Accepts Credit Cards

(Main Office)

Bretz & Coven, LLP, is a full service immigration law firm specializing in deportation defense, immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing (both in the United States and internationally), naturalization, corporate and business immigration, and federal litigation. We have successfully represented thousands of clients before the Department of Homeland Security ("DHS"), the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("USICE"), the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS"), the Immigration Courts, the Executive Office for Immigration Review ("EOIR"), the Board of Immigrations Appeals ("BIA"), the Department of Labor ("DOL"), the Department of State ("DOS") and the Federal Courts. With combined experience of over 40 years in immigration law, we can help you when no one else can. Our attorneys and highly trained professional staff represent our true international nature and can accommodate nearly every client. At Bretz & Coven, LLP, our staff speaks numerous languages to facilitate communications, including Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Armenian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Fuzhou, Wolof, Fulani, Peulh, Hindi, Punjabi, Russian, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Polish, Urdu, Nepali and Korean. You can rest assured that at Bretz & Coven, LLP, you will receive the attention that you and your case deserve and the professional services that you require.

Statement of Practice

Immigration Law, Deportation, Business Immigration, Permanent Visas, Labor Certification.

Rate Information

Accepts Major Credit Cards

• Visa
• MasterCard
• American Express
• Discover

Address

305 Broadway, Suite 100
New York, NY 10007, (New York Co.)

Phone

Phone: 212-267-2555
Fax: 212-267-2129

Website

http://www.bretzlaw.com

Office Hours

Monday: 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Tuesday: 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Wednesday: 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Thursday: 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM
Friday: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM

PARTNERS

Matthew L. Guadagno (Partner) born Brooklyn, New York, February 3, 1968; admitted to bar, 1994, New York and U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; 1996, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; 1999, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; 2003, U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York and U.S. Court of Appeals, First, Third and Eleventh Circuits; 2004, U.S. District Court, Western District of New York and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit. Education: Fordham University (B.A., 1990); Quinnipiac University School of Law (J.D., 1993). Member: American Immigration Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Immigration Law.Email: Matthew L. Guadagno

Jules E. Coven (Partner) born Brooklyn, New York; admitted to bar, 1958, New York; 1961, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York and U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; 1962, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York; 1966, U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York; 1967, U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit; 1968, U.S. Supreme Court; 1995, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit; 1999, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Education: Brooklyn College of the City University of New York (B.A., 1955); Brooklyn Law School (LL.B., 1958). Former Adjunct Professor, Immigration Law, Brooklyn Law School, 1988. Member: American Immigration Lawyers Association (Former President). Reported Cases: Chengfan Kwok v. I & N Service, U.S. Supreme Court, 1968; Avyr Associates, Inc. v. Meissner, Dkt. No. 95 CIV. 10729 (MBM), 1997 WL 188942 (S.D.N.Y., Apr 18, 1997); U.S. ex rel. Morgan v. McElroy, 981 F.Supp. 873 (S.D.N.Y. 1997); Dashto v. I.N.S., 59 F.3d 697 (7th Cir. 1995); Matter of H-, 20 I. & N. Dec. 611 (BIA 1992); U.S., ex rel., Pupo-Tordecilla v. Sava, 704 F.Supp. 55 (S.D.N.Y. 1989); Matter of Chang, 20 I & N Dec. 38 (BIA 1989); Paulis v. Sava, 544 F.Supp. 819 (S.D.N.Y. 1982); Pang Kiu Fung v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, 663 F.2d 417 (2d Cir. 1981); Matter of Lam, 18 I. & N. Dec. 15 (BIA 1981). Practice Areas: Immigration; Citizenship.Email: Jules E. Coven

Kerry Bretz (Member) born Bayshore, N.Y.; admitted to bar, 1991, Connecticut; 1992, New York; 1994, Florida and U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; 1996, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit; 1998, U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit; 1999, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. Education: Herbert H. Lehman College of the City University of New York (B.A., magna cum laude, 1988); City University of New York School of Law, Queens College (J.D., 1991). Phi Sigma Alpha; Omicron Delta Epsilon. Contributing Editor, AILA Litigation Toolbox, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 1999. Author: "Basics on Habeas Corpus," AILA Handbook on Waivers and "Relief from Removal," American Immigration Lawyers Association, 1999. Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 1994. Member: The Association of the Bar of the City of New York (Member, Immigration Committee, 1997); New York City Lawyers Association (Member, Immigration Committee, 1993). Reported Cases: Henderson v. Immigration and Naturalization Service, 157 F.3d 106 (2nd Cir. 1998); St. John v. McElroy, 917 F.Supp. 243 (S.D.N.Y. 1996); Cruz-Taveras v. McElroy, 1996 WL 455012 (S.D.N.Y. August 12, 1996); Thomas v. McElroy, 1996 WL 487953 (S.D.N.Y. August 23, 1996) (same); Alba v. McElroy, 96 Civ. 8748 (DLC), 1996 U.S. Dist. Lexis 17796 (S.D.N.Y. December 4, 1996); Pottinger v. Reno, 51 F.Supp.2d 349 (E.D.N.Y. 1999); Henderson v. INS, 157 F.3d 106 (2d Cir, 1998), cert. denied sub nom.; Reno v. Navas, 119 S. Ct. 1141 (1999); Mojica v. Reno, 970 F.Supp. 130 (E.D.N.Y. 1997); aff'd, Henderson v. INS