I wrote this book for the person I was when I arrived — the one who needed a guide but could not find one, who had all the qualifications but none of the local knowledge, who was competent at everything except at being new.— Dr Mehdi Soodi, Doncaster, Victoria
The Journey
From a departure lounge to the Supreme Court
Dr Mehdi Soodi arrived in Australia in 2002 with a Bachelor of Engineering, a family of four, no established professional network, no Australian qualifications, and no clear roadmap for building a professional career in a new country. What he did possess was a conviction shared by many migrants: that opportunity remains open to those prepared to pursue it with discipline, resilience, and sustained effort.
He gradually created that pathway for himself. In 2003, he became a NAATI-accredited Persian to English translator. He went on to work for two decades as an engineer while completing a Master’s degree and a PhD in Materials Science.
His professional journey later expanded into Australian immigration and legal practice, culminating in the completion of a Juris Doctor and his admission in 2023 to practise as an Australian lawyer and officer of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
He subsequently obtained an unrestricted practising certificate and established his own legal practices, bringing together his technical, academic, linguistic, migration, and legal experience to serve individuals, families, and businesses across Australia.
Arrives in Australia with a Bachelor of Engineering and a family of four
NAATI-accredited Persian (Farsi) to English translator — founds his translation practice
Master of Engineering (Monash) and PhD in Materials Science (Swinburne) while working two decades as an engineer
Founds Falcon Visas, a specialist migration law practice
Juris Doctor (Monash) — admitted to practise as an Australian lawyer and officer of the Supreme Court of Victoria
Principal of Ahura Lawyers, Falcon Visas and his NAATI translation practice — Doncaster, Victoria
Three Practices, One Purpose
Serving the whole migrant experience
The breadth of Dr Soodi's professional life is deliberate. A family seeking migration assistance may later need conveyancing, estate planning or other legal services. A person reviewing a tenancy agreement may need translation, legal advice or both. He built three practices because he understood, from his own experience, that the needs of migrants can be integrated and holistic.
Ahura Lawyers
Commercial and corporate law, contracts, employment law, intellectual property and trade marks, wills and estates, conveyancing, and civil and commercial litigation.
A separate professional legal service.
Visit Ahura Lawyers →
Falcon Immigration & Visa Services
Specialist migration assistance for visa, citizenship, review, cancellation and compliance matters.
A separate professional migration service.
Visit Falcon Visas →
NAATI Translations
Accredited Persian to English translation for individuals, legal professionals and institutions.
A separate professional translation service.
Visit NAATI Translations →Qualifications & Registrations
The credentials behind the counsel
- AcademicPhD in Materials Science — Swinburne University of Technology
- AcademicMaster of Engineering, Materials Engineering — Monash University
- AcademicJuris Doctor of Law — Monash University
- AcademicGraduate Diploma, Australian Immigration Law — Victoria University
- LegalAdmitted to practise as an Australian lawyer and officer of the Supreme Court of Victoria
- LegalUnrestricted Victorian Practising Certificate — Victorian Legal Services Board + Commissioner
- ProfessionalPrincipal Solicitor at Ahura Lawyers
- ProfessionalPrincipal Migration Lawyer at Falcon Immigration & Visa Services
- TranslationNAATI Accredited Persian to English Translator
Family & Home
A small proof of the argument
Dr Soodi lives in Melbourne with his wife and family. Their daughters' achievements across law, access to justice and psychology reflect the opportunities the family has pursued in Australia.
They brought their experience, identity and ambition to Australia. Australia gave them the opportunity to expand each of them.
What was built between those two gifts is not a story of assimilation. It is a story of expansion.
Speak with Dr Soodi's Team