Phil Robertson, Esq.
Litigation Director
Phil Robertson served as CAIR-Chicago's Litigation Director. Phil received his Bachelor's degree in journalism from Marquette University and his law degree from Northern Illinois University. After passing the bar, Phil opened his own law practice in DeKalb, Illinois, focusing on personal injury, criminal and family law cases. In 1993, he took an appointment as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Illinois in the General Law Bureau of the Illinois Attorney General's Office in Chicago. There, he focused on civil rights cases on behalf of several departments and agencies in the state. Since then, Phil has worked in a variety of areas - in both the private and public sector - including real estate, land use and zoning, municipal, government and administrative law, labor and employment security, charitable trust law, whistleblower cases, health care and pharmaceutical law, elder law, estate planning, tax law and debt collection. In 2002, he became the Director of the Rockford Regional Office for the Illinois Attorney General's Office. Prior to joining CAIR-Chicago, Phil opened his own law firm in Crystal Lake, Illinois, where he served businesses in and around McHenry, Lake, Kane, Boone and DeKalb counties.
Gazala Ali
Office Administrator
Gazala graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and holds a Certificate in Islamic Education. She has more than ten years of extensive experience in providing comprehensive administrative support across diverse organizations. Her professional journey spans in teaching, active participation in private schools, and a profound dedication and passion to nonprofit causes. Gazala possesses an unwavering commitment to attaining organizational objectives, promoting positive change, and collaborating with fellow members for a overall improvement. Inspired by CAIR’s advocacy work, she is eager to contribute within the current socio-political landscape. Beyond her professional endeavors, she finds joy in traveling and spending quality time with family.
Haazim Patel
American Muslim Eco-System Coordinator
Haazim Patel was the American Muslim Eco-System Coordinator working jointly with CAIR-Chicago and MLFA. With a strong academic background, earning a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee in May 2023 in Biomedical Science and Technology. As a Software Engineer Intern at a Stealth FinTech Startup, he played a pivotal role in software design, coding, and debugging. His project management and community engagement skills were further honed as a Project Manager and Marketing intern at Helping Hands, where he demonstrated dedication to outreach and mission promotion. This commitment continued in his role as an Outreach Coordinator at Young Muslims, where he fostered positive relationships, executed successful outreach plans, and contributed significantly to the growth of the local Muslim community. Haazim's diverse skill set and passion for making a meaningful impact on both the technical and community fronts make him a valuable addition.
Erin P.R. Davis, MCM
Communications Coordinator
Erin Davis was CAIR-Chicago’s Communications Coordinator. Davis completed her undergraduate at DePaul University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Media. She also obtained a double minor in Public Relations & Advertising and the Chinese Language. Davis is also studying at the USC Annenberg School for Communications and Journalism, where she is working on receiving a Master’s in Communication Management with a focus on Marketing Communications. Since 2018, Erin has worked with nonprofit and for-profit organizations to help raise awareness, build and manage business reputation and cultivate consumer relationships.
Mona Balla
Operations Manager
Mona was the Operations Manager at CAIR- Chicago. Mona graduated from Oakland University with a degree in Criminal Justice in the Courts (2019) before starting her Masters of Public Policy at DePaul University (2021). While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Mona worked alongside the Michigan Department of Human Services and Washtenaw County Office of Public Defense to aid in the legal transition to family units through the court system. Previous to CAIR-Chicago Mona has worked in corporate litigation and the judicial system. While at DePaul, Mona's independent research focuses on the use of International Remittances and how they have an effect on migrant families.
Motlatsi Mofolo
Mandela Washington Fellow
Adv. Motlatsi Mofolo is a Summer 2022 Mandela Washington Fellow in the Civil Rights Department. He previously undertook and completed his Mandela Washington Fellowship in Leadership in Civic Engagement at the University of Virginia. A lawyer by training with a Master’s Degree in Human Rights Law from National University of Lesotho, he is a human rights practitioner with over 5+ years of experience in the non-profit sector implementing projects targeting women and girls, children, vulnerable, indigenous, LGBTIQ+ and other key populations in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Adv. Mofolo joined CAIR-Chicago in order to enhance his professional skills in the promotion and protection of civil rights of minority groups as a strategy to accelerate development in the context of America.
Emma Melton, Esq.
Staff Attorney
Emma graduated from DePaul University College of Law where she obtained a Certificate in Public Interest Law. Emma has worked in various non-profit organizations throughout Chicago. Most recently, Emma spent three years at Beyond Legal Aid where she practiced immigration, employment, housing and criminal records law. During law school, Emma was the Student Director for DePaul’s Neighborhood Legal Assistance Project (NLAP) where she led a Saturday morning legal help desk for people experiencing homelessness. She continues her work with NLAP as a volunteer supervising attorney. Prior to law school, Emma worked three summers at Cabrini Green Legal Aid where she immersed herself in criminal records law and ultimately decided to apply for law school.