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Fernando Perez III

4.8
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 43 years

Immigration Lawyer at Tampa, FL
Practice Areas: Immigration

1303 N Armenia Ave, Tampa, FL

About Fernando

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 43 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1982

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Perez & Associates

1303 N Armenia Ave, Tampa, FL, 33607-5310

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Fernando Perez III's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

83 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (83) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Punctuality

Posted by Laura | April 12, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Cancellation Of removal

I do not recommend Mr. Perez to nobody I hire Mr. Perez March 14 my husband was picked up from ice he had my husbands case two months did not appear on his first hearing only appear and his master hearing on the last hearing Mr. Perez was thinking to cancel my husband’s court because of the cove19 I ...had to fire him and hire a new attorney he took $10,000 from me and only gave me back 2500 he did not do anything for my husband I do not recommend him to anybody worst experience ever I hire my new attorney in 25 days my husband was released

Fernando Perez

Replied last April 12, 2021

It is unfortunate that this client did not understand all the work that went into her husband's case. Removal proceedings are very complex, and sometimes when a client does not understand the procedures the attorney is blamed when things don't go exactly as the client thinks they should. In this case, before I was hired, I explained in writing that I would not be able to appear in court or visit detention facilities because of Covid, and that if that was a concern, she should not hire me. She said it was not a problem and that she understood. I appeared telephonically at every hearing held for her husband about which we had notice after being retained. Then, my firm spent a tremendous amount of time trying to get her husband released from ICE detention while we pursued other aspects of the case. We even included her husband in a federal class action suit as a named plaintiff in an attempt to force ICE to release him, but at that time, as is now well known, ICE was not releasing anyone. The fact that ICE refused to release her husband despite all our efforts and in violation of court orders is in no way indicative of the hours and hours spent fighting that battle. She hired a new firm because they were willing to go to court in person, and we cooperated in every way possible wit that firm. That firm went forward using the application I had prepared and information I had gathered. Her husband was released in 25 days because that was the date set by me for his trial. In terms of the refund, given the number of hours spent trying to get her husband released from detention, in the preparation of his application for relief, and in preparation for the trial, we actually refunded more than what the client was entitled to.

Posted by Daniel | August 09, 2013 | Immigration

Best responsive and skilled attorney that I have ever worked with!

I met Fernando while inquiring about obtaining my naturalization (N400 petition). Upon arriving at my initial appointment I was received cordially by Mr. Perez's staff and seen punctually by Mr. Perez. Although I have been eligible for naturalization for close to a decade, I had to wait to apply sinc...e I have a large IRS debt due to misinformation in my part back in 2004-2006 > I also had to wait until I was able to establish a payment plan late in 2012 in order to apply. Mr. Perez addressed my concerns with the upmost sensitivity and care. This made me comfortable from the start since to us, the applicants, those cases can be life changing. I knew then I had made a great decision in representation but the best was yet to come. During my interview, everything went as it should until the interviewing officer showed concern about my IRS debt and challenged my intentions of repayment. Mr. Perez jumped in immediately and argued to truly have the officer see this in the correct light and not on the one he was questioning. Regardless, the officer decided to not make a decision and sent me home with a request for additional evidence. This included ALL of my tax returns, a detailed explanation from a board certified tax attorney and a couple of other documents. I was naturally very concerned. Although I was very impressed with the officer's attention to detail since his position is vital to the safety of the country I love, it still made me sad that my moral character would be questioned .Mr Perez re-assured me that the officer is a fair man and urged me to obtain all the evidence requested which was not easy. At one point I e-mailed Mr. Perez wanting to just withdraw my application since it was causing me a lot of anxiety. He reassured me, took his time answering my questions and convinced me to stay the course . After my RFE was sent along with a detailed response by Mr. Perez, I went into waiting mode. Today, I received a notification from USCIS that I was placed on QUE for my Oath Ceremony. Mr. Perez's representation from beginning to end is an example of excellence in his profession and his skills and kindness with his clients is nothing short of outstanding. Respectfully.

Posted by anonymous | April 25, 2013 | Immigration

Bad attitude, unreliable working ethic.

I had an initial meeting with Fernando months before. I waited for him for half an hour at his home office until he showed up. We discussed some details about my L1 visa. He explained some information to me. When I walked out of his meeting room, I saw his assistant playing computer games.... According to his attitude and his assistant's work ethic, I believe this place is kind of shady. I don't recommend people to work with him.

