NERA SHEFER, Attorney of Counsel

  • Attorney at Law
  • Juris Doctor Degree Admitted to practice Federal Law in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
  • Admitted to practice State Law in Florida
  • Admitted to practice Law in Colombia, South America.

Universidad del Norte Juris Doctor – Attorney At Law Barranquilla, Colombia
1987-1992 1992 Summa Cum Laude Dean’s List (1987-1991).
Recipient of the Medal “Roble Amarillo,” (Golden Oak) for outstanding community leadership (2017).

Saint Thomas University Juris Doctor – Attorney at Law – Miami, Florida
2002-2004 Dean’s List (2002-2004).
Best Student – Contracts – (2002-2004).
Best Student – Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts – (2002-2004).
Academic Recognition Scholarship (2003-2004).

Employment with emphasis in Business Immigration Advisory for International Investors
Advise corporate, small business clients (including for-profit international schools operating in the U.S.), on US employment, labor and immigration laws, including FMLA, ADA, Title VII, as well as on regulations and policies for hiring, wage and working hours for direct employees and independent contractors, pay equity and affirmative action.
Advise and create policies for corporate clients and small businesses to measure performance in management and supervisory employment positions and to comply with immigration employment laws.
Create employee handbooks, employment risk management procedures and guidelines in accordance with U.S. Federal Employment Laws and Immigration Compliance Regulations and advise them on potential implications for non-compliance.
Affirmative and defense legal representation of corporations and small businesses in labor and immigration administrative matters and agency proceedings.
Expert in Investment, Company Transfer, Talent, Extraordinary Abilities and Professional/ Skill Workers long and short term working visas, as well as Permanent Residence applications for foreign citizens.

Memberships

  • The Florida Bar Association.
  • The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
  • The Colombian National Lawyers Association (Licensed Attorney in Colombia, South America).
  • The Miami-Dade County Bar Association.
  • The American Bar Association.
  • The Maricopa County Bar Association – Out of State.
  • The Association of Corporate Counsel. The American Society of International Law.
  • The Association of Immigration Lawyers of America (AILA).
  • The International Women’s Leadership Association.

Accolades

  • Most Efficient Attorney in Public Policy named by the Daily Business Review Law Journal (2012).
  • Recipient of Special U.S. Congressional Recognition for Outstanding Service to the Community (2012 and 2022).
  • Outstanding Latino named by the Latino American Who’s Who Magazine (2012-2022).
  • Super Lawyers (2013-2014).
  • Outstanding Attorney of Florida named by the Wall Street Journal (2012-2018).
  • Outstanding Attorney of Florida named by the Miami and Tampa Bay Magazines (2012-2020).

Precedent-Setting Decisions
Obtained first Deferred Action approval from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for Childhood Arrivals, setting precedence for the Executive Action named, “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals”, or “DACA” (212). More than 1M people have registered with DACA, and at least 60% have become recipients of DACA after Mrs. Shefer’s winning case (between 2012 and 2020). Chair of the Drafting Committee for the “Stars Act” (Studying Towards Adjusted Residency Status), introduced to the U.S. Congress (2012). Collaborative meetings with Members of the U.S. Senate, Congress, and their staffers at the U.S. Capitol (2012-2013).* Collaborative meeting with the Chief of Domestic Policy for the White House for the drafting of “DACA” (2012).* *Names and details to be provided upon request.