Our Supporting Staff Members

Our Ohio Supporting Staff Members

Our Ohio team supports clients across our Cleveland and Columbus offices, guiding families and individuals through every stage of the immigration process. The Cleveland office team works closely with clients from initial consultation through case resolution, offering bilingual support across a wide range of immigration matters. The Columbus team brings dedicated case management support to clients throughout central Ohio, helping guide cases with care and attention to detail.

Anhelina Fedoriv, Senior Case Manager

Anhelina is a Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law working in our Cleveland, Ohio Office. Born and raised in Ukraine, Anhelina is multilingual, with proficiency in Ukrainian, English, and Russian, which allows her to communicate effectively with a diverse range of clients. Anhelina’s journey in the field of law began at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, one of Ukraine’s most respected law schools. There, she distinguished herself academically, earning a Bachelor’s Diploma in Law with honors. After graduation, Anhelina gained valuable experience as a legal assistant in an international law firm in Ukraine and was recognized there for her contributions to the United Nations Global Compact Network in Ukraine.

As an immigrant herself, Anhelina understands firsthand the challenges that come with immigration issues. This personal experience fuels her empathy for the clients and her dedication to helping them navigate the complexities of immigration law. 

Nelvi Piantino, Senior Case Manager 

Nelvi Piantino is a bilingual Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law, fluent in Spanish and English. She graduated from the University of Toledo with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in Political Science. Being a first-generation child with immigrant parents, she understands the hardships, challenges and emotions involved in the immigration process. She wants to help immigrants like her parents navigate their pathway in immigration.

Julia Martynowski, Senior Case Manager

Julia Martynowski is a Senior Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law and has been with our firm since 2020 in our Cleveland, Ohio office. Julia received her Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Cleveland State University in 2017. She was recognized with an award for Excellence in Spanish by the Department of World Languages at CSU. Julia’s interest in immigration law began while working at The University of Akron School of Law, where she served as an interpreter and translator for the Immigration & Human Rights Clinic. As a Spanish speaker, Julia connects with and assists clients from around the world, using her language skills to help them better understand and navigate the immigration process. During her 6 years with our firm, Julia has developed extensive experience in family-based immigration and has gained a strong depth of knowledge in employment-based immigration matters. Julia has a passion for art and photography and enjoys creating artwork in her free time. 

Sydney Everley, Senior Case Manager

Sydney Everley is a bilingual Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law and works in our Cleveland, Ohio office. She is fluent in Spanish and spent four years working in Sonora, Mexico as a director of a nonprofit. She gained an interest in immigration law while living on the US/Mexico border and is passionate about using her Spanish language skills to help others. She is currently enrolled at Stark State College where she is working to obtain her bachelor’s degree.

Andrew Wurth, Senior Case Manager

Andrew Wurth is a Case manager at Brown Immigration and works in our Cleveland, Ohio office. He studied Slavic and Eastern European International Studies at Ohio State University. Andrew loves history and volunteers at historical preservation foundations and museums. He gained a passion in immigration while working at an Eastern European grocery store and helping his coworkers with their immigration paperwork. Before starting at Robert Brown, he was a refugee resettlement case manager at ETSS and CRIS. He speaks Russian and Ukrainian.

Alexa Contreras, Senior Case Manager

Alexa Contreras is a bilingual Senior Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law in our Cleveland, Ohio office. She graduated from Tiffin University in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in Forensic Psychology and a minor in Leadership Studies. During college, Alexa served on the executive board of Tiffin University’s chapter of the Ohio Innocence Project, raising awareness about wrongful convictions and advocating for criminal justice reform. She is a passionate advocate for equality and diversity and enjoys using her Spanish language skills to bridge communication gaps and build meaningful connections with clients. As the proud daughter of an immigrant, Alexa holds a special place in her heart for the immigrant community and is dedicated to helping clients navigate their immigration journeys with confidence and support.

Dylan Lougheed, Case Manager

Dylan Loughheed is a case manager at Brown Immigration Law and works in our Cleveland, Ohio office. He graduated from the University of Virginia with dual majors in linguistic anthropology and religious studies, where he was involved with the Swahili language program and volunteered with VISAS, an ESL language program that aids international teaching assistants with American cultural competency and classroom composure. Dylan gained an interest in immigration law while serving as an agricultural extension volunteer with the Peace Corps in the Centrale Region of Togo. Through formal teaching and everyday immersion, Dylan returned from Togo conversationally proficient in French, and he is excited to bring his speaking abilities to the Cleveland office in assisting francophone clients with their cases.

