Selma Difallah

Legal Officer — Immigration Law

Selma Difallah is a legal officer at El Haitem ◆ Law, where she focuses on immigration law and the protection of fundamental rights. She combines a strong academic background in international law and human rights with four years of experience at the Rouen Court of Appeal, where she worked at the core of the judicial decision-making process.

This dual background enables her to contribute with precision and analytical depth to the preparation and handling of the firm's cases, particularly in complex or contentious matters.

4 years of court experience
2 Law Master's degrees
100% dedicated to immigration law

Academic Background in International Law and Fundamental Rights

Selma Difallah holds a Bachelor's degree in Law from the University of Rouen, where she acquired a solid grounding in French law before specialising in international legal matters.

 

She then completed a Master's degree in International and European Law, gaining in-depth knowledge of European Union law, public international law, and human rights protection mechanisms at both European and international levels.

 

She further specialised with a Master's degree in the Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms, covering the legal frameworks safeguarding individual and collective rights at national level (Constitutional Council, Defender of Rights), European level (European Court of Human Rights), and international level (United Nations mechanisms).

This academic background provides a strong foundation for the practice of immigration law, a field in which fundamental rights—such as the right to family life, the right to asylum, the prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to an effective remedy - are central.

Four Years of Experience at the Court of Appeal

Following her studies, Selma Difallah joined the Rouen Court of Appeal as a judicial assistant, a position she held for four years. Working at the heart of the judicial process, she developed a thorough understanding of litigation, including case analysis, legal research, drafting of memoranda and judicial briefs, and procedural follow-up.

 

This experience provided her with practical insight into how courts operate, the expectations of judges, and how cases are assessed in practice. She is familiar with the procedural and substantive requirements that are decisive in both administrative and litigation proceedings.

Her time within the judiciary also strengthened her expertise in legal research and case law monitoring, which she applies daily in her work at the firm, particularly in identifying the most relevant and recent decisions in immigration law.

Her Role at the Firm El Haitem ◆ Law

Preparation of Case Files

Gathering supporting documents, ensuring compliance with prefectural and consular requirements, and drafting supporting letters and legal submissions.

Legal Research

Analysis of applicable laws and regulations (CESEDA, circulars, case law), and monitoring of legal developments in immigration law.

Procedural Follow-up

Coordination with prefectures, follow-ups, and management of deadlines.

Client Support

Personalised follow-up of each case, responsiveness to administrative requests, and availability to clients.

Her rigour in case preparation and her understanding of judicial processes are key assets for the firm's clients, particularly in litigation matters (appeals against residence permit refusals, removal orders, or naturalisation deferrals), where the quality of legal argumentation is essential.

A Commitment to Rights and Freedoms

Selma Difallah's commitment to the protection of individual rights and freedoms is central to her work. It is this commitment that led her to move from the judicial environment to direct involvement in the defense of foreign nationals, in a field where human considerations are central.

 

Her sensitivity to fundamental rights issues, shaped by both her academic background and judicial experience, allows her to approach each case with particular attention to the rights of the individual concerned.

 

She works closely with Magda El Haitem on a daily basis to ensure the consistency and quality of each case handled by the firm. Her presence ensures continuous and personalised follow-up, particularly during periods of high activity where responsiveness is critical to avoiding administrative delays or obstacles.

Background and qualifications

Legal Officer at El Haitem ◆ LawImmigration Law and fundamental rights

Legal AssistantRouen Court of Appeal for 4 years

Master's degreeProtection of fundamental rights and freedoms

Master's degreeInternational and European law

Master's degreeLitigation law

Bachelor's degree in LawUniversity of Rouen

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