IABA Foundation 2023 Scholarship Recipients
Rooha Haghar (University of Texas School of Law)
Rooha Haghar is a 1L at the University of Texas School of Law with a background in the non-profit and immigration space. Born and raised in Shiraz, Rooha and her family left Iran due to religious persecution and settled in Dallas nearly a decade ago. Before arriving at Texas Law, Rooha studied International Relations and Global studies at The University of Texas at Austin. Upon earning her B.A. with honors, Rooha worked for a Dallas-based non-profit, providing after-school and summer programming for immigrant children. She later transitioned into her role as Legal Support Specialist for a refugee resettlement agency, where she assisted Afghan and Ukrainian Parolees navigate the U.S immigration system and apply for various forms of relief. After graduation, Rooha hopes to work on international human rights issues.
Aliyah Kazemaini (UCLA School of Law)
Aliyah Kazemaini is currently a 1L law student at UCLA School of Law, driven by a profound dedication to justice, equity, and the advancement of minority communities, with a specific emphasis on empowering the Iranian-American community. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Aliyah experienced a persistent sense of imposter syndrome during her formative years. This feeling inspired her to embark on a mission to create inclusive spaces where not only her community but also others could find a sense of belonging. Aliyah earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Iranian Studies from UCLA. Her commitment to social justice and inclusivity came to fruition through her role as the founder of the South West Asian North African (SWANA) Caucus at UC San Diego. This initiative emerged from a recognition of the need for a platform where underrepresented voices, including the Iranian-American community, could be amplified. Through the SWANA Caucus, Aliyah successfully challenged stereotypes, raised awareness, and advocated for the betterment of minority communities. In addition to this, she assumed leadership positions in Equity, Diversity, and Intersectionality divisions at UC San Diego’s Associated Student Council and UCLA's Office of the President's Student Advisory Board.
Mana Javadi (Harvard Law School)
Mana Javadi is a first-year student at Harvard Law School. Prior to moving to Cambridge, Mana grew up in Southern California, then moved to the Bay Area where she earned her B.A. in Sociology and Public Policy from UC Berkeley. She then worked at a national non-profit organization, One Fair Wage, which organizes low-wage workers to fight for higher wages and better working conditions. Mana served as the Development Director of the organization, where she became seasoned at nurturing and soliciting partnerships in order to diversify and increase revenue streams. After she earns her JD, Mana hopes to continue working on labor and employment issues through working directly with communities impacted and by addressing Federal and State policy. In her free time, Mana loves to cook, travel, listen to podcasts, and mentor other students pursuing a legal education.
IABA Foundation 2022 Scholarship Recipients
Sheila Zerang (The University of California, Hastings College of the Law)
Sheila Zerang is a 2L at UC Hastings Law. She was born and raised in Shiraz, Iran and moved to Los Angeles with her family at the age of ten. In 2018, she earned her B.A. degree in Sociology from UCLA. During undergrad, she worked at UCLA’s Immigration, Globalization, and Education Institute. After graduating, she worked as a paralegal at a business litigation and an immigration law office. She also served as a board member at an Iranian LGBTQ non-profit organization in Los Angeles before moving to San Francisco for Law School. In her free time, Sheila enjoys skiing during winter and skating near the beach during the summer.
Kimiya Haghighi Sprengart (Georgetown University Law Center) 
Kimiya Haghighi Sprengart is a third-year law student at Georgetown University Law Center. She earned a B.A. with honors in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies from Wellesley College. After earning her B.A., Kimiya spent two years in Israel working at the Bahá’í World Centre, where she conducted research and analysis and drafted official communications to support the community-building efforts of the worldwide Bahá’í community. Upon her return to the U.S., Kimiya earned an M.S. in Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, with a Certificate in Diplomatic Studies. Throughout her time in law school, Kimiya has worked at Airbnb, Inc., White & Case LLP, and the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Legal Adviser for International Claims and Investment Disputes. Following law school, Kimiya will join White & Case LLP in Washington, D.C., where she hopes to focus on international arbitration.
IABA Foundation 2019 Scholarship Recipients
Daniel Barlava (Columbia University Law School)
Daniel Barlava is a third-year law student at Columbia University Law School. He received a B.A. in History and Economics from Northwestern University, and followed his graduation by working for the U.S. Treasury Department. There, he supported law enforcement agencies’ efforts to conduct complex financial investigations. In his time at Columbia University, Daniel has focused on immigration defense, criminal convictions, and environmental litigation. Following law school, he will be working as an associate at the Irell & Maniella law firm in Los Angeles, focusing on public services.
Fatemah Shahkolahi (George Washington University Law School)
Fatemah Shahkolahi is a third-year law student at the George Washington University Law School. She earned a B.A. with honors in English from Notre Dame of Maryland University and an M.A. in International Communication from American University. After receiving her M.A., Fatemah worked at an international NGO on addressing the refugee crisis in Lebanon. Throughout her time at law school, she has worked as a judicial intern to Judge Robert McDonald in the Maryland Court of Appeals, the state’s highest court.
IABA Foundation Past Scholarship Recipients
2018:
Hirsa Admin (Yale Law School, 1L)
Salman Ameri (Georgetown University Law Center, 1L)
2017:
Sara Ehsani-Nia (UC Davis, 3L)
Neda Hafezi (UC Hastings, 3L)
2016:
Neda Tolooi (Loyola University)
Neda Saghafi (University of Maryland)
Laily Sheybani (UPenn,1L)
Seyyed Mohammad Hossein Sajjadi (Santa Clara University, 3L)
Sara Movahed (University of Maryland, 3L)
2015:
Sam Sadeghi (UCLA School of Law)
Anita Bamshad (University of California, San Diego)
2014:
Ava Badiee (University of California, Irvine School of Law)
Setareh Homayoninejad (UC Berkeley, School of Law)
2013:
Rachel Khalili (University of California Irvine School of Law $2500)
Sahar Maali (University of California Berkeley School of Law $2500)
Barzin Pakandam(University of Southern California School of Law $2500)
2012:
Z. Payvand Ahdout (Columbia University School of Law $2500)
Ramin Montazeri (Columbia University School of Law $2500)
Sima Namiri-Kalantari (University of California Los Angeles School of Law $2500)
2011:
Nima Rahimi (University of California Davis School of Law $3000)
Roxana Rahmani (Harvard Law School $3000)
San Diego Chapter Scholarship
Ashkaan Hassan (University of San Diego School of Law $2500)
Naziol Nazarinia (Thomas Jefferson School of Law $2500)
2010:
Pouneh Aravand (Yale Law School $3000)
Mehrdad Bokhour (Loyola Law School of Los Angeles $3000)
2009:
Siavash Alavi (University of Southern California School of Law $2000)
Arash J. Fuladian (University of San Diego School of Law $2000)
Sara Rezvanpour (University of California Berkeley School of Law $2000)
2007:
Tala Rezai (Emory University School of Law $1500)
Maryam Moravvej Farshi (University of Baltimore School of Law $1500)
2006:
Elham Kayvani (University of California Berkeley School of Law)
2005:
Mani Ahmadi (Loyola Law School of Los Angeles)
Sara Mahdavi(University of California Los Angeles School of Law)