LAW OFFICE OF JOHANNA HERRERO - Key Persons

Abbey Ellis is the lead SIJ Managing Attorney and litigator at the Law Office of Johanna Herrero. She is task driven and excels at providing results that benefit clients in their immigration process. She has extensive legal knowledge in Immigration matters and specializes in the firm's most complex Special Immigrant Juvenile process, including but not limited to successful grants from Appeals to the Administrative Appeals Office at USCIS. Ms. Ellis' most important achievements have all been related to humanitarian relief, survivors of domestic violence and has helped hundreds of children obtain legal status in the United States. She is passionate and resilient and develops strategies to ensure success in her cases. Ms. Ellis has seen how difficult and complex it is to navigate the Immigration laws and State Family Court laws and has ensured that the firm's most delicate cases obtain results that can change their lives forever. In College, Abbey studied at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania where she graduated summa cum laude in Psychology, minoring in Criminal Justice, and was a member of the Mock Trial Association and the Treasurer of the Pre-Law Club at Kutztown University. After graduating, she then studied at New England Law | Boston where she earned Dean's List Honors and obtained her Immigration Concentration Certification. During her legal studies, Abbey became a Massachusetts SJC § 3.03 Student Attorney and also dedicated her time volunteering and interning at Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS), Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC), and Lawyer of the Day Program, and was awarded The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Award - given to students that provide significant pro bono legal services during law school. Abbey has successfully represented clients before the Boston Immigration Court, USCIS, and numerous Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts. She has been successful in Asylum cases, Adjustment of Status through Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, USCIS interviews including N-400 (The Naturalization Interview), and Marriage based Green Card interviews, including, I-751 (Removal of Conditions). Education New England Law | Boston Boston, MA Certificates: Immigration Concentration Certification, 2019 Honors: Dean's Scholarship, Fall 2016 - Spring 2019; Dean's List, Spring 2017 - Fall 2018 Activities: Immigration Law Association, Fall 2017 - Spring 2019 International Law Society, Fall 2017 - Spring 2019 New England Law | Boston Mentorship Program, Fall 2018 - Spring 2019 Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA Honors: Dean's List, Spring 2013 - Spring 2016 Activities: Pre-Law Club, Treasurer, Fall 2014 - Spring 2016 Mock Trial Association, Prosecution Attorney, Fall 2015 - Spring 2016

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Attorney

Attorney Gabriele Ferrigno is an Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Johanna Herrero, Boston Branch. He was born in Alabama, and grew up both in Italy and in the United States. Born from two immigrant parents, an Italian father, and a Venezuelan mother, he was exposed and knows three languages, English, Spanish and Italian. Attorney Ferrigno has also spent a significant time abroad throughout his childhood and secondary schooling that has fueled his interest in immigration law, and allowed him to appreciate and understand other peoples' cultures and values. He is a 2019 graduate of Suffolk University Law School, in Massachusetts. Attorney Ferrigno attended the University of Boston Massachusetts as an undergraduate. He joined the firm with experience with EOIR, from his former internship at a local immigration firm. During his time at the firm Attorney Ferrigno has successfully handled a variety of immigration cases, including Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers, Waivers of Inadmissibility, Adjustment of Status, Naturalization, Asylum, Cancellation of Removal for Permanent Residents and Non-Permanent Residents, Motions and Memorandums before the Executive Office for Immigration Review. He also represents the firm's younger clients through the Special Immigrant Juvenile process in Massachusetts Probate and Family Courts. Some of his most memorable moments at the firm are Asylum and Cancellation of Removal grants before the Executive Office for Immigration Review, as well as complicated Adjustment of Status grants before the United States Immigration and Citizenship Services. He is glad to be part of our legal team and displays his passion for immigration law through his work. Education J.D., Suffolk Law School B.A in Economics and minor in International Relations, University of Boston Massachusetts

