About Rathi
Rathi Rao is a founding partner of Ibrahim & Rao LLP, a law firm dedicated to immigration and family law. With over 25 years of experience, she has been practicing immigration law exclusively since her admission to the Georgia Bar in 2001. Her extensive background allows her to navigate complex legal matters effectively. This gives the support they need in challenging situations. Born in Bangalore, India, Ms. Rao immigrated to the United States at a young age. This personal experience fuels her focus on helping others in similar circumstances.
In 1998, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Anthropology and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Emory University. During her time at Emory, she expanded her cultural horizons by studying abroad at the University of Salamanca in Spain. This academic foundation laid the groundwork for her future legal career. After completing her Juris Doctor at Georgia State University College of Law in 2001, Ms. Rao began her legal career as an Associate Attorney with Landey & Associates. She worked there until 2005, gaining inexperience in immigration law. In 2009, she co-founded Ibrahim & Rao LLP with her colleague Jama Ibrahim.
The firm has since expanded to include offices in Atlanta and Gainesville, Georgia, serving clients across the state. Ms. Rao's practice focuses on family-based immigration matters and complex deportation defense cases before Immigration Courts nationwide and the Board of Immigration Appeals. She assists clients with a variety of legal processes, including immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, green card and citizenship applications, consular processing, and I-601A Waivers. Additionally, she works closely with victims of crimes, providing support for T/U Visas, as well as victims of domestic violence through VAWA Petitions. Her comprehensive approach ensures that clients receive personalized attention and effective legal representation. A member in good standing of the Georgia State Bar and the Supreme Court of Georgia, Ms.
Rao is also actively involved in professional organizations. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the IndusBar of Georgia, which is the South Asian Bar Association. Her contributions to the legal community have not gone unnoticed; she was recognized as a Rising Star by Georgia Super Lawyers in 2015. Residing in metro Atlanta, she is fluent in both English and Spanish, further enhancing her ability to serve many clients. Ms. Rao remains committed to assisting the immigrant community, earning a reputation for her dedication and expertise in immigration law.
