About Francisco Fraerly Symphorien-Saavedra
Francisco “Frank” Symphorien-Saavedra
Board Certified Expert
Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra’s practice is limited to high stakes immigration and nationality law matters. A Board Certified Expert in Immigration and Nationality Law, Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra is AV rated “Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell and a Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine. As the Florida Bar’s website explains, less than 8% of all lawyers in Florida have earned Board Certification. He presently serves on the Florida Bar Immigration & Nationality Law Certification Committee and is a regular speaker at regional and national conferences by the American Immigration Lawyers Association on the topic of federal court litigation and extraordinary ability visas. Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra has also been a member of the National Advocates Top 100 and Top 40 Under 40. He further served on the Executive Committee for the National Advocates Top 40 Under 40, and is rated “10.0 Superb” by AVVO.
Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra regularly provides commentary on Univision and has previously provided commentary on Unimas, News 13, and other news media outlets.
A native of Venezuela, Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra immigrated to the United States when he was 11 years old. His father worked 24-hour shifts as a taxi driver in New York City in order to bring his wife and children to the United States. Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra attended West Orange High School in Winter Garden where he participated in the law magnet program and won a mock appellate brief competition. His promising young career was evident when he presented mock oral arguments on his written brief before the Florida Supreme Court. Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra attended The Florida State University College of Law after graduating with high honors from the University of South Florida. Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra is married with two children. He enjoys cycling with his wife and children and playing basketball with friends.
Languages
English
, Spanish
, English
, Portuguese
Practice Areas
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Resumes
Associations
|
Association name
|
Position name |
Duration |
| United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit |
Attorney Member |
N/A |
| United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida |
Attorney Member |
N/A |
| American Immigration Lawyers Associatioin |
CBP Liaison Chair |
2009 - 2011 |
| United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit |
Attorney Member |
2009 - 1900 |
| United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida |
Attorney Member |
2009 - 1900 |
| United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit |
Attorney Member |
N/A |
| United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida |
Attorney Member |
N/A |
| American Immigration Lawyers Association |
CBP Liaison Chair |
2009 - 2011 |
| Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida |
Board Member, Public Relations Chair |
2010 - 2012 |
| United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida |
Attorney Member |
2012 - 1900 |
| United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida |
Attorney Member |
N/A |
| Hispanic Bar Association of Central Florida |
Board Member, Bylaws Chair |
2012 - 2013 |
| United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida |
Attorney Member |
N/A |
| American Immigration Lawyers Association |
CBP Liaison Chair |
N/A |
| American Immigration Lawyers Association |
CBP Liaison Chair |
N/A |
| American Immigration Lawyers Association |
CBP Liaison Chair |
2013 - 1900 |
| Orange County Bar Association |
Chair, Executive Committee for Immigration and Naturalization |
2014 - 2016 |
| Florida Bar |
Immigration & Nationality Law Certification Committee Member |
N/A |
| Florida Bar |
Immigration & Nationality Law Certification Committee Member |
2016 - 1900 |
| Florida Bar |
Immigration & Nationality Law Certification Committee Member |
N/A |
Awards
|
Award name
|
Grantor |
Date granted |
| Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education |
Board Certified Specialist- Immigration & Nationality Law |
2014 |
| Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education |
Board Certified Specialist- Immigration & Nationality Law |
2014 |
| Top Contributor Award for 2013. |
AVVO |
2013 |
Education
| School name |
Degree |
Graduated |
| University of South Florida |
BA - Bachelor of Arts |
2005 |
| University of South Florida |
BA - Bachelor of Arts |
2005 |
| The Florida State University College of Law |
JD - Juris Doctor |
2007 |
| The Florida State University College of Law |
JD - Juris Doctor |
2007 |
Legal Cases
| Case name |
Outcome |
| Dang v. U.S. Secretary of State |
Immigrant Visa Issued |
| Jane Doe v. U.S. Attorney General, 11th Circuit—15-15003 |
BIA Decision Vacated and Remanded |
| Matter of CF |
Withholding of Removal Granted |
| Matter of DN |
Cancellation of Removal Granted |
| Matter of JA |
Asylum Granted |
| Matter of MA |
Immigrant Visa Issued and client admitted to U.S. |
| Matter of MA |
I-601 Extreme Hardship Waiver Granted, 1992 Resident Spouse Petition Reinstated and Resident Status Granted. |
| Matter of MR |
Cancellation of Removal and Lawful Permanent Residence Granted |
| Matter of ODR |
Adjustment of Status Granted |
| Matter of PB |
Adjustment and 212(h) waiver granted. |
| Peralta V. DHS, AG |
Permanent Residence, Adjustment of Status Granted |
License
| State |
Number |
Status |
Acquired |
Updated |
| FL |
51614 |
Member in Good Standing |
2008 |
04/25/2019 |
Publications
| Publication name |
Title |
Date |
| Immigration Practice Pointers (AILA) |
Strategic Considerations for Success in EB-1 Cases,” Immigration Practice Pointers (AILA 2019–20 Ed. |
2020 |
| Orlando Style Magazine |
What's Missing from Immigration Debate?
|
2010 |
Speaking engagements
| Conference name |
Title |
Date |
| Sports Immigration Law Conference 2019 |
Fighting the Good Fight – Post-denial Options |
2019 |
| 2019 AILA Annual Conference on Immigration Law |
Setting Yourself Up for EB-1 Success: You Can Get There From Here! |
2019 |
| BOOT CAMP BASICS OF A FAMILY IMMIGRATION LAW PRACTICE |
Admissibility and Removability under INA 212 and INA 237 |
2016 |
| American Immigration Lawyers Association of Central FL in partnership with Orange County Bar Association Immigration Committee |
BASICS OF PRACTICING IN IMMIGRATION COURT |
2015 |
| The Ins and Outs of Consular Visa Processing |
Consular Processing, Venezuela |
2014 |
| Professionalism Bootcamp |
Professionalism Bootcamp |
2014 |
| What's at Stake for the Supreme Court |
Legal implications of DOMA & Prop 8 Cases for Florida Practitioners |
2013 |
| Econmic Impact of Immigration Reform |
Immigration Reform Seminar |
2013 |
| Should the Sunshine State Become an Immigration Legislation State |
State Immigration Statutes |
2011 |
Work experience
| Title |
Company name |
Duration |
| Summer Fellow |
Community Legal Services Of Mid Florida, Inc. |
2006 - 2006 |
| Summer Fellow |
Community Legal Services Of Mid Florida, Inc. |
2006 - 2006 |
| Associate Attorney |
Stoller & Moreno, P.A. |
2008 - 2010 |
| Associate Attorney |
Stoller & Moreno, P.A. |
2008 - 2010 |
| Associate Attorney |
NeJame Law |
2010 - 2013 |
| Associate Attorney |
NeJame Law |
2010 - 2013 |
| Partner |
NeJame Law |
2013 - 2016 |
| Partner |
NeJame Law |
N/A |
| Director, Immigration Division |
Martinez Manglardi, P.A. |
N/A |
| Director, Immigration Division |
Martinez Manglardi, P.A. |
2016 - 2021 |
