Welcome to Gizachew Manahle Law Firm
At Gizachew Manahle Law Firm, we combine a global perspective with deep legal expertise to provide exceptional legal services tailored to meet your unique needs. Our firm is founded on a commitment to excellence, integrity, and advocacy. We practice Immigration Law and Personal Injury Law.
About Gizachew Manahle
Gizachew Manahle is the founding attorney of Gizachew Manahle Law Firm, PLLC, and brings a wealth of experience, education, and dedication to his legal practice. With a background rooted in both domestic and international law, he has built a distinguished career focused on community empowerment, justice,
and legal excellence.
His professional journey includes significant roles that demonstrate his commitment to serving immigrant and refugee communities. As an Immigration Staff Attorney at the Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA), he provided expert legal guidance on matters such as citizenship applications, family-based petitions, adjustment of status and asylum. Gizachew’s leadership extended to his role as Director of Family Empowerment at ReWA, where he spearheaded initiatives to strengthen immigrant and refugee families and developed tailored programs. Prior to that, as Family Empowerment Program Manager at ReWA, he built strong community partnerships and designed programs to empower immigrant and refugee communities.
Earlier in his career, Gizachew served as the Dean of the College of Law at Haramaya University in Ethiopia, where he led efforts to reform legal education and launched initiatives promoting social justice. His work as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Washington Faculty of Law focused on land tenure issues, where he developed a framework for a Land Tenure Institute in Ethiopia, addressing policy, legal, and gender equity concerns in land rights. Additionally, he taught law at Haramaya University, covering human rights, contracts, tort, constitution and international refugee law.
​
Gizachew holds advanced degrees that reflect his dedication to legal and public service. He earned a Master of Laws (LLM) in U.S. Legal System and Legal Practice from the University of Dayton School of Law, a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Washington, and a Master’s in International Law with a focus on Human Rights from the University of Groningen, where he graduated cum laude, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B) with Distinction from Addis Ababa University.
​
In addition to his extensive experience and education, Gizachew is a member of several professional associations, including the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA), American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). He is admitted to practice in Washington State. Fluent in English, Amharic, and Oromo, he can communicate effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds, further enhancing his ability to serve a broad range of communities.​
​
Practice Areas
Gizachew Manahle Law Firm offers legal consultation and representation in Immigration Law and Personal Injury Law.
Immigration Law
Gizachew Manahle Law Firm offers legal consultation and representation across various areas of immigration law, including:
Asylum
Assist in preparing and filing Form I-589 (Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal), ensuring accurate documentation and supporting evidence.
Assist clients gather evidence to substantiate their claims, including country condition reports, personal testimony, and affidavits.
Prepare clients for asylum interviews with USCIS or hearings before an immigration judge in removal proceedings.
Identify and address potential issues in asylum applications, such as inconsistencies or credibility concerns, to strengthen the client’s case.
Represent clients during immigration court hearings, including cross-examination and presenting arguments in support of asylum as a defense against deportation.
Evaluate whether clients meet the eligibility criteria for asylum under U.S. law, including demonstrating past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Advise on alternative forms of protection, such as withholding of removal or relief under the Convention Against Torture (CAT), for clients who do not meet asylum criteria but face harm if returned to their home country.
Assist with appeals for denied asylum applications, whether with USCIS or the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
Assist in family reunification for asylees, including applying for derivative asylum status for spouses and children.
Guide clients in applying for lawful permanent residence (Green Card) after one year of being granted asylum.
Assist clients apply for work authorization while their asylum cases are pending.
Family-based Immigration
Provide legal assistance to family members of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents in applying for family-based immigrant visas (e.g., IR, F, or K visas) and navigating consular processing, including filing Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) and U.S. embassy procedures.
Assist with filing Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) to establish qualifying family relationships.
Guide clients through the process of adjusting the status of family members already in the U.S. to obtain lawful permanent resident (green card) status.
Assist applicants deemed inadmissible to the U.S. due to immigration violations, criminal convictions, or health-related issues by applying for waivers (e.g., Form I-601, Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility)
Help U.S. citizens bring foreign fiancé(e)s to the U.S. for marriage by managing the K-1 visa process and subsequent adjustment of status after marriage.
Provide support to conditional green card holders in removing conditions on residence, including filing Form I-751 (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence).
Represent clients in appealing family-based immigration petition denials or filing motions to reopen or reconsider with immigration authorities, such as USCIS or the BIA.
