Sam Fareed is the founder of United Citizen Law and a top-rated personal injury attorney serving Northern California. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and his Juris Doctorate from the McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific.

At the firm, Sam advocates for injury victims in cases involving auto accidents, slip and falls, dog attacks, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries. He has secured millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for his clients. Sam is known for his personalized approach, ensuring every client receives the attention and aggressive representation they deserve, from negotiations with insurance companies to courtroom litigation.

Sam was born and raised in Afghanistan and witnessed the injustices during the Taliban’s reign, which inspired his lifelong pursuit of justice. His mother, a single parent and immigrant, worked tirelessly to provide for her five children and pursue her own education. Sam values perseverance and family, principles that continue to guide him today. Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time with his family, including his triplet children, partner, siblings, and mother.

Education

• J.D., McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
• B.A. in Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles

Professional Associations

• Capitol City Trial Lawyers Association (Sacramento Consumer Attorneys)
• State Bar of California, Member
• Sacramento County Bar Association, Member
• California Trial Lawyers
• Justice HQ

Honors and Awards

• Northern California Super Lawyers® Rising Star: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
  The Super Lawyers® Rising Star distinction is awarded to just 2.5% of attorneys in each state based on peer recognition and professional achievement.
• Forbes Best Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers (2024)
• Sactown Magazine Ask the Expert (2024)

Areas of Practice

• Personal Injury Litigation
• Wrongful Death
• Auto Accidents
• Premises Liability
• Catastrophic Injury

Shereen holds a B.S. in Business with a concentration in Marketing and a B.A. in Communications with a focus on Public Relations, both from California State University, Sacramento, as well as a J.D. from McGeorge School of Law.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Shereen finds joy in life’s simple pleasures, often spending time at the beach or lake with loved ones.

Zahid “Sher” Fareed holds a BA in History from California State University, Sacramento.

As the Head of Client Liaison at United Citizen Law, Zahid ensures clients receive attentive and professional service. He oversees all pre-litigation cases, addressing clients’ needs efficiently from the start. Zahid also leads his team, focusing on training and development with an emphasis on communication and client relationships.

Outside of work, Zahid is a dedicated husband and father of three. He enjoys traveling with his family and focusing on personal health and fitness.

Laila Fareed is an Associate Attorney at United Citizen Law. She holds a BA from the University of California, Davis, and a JD from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento.

Laila has been with United Citizen Law since the beginning of her career, starting as a law clerk. Now at the firm, Laila handles various aspects of personal injury cases, including client consultations, legal research, drafting documents, negotiating settlements, and representing clients in court. She is known for her legal skills, professionalism, and dedication to her clients.

Outside of work, Laila is a devoted mother of three. She enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and sharing her passion for cooking with loved ones.

Richard Prasad is a Paralegal at United Citizen Law. He started his studies at Sacramento City College and continues to build on his knowledge, particularly in legal and medical research.

At the firm, Richard supports the team by drafting demands, analyzing records, and filing complaints. His strong attention to detail, multitasking ability, and dedication to clients help ensure everything runs smoothly.

Outside of work, Richard enjoys reading, gardening, and experimenting with cooking in his spare time.

Daniel Pesola is a Legal Assistant at United Citizen Law and is currently finishing his first year at Lincoln Law School of Sacramento.

Daniel primarily focuses on calendaring, ensuring that important trial dates and deadlines are organized, and that attorney Sam Fareed is well-prepared for upcoming trials. He also assists with administrative tasks, helping to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently.

Outside of work, Daniel enjoys spending time in nature, whether it’s hiking, camping, or exploring the outdoors.

Roya Fareed is the Controller at United Citizen Law, where she oversees all financial operations of the firm. With more than 8 years of experience in banking, including expertise in wealth management and financial planning, she brings invaluable knowledge to her role. Roya is strategic and analytical, focusing on securing capital to help the firm operate smoothly and stay well-prepared for times like trials. Her efforts play a key role in maintaining the firm’s financial strength and positioning it for future growth.

Outside of work, Roya enjoys traveling. Having visited over 18 countries, she believes that traveling helps her perform better by increasing her awareness of different cultures and backgrounds, giving her an open mind, and making her more approachable with a diverse clientele.

Jesse Fareed is our Office Clerk at United Citizen Law. He frequently works in the field, handling tasks for client cases and ensuring everything is done on time. Jesse is also responsible for driving and taking clients to appointments, ensuring they are comfortable with the process.

Outside of work, Jesse has a strong interest in culture and entertainment, enjoying old movies and classical music in his free time.

Patrick Setty is a Legal Assistant at United Citizen Law and holds a B.A. in English from Southern Oregon University.

At the firm, Patrick specializes in writing demand letters and working with claims adjusters to help clients get the compensation they deserve.

Outside of work, Patrick enjoys writing, reading, and spending time with friends and family. He also maintains an active blog during his downtime, which you can find linked below.

https://medium.com/@patricksetty

Nahila Habib is a Legal Assistant at United Citizen Law, specializing in assisting Dari-speaking clients. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Psychology from the University of California, Davis.

Nahila is responsible for requesting, filing, and analyzing medical records and bills for the firm’s cases.

Outside of work, Nahila enjoys music, traveling, and spending time in nature. She is also deeply committed to social justice and volunteers with the Refugee Interprofessional Community Engagement Project, assisting refugee families.

Esmeralda is a Legal Assistant at United Citizen Law and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Service from the University of California, Davis.

At the firm, Esmeralda supports preparing legal documents, managing case files, and communicating with clients and insurance agents. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she assists a diverse group of clients, ensuring their needs are met with clarity and precision.

Outside of work, Esmeralda enjoys spending time with close friends and journaling for peace of mind. With a Mexican-American background, she is committed to helping the Spanish-speaking community adapt to American culture without losing their cultural roots.

Abdul Wardak is a Case Manager at United Citizen Law and serves as the first point of contact for all clients, embodying the face of the firm. He is responsible for handling new intakes and guiding clients through the process of working on their cases. Fluent in English, Dari, and Pashto, he can connect with a diverse clientele and ensure smooth communication throughout the case management process.

In his spare time, he enjoys attending football and basketball games. He is a big Warriors fan and a huge 49ers supporter!

Yasir Albadran is an Office Clerk at United Citizen Law and holds a BA in Physical Education from the University of Baghdad, Iraq.

Yasir plays an important role in supporting daily office operations, including managing documents, scheduling appointments, and assisting with client communications. As the first point of contact for many clients, Yasir specializes in assisting Arabic-speaking individuals, ensuring they receive the support they need with clarity and precision.

Outside of work, Yasir enjoys spending time with his family, attending basketball games, traveling, and hiking.