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Attorney

Attorney Paz is an Associate Attorney at the Law Office of Johanna M. Herrero, Boston branch. She was born in Florida to Venezuelan parents. Having seen what her parents went through to obtain legal status in the United States, gave her the motivation and drive to help others in similar situations. She is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law, in Ohio, where she graduated as a 2020 Global Service award recipient. She also graduated from Middlesex University, in London, U.K. with an L.L.M in Human Rights Law. Attorney Paz attended Florida State University for her undergraduate degree. She joined the firm with experience in multiple legal specialties including housing and international criminal law. Attorney Paz has interned with the United Nations in the Co-Prosecutor's Office at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, United States Attorney's Office in the Northern District of Ohio in Cleveland, Ohio, and Centro Para Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Attorney Paz handles and appears before the EOIR and USCIS. Her primary focuses include Provisional Unlawful presence Waivers, Adjustment of Status, Naturalization, and Asylum. Education J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law L.L.M., Middlesex University B.S., Florida State University

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Attorney

Attorney Ruiz is an Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Johanna Herrero for the firm's Boston, Massachusetts branch. Attorney Ruiz grew up in the surrounding Boston area and comes from a family of Cuban immigrants, which is what first inspired her to work in the field of Immigration Law. She is most focused on family reunification, extensively analyzing the unique facts of each case, and securing success-driven results for clients who she understands have faced unimaginable situations in their native countries. Using an attentive and personalized approach, Attorney Ruiz instills confidence in her clients by guiding them through the realms and processes of Immigration Law. At the Law Offices of Johanna Herrero, Attorney Ruiz represents clients seeking asylum as refugees, individuals and families applying for immigration benefits, and clients seeking defense from removal. She takes pride in addressing the needs of her clients in an individualized and effective manner, whether this be before the Executive Office for Immigration Review "EOIR" or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services "USCIS." Attorney Ruiz litigates cases in immigration court before EOIR and she has extensive experience representing clients before USCIS pertaining to Forms I-130, I-485, I-751, and N-400. Additionally, Attorney Ruiz serves on the firm's detained docket team, which handles Custody Redetermination Hearings. During her time in law school, Attorney Ruiz attended Roger Williams University School of Law where she participated in the Immigration Clinic and graduated Cum Laude in 2018. Since the beginning of her legal career, Attorney Ruiz's fervor for practicing Immigration Law has only intensified, beginning with Business Immigration and later joining the Law Offices of Johanna Herrero to focus on removal defense and family-based petitions. Attorney Ruiz is a fluent Spanish-speaker who channels her family's Cuban background to advance the goals of those similarly situated and the clients who she passionately cares about. Education University of Connecticut, Bachelor of Arts, 2015, Communications and Human Development & Family Studies Roger Williams University School of Law, 2018, Cum Laude

Job Titles:

• Senior Associate

Attorney Shaan Chatterjee is a Senior Associate Attorney with the Boston Office. He is a first-generation American and his parents immigrated to the United States in the 1970s. Attorney Chatterjee is fluent in Spanish and spends as much time as needed to fully understand each client's needs and circumstances. He joined the firm with extensive experience after working in legal services at the Justice Center of Southeast Massachusetts in Brockton. Attorney Chatterjee specializes in removal defense before the Boston Immigration Court and the Board of Immigration Appeals. His practice focuses on Asylum and Cancellation of Removal. He has also appeared before USCIS for clients with family-based petitions, and before the Massachusetts Probate Court when representing clients eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Mr. Chatterjee takes great joy in helping clients with every aspect of their immigration cases. Education J.D., Northeastern University School of Law B.A., Reed College

Job Titles:

• Associate
• Attorney

Attorney Shawnam Osman is an Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Johanna Herrero. Shawnam is a former refugee from Kurdistan where her family fled persecution. Shawnam's identity as a Kurdish-American and experience as a former refugee shaped her decision to pursue a career fighting for human rights. Attorney Osman is a 2019 graduate of Northeastern University School of Law and she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Suffolk University.

Job Titles:

• Administrative Managing Paralegal

Beverly is the direct liaison between clients and Attorneys. Referred to as the firms "go to" paralegal for her dynamic skills and her goal oriented approach. Her multitasking skills and client communications skills have excelled her in her position and allowed her to grow within the firm. Reliability and professionalism are her unmatched traits. Her expertise has improved team development with an energetic and go-getter approach that creates a work environment that is positive and successful. Beverly has ensured that every case she has touched and every client that she has been tasked with receives the highest level of priority and positive results.

