Dedicated Immigration & Litigation Attorney.
I specialize in immigration law and business civil litigation.
My immigration experience includes successfully defending individuals in immigration court proceedings before an Immigration Judge, including, but not limited to, BOND hearings, Form I-751 denials, and defensive asylum cases, together with appeals to the BIA. We also handle all types of family- and employment-based visas. This includes, but is not limited to, applications to obtain lawful permanent resident status (i.e., obtain a green card) through marriage or employment sponsorship, together with Fiancé (K1), H1-B, L1A/L1B/L2, B2 (Temporary Business Visa), and TN NAFTA (Mexico and Canada) visas. Additionally, we represent clients obtain US Citizenship by filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. I also am familiar with the labor certification process with the Department of Labor, as well as resolving administrative glitches or unique situations that require special, thoughtful attention (for example, waiver applications of any kind, including waiver of 2-year residency requirement on J-1 visa).
With the LGBT advances to immigration law since 2013 (and further reinforced in 2015), I represent many same-sex binational couples on marriage petitions and fiancé (K1) visas. Additionally, I have successfully represented LGBT (and other) applicants obtain asylum by filing affirmative applications to any one of the eight Asylum Offices throughout the country. Asylum allows the individual to remain in the United States with employment authorization, federal/state benefits, and a path to citizenship.
All clients are welcome, and I have successfully and gladly represented diverse clients obtain all types of immigration relief. We have represented individuals from many, many countries, including: Afghanistan, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, Liberia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, St. Lucia, Senegal, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, United Kingdom, and Zambia.
In addition to a full suite of immigration services, I also represent businesses in a broad range of complex litigation matters in state and federal courts in New Jersey and New York and am skilled in all phases of civil litigation.
And my partners in the firm specialize in criminal defense.
Practice areas
I have successfully represented clients in immigration court proceedings, together with all forms of affirmative applications for lawful permanent status (i.e., a green card) and many types of nonimmigrant visas (for example, a fiancé visa).
18 years, 1,000 cases
My background focused on business litigation, and I have represented many businesses in a broad range of litigation matters in state and federal courts in New Jersey and New York.
18 years, 250 cases
Languages spoken
English, Portuguese
Baldassare & Mara, LLC (NJ and NY)
570 Broad Street
Suite 900
Newark, NJ, 07102
Baldassare & Mara, LLC (NJ and NY)
100 Church Street
8th Floor
New York, NY, 10013
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
NY | Due to Register within 30 Days of Birthday | 2007 | 02/24/2022 |
NJ | Active | 2004 | 03/22/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Recongnizing Exellence in Immigration Law | Lawyers of Distinction | 2019 |
Top Contributor | Avvo | 2019 |
Clients' Choice Award | Avvo | 2017 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2015 |
Top Contributor | Avvo | 2015 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2014 |
Clients' Choice Award | Avvo | 2014 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2013 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2012 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2011 |
Safe Haven Award | Immigration Equality | 2006 |
Samuel Rubin Merit Scholarship | Samuel Rubin | 2004 |
Articles Editor (Title) | The Rutgers Law Review | 2004 |
Honorable Distinction | M. Greenberg Writing Competition | 2003 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Of Counsel | Baldassare & Mara, LLC | 2013 - Present |
Associate | Saul Ewing | 2008 - 2012 |
Associate | Saiber LLC | 2004 - 2008 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
American Immigration Lawyers Association | Approved Member | 2015 - Present |
No More Fear | Board Member | 2013 - Present |
New York State Bar Association | Member | 2010 - Present |
National LGBT Bar Association | Member | 2008 - Present |
Lesbian and Gay Law Association of Greater New York | Member | 2005 - Present |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
New Jersey Lawyer | What the DACA2 and DAPA Programs Say About Executive Immigration Reforms Moving Forward | 2017 |
Odyssey | LGBT Immigration News | 2015 |
Odyssey | LGBT Immigration News | 2013 |
dot429.com Magazine | LGBT people throughout the world seek asylum in the United States | 2012 |
NJSBA Banking Law Section | E-Discovery: If It is Recoverable, It Is Discoverable | 2004 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Law - Newark (S.I. Newhouse Center for Law & Justice) | JD - Juris Doctor | 2004 |
Rutgers University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1996 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Panel Member -- Seton Hall Law School CLE Presentation | Cross-border Issues Affecting Immigrant Families: Concentration on Immigration and Family Law | 2015 |
Panel Member | LGBT Asylum | 2012 |
Gusest Speaker | LGBT Asylum | 2012 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
In re Bond Hearing | GRANTED |
In re Unlawful Presence Waiver Application | GRANTED |
In re LGBT Algerian National Asylum Application | GRANTED |
In re LGBT Overseas Spousal Sponsorship | GRANTED |
In re K1, Fiance Visa | GRANTED |
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DanaLynn Colao, Immigration Attorney on Sep 29, 2021
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
George is an excellent attorney that I endorse. He is knowledgeable, hard working and ethical. George does a good job listening to his clients and determines the best course of action for their individual situation.
Corey Lee, Immigration Attorney on May 18, 2021
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
DanaLynn Colao, Immigration Attorney on Sep 29, 2021
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
George is an excellent attorney that I endorse. He is knowledgeable, hard working and ethical. George does a good job listening to his clients and determines the best course of action for their individual situation.
Corey Lee, Immigration Attorney on May 18, 2021
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Peter Zhang, Immigration Attorney on Nov 9, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Hui Zeng, Immigration Attorney on Aug 29, 2020
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
David Weinstein, Litigation Attorney on Nov 17, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I have worked with George on several matters. He is a pleasure to work with and always very knowledgeable about the subject matter.
Elena Denevich, Immigration Attorney on Nov 13, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Macarena Santos, Immigration Attorney on Sep 20, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. A great advocate for his clients.
Michael Noriega, Immigration Attorney on Jul 19, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. George is an excellent lawyer. He is passionate about the work that he does and client's feel comforted, empowered and supported when George is in their corner. He works hard for each and every client and it shows in his results.
Molly Full, Unknown Attorney on Jul 18, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Somair Alam, Immigration Attorney on Feb 11, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
A top-notch immigration attorney. Highly respected in the legal community.
Mark Rafidi, Immigration Attorney on Feb 9, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
George is an asset to his clients and the legal community. George has my endorsement!
George Gellis, Litigation Attorney on Jan 28, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer and highly recommend his services. George is an exceptionally bright and skillful attorney. George and our sims have collaborated on a range of civil citation and immigration matters. His depth of knowledge and professional skills are very impressive and greatly compliment his personality. We definitely plan to continue our collaboration in the future.
Paul Hannaford, Litigation Attorney on Jan 5, 2017
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Eugene Opoku-Serebuoh, Unknown Attorney on Apr 3, 2015
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Jennifer Mara, Immigration Attorney on Mar 24, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Jill Rogers, Unknown Attorney on Feb 24, 2015
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer. Very skilled and knowledgeable when it comes to the law.
Judd Nemiro, Unknown Attorney on Feb 2, 2015
Relationship: Other
Highly skilled and respected in the community. I endorse this lawyer.
Oleg Otten, Litigation Attorney on Jan 19, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer for his hard work and willingness to provide free advice to those in need.
Ryan Fishman, Immigration Attorney on Dec 9, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Douglas Borthwick, Unknown Attorney on Dec 3, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
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