Arghavan Eftekhari, who can practice law in both the U.S. and Canada, recently joined Goodman Acker as one of the personal injury law firm’s newest attorneys.
By Julie Freer
Legal News
Arghavan Eftekhari’s first job in the legal world was working as a legal assistant at a small immigration law firm in Canada.
“I supported our efforts in handling citizenship, work permits, student visas, and family sponsorships,” said Eftekhari, who was born in Iran. “That work was especially meaningful to me because my own family immigrated to Canada when I was young. Being able to help others navigate that same process felt like a full-circle moment. I also had clients who solely spoke Farsi, and as someone fluent in Farsi, I was able to communicate directly with them, which made the experience more rewarding.”
Last May, Eftekhari graduated with a Dual JD from the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy, enabling her to practice law in the U.S. and Canada after passing the respective bar exams. In October, she joined Goodman Acker’s Southfield office as one of the newest attorneys at the personal injury law firm.
“Goodman Acker has such a strong reputation for not only advocating for clients but also educating them about their rights, and that aligns perfectly with my own values,” said Eftekhari. “I’m excited to keep learning, growing, and building relationships with clients while helping them navigate challenging situations with empathy and understanding.”
The journey to law school
Eftekhari grew up in Richmond Hill, a suburb of Toronto, with parents who both work in math and science, but says she knew early on that those fields weren’t suited for her.
“I think I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer,” said Eftekhari. “I remember taking those ‘what career fits you?’ quizzes in school, and they always said things like judge, lawyer or investigator. Even as a kid, my mom would tell me I should be a lawyer because I loved to argue but usually made good points.”
Her parents’ journey, immigrating to Canada from Iran in 2002 when she was 3 years old, was a powerful inspiration for Eftekhari.
“My mom, especially, has been my greatest role model,” said Eftekhari. “She left everything behind in Iran to build a new life and career in Canada, and she’s the hardest working person I know. Watching her determination and drive shaped how I approach my goals. She is so intelligent and has always believed in me and my capabilities.”
Eftekhari attended York University in Toronto, where she earned a bachelor of arts in Law and Society, as well as a Public Administration and Law certificate. She started the Dual JD Program in September of 2022, spending about two days a week at Detroit Mercy and two in Windsor, studying both legal systems simultaneously.
“It was definitely challenging, especially at first,” said Eftekhari. “Some subjects, like torts and contracts, are very similar across both systems, but others, like constitutional or criminal law, are completely different. It was fascinating to learn how two neighboring countries with so much in common can have such distinct legal frameworks.”
While in law school, Eftekhari worked a summer internship at Equity Alliance of Michigan, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Detroit focused on supporting entrepreneurs in under-resourced neighborhoods.
“The organization aimed to bring wealth and opportunity back to the community by helping residents start small businesses,” said Eftekhari. “One of my main projects there was developing a ‘How to Start a Nonprofit’ handbook that provided guidance on the incorporation and compliance process, complete with a big, bold reminder to consult a lawyer as part of that process!”
She also worked on voter demographics and property deed transfer initiatives while at the organization.
“We discovered that in some neighborhoods, property was often passed down informally, without proper legal documentation,” said Eftekhari. “That meant families couldn’t claim ownership for tax or wealth-building purposes. We put together educational materials and hosted workshops to help residents understand their options and where to go for help. Even though we couldn’t provide legal advice as students, being able to education people about their rights and resources was impactful.”
A change in focus
Although she initially thought she might be interested in criminal law, after learning more about it, she decided it was not a fit.
“I considered doing transactional work for a while, but I’m too social to be behind a desk all day,” said Eftekhari.
Prior to joining Goodman Acker, Eftekhari worked as a law clerk at a personal injury firm for about six months.
“That was my first real introduction to personal injury law, and I immediately realized how much I enjoyed it,” said Eftekhari. “I’ve always been drawn to work that involves helping others and giving back, so discovering that personal injury law allows me to do both was really rewarding.
“The most fulfilling part of my work is helping clients feel supported during some of the most difficult times in their lives,” she continued. “I love being able to empower people and give them confidence that they have someone in their corner advocating for them.”
What might surprise people about the work, she said, is how emotionally involved it can be.
“It’s not just about the legal process; it’s about compassion and connection,” said Eftekhari. “The most challenging part, at least for me right now, is reviewing case evidence, especially injury photos. Seeing the physical impact of an accident can be difficult, but it also reminds me why this work matters and how important it is to fight for our clients’ recovery and justice.”
In her downtime, Eftekhari enjoys spending time with friends and family, attending concerts, spending time with her cat, Olive, cooking and baking, crocheting, watching Formula 1 and staying active. She also enjoys volleyball, playing the sport for the past 13 years and coaching it since 2018. She currently coaches a 16-U travel team called Rose City United in Windsor. They compete across Ontario and the U.S.
“Coaching is one of the most rewarding things I do, it’s like mentoring younger versions of myself and I get to coach with two amazing people who are just as passionate as myself,” said Eftekhari.
She also volunteers at the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families in Windsor.
“It’s a homeless shelter that provides housing for women, families, and single fathers with children,” said Eftekhari. “I help with their kids’ program, which is full of games, crafts and activities. It’s such a small way to give back, but it means a lot to me.”