Attorney Gutierrez is a Staff Attorney at the Law Offices of Johanna Herrero in the Miami office. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, she studied at Florida International University, graduating from the Honors College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts, Global Media and Women's Studies. Attorney Gutierrez was awarded a Merits Scholarship and earned her Juris Doctorate at the Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania where she specialized in Immigration Law. In law school, she participated in the Center for Immigrants' Rights Clinic as a Clinical Student for (2) semesters and was a Legal Intern with Justice at Work (formerly Friends of Farmworkers) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She served as President of the Women's Law Caucus and Public Interest Law Fund. Attorney Gutierrez also participated in the 2021 New York University Immigration Moot Court Competition and at graduation, she was presented the 2021 National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Law Student Award. As the first-generation daughter of Cuban immigrants, Attorney Gutierrez appreciates a strong cultural connection with her clients and thoroughly enjoys empowering her clients with solutions found in immigration law. Attorney Gutierrez is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is a member of the Cuban American Bar Association, Hispanic National Bar Association and the National LGBT Bar Association. As Staff Attorney at the Law Offices of Johanna Herrero, Attorney Gutierrez represents clients before the Miami Immigration Court, local USCIS Field Offices and ERO Offices. She also handles cases for Form I-589 Applications for Asylum, Withholding of Removal, and Protection under Convention Against Torture and has assisted in preparing legal memorandum before the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Brenda Azucena Capistran-Cruz is a litigator and staff attorney at the law office of Johanna Herrero. She is driven by client-focused advocacy, where she listens to her clients needs, questions, and desired results. She is dedicated to ensuring that clients understand the legal process and providing clients with the best legal representation. Brenda is a native and fluent Spanish speaker. She was born in Mexico, and came to the United States when she was eight (8) years old. Due to her cultural background Brenda sees her story in her clients and goes above and beyond to obtain favorable results. Brenda graduated from University of Illinois Chicago at the top of her class, where she majored in political science and minored in French. Brenda studied at Chicago-Kent College of Law, where she graduated cum laude in 2019 and received two CALI Excellence for the Future Awards. As an immigrant herself there is nothing more rewarding than helping her clients obtain legal status in the United States. Brenda has successfully represented clients before the Boston Immigration Court, USCIS, and Family Court. She has been successful in Asylum cases, Cancellation of Removal, Motions to Reopen, Adjustment of Status through Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Adjustment of Status through INA 245(i), USCIS interviews including N-400 (The Naturalization Interview), and Marriage based Green Card interviews, including, I-751 (Removal of Conditions). In her time at the firm Brenda has assisted hundreds of young children obtain the American Dream and she continues to strive to obtain favorable results for many more.

Attorney Christina Marie Moore serves as an Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of Johanna M. Herrero, Boston Branch. She handles cases related to Domestic Violence, Gender Based Violence and Sexual Based Violence in affirmative and defensive applications for asylum, Violence Against Women Act ("VAWA"), and U-Nonimmigrant, Victims of Criminal Activity claims. Attorney Moore is a graduate of New England Law Boston, in Massachusetts and attended Seattle Pacific University as an Undergraduate. The catalyst of Christina's legal career and passion to be a zealous advocate for victims is derived from her own personal experiences - including but not limited to personally witnessing a multitude of injustices against those close to her and having worked closely with survivors of domestic, sexual and gender based violence since 2014. A survivor herself, Attorney Moore is trauma trained and cares deeply about providing individualized and attentive legal services to each and every client that comes through the door. Christina believes in personal connection with each and every client. She believes strongly that every connection is important and that connection is what creates the strength and power needed for the client to heal and bring peace to their journey. Attorney Moore's reason for practice is to assist every survivor to feel heard and find their voice in a world where so many survivors are told to be silent and made to feel afraid to tell their story.