Fernando Perez

Replied last July 12, 2013

First, I think this person has me confused with another attorney, as I do not have a home office. Second, assuming it was my office, immigration interviews and court appearances sometimes go longer than anticipated. This is something we have no control over. In addition, the rest of my reviews and my over 30 years without a bar complaint speak for themselves, so there is clearly no basis for this person's conclusion that I run a "shady" office. It is also clear that this person did not hire me, yet they have indicated above that I handled their immigration matter.

Posted by Steve | August 30, 2010 | Immigration

Fernando made getting my wife's visa - Easy!

After marrying my spouse in Bogota, Colombia, we were left with the obstacle in getting her a visa to enter the United States so we could start our life. Upon meeting Mr. Perez, he immediately made me feel at home and exuded a reassuring confidence that he would guide me through the immigration proce...ss and get my wife a visa to enter the United States. He always kept me abreast of developments in the case and always provided a checklist of things to do in order to help him expedite the process. In any case, you get for what you pay for as far as I'm concerned with getting a loved one a visa. He got my wife here in the exact time frame when he promised he would.

See All Client Reviews

Fernando Perez III's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Fernando
Neelofer Syed headshot
Neelofer Syed

Immigration lawyer | Jan 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Fernando is simply exceptional. I learned a lot from him during my days when I worked for him which was almost for 8 years. I think there are few immigration Attorneys who could match his Knowledge."

Martin John Hernandez headshot
Martin Hernandez

Immigration lawyer | Jan 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I proudly endorse this lawyer. For nearly 20 years, our firm has been referring Mr. Perez immigration cases. He is well-versed and knowledgeable. Many lawyers say they handle immigration cases, but they quite often do not deliver. This is the lawyer you need. Cuado tu necesitas un abogado para immigracion, este es el abogado que tu tienes que llamar."

Neil F. Lewis headshot
Neil Lewis

Immigration lawyer | Sep 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Fernando Perez is one of the best immigration attorneys in Florida."

View All Endorsements
Martin John Hernandez headshot
Martin Hernandez

Personal injury lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2018

Tampa Bay's Top Lawyers, Tampa Bay Magazine

2018

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers, International Who's Who

2018

Top Attorneys in Florida, Wall Street Journal

2015

Florida Super Lawyer in Specialty of Immigration Law, Florida Super Lawyers Magazine

2013

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2012

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2011

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

1998 - Present

Managing Partner, Perez & Associates

1996 - 1998

Partner, Anderson & Orcutt

1992 - 1996

Managing Partner, Fernando Perez III, P.A.

1987 - 1992

Partner, Fotopulos Spridgeon & Perez, P.A.

1983 - 1987

Attorney, Lima & Elliott

1982 - 1983

Assistant State Attorney, Hillsborough County Office of the State Attorney

Associations

1983 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association

British American Business Council of Tampa

Director

1995 - 2003

Hispanic Business Institute

Director

1995 - 1998

Greater Tampa YMCA

Director

1989 - 1990

American Immigration Lawyers Association, Central Florida Chapter

Past President

1989 - 1990

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Board of Governors

Education

1981

Georgetown University Law Center

JD - Juris Doctor

1977

Georgetown University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2017

2017 Central Florida Immigration Law Conference

Treaty Visa Myths

2014

26th Annual Immigration Law Conference

O & P Visas (Advanced Track)

2013

25th Annual Immigration Law Conference

Talk to the Experts: Removal and Post-Conviction Relief

2008

2008 Annual Conference on Immigration Law

Naturalization

2006

Current Issues in Labor and Employment Law

Immigration Law Update for Employers

2005

26th Annual Immigration Law Update

The L and E Visa Categories: Mastering the Hard To Prove Cases

2004

25th Annual Immigration Law Update

Intracompany Transferees and Treaty Traders/Investors

2003

24th Annual Immigration Law Update

Intracompany Transferees and Treaty Traders/Investors

2001

22nd Annual Immigration Law Update

Intracompany Transferees and Treaty Traders/Investors

Publications

2017

2017 Central Florida Advanced Immigration Law Conference Handbook 15 Treaty Visa Myths

2005

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Treaty Visas: Mastering the Hard To Prove Cases

2004

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Treaty Visas: Did You Know That...

2003

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Treaty Visas in the Post-September 11 World

2001

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Treaty Visas

Languages

Spanish

English

Activity

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