Legal News
Arghavan Eftekhari’s first job in the legal world was working as a legal assistant at a small immigration law firm in Canada.
“I supported our efforts in handling citizenship, work permits, student visas, and family sponsorships,” said Eftekhari, who was born in Iran. “That work was especially meaningful to me because my own family immigrated to Canada when I was young. Being able to help others navigate that same process felt like a full-circle moment. I also had clients who solely spoke Farsi, and as someone fluent in Farsi, I was able to communicate directly with them, which made the experience more rewarding.”
Last May, Eftekhari graduated with a Dual JD from the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit Mercy, enabling her to practice law in the U.S. and Canada after passing the respective bar exams. In October, she joined Goodman Acker’s Southfield office as one of the newest attorneys at the personal injury law firm.
“Goodman Acker has such a strong reputation for not only advocating for clients but also educating them about their rights, and that aligns perfectly with my own values,” said Eftekhari. “I’m excited to keep learning, growing, and building relationships with clients while helping them navigate challenging situations with empathy and understanding.”
The journey to law school
Eftekhari grew up in Richmond Hill, a suburb of Toronto, with parents who both work in math and science, but says she knew early on that those fields weren’t suited for her.
“I think I always knew I wanted to be a lawyer,” said Eftekhari. “I remember taking those ‘what career fits you?’ quizzes in school, and they always said things like judge, lawyer or investigator. Even as a kid, my mom would tell me I should be a lawyer because I loved to argue but usually made good points.”
Her parents’ journey, immigrating to Canada from Iran in 2002 when she was 3 years old, was a powerful inspiration for Eftekhari.
“My mom, especially, has been my greatest role model,” said Eftekhari. “She left everything behind in Iran to build a new life and career in Canada, and she’s the hardest working person I know. Watching her determination and drive shaped how I approach my goals. She is so intelligent and has always believed in me and my capabilities.”
Eftekhari attended York University in Toronto, where she earned a bachelor of arts in Law and Society, as well as a Public Administration and Law certificate. She started the Dual JD Program in September of 2022, spending about two days a week at Detroit Mercy and two in Windsor, studying both legal systems simultaneously.
“It was definitely challenging, especially at first,” said Eftekhari. “Some subjects, like torts and contracts, are very similar across both systems, but others, like constitutional or criminal law, are completely different. It was fascinating to learn how two neighboring countries with so much in common can have such distinct legal frameworks.”
While in law school, Eftekhari worked a summer internship at Equity Alliance of Michigan, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Detroit focused on supporting entrepreneurs in under-resourced neighborhoods.
“The organization aimed to bring wealth and opportunity back to the community by helping residents start small businesses,” said Eftekhari. “One of my main projects there was developing a ‘How to Start a Nonprofit’ handbook that provided guidance on the incorporation and compliance process, complete with a big, bold reminder to consult a lawyer as part of that process!”
She also worked on voter demographics and property deed transfer initiatives while at the organization.
“We discovered that in some neighborhoods, property was often passed down informally, without proper legal documentation,” said Eftekhari. “That meant families couldn’t claim ownership for tax or wealth-building purposes. We put together educational materials and hosted workshops to help residents understand their options and where to go for help. Even though we couldn’t provide legal advice as students, being able to education people about their rights and resources was impactful.”
A change in focus
Although she initially thought she might be interested in criminal law, after learning more about it, she decided it was not a fit.
“I considered doing transactional work for a while, but I’m too social to be behind a desk all day,” said Eftekhari.
Prior to joining Goodman Acker, Eftekhari worked as a law clerk at a personal injury firm for about six months.
“That was my first real introduction to personal injury law, and I immediately realized how much I enjoyed it,” said Eftekhari. “I’ve always been drawn to work that involves helping others and giving back, so discovering that personal injury law allows me to do both was really rewarding.
“The most fulfilling part of my work is helping clients feel supported during some of the most difficult times in their lives,” she continued. “I love being able to empower people and give them confidence that they have someone in their corner advocating for them.”
What might surprise people about the work, she said, is how emotionally involved it can be.
“It’s not just about the legal process; it’s about compassion and connection,” said Eftekhari. “The most challenging part, at least for me right now, is reviewing case evidence, especially injury photos. Seeing the physical impact of an accident can be difficult, but it also reminds me why this work matters and how important it is to fight for our clients’ recovery and justice.”
In her downtime, Eftekhari enjoys spending time with friends and family, attending concerts, spending time with her cat, Olive, cooking and baking, crocheting, watching Formula 1 and staying active. She also enjoys volleyball, playing the sport for the past 13 years and coaching it since 2018. She currently coaches a 16-U travel team called Rose City United in Windsor. They compete across Ontario and the U.S.
“Coaching is one of the most rewarding things I do, it’s like mentoring younger versions of myself and I get to coach with two amazing people who are just as passionate as myself,” said Eftekhari.
She also volunteers at the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families in Windsor.
“It’s a homeless shelter that provides housing for women, families, and single fathers with children,” said Eftekhari. “I help with their kids’ program, which is full of games, crafts and activities. It’s such a small way to give back, but it means a lot to me.”
Arghavan Eftekhari is pictured at her graduation from the University of Windsor with her parents, Mina Akbari and Hossein Eftekhari.
Arghavan Eftekhari, far right, coaches the Rose City United volleyball team, a 16-U travel team based out of Windsor.
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