Job Titles:

• Felicidades Abogada Y a Todo Su Equipo Dios Les Bendiga Siempre

Job Titles:

• Manager of Promotions and Social Networks

Job Titles:

• Paralegal

George is one the firm's first hires, and has remained loyal and dedicated to the overall excellence of his performance. He is captioned as the core quality assurance associate, responsible with the firm's largest caseload in the legal processing department of the firm and coordinates client appointments under the supervision of Attorneys Ng and Herrero. His duties include assisting in the preparation and filing of USCIS applications, such as family petitions, I-601A hardship exemptions, TPS applications, citizenship, renewals of permanent residents and cases of the Violence against Women Act (VAWA), among much others. In addition, George processes applications for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, such as for Asylum / Withholding of Removal / Convention Against Torture (I-589), Cancellation of Removal (EOIR-42A, EOIR-42B), 212 (c) Exemptions, 212 (h) Requests for exemptions, NACARA and adjustment of status.

Job Titles:

• Founder
• Owner / Founding Attorney

Job Titles:

• Supervising Attorney

We are VERY happy with her services! She helped my husband through the most difficult time of his life and we will forever be thankful.

Job Titles:

• Office Manager Miami Paralegal

Job Titles:

• Supervising Attorney

Attorney Omar Rahman, is one of the Managing Attorney's of the Firm's Boston branch. Attorney Rahman is a first generation American Citizen born to immigrant parents from Pakistan. He has extensive legal knowledge in Immigration matters ranging from family based immigration petitions, criminal consequences related to Immigration Relief, and complex cases of removal defense. He also handles appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals, and Court of Appeals. Mr. Rahman is also in charge of the Firm's detained docket and representing clients for their Custody Redetermination Hearings. During his time at the Law Office of Johanna Herrero, Mr. Rahman has enjoyed training and supporting the Associate Attorneys in preparing them for litigation. Mr. Rahaman has been successful in litigating various Asylum Claims, overcoming bars to Asylum, and winning several Cancellation of Removal 42A/B cases. Mr. Rahman's most important achievements have all been related to humanitarian relief and family reunification and has helped hundreds of Asylees petition to join their family members in the United States after being apart for more than several years. Prior to joining the Law Office of Johanna Herrero. Mr. Rahman worked at a large Immigration Firm based in NYC where he traveled and litigated both detained and non-detained hearings across the United States. Mr. Rahman has also worked on several Mandamus actions against USCIS for extensive delays in processing times, as well as habeas petitions for individuals who have been incarcerated for a lengthy period of time. With Mr. Rahman's extensive experience litigating cases across several jurisdictions within the United States he has seen first hand our nation's laws are not uniformly applied and has made it his mission to effectuate change through case law, and work with members of Congress to make practical bi-partisian legislation a reality. Mr. Rahman has seen how difficult and complex it is to navigate the American Immigration laws. He has made it his mission to make these matters less complex. During his brief travels to Texas and Arizona representing detained clients, Mr. Rahman has first hand witnessed the inhumane treatment of immigrants at our nation's Southern Border. An ongoing humanitarian crisis which has only made the work for legal services, non-profits, and attorney's even more difficult than it already is. During his free time, Mr. Rahman has spoken out about the complexity of Immigration Issues facing immigrants with prospective members of U.S. House of Representatives from MA and is actively working with candidates on drafting and proposing new legislation to streamline the Immigration process which both favors the Immigrants and creates uniformity in applying our nation's Immigration Laws equally throughout the nation. Furthermore, Mr. Rahman has worked with several candidates on developing their Immigration Policies and Platforms in their efforts to run for public office. Policies which both guarantee immigrants due process in adjudicating their applications for relief while also balancing national security. Working with many migrant families, Mr. Rahman knows exactly how important immigrants are to the United States economy and can help curb our current economic crisis and rising inflation rates which affect all Americans. Thus, Mr. Rahman believes that his work not only supports Immigrants and their families but also the American economy as well. Mr. Rahman has most recently been invited and spoken at the MassGOP Convention regarding an overhaul of our nation's Immigration laws. For which he has been approached and is working with several candidates to make migration to the United States fair, equitable, and ensure that each person is afforded the due process of law. Mr. Rahman has also spoken on hot topics in Asylum Law at the NY Asylum and Immigration Conferences discussing topics such as: Persecutor Bar, Tier III Terrorism Bar, and defining Particular Social Groups. Education J.D. / M.B.A., Hofstra University B.A., St. John's University

Job Titles:

• Executive
• Leader
• Office Manager
• Office 's Manager
• Office Manager / Paralegal Senior

Ricardo is a dynamic leader focused on results. He has years of successful business management and unmatched customer relationship development skills. His expertise is in leadership and handling interpersonal relationships and time management skills to successfully improve team development and increase profitability by achieving corporate goals and objectives. He is energetic and goal-oriented with a genuine passion for sales strategy and a comprehensive fund in support of a progressive organization, optimizing performance and growth. He is an exceptional communicator, fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese and basic French. Ricardo facilitates the day-to-day operations of the law firm, supervises support staff, is responsible for the allocation of cases, maintains the calendars of attorneys, administers schedules, including trial dates and hearings, verifies legal correspondence and provides bilingual service support for the firm's clients.

