Thelmo R. Fernandez

Top Skills

Computer: Microsoft Office Applications: Word, Excel, Powerpoint; Legal databases: Westlaw and LexisNexis;
Law office administrative software: Clio, Practice Panther, PrimaFacie; Court systems: Florida E-filing, PACER.

Languages

Language: Spanish (native), English (fluent)

Education

  • UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
    LL.M. in International Law – U.S. & Transnational Law for Foreign-Trained Lawyers, May 2021
    GPA: 3.713/4.0
    Honors: Recipient of Claude M. Olds Foundation Scholarship (2020-2021); Recipient of the Dean’s Certificate of
    Achievement – Civil Procedure I (Fall 2020)
    Activities: Dean’s Fellow to Prof. Sergio Campos – Introduction to U.S. Law (Spring 2021)
  • UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
    Paralegal Studies, March 2016
  • UNIVERSIDAD CENTRAL DE VENEZUELA, Caracas, Capital District, Venezuela
    Abogado (equivalent to Juris Doctor), November 2014
    GPA: 18.022/20.00
    Honors: Magna Cum Laude
    Rank: 4 / 371
    Activities: Research Assistant to Prof. Yaritza Perez-Pacheco at the Private International Law Department (March
    2011 – November 2014)

Summary

Thelmo Fernandez Martinez is a Venezuelan attorney, dually licensed in Venezuela and the United States (California, USA). Thelmo Fernandez Martinez graduated with honors (Magna Cum Laude) (Top 10 of his class) from the “Universidad Central de Venezuela” in Caracas, Venezuela. Afterward, Fernandez Martinez coursed Paralegal Studies at the University of Miami, in Coral Gables, FL, USA. Immediately after graduation, Fernandez Martinez started working as a paralegal in civil litigation and immigration and nationality law for approximately six years, during which he gained strong legal and professional skills along with a broad view of the U.S. Legal System. Fernandez Martinez recently earned his LL.M Degree in International Law (U.S. and Transnational Law for Foreign-Trained Lawyers) from the University of Miami School of Law, and was admitted to practice law in the State of California, USA. Fernandez Martinez’s successful academic formation in two different legal systems, along with his almost ten years of pracical experience shared between Venezuela and the United States including working with international clients of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and legal needs, aided him to develop strong skills to analyze and address cross-border problems where the interconnection of various systems and/or areas of law is present.

Fernandez Martinez’s current area of practice is concentrated on Immigration and Nationality Law, with a special focus on Asylum (Affirmative and Defensive); Family-Based Petitions, Consular Processing and Adjustment of Status; Citizenship; some Employment-Based Petitions categories (e.g., EB-1A), and representation in removal proceedings.

Bar Admissions

Admitted to Practice Law in Venezuela (Dec. 2014) by the Illustrious Bar Association for the Capital District, VE.
Admitted to Practice Law in the State of California, USA (Jun. 2022) by the Supreme Court of California, USA.

Experience

CROSSWISE ATTORNEYS AT LAW, Miami, Florida, USA
Law Clerk, November 2021 – June 2022; Associate, June 2022 – Present

BADELL & GRAU, LAW FIRM, Miami, Florida, USA
Paralegal, March 2019 – September 2020

ABOGADOS W, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
Paralegal, February 2016 – February 2019

ESCOVAR LEON ABOGADOS, S.C., Caracas, Capital District, Venezuela
Junior Lawyer, November 2014 – February 2015; Law Clerk, March 2014 – November 2014

CORTE PRIMERA DE LO CONTENCIOSO ADMINISTRATIVO, ADMINISTRATIVE COURT OF APPEALS, Caracas,
Capital District, Venezuela
Law Clerk, September 2012 – March 2014