Maria Fernanda Gandarez

Maria Fernanda Gandarez has 30 years of immigration experience in Global Mobility. She represents multinational Fortune 500 companies in diverse industries: beverage, biotechnology, chemical, consumer goods/products, energy, fashion, finance, flavor and fragrance development, technology, law, medical equipment manufacturing and pharmaceutical. Maria advises on: temporary employment visas, permanent residence, employer sanctions, employment verification procedures, immigration-related discrimination practices, Mergers & Acquisitions and other corporate restructurings. She establishes novel and successful global immigration compliance strategies taking into consideration clients’ industry, size, and overall needs while ensuring compliance. Furthermore, Maria has received recognition of her strong support of pro bono efforts. She has increased Ogletree Deakins’ pro bono efforts in New York with the addition of a number of highly recognized and respected not-for-profit pro bono clients, such as, a global not-for-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the development of safe, effective HIV vaccines. Another is recognized as a “Best In America” Charity providing guide dog training and a multitude of services to the legally blind. Maria was listed in Best International Lawyers, has been named New York SuperLawyer for the past five years, and is Ogletree’s Diversity Ambassador assisting and expanding the Firm’s nationwide diversity efforts in the New York area.  She is fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, and conversant in Italian and French.

Features

• Asylum and Refugee Applications
• Citizenship and Naturalization
• Deportation Defense
• Employment-Based Immigration
• Family-Based Immigration
• Green Card Applications
• Immigration Appeals
• Visa Applications (Work, Student, Family)

• License
  Licensed in New York
  State: New York
  Acquired: 1989
  Currently Registered
  
  Licensed in New Jersey
  State: New Jersey
  Acquired: 1988
  Active
  
• Work Experience
  2014 - Present Shareholder, Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart
  2000 - 2014 Counsel, Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
  1991 - 2000 Senior Associate, Proskauer Rose
  1988 - 1991 Associate, Reiner & Reiner P.C.
  1987 - 1987 Clerk, Federal District Court for the District of New Jersey
• Associations
  1989 - Present
  New York State Bar Association - Member
  1988 - Present
  New Jersey State Bar Association - Member
  1988 - Present
  American Bar Association - Member
  1988 - Present
  American Immigration Lawyers Association - Member
• Education
  1988 - Rutgers Law School - JD - Juris Doctor
  1985 - Hood College - BA - Bachelor of Arts
• Languages
  Portuguese - Native / Fluent
  English - Native / Fluent
  Spanish - Native / Fluent

Location