Job Titles:

• Attorney Loeb Is the Waiver Lead Managing Attorney at the Law Offices of Johanna Herrero, Boston Office. Attorney Loeb Graduated from Northeastern University School of Law in 2018

Attorney Loeb is the Waiver Lead Managing Attorney at the Law Offices of Johanna Herrero, Boston Office. Attorney Loeb Graduated from Northeastern University School of Law in 2018. Attorney Loeb manages the 601A Waiver Department, as well handles cases before EOIR. Her experience in the immigration processes, includes Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers, Waivers of Inadmissibility, Adjustment(s) of Status, Naturalization, Asylum, Cancellation of Removal for Permanent Residents and Non-Permanent Residents, Motions and Memorandums before the Executive Office for Immigration Review. She has also appeared before USCIS and worked on several U Visa cases. Due to the lengthy nature of some immigration cases, seeing a client win their case or pass their citizenship test is a special moment for everyone involved. One of Attorney Loeb's most memorable moments working in immigration law thus far was when one of her clients, after years of collaboration and case updates with both EOIR and USCIS, was finally granted a U Visa, and permitted to remain safely in the United States. This client is now in the process of lawfully petitioning for his family to come join him in the United States after almost a decade apart. Attorney Loeb's passion for immigration stems from her own family's background. Her father is a first generation American Citizen by birth. Her paternal grandparents fled Germany during World War II, seeking sanctuary from Nazi Germany. Because Asylum laws did not exist at the time her grandparents entered the United States, she is passionate about ensuring that everyone has the right to pursue their right to seek safety via Asylum, or to pursue other relief, such as an unlawful presence waiver so that their families can remain intact.

Job Titles:

• Team Paralegal

Silvia is tasked with the firm's most difficult assignments, ranging from filing deadlines and assistance with Attorney court preparation. Silvia's tri-lingual skills have catapulted in her position and have made her an essential asset to the firm and our multinational client database. Her intelligence and organization facilitates all interactions between attorneys and clients firmwide. Silvia has ensured that every case she has assisted with receives unparalleled customer service and efficiency.

Vanessa M. Molina is one of the Staff Attorneys at the Law Offices of Johanna Herrero, Miami Branch. Attorney Molina is a first generation American, born to Honduran parents. Her parents' personal journey with our American immigration system has inspired her passion for immigration law. She attended Florida International University for both her undergraduate studies as well as law school. In addition to her Juris Doctor degree, Attorney Molina possesses a Bachelor of Arts in English and in International Relations, graduating as cum laude of her class. Attorney Molina joined the immigration law field with experience from her former externship at the Catholic Legal Services, as well as her involvement with the FIU Carlos A. Costa Immigration Human Rights Clinic and the Immigration Community Lawyering Clinic. Since her time in law school, Attorney Molina has worked with minor children, providing Search and Seizure or Fourth Amendment law lessons to detained minor children as a part of the FIU Juvenile Justice Clinic. Attorney Molina continues her work with children at the Law Offices of Johanna Herrero through her representation of the Miami Office children in the Miami-Dade Family Court system in pursuit of Special Immigrant Juvenile ("SIJ") visas. Attorney Molina also represents the Firm's clients in their Asylum, Cancellation of Removal, and Bond cases before the Immigration Court. Attorney Molina has also appeared before various South Florida USCIS Field Offices for clients' family based petitions, Adjustments of Status, and VAWAs. She also has experience with I-601A waivers, U visas, and BIA Appeals. Vanessa can be contacted at 786-500-1200, or via email VMM@Jherrerolaw.com.

Job Titles:

• Paralegal Manager