Practice Areas: Immigration, Bankruptcy
Licensed in Ohio since: 2002
Education: The University of Akron School of Law
Languages Spoken: English, Gujarati, Hindi
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2022 - 2025 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2012 Details
A partner at the law firm of Brennan, Manna & Diamond, Duriya Dhinojwala is an experienced attorney concentrating on the areas of immigration, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, based in Akron, Ohio. Representing clients in federal and state courts across Ohio, she has been in the field for over two decades. She has acquired proficiency in handling matters related to:
- Family-based immigrant visa
- Employment-based immigrant visa
- Permanent residency
- Nonimmigrant visas
- I-9 compliance
- Creditors’ rights, collections and bankruptcy
Admitted to practice in Ohio, Ms. Dhinojwala has admissions to the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. Catering to all aspects of family-based visas and others, she also handles the same for their immediate family members, spouses and fiancés; for persons of extraordinary ability, employment creation investors; and for traders and investors, religious vocation, athletes and entertainers, and tourists.
In addition to representing individuals and government entities in various aspects of the immigration process and helping them with filing petitions with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Ms. Dhinojwala also checks for I-9 compliance and provides knowledgeable counsel on employers’ rights and responsibilities. Furthermore, she has extensive experience with handling bankruptcy litigation and offers guidance on topics of creditors’ rights and collections.
Graduating with her law degree from The University of Akron School of Law in 2002, Ms. Dhinojwala earned her admission to the Ohio State Bar Association in the same year. Rated “Very Good” on Avvo, she also maintains affiliations with several prestigious legal associations, including the Ohio State Bar Association, the Medina County Bar Association, the Akron Bar Association and the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Ms. Dhinojwala’s interest in community-oriented activities and pro bono work has been recognized with many honors. It includes the John and Ginny Elam Pro Bono Attorney Award by the Ohio State Bar Association and Community Legal Aid’s (Northeast Ohio) Pro Bono Attorney of the Year. She was also selected as a fellow of the Akron Bar Association Foundation.
Practice areas
Immigration: Business, Bankruptcy: Business- 80% Immigration: Business
- 20% Bankruptcy: Business
First Admitted: 2002, Ohio
Professional Webpage: https://www.bmdllc.com/team/duriya-dhinojwala/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- 2021 Diversity Co-Chair of the Akron Bar Association; Member of Ohio State Bar Association; Member of Akron Bar Association 1998 to present; Member of Medina Bar Association, 2008 to present; Member of American Immigration Lawyers Association 2010 to present; Akron Municipal Court Mediation Certificate, 2021
- Board member - The University of Akron Women in Philanthropy Committee. 2023 to present., 2023
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- Crain's Notables in the Law, Northeast Ohio, 2022
- Elam Pro Bono Attorney Award by the Ohio State Bar Foundation, 2021
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Oglesby v. Sunrise Coop., Inc., 2014 Bankr. LEXIS 4104 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio, 2014)
- In Re World, Metals, 313 B.R. 720 (2004)
- Flexsys Am., LP v. Kumho Tire, U.S.A., 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 48947, 2005 WL 1126750 (N.D. Ohio, 2005)
- Dodd v. Keybank, 2006 WL 62432, 2006-Ohio-93 (Ohio App. 8th Dist., 2006)
- Found. for Moral Law, Inc. v. Infocision Mgmt. Corp., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 108117 (N.D. Ohio, 2008)
- Joe Hand Promotions v. Himmelberg, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 48124, 2012 WL 1142939 (S.D. Ohio, 2012)
- HHL Group, Inc. v. Ken's Auto Serv. Ctr., 2011-Ohio-1153, 2011 Ohio App. LEXIS 993, 2011 WL 860427 (Ohio Ct. App., Medina County, 2011)
