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.