agreed — and changed the law for every woman in that situation.
Afridi v. Gonzales
An asylum applicant's story was dismissed over minor inconsistencies that the judge took out of context. Gihan argued that credibility requires understanding culture, not just looking for contradictions. Immigration judges must now consider the full picture.
Kaur v. Wilkinson
A religious minority had faced years of discrimination — no single catastrophic event, just a relentless pattern. Gihan argued the pattern itself was persecution. The court agreed, protecting thousands of people whose suffering had never been recognized.
945 Google Reviews · 4.9 Stars
945 Voices. One Verdict.
Numbers don't lie. 945 people took time out of their lives to write about what Gihan Thomas did for them. They wrote in English, Arabic, Chinese, and Bahasa Indonesia. They wrote about green cards, asylum, deportation defense, and second chances. And they all said the same thing: she changed their lives.
“If there were 100 stars, Gihan Thomas and her highly professional team deserve 101 stars.”
— Mhd Daghostani
Credentials & Recognition
Avvo 10.0 Rating
The highest possible rating on Avvo, the leading attorney directory. Based on experience, industry recognition, and professional conduct.
Super Lawyers
Selected as a Super Lawyer — a distinction earned by only 5% of attorneys in California, based on peer recognition and professional achievement.
State Bar Certified Specialist
Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law by the State Bar of California — requiring advanced education, peer review, and demonstrated expertise.
Logos TV Host
Host of 'Immigration With Gihan' on Logos TV, where she educates the Arabic-speaking community about their rights and the immigration process.
Ready to Tell Your Story?
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