- First Knox Nat'l Bank Div. of PNB v. Welling (In re Welling), 2013 Bankr. LEXIS 2890, 2013 WL 3760112 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio, 2013)
- Vincent Clemens Trust v. Levengood, 2014-Ohio-2922, 2014 Ohio App. LEXIS 2858, 2014 WL 2980948 (Ohio Ct. App., Knox County, 2014)
- 2021: appointed as special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on immigration matters for colleges and universities since 2016 to the present time. Oglesby v. Sunrise Coop., Inc., 2014 Bankr. LEXIS 4104 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio, 2014) Vincent Clemens Trust v. Levengood, 2014-Ohio-2922, 2014 Ohio App. LEXIS 2858, 2014 WL 2980948 (Ohio Ct. App., Knox County, 2014) First Knox Nat'l Bank Div. of PNB v. Welling (In re Welling), 2013 Bankr. LEXIS 2890, 2013 WL 3760112 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio, 2013) HHL Group, Inc. v. Ken's Auto Serv. Ctr., 2011-Ohio-1153, 2011 Ohio App. LEXIS 993, 2011 WL 860427 (Ohio Ct. App., Medina County, 2011) Joe Hand Promotions v. Himmelberg, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 48124, 2012 WL 1142939 (S.D. Ohio, 2012) Found. for Moral Law, Inc. v. Infocision Mgmt. Corp., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 108117 (N.D. Ohio, 2008) Dodd v. Keybank, 2006 WL 62432, 2006-Ohio-93 (Ohio App. 8th Dist., 2006)Flexsys Am., LP v. Kumho Tire, U.S.A., 2005 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 48947, 2005 WL 1126750 (N.D. Ohio, 2005) , 2021
Representative Clients:
- Special Counsel to the Attorney General's Office for immigration services to The University of Akron and other state universities or colleges; immigration counsel to various hospitals and private companies in Ohio and other states, 2024
Transactions:
- Duriya Dhinojwala (DD) focuses her practice in the areas of immigration, bankruptcy and creditors’ rights. DD has successfully obtained employment based green cards and H-1B visas for hundreds of clients. DD also represents corporations, colleges, universities, as well as individuals, in all aspects of the immigration process by preparing and guiding them in all steps related to filing a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). She has been appointed as special counsel to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for the fiscal years 2010 to 2013 and 2016 to 2021. The special counsel position helps her target immigration work at the state university level. , 2021
- BMD Webinar presentation on workout options under COVID19, May 2020 BMD Client Alert on H-1B new registration process, March 2020I-9 Compliance and Conducting Internal Audits for Healthcare Providers, Marietta Memorial Hospital, January 2018 Invited Speaker, I-9 Compliance, Everify and Audits, Ohio Attorney General’s Conference on International Students and Workforce, November 2017, 2020
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- J.D. University of Akron, School of Law, 2002
- J.D. Degree and Licensed to Practice Law in Ohio since 2002 and national practice as an immigration lawyer. Admitted pro hac vice on a case-by-case basis throughout the country., 2023
Pro bono/Community Service:
- 2021: Invited to become a board member and legal counsel of the Association of Asian Indian Women in Ohio (AAIWO). AAIWO offers assistance and help to women and elders who need shelter, face domestic abuse, mental health issues or cultural issues. AAIWO also offers scholarships to students2020: Selected as one of the Women of Note, Crain’s Cleveland Business (June 29, 2020 issue)2019: Awarded the Community Legal Aid (North East Ohio) Pro Bono Attorney of the Year 2016 to present: Brennan, Manna & Diamond's Pro Bono Committee Chair since 2016, 2021
- As a Board member and a volunteer attorney for Community Legal Aid in North East Ohio, I serve both at the top leadership level and on the front lines. My passion for justice and for serving others drove me to create an annual weekend legal clinic (with my law firm's pro-bono committee) in one of Akron's most economically depressed neighborhoods. A feat I was honored for as Community Legal Aid's 2019 Volunteer of the Year for my pro bono work., 2024
Honors/Awards:
- Basic Legal Research, Top A
