Team
Mohammad Shabani
Director I Barrister & Solicitor (NZ & Australia)
Mohammad Shabani (LLB, LLM, BBus) was admitted to the Bar in Auckland in 2016. He is the Director of Shabani Law in both New Zealand and Australia.
Mohammad speaks fluent Arabic, Farsi, and English, enabling him to assist clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Mohammad completed his legal qualifications in New Zealand and has worked with various New Zealand organisations assisting refugees and migrants with their immigration matters and their integration into New Zealand society. Mohammad has a strong commitment to refugee and immigration law and is passionate about advocating for vulnerable individuals with care, cultural understanding, and dedication.
Steve Peeters
NZ Immigration Specialist (Senior Consultant)
Steve Peeters is a Senior Immigration Consultant with over 35 years of experience in Immigration and Refugee matters, including 10 years working as an Immigration Officer. He has extensive knowledge of immigration processes, policy interpretation, and the practical application of immigration law.
After many years working within Immigration New Zealand, Steve moved to the private sector where he continues to advocate for clients in complex immigration cases. He approaches every matter with diligence and professionalism, ensuring each client receives careful attention and detailed analysis. Steve is known for his thorough case preparation and his strong commitment to supporting clients and achieving fair outcomes.
Adolfo Manigsaca
Barrister & Solicitor (Immigration)
Adolfo Manigsaca holds an LLB from New Zealand, an LLB from the Philippines, and a Bachelor of Political Science. He was admitted to the Bar in 2017 and has been practising immigration law since then. Adolfo focuses on immigration and related legal matters, assisting individuals and families with complex immigration processes in New Zealand. He is known for his integrity, careful preparation, and strong ability to organise and prepare visa applications with attention to detail. Adolfo speaks English and Filipino, enabling him to assist clients from diverse backgrounds and guide them through the immigration system with clarity and confidence.
Rohan D'Souza
(Human Rights, Refugee and Protected Persons & Commercial) Multilingual: Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Konkani & English
Rohan D’Souza (LLB, BA(Philosophy)), GradDipTchg(Sec) completed his law degree in New Zealand and has been working as a teacher for over 10 years. He is passionate about Social Justice, advocating for fairness and supporting individuals facing complex legal challenges, particularly in human rights and refugee matters. His teaching background, theological training enables him to explain legal issues clearly and guide clients with patience and understanding. He speaks Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Konkani and English.
Stephanie Bechara
Paralegal (Refugee and Immigration law) (Bilingual: Arabic and English)
Stephanie Bechara is a paralegal assisting with refugee and immigration matters. She is expected to complete her law degree in June 2026 and be admitted to the Bar in November 2026.
Stephanie supports clients with document preparation, case organisation, and communication throughout the immigration process. Being bilingual in Arabic and English, she is able to assist clients from diverse backgrounds and ensure clear and effective communication.
Veerpal Kaur
Paralegal (Bilingual: Hindi, Punjabi & English)
Veerpal Kaur Tuli is a Paralegal at Shabani Law with a background in corporate law, compliance, and business administration. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) from India. Veerpal has experience working in corporate governance and regulatory compliance, including completing her Company Secretary internship with Vivek Hedge & Associates in Bangalore and working as a Senior Manager at Nakshatra Corporate Advisors Limited.
At Shabani Law, Veerpal supports the legal team with legal research, documentation, and case preparation. She brings strong organisational and analytical skills to her work and is committed to assisting clients through complex legal processes. Veerpal speaks Hindi, Punjabi, and English, enabling her to assist clients from diverse backgrounds.
Malika Safdari
Immigration & Refugee Support
Malika Safdari has a strong interest in humanitarian and refugee-related matters. She was studying law in Afghanistan before moving to New Zealand.
Malika also has experience working as a generalist, assisting with a range of legal and administrative matters. She is passionate about helping people, particularly those in vulnerable situations, and is committed to supporting clients through complex legal and immigration processes.
She speaks Farsi, Dari, Pashto, and English, which allows her to communicate effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds. At Shabani Law, Malika assists clients with immigration visa applications and refugee matters, providing valuable support throughout their cases.
Mahyar Behboud
Immigration Visa Assistant (Bilingual Farsi & English)
Mahyar Behboud holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and previously served as the Head of Administrative and Support Affairs at the International Campus of Shiraz University in Iran, a major public research university located in the city of Shiraz.
He has over 25 years of professional experience at Shiraz University, where he developed strong administrative and organisational skills. His extensive experience working with university students has given him a strong understanding of the needs and challenges faced by international students.
At Shabani Law, Mahyar works part-time as an Immigration Visa Assistant, supporting the team with immigration applications and case preparation. He is known for his attention to detail, strong administrative ability, and commitment to assisting clients throughout the immigration process.
Elham Saberi
Education Consultant (Bilingual: Farsi & English)
Elham Saberi Dehkordi is an experienced CELTA-certified English language teacher and Education Consultant with over 18 years of teaching experience, including as an adjunct university lecturer. She holds a Master’s degree in English Language Teaching (ELT) from University of Isfahan and is a PhD candidate in Applied Linguistics at Auckland University of Technology.
Since 2024, Elham has been teaching English in New Zealand as an ESOL teacher at Seafield School of English, a Category One education provider. She speaks English, Persian, and German and is passionate about helping students achieve their academic goals in New Zealand.
Iman Shabani
Administrative Assistant & Support Staff
Iman Shabani works as an Administrative Assistant at Shabani Law, supporting the team with office administration and client services. He assists with organising files, coordinating documentation, and ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations of the firm.
Iman is currently studying Law and Business at the University of Auckland and has a strong academic record. While working at the firm, he is gaining practical experience and developing a strong interest in the legal profession.