Angelo Giordani, Case Manager

Angelo Giordani is a Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law in our Cleveland, Ohio office and is currently awaiting bar exam results as he prepares to begin practicing as an attorney. A Los Angeles native, Angelo is bilingual in English and Spanish and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law in 2026.

During law school, he served on the Trial Advocacy Board and gained legal experience as a law clerk for a Kentucky insurance defense firm and as a Certified Law Clerk with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, where he worked on complex litigation matters and supported crime victims throughout the legal process.

As the son of Mexican and Italian parents, Angelo’s passion for immigration law is deeply personal. Inspired by his mother’s journey to become a naturalized U.S. citizen and entrepreneur, he is dedicated to helping clients navigate the immigration process with confidence and compassion.

Noelle Baker, Strategic Operations Lead

Noelle Baker is the Strategic Operations Lead at Brown Immigration Law in the firm’s Cleveland, Ohio office. With more than five years at the firm, she previously served as a Senior Case Manager and now leads operational initiatives that support both clients and staff. Noelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with concentrations in French and Foreign Affairs from John Carroll University and is a commissioned Notary Public in the State of Ohio.

Passionate about humanitarian rights and international affairs, Noelle developed an interest in immigration law through her study of international law. She is committed to advancing the firm’s mission through strong leadership, organizational excellence, and a dedication to client service

Kassandra Perez, Billing Specialist

As a first-generation American from an immigrant family, Kassandra brings a personal understanding of the immigration journey to her role in the firm’s billing department. Having experienced the process alongside her parents, she is passionate about supporting individuals and families as they pursue their immigration goals. Her personal connection to the immigration experience, combined with her professional expertise, ensures the firm’s financial operations run smoothly while helping clients feel supported throughout their journey. Kassandra is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Liz Alvarez Acosta, Billing Specialist

Liz Alvarez Acosta is a Billing Specialist at Brown Immigration Law in our Cleveland, Ohio office. A proud California native from an immigrant family, Liz moved to Ohio in 2019 in pursuit of new opportunities for herself and her family. Passionate about helping others, she combines strong organizational and communication skills with a compassionate, client-focused approach, supporting individuals and families throughout their immigration journey. Liz is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Melody Chavez, Administrative Assistant

Melody Chavez is a bilingual Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law and works in our Cleveland, Ohio office. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, Los Angeles. After serving as an Administrative Assistant at Brown Immigration Law for one year, Melody developed a strong passion for immigration law and advanced into the role of Case Manager. She is dedicated to supporting clients throughout their immigration journey and strives to provide compassionate, reliable service every step of the way.

Riley Logan, Case Manager

Riley is a Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law and works at our Columbus, Ohio office. She loves working with clients and helping them through a variety of processes. Riley received her Bachelors Degree from The Ohio State University with a minor in History through the honors program. She is very passionate about immigration rights and is very dedicated to her work. Immigration law includes lots of twists and turns, and she loves being the tour guide.

Navya Guduri, Case Manager

Navya is a Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law and works in our Columbus, Ohio office. She recently graduated from The Ohio State University with dual degrees in Public Policy Analysis and Spanish and has studied Spanish for nearly a decade. In addition to her work at BIL, she serves as a research assistant in OSU’s Department of Political Science and volunteers at pro bono asylum clinics. Coming from a family of immigrants, Navya is passionate about serving the diverse immigrant community while continuing to strengthen her language skills.

Ana Lazcano, Receptionist

Ana is a receptionist at Brown Immigration Law and works in our Columbus, Ohio office. She is bilingual in both English and Spanish.

Our Florida Supporting Staff Members

From our Orlando and Tampa offices, our Florida staff work closely with clients throughout the immigration journey. The Orlando office team provides bilingual case management and administrative support to clients across central Florida. Our Tampa office is supported by a dedicated team working behind the scenes to help clients navigate their immigration matters smoothly from start to finish.

