Xiyu Zhu is originally from Shanghai, China. She earned her BA in Economics and Politics from New York University, where she graduated as a University Honors Scholar.

Admitted with full tuition scholarship, she attended the University of Illinois College of Law to pursue her JD. While in law school, she spent two semesters serving as a Judicial Extern for Judge Benjamin Dyer of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Illinois, where she honed on her legal writing and research skills in different areas of civil litigations.

After law school, Xiyu joined Law Offices of Gihan Thomas and now enjoys helping clients from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds with their asylum applications and court briefs.

Xiyu is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Shanghainese. In her spare time, she likes swimming, watching Japanese anime, and playing billiards.