Magda El Haitem
Founding PartnerMagda El Haitem is a Paris Bar-registered lawyer and founder of El Haitem ◆ Law, a firm entirely dedicated to immigration law and international mobility.
Her approach to immigration law is shaped by a distinctive background, deeply rooted in international experience and a strong commitment to human rights.
Comprehensive Expertise in Immigration Law
Immigration Law — Individuals
Visas, residence permits, family reunification, regularisation, change of status, and long-term residence permits.
French Citizenship
Naturalisation, citizenship through marriage, descent, or birth in France. Appeals in the event of refusal or deferral before the competent courts.
Removal Orders and Deportation Measures
Urgent representation before administrative courts. Appeals against OQTF, re-entry bans, and house arrest measures.
Asylum Law and Human Rights
Assistance to asylum seekers (OFPRA, CNDA) in collaboration with associations and asylum centres (CADA). Expertise in international human rights protection mechanisms (European Court of Human Rights, Geneva Convention, United Nations mechanisms).
International Mobility — Companies
Work permits, talent passports, intra-group mobility, secondment, regularization through employment or on the basis of private and family life
Foreign Entrepreneurs and Investors
Assistance to foreign entrepreneurs and investors in establishing and developing their activities in France.
An International Career Of 6 Years
Before founding her practice in Paris, Magda El Haitem worked for several years abroad within international organisations, NGOs, and law firms. This experience took her across different regions of the world and provided her with a global perspective on the challenges of international mobility.
Transitional JusticeShe began her career focusing on transitional justice within international organisations, working on issues related to large-scale human rights violations, international criminal responsibility, and reconciliation processes. This formative experience shaped her conviction that the law is a tool for protecting the most vulnerable, and that legal support cannot be reduced to a purely technical exercise.
Experience in LondonShe then practised in London within a law firm handling extradition, business criminal law, and the protection of fundamental rights. Her experience in a common law environment enabled her to develop a rigorous approach to litigation and the ability to handle complex cases involving multiple jurisdictions. She also developed a strong command of legal English, which she uses daily in advising her international clients.
Creation of El Haitem Law in ParisThrough her international experience, Magda El Haitem has come to understand that mobility is not only an administrative process, but also a human and political reality. The challenges associated with administrative procedures, uncertainty around residence status, and the impact of visa refusals are realities she understands firsthand. This perspective informs a practice grounded in the lived experience of migration.
A Commitment to Human Rights
Magda El Haitem's commitment to human rights is not separated from her legal practice-it is its foundation.
With a background in international law and human rights, she has worked with numerous international organisations and NGOs on issues relating to the protection of fundamental freedoms, transitional justice, and international human rights mechanisms.
This expertise directly informs her work in immigration law. She draws on international human rights instruments—including the European Convention on Human Rights, the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and United Nations treaties—in the defense of her clients, particularly in asylum and removal cases.
Media Presence
Allô 213 What is the purpose of the 1968 Franco-Algerian Agreement? Mediapart Digitalisation of public services: when a lack of response from the prefecture puts lives on hold Slate.fr Talking about "good" and "bad" migrants is already racist Bondy Blog “Immigration: the long wait for family reunification” Slate.fr “French citizens from ethnic minority backgrounds reluctant to take part in protests” Dialna.fr Profile: Magda El Haitem Commun Exil Defending Exiled Individuals Heya Podcast “Magda El Haitem: A Career in Perspective”Do You Have a Project? Let's Discuss It.
An initial consultation allows for an assessment of your situation and the definition of the most appropriate strategy.