Influential Woman · Immigration law
Richa Malik
Immigration Attorney and Owner, Malik Law, PLLC
Renton, WA 98056
Choosing myself meant becoming the best version of myself to serve others more effectively. When women invest in themselves, they inspire others to do the same.
Richa Malik · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Richa
Richa Malik is an immigration attorney and the founder of Malik Law PLLC in Renton, Washington, where she has built a thriving practice dedicated to serving immigrants and their families. With 15 years of legal experience, she began her career as an attorney in India before immigrating to the United States eight years ago. After arriving in the U.S., she balanced the challenges of adapting to a new legal system, raising a young family, and mastering the complexities of American law while English was her second language. She successfully passed the Oregon State Bar examination, established her own law firm, and today leads a team of 15 professionals that has served more than 5,000 clients.
Malik's practice is driven by a commitment to advocacy, particularly for immigrant women facing vulnerable circumstances. She provides in-house pro bono legal assistance to women from Somalia seeking medical documentation to support claims involving female genital mutilation (FGM)-related persecution. In addition to her legal work, she is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and was elected by King County's District 7 to serve on the Board of Trustees for Harborview Medical Center. Her leadership extends beyond the courtroom as she works to improve access to justice, strengthen public service, and promote equitable opportunities for underserved communities.
Dedicated to lifelong learning and global impact, Malik is currently pursuing a Global Executive Doctor of Education at the University of Southern California, where her research focuses on educational leadership and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence in education. Inspired by her own experiences overcoming barriers and by her father-in-law's encouragement to pursue a career beyond traditional expectations, she remains passionate about empowering women through education and opportunity. Her long-term vision is to return to her village in India to help expand educational access for girls, reflecting her belief that resilience, service, and education have the power to transform lives across generations.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Richa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, determination, and a commitment to pursuing my purpose despite significant challenges. My legal career began in India, and after moving to the United States eight years ago, I built a new career as an immigration attorney while balancing motherhood and establishing my own practice. My personal experiences with unfair treatment inspired me to advocate for women’s rights, and that passion continues to drive my work and my commitment to helping others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received came from my father-in-law, who reminded me that being a housewife was not the limit of my potential. His encouragement challenged me to pursue my ambitions and reinforced my belief that women should never place limits on what they are capable of achieving.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to keep moving forward, work hard, and believe in your abilities. I firmly believe that with determination, perseverance, and a willingness to put in the effort, anything you set your mind to is possible.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I faced in my field was learning an entirely new legal system in a foreign language while simultaneously navigating postpartum recovery and the responsibilities of motherhood. Although these obstacles were significant, they strengthened my resilience and reinforced my commitment to building a meaningful legal career.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are service, education, and empowering others. Through my work as an immigration attorney, I am passionate about supporting immigrant women, particularly those from Somalia, and I am pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Southern California to help expand educational opportunities for girls in my home village in India, believing that education has the power to transform lives and communities.
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