- India Sunday School in Akron (non-profit entity), Past Chair and Vice Chair
- Akron Municipal Court Mediation, Certificate
- Dean’s List: Spring 2002, Fall 2001
- Crain's Cleveland Notables In Law, 2022
- Cali Award for Student Excellence, 2001, Employment Discrimination Law, Top A
- Cali Award for Student Excellence, 2001, Commercial Law II, Top A
- Special counsel to Ohio Attorney General’s Office, 2010 to 2013 and 2016 to present
- Selected as the Rising Star by the Super Lawyers magazine based on peer review, 2012
- BMD Pro Bono Committee, Co-Chair since 2016
- Community Legal Aid Investment Committee Chair, (2015 to 2019)
- Community Legal Aid, Board Member since 2014
- Akron Bar Association Foundation Fellow, (nominated and selected in 2019)
- 2019 Community Legal Aid (North East Ohio), Pro Bono Attorney of the Year
- 2020 Women of Note, Crain’s Cleveland Business, (June 29, 2020)
- Sound of Ideas, WVIZ 90.3 radio channel, covered, July 29, 2020
- Indian Cultural Association of Greater Akron, Pro Bono Legal Counsel and Board Member (2021)
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Advocacy Committee Member (2021)
- 2021 Elam Pro Bono Attorney Award, given annually by the Ohio State Bar Foundation to one attorney who selflessly donates his or her time and talent to pro bono causes
- Ohio Super Lawyers, (2022-2023)
Educational Background:
- J.D. from the School of Law, The University of Akron, 2002 Admitted to Ohio Bar, November 2002 Admitted to United States District Court and United States Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Ohio, 2003; Southern District of Ohio, 2009 Admitted to Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit, 2004, 2002
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- BMD Client Alert on H-1B new registration process, March 2020; Discussed the recent changes in the H-1B registration system and how to comply with the H-1B lottery system and process.Other Writings: I-9 Compliance and Conducting Internal Audits for Healthcare Providers, Marietta Memorial Hospital, January 2018; Invited Speaker, I-9 Compliance, Everify and Audits, Ohio Attorney General’s Conference on International Students and Workforce, November 2017; Don’t Let Your Subpoena Fall Through the Cracks (published in the OSBA magazine, Ohio Lawyer) March 2008;, H-1B new registration process, March 2020, Immigration Law, 2020
- Commentary on the 2004 Amendment to Ohio Civil Rules 33 and 36 (published in the Akron Bar Association magazine, Examiner) September 2005.
- Practice Tips, Complying with Civil Rules 33 and 36 (published in the OSBA magazine, Ohio Lawyer) January/February 2006
- Group Presentation: Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, November 2006, Scanlon Inns of Court
- Group Presentation: How to Build a Successful Law Practice from a Female Perspective, October 2007, Scanlon Inns of Court
- Don’t Let Your Subpoena Fall Through the Cracks (published in the OSBA magazine, Ohio Lawyer) March/April 2008
- Invited Speaker, I-9 Compliance, E-verify and Audits, Ohio Attorney General’s Conference on International Students and Workforce, November 2017, Columbus, Ohio
- I-9 Compliance and Conducting Internal Audits for Healthcare Providers, Marietta Memorial Hospital, January 2018
- BMD Client Alert on H-1B new registration process, March 2020
- BMD Webinar presentation on bankruptcy and workout options under COVID19, May 2020
- India News International (Ohio's Asian-Indian Newspaper) Article (July 2020)
- Immigration Attorney Talks Crisis in Ukraine, Community Legal Aid, April 2022
- Immigration attorney talks crisis in UkraineBy Duriya Dhinojwala, member of Legal Aid’s Board of Trustees, Immigration Attorney Talks about Ukraine Crisis, 2022
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Routinely invited to speak in the Asian community at various events. Attend BharatFM live newscast on Facebook and YouTube of AAIWO on March 19, 2021Covered by India International newspaper in July 2020. Served as past Chair and Vice Chair of the India Sunday School in Akron, Ohio. , 2021
Industry Groups:
- Creditor Rights And Bankruptcy
- Immigration
Selections
4 Years Super Lawyers
1 Year Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2022 - 2025
- Rising Stars: 2012
