Rafaela Ampessan
Torrance,U.S.
Summary
Foreign-licensed attorney and U.S. immigration specialist with over 11 years of expertise in managing complex legal cases, aligning business vision with law firm strategies and managing paralegals.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Immigration Paralegal Supervisor
Gondim Law Corp
05.2021 - Current
- Manage a team of 7 paralegals, overseeing 1,000+ active business immigration cases. Lead and mentor the team on visa strategies, ensuring the delivery of accurate and timely work while prioritizing client satisfaction and achieving a 100% client satisfaction rate
- Review all employment-based and labor certification applications produced by the team, averaging 5 cases per day, including EB2, EB3, and nonimmigrant visas (H1B, H2B, H2A, L-1), demonstrating exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
- Manage 40 urgent escalations monthly, resolving client issues such as Requests for Evidence, audits, and USCIS errors
- Act as a key liaison between the immigration team, clients, and third-party vendors, resulting in expedited reviews and significant time savings
- Strong proficiency in immigration technology systems, leading to a 20% monthly increase in team revenue by developing a client database that efficiently tracks documentation renewal needs, including green card renewals based on client age
- Mentored 25+ senior paralegals on Labor Certification processes, teaching them through the complexities of the DOL process.
- Created a system to expedite the recruitment process for Labor Certification applications, resulting in a 15% reduction in processing time (65 days less to receive the PERM ETA-9089 certification from the DOL).
Immigration Paralegal
Gondim Law Corp
09.2019 - 05.2021
- Managed complex non-immigrant and immigrant visa cases (EB1, EB2, EB3, Labor Certification, H-1B, TN, E-3, L-1, O-1, P) with a focus on strategic problem-solving, including drafting and preparing support letters for visa petitions and applications to ensure compliance with U.S
- Immigration standards
- Excelled in client relationship management with a 100% satisfaction rate and a 98% case approval rate
- Monitored, tracked, and resolved U.S
- And global immigration cases, ensuring strict compliance with regulations and deadlines while collaborating with cross-functional teams to update internal documentation on immigration processing, status, and compliance
- Proficient in immigration technologies such as LawLogix and INSZoom.
Attorney - Business & Labor Law
Ramos & Michnoski Advogados
01.2015 - 03.2019
- Managed the law office, acquired new clients, and drove business development through strategic alliances, partnerships, and key relationship management
- Structured, drafted, and negotiated various contracts, including nondisclosure agreements, vendor agreements, and publisher agreements
- Provided general legal support, including legal research and analysis, managing legal risks, and assisting with key transactions.
Associate Attorney - Business & Labor Law
Ampessan & Michnoski Advogados
11.2013 - 12.2014
- Scaled the law firm from 0 to 400 clients within a year by implementing effective client acquisition strategies and building strong client relationship
- Collaborated with Senior Legal Counsel and stakeholders to provide practical legal and commercial advice.
Attorney Junior – Business & Labor Law
Ern & Garcia Advogados
06.2013 - 11.2013
Education
Postgraduate Degree in Labor Law - Law
Institute Luiz Flavio Gomes – IELFG
Brazil01.2013
Juris Doctor - Law
Vale Do Itajai University
Brazil01.2011
Skills
- Business Immigration Law
- DOL Compliance
- Team Management
- Client Relationship Management
- Paralegal Supervision
- Detail-Oriented
- Legal Research
- Global Mobility
- INSZoom
- Docketwise
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Portuguese
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Limited Working
Timeline
Immigration Paralegal Supervisor
Gondim Law Corp
05.2021 - Current
Immigration Paralegal
Gondim Law Corp
09.2019 - 05.2021
Attorney - Business & Labor Law
Ramos & Michnoski Advogados
01.2015 - 03.2019
Associate Attorney - Business & Labor Law
Ampessan & Michnoski Advogados
11.2013 - 12.2014
Attorney Junior – Business & Labor Law
Ern & Garcia Advogados
06.2013 - 11.2013
Postgraduate Degree in Labor Law - Law
Institute Luiz Flavio Gomes – IELFG
Juris Doctor - Law
Vale Do Itajai University
Similar Profiles
Nayara SoaresNayara Soares
Paralegal Assistant at Gondim Law CorpParalegal Assistant at Gondim Law Corp
Luciana MayrLuciana Mayr
Immigration Paralegal at Gondim Law CorpImmigration Paralegal at Gondim Law Corp
Luciana MayrLuciana Mayr
Immigration Paralegal at Gondim Law CorpImmigration Paralegal at Gondim Law Corp
BRIANNA KIRBYBRIANNA KIRBY
Business Development Representative at Kontent.aiBusiness Development Representative at Kontent.ai
Rhett Martin SchleehaufRhett Martin Schleehauf
Business English Instructor & International Sales at Freelance Via Apprentus.com — Remote (Global)Business English Instructor & International Sales at Freelance Via Apprentus.com — Remote (Global)