U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization
Provide legal assistance with U.S. citizenship applications through naturalization, including preparing Form N-400 and gathering required documentation.
Advise clients on eligibility criteria, such as residency, physical presence, and demonstrating good moral character.
Handle complex citizenship cases involving children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents.
Represent clients in appeals to citizenship application denials, including cases involving allegations of fraud, misrepresentation, or criminal activities affecting eligibility.
Offer guidance on automatic acquisition of U.S. citizenship for eligible children.
Adjustment of Status for VAWA, U and T
Assist clients in filing U Visa applications for victims of qualifying crimes who have cooperated with law forcement.
Provide legal representation in preparing VAWA petitions for survivors of domestic violence seeking immigration relief.
Offer legal services for T Visa applications on behalf of victims of severe human trafficking.
Personal Injury Law
Car Accidents/Collision
At Gizachew Manahle Law Firm, we provide comprehensive legal representation in personal injury cases related to motor vehicle collisions. We handle claims arising from car, truck, motorcycle, and bicycle accidents, as well as incidents involving negligent driving, distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, hit-and-run collisions, and pedestrian accidents.
Gizachew Manahle Law Firm provides a range of services to individuals who have been injured in car accidents to alleviate the stress and complexity of dealing with the aftermath of a motor vehicle collision while ensuring clients receive fair compensation for their injuries.
At Gizachew Manahle Law Firm, we are dedicated to advocating for the rights of injury victims. Our team works diligently to ensure that you receive the full compensation you deserve, covering medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
At Gizachew Manahle Law Firm, we offer the following personal injury legal services:
Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation: Assessing the details of the accident and injuries, advising clients on their legal options.
Investigation and Evidence Collection: Conducting thorough accident investigations, gathering evidence, and collaborating with experts such as accident reconstruction specialists to establish fault and liability.
Identifying Sources of Recovery: Identifying the potential sources of insurance including Worker’s Compensation, when applicable.
Insurance Negotiation: Advocating for clients during negotiations with insurance companies to secure fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Medical Liens and Bills: Assisting clients in managing medical liens, ensuring medical providers are compensated while protecting clients from out-of-pocket expenses.
Filing Lawsuits: Pursuing legal action when settlements cannot be reached, including filing lawsuits and providing representation throughout the litigation process.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
At Gizachew Manahle Law Firm, we provide legal representation for clients who are injured on the job or suffer from work-related illnesses. We offer the following services to ensure that injured workers receive the full benefits they are entitled to under Washington State’s workers' compensation laws.
Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation: Assess the client’s situation, determine if the injury is work-related, and explain their rights and options under the Washington State Workers' Compensation system (administered by the Department of Labor and Industries, or L&I).
Filing a Workers' Compensation Claim: Assist in properly filing an L&I claim, ensuring all necessary paperwork is completed accurately and submitted within required deadlines.
Appealing Claim Denials: Help clients appeal a denied workers' compensation claim by gathering essential evidence, representing them at hearings, and presenting their case effectively.
Navigating Temporary Disability Benefits: Assist clients in obtaining temporary total disability (TTD) or temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits to cover lost wages during recovery from work-related injuries.
Social Security Disability (SSD) and Workers' Compensation Coordination: Help clients who are eligible for both workers' compensation and Social Security Disability benefits coordinate the two to maximize compensation and ensure appropriate benefits.
Permanent Disability Benefits: Guide clients through the process of determining eligibility for permanent partial disability (PPD) or permanent total disability (PTD) benefits based on the severity of the injury and its long-term impact on their ability to work.
At Gizachew Manahle Law Firm, we provide legal representation for clients with premises liability claims. Our services include handling cases involving injuries caused by slip/trip and falls, insufficient maintenance, hazardous conditions, or fires occurring on properties managed by commercial establishments, private residences, apartments, or condominiums. If you have been injured under such circumstances, contact us to explore your legal options.
Medical Benefits and Treatment Coverage: Provide legal representation to secure medical treatment and ensure that necessary medical expenses, including rehabilitation, are covered under the workers' compensation system.
Settlements and Lump-Sum Payments: Assist in negotiating settlements or lump-sum payments for long-term disability benefits.
Third-Party Claims: Represent clients in filing third -party lawsuits if another party (e.g., defective equipment or a negligent driver) is responsible for the injury, to recover additional compensation.
Premises Liability
Client Testimonial
Check out what our clients have to say about the Gizachew Manahle Law Firm