Maria Ramirez Arita, Senior Case Manager

Maria Ramirez Arita is a bilingual Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law and works in our Orlando, Florida office. Her fluency in Spanish and English allow her to provide translation and interpretation services, fostering effective communication with clients. Maria is a dedicated legal professional with over 10 years of experience and a strong background in immigration law and case management. With a J.D. from Barry University, Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies, Maria has developed a deep understanding of legal research, document preparation, and client advocacy.

Her experience includes positions at several immigration law practices in Daytona Beach and Orlando, Florida as well as a Citizenship Intern position at the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) in Boston, Massachusetts, in which she has honed her skills in legal documentation, client relations, and administrative support. Maria is passionate about immigration law and is committed to helping clients navigate complex immigration matters as stress free as possible.

She is excited to be a part of Brown Immigration Law and to continue to learn about immigration. And, with a deep sense of empathy for clients, looks forward to helping and supporting them throughout their immigration journeys.

Sasha Pupovac, Senior Case Manager

Sasha is a Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law and works in our Orlando, Florida office. He received his bachelor’s degree from Cleveland State University, where he double majored in Psychology and Health Science. During his time at Cleveland State University, he was a member of the National Honor Society in Psychology and the Graduate Association for School Psychology. Sasha is fluent in Serbian, Croatian and English.

Javanna Sharpe Valadares, Senior Case Manager

Javanna Sharpe is a trilingual case manager at Brown Immigration Law in the Orlando office. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and minors in Portuguese and Spanish Literature and culture at Scripps College. After graduation, she taught English in Madrid and completed a Fulbright Scholarship in Brazil. Growing up in the diverse immigrant community of Orlando and interning at legal nonprofit organizations throughout college are what made her interested in immigration law. She is passionate about using her skills to help and protect the immigrant community.

Giulia Rodrigues, Senior Case Manager

Giulia is a bilingual Senior Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law’s Orlando office, where she is passionate about helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration law. Originally from Brazil, where she attended law school, Giulia recently earned her Master of Laws (LL.M.) in U.S. Law, further strengthening her knowledge of the American legal system and its impact on immigrants. As an immigrant herself, she understands firsthand the challenges of adapting to a new country and navigating complex legal processes. 

Combining her international legal background, advanced U.S. legal education, and personal experience, Giulia is committed to providing compassionate, knowledgeable, and effective support to clients throughout their immigration journey. 

Gianna Fontela, Senior Case Manager

Gianna Fontela is a Bilingual Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law’s Orlando office. Gianna joined the firm in April of 2024 as an Administrative Assistant and advanced into her role as Case Manager in November of 2024. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with Minors in Legal Studies and Strategic Communications. Her studies provide her with a strong foundation for working with clients on immigration matters. Coming from a family of Cuban immigrants, she is fluent in both English and Spanish. Gianna is most passionate about helping others with their dreams of coming to America.

Maria Howard, Case Manager

Maria Fernanda Howard is a Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law with several years of experience in U.S. immigration law. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, she is dedicated to guiding clients through the complexities of the immigration process with professionalism, empathy, and attention to detail. Maria holds an MBA in Project Management from Brazil and an MBA in International Business from Panama, bringing a strong foundation in organization, strategic planning, and client service to every case she handles. As an immigrant herself, she understands the challenges many clients face and is committed to providing knowledgeable, reliable guidance throughout every stage of their immigration journey.

Sheelove Dorcena, Case Manager

Sheelove Dorcena combines her background in social services and personal immigration experience to serve clients with empathy and dedication. As a Haitian immigrant, she understands the challenges of navigating the immigration system and is passionate about advocating for underserved communities. Fluent in Haitian Creole, she also serves as an interpreter, helping bridge language barriers and connect clients with the support they need. Sheelove is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in National Intelligence, furthering her commitment to public service and immigrant advocacy.

Chrissdaly Soto Laureano, Administrative Assistant

Chrissdaly Soto is an Administrative Assistant at Brown Immigration Law in our Orlando office. She brings more than 15 years of experience in customer service and administrative support, including previous work with Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Chrissdaly is dedicated to helping clients feel welcomed, informed, and supported while providing reliable assistance to the firm’s legal team.

Our North Carolina Supporting Staff Members

Our Durham-Raleigh office staff bring dedicated support to clients across North Carolina, helping guide immigration cases with care and attention to detail.

