Open To Work
Sylvia Biancardi
Milton,GA
Work Preference
Summary
Trusted Paralegal offering extensive legal skill set, proficiency in managing large caseloads and capacity to meet deadlines. Collects, organizes, analyzes and disseminates significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy. Exercises independent judgment regarding legal and contractual matters within broadly defined practices and policies.
Overview
2
2
Languages
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
IMMIGRATION BENEFITS LEAD PARALEGAL
Wannamaker Crimmigration Law
Atlanta, Georgia
05.2025 - 07.2026
- Launched a department-wide recovery initiative to address 451 cases with no client contact for 90+ days, many inactive for over one year. Established structured review plans, assigned weekly targets, and implemented accountability checkpoints. Cleared the entire backlog in 90 days.
- Directed workflow coordination and case pipeline management for the Immigration Benefits group, ensuring alignment with firm-wide priorities, deadline tracking, and USCIS filing requirements.
- Built and mentored a team of 4 paralegals and 2 legal assistants, strengthening consistency, accuracy, and case preparation quality across the practice.
- Achieved 100% deadline and interview compliance and 90% biometrics appointment adherence through disciplined workflow management.
- Reduced USCIS RFE rates significantly by introducing standardized documentation checklists and quality-control steps at each case review stage.
- Standardized case handling, document drafting, and bilingual client communication procedures across all case types including VAWA, T-Visas, U-Visas, SIJ, Adjustment of Status, Fiancé Petitions, Removal of Conditions, Military PIP, Naturalization, Work Permits, I-90, I-290B, and Waivers (I-601/I-601A).
IMMIGRATION PARALEGAL
Law Office of Cherie E. Cookorinis, Esq.
Atlanta, Georgia
10.2017 - 04.2025
- Collaborated with attorneys to prepare and submit I-140 immigrant petitions and I-485 adjustment of status applications, ensuring accuracy and compliance, resulting in a 90% approval rate.
- Led consular processing, adjustment of status, fiancé petitions, naturalization, TPS, and parole-in-place filings from intake through approval.
- Drafted petitions, RFE responses, and supporting documentation in full compliance with USCIS, DOS, and NVC standards.
- Managed file organization and case completion, ensuring accurate immigration procedures across family-based, employment-based, and humanitarian matters.
- Gathered and analyzed support documentation from clients and third parties, organizing records for efficient retrieval and reference.
- Served as the lead bilingual contact for multilingual client cases, providing Spanish interpretation during USCIS interviews and ensuring clients understood every step of their immigration process.
LEGAL ASSISTANT
M.S.P.G. Law Group, P.C.
Miami, Florida
07.2016 - 10.2017
- Conducted detailed case reviews, evidence collection, and file audits prior to attorney evaluation to ensure completeness, immigration compliance, and adherence to USCIS procedures.
- Drafted legal arguments, declarations, RFE responses, NOID rebuttals, and supporting documentation while assisting attorneys in developing effective case strategies.
- Established and organized case files, monitored calendars and deadlines, maintained accurate client and case status updates to ensure timely case progression.
- Directed client preparation for recorded statements, examinations under oath, and discovery proceedings.
- Served as the primary informational contact for clients, attorneys, brokers, and insurance adjusters.
- Negotiated with insurance adjusters and public adjusters, advocating for favorable settlements.
- Created and delivered weekly operational scorecards tracking open cases, filed cases, interviews attended, and upcoming appointments to support leadership visibility and data-driven planning.
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Alvarez, Alvarez & Associates
Maracaibo, Venezuela
04.2005 - 07.2014
- Advised and audited companies on complex legal matters of employment, safety, and workplace security, enhancing compliance and risk management.
- Drafted, evaluated, negotiated, and executed employment contracts and business agreements.
- Provided compliance input on business action plans, projects, and operational requests.
- Directed internal communication programs across all departments to promote employee morale and resolve grievances.
- Negotiated and mediated with labor syndicates to resolve legal disputes and draft settlement agreements.
- Provided guidance and training to managers on performance issues, improvement plans, and termination documentation.
- Prepared defense briefs and represented clients in litigation proceedings to achieve favorable outcomes in court.
Education
Master of Law (LL.M.) - Labor & Employment Law
Universidad Rafael Belloso Chacín
Venezuela01-2007
Juris Doctor (J.D.) -
Universidad del Zulia
Venezuela01-2005
Skills
- Immigration Compliance
- Critical Legal Analysis
- Document Creation
- Bilingual English and Spanish
- Attention Detail
- Organizational
- Continuous Improvement
- Adaptability
- Microsoft Office
- LawLogix
- Time Matters
- Airtable
- Camp Legal
- Workday
- Professional Development
Professional Development
- Aila GA AL Conference: Broken Systems, Atlanta, GA, 02/13/26
- Aila Webinar: Navigating the Humanitarian Landscape U and T Visas, Vawa, Reinstatement Under the Current Administration, 03/17/26
- Corporate & Commercial Law I: Contracts & Employment Law, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Professional & Technical Writing, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Managing the Energy Workforce, COZEN O'CONNOR, Houston, TX
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Accomplishments
- Employee of the Month
- High Performance Award
- Commitment Award
Timeline
IMMIGRATION BENEFITS LEAD PARALEGAL
Wannamaker Crimmigration Law
05.2025 - 07.2026
IMMIGRATION PARALEGAL
Law Office of Cherie E. Cookorinis, Esq.
10.2017 - 04.2025
LEGAL ASSISTANT
M.S.P.G. Law Group, P.C.
07.2016 - 10.2017
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Alvarez, Alvarez & Associates
04.2005 - 07.2014
Master of Law (LL.M.) - Labor & Employment Law
Universidad Rafael Belloso Chacín
Juris Doctor (J.D.) -
Universidad del Zulia