ATTORNEY JENNIFER M. GILLIES
Jennifer Gillies launched her career in immigration law in 2013. While working at a small immigration firm she developed a passion for immigration law and an expertise in handling asylum and family-based immigration matters.
Attorney Gillies opened Gillies Law, PLLC in 2022 with a focus solely on the practice of immigration law. Attorney Gillies has extensive experience handling cases before the Immigration Court and the Board of Immigration Appeals and she represents numerous clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Attorney Gillies is a native Mainer. She received her undergraduate degree from Boston University (B.A., 2009) and her Law Degree from the University of Maine School of Law (J.D., 2013). She is a member of several professional organizations including the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
ATTORNEY LAUREN KOUSAIE
Attorney Lauren Kousaie has been practicing immigration law in the Portland, Maine area since 2016. Her passion for the practice of immigration law is motivated by her belief that people from all countries, cultures, and backgrounds should find a welcoming home in the United States.
Lauren joined Gillies Law, PLLC in June of 2022 after working with Attorney Gillies for 7 years at their prior firm. Attorney Kousaie has handled many cases before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Attorney Kousaie is a native Mainer from Piscataquis County. She received her undergraduate degree from McGill University (B.A. 2012) and her Law Degree from the University of Maine School of Law (J.D., 2016). She is admitted to the practice of law in the State of Maine and is a member of several professional organizations including the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). She is fluent in Spanish.
JOSETTE WEST
Josette West began her career as a paralegal in 2017, working alongside Jennifer Gillies and Lauren Kousaie at a small immigration law firm. There, she quickly realized her passion for assisting Maine's immigrant community in establishing their lives in the United States and reuniting with family. From 2017 to 2022, Josette gained in-depth experience supporting attorneys with asylum and family-based cases, managing client intake, and preparing clients throughout each step of their case.
In March of 2022, Josette joined a small family law firm in Portland as a paralegal, where she supported attorneys handling divorce, parental rights, and estate planning cases. In February of 2024, Josette joined Gillies Law, and is thrilled to once again dedicate her skills to assisting anyone wishing to build a life in the United States.
Josette is a native of Minnesota, and has lived in New England since 2015. She received her undergraduate degree from Tufts University (B.A. 2014) in International Relations and French. She received her Paralegal Studies Certificate from Boston University in 2019. Josette is a former member of AmeriCorps, an avid traveler, and is fluent in French.
EUNICE MUCULU
Eunice is originally from Angola and migrated to Maine in 2015. She enjoys living in Maine, as it has provided her with opportunities to explore the local culture and forge connections with people from different backgrounds.
Her interest in the field of immigration is deeply rooted, as she is an immigrant herself and also an active member of her community. She is motivated to pursue a career in immigration law so that she may assist people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Eunice joined Gillies Law, PLLC, in January 2024 as an administrative assistant. Her primary goal is to cultivate her professional growth and acquire new skills while working alongside experienced lawyers and working with people from all over the globe.
Eunice is a graduate of the University of Southern Maine with a bachelor degree in criminology and is an Olympia Snowe Women's Leadership Institute alumni. She is fluent in French, Portuguese, and Lingala.
RACHEL BRUNS
Rachel joined Gillies Law, PLLC in 2024. Before joining the firm, Rachel gained experience while still working towards her Law Degree by practicing as a student attorney on a variety of cases. During this time, she focused on the area of asylum, which fostered her passion for immigration. Now, Rachel is dedicated to helping folks of all backgrounds navigate their immigration journey.
Rachel loves her home state of Maine. She received her undergraduate degree from Saint Joseph's College of Maine (B.A. 2021) and her Law Degree from the University of Maine School of Law (J.D. 2024).
Isa joined Gillies Law, PLLC in March 2023 as a virtual legal assistant. She is from Brazil, where she resides with her family. She has over 13 years of legal experience as a legal intern and a private attorney.
She received her Law Degree in 2016 from the Federal University of Espirito Santo in Vitória, Brazil, and she is a member of the Brazilian Bar Association.
She appreciates working at Gillies Law, PLLC because it gives her the opportunity to learn about U.S. immigration law and help people from all over the world find a better life in the United States. Isa is fluent in Portuguese.