Karina Navarro, Senior Case Manager

Karina Navarro is a Bilingual Senior Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law and works in our Durham, North Carolina office. She joined Brown Immigration in 2018. She is fluent in Spanish and English. Karina graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in Psychology and Political Science and is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration.

Prior to working at Brown Immigration Law, Karina was working as a Research Assistant and volunteered as a teacher assistant for ESL. During her employment at Brown Immigration Law, Karina has become well versed in both family and employment-based immigration matters. Her attention to detail, organizational skills, and dedication is crucial to the overall success of cases. She is always ready to be of assistance to attorneys and staff alike sharing her knowledge and expertise.

Mia Babson, Senior Case Manager

Mia is a Senior Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law, working in our Durham, North Carolina office. Born and raised in North Carolina, Mia is an alumnus of UNC-Chapel Hill, graduating with distinction, and earning dual degrees in Political Science and Peace, War and Defense. Mia is a public notary, and boasts 10 years of customer service experience, 3 of which as a paralegal. Mia is passionate about the immigration field, and eager to provide diligent support to clients throughout their process. 

Everth Chinchilla Corleto, Senior Case Manager

Everth Chinchilla Corleto serves as a Bilingual Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law, where he is dedicated to supporting clients in our Durham, North Carolina office. Originally from Guatemala, Everth’s journey led him to become an U.S. Citizen in 2024. With his expertise as a professional English-Spanish interpreter and translator, he plays a vital role in bridging communication gaps for those navigating the complexities of immigration. Having gone through the immigration process himself, Everth deeply understands the challenges and emotions involved. His personal experience fuels his compassion and commitment to helping others find their path toward a brighter future.

Tania Ferrer, Case Manager

Tania Ferrer is a Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law and works in our Durham, North Carolina office. Tania has 5 years of leadership experience and 3 years of customer service experience gained from her previous jobs. She also has a Spanish interpreter diploma and certification. She has been with Brown Immigration Law for a little over a year and has increased her knowledge and ability to help clients with their applications. This certification, combined with her growing experience, allow her to skillfully attend to clients’ various needs.

Melissa Augustin, Case Manager

Melissa Augustin is a bilingual Case Manager at Brown Immigration law and works in our Durham, North Carolina office. She received her bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Minor in Pre-Law in from Suny Old Westbury of New York in 2020. She grew up in Long Island, NY and made a career change when she moved to North Carolina. She has over ten years’ worth of customer service and two years’ worth of administrative experience. As a child of immigrants Melissa is eager to help clients navigate their immigration matters. Melissa is bilingual in English and Haitian Creole.

Brenda Franco, Case Manager

Brenda Franco is a bilingual Case Manager at Brown Immigration Law in the Durham, North Carolina office. Originally from Mexico, she is passionate about helping individuals and families navigate the immigration process and achieve the American Dream.

She holds a Bachelor of Science from North Carolina Central University and has worked in the legal field since 2013, with a strong focus on immigration law. Fluent in English and Spanish, Brenda assists clients throughout their cases and serves as an interpreter for USCIS interviews. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, knowledgeable support to every client she serves.

Yazmin Villanueva, Case Manager

Growing up as a first-generation Mexican American, she saw firsthand how life-changing and complex the immigration journey can be. Watching her family navigate the system inspired her passion for helping others and led her to a career in immigration law.

She graduated from East Carolina University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Marketing and has spent nearly five years working in the immigration field. Since joining Brown Immigration Law in September, she has combined her communication skills and personal experience to support clients through every step of the process. As a certified Notary Public, she is proud to provide an additional layer of support to the individuals and families we serve. Her goal is to ensure every client feels heard, respected, and empowered throughout their immigration journey. 

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at the beach, baking sweet treats, and cheering on her favorite teams. Go Dodgers!

Rosalinda Velasquez, Receptionist

Rosalinda Velasquez is the Office Administrator at Brown Immigration Law, bringing experience in legal administration, client relations, and office operations. Fluent in English and Spanish, she is dedicated to providing exceptional client service and helping clients feel supported throughout the immigration process.

Prior to joining the firm, Rosalinda worked at a real estate law firm, gaining experience in legal procedures, client communication, and document management. She is also a commissioned Notary Public and is currently pursuing studies in Criminal Justice and Technology. Known for her strong organizational skills and attention to detail, Rosalinda plays an important role in supporting both clients and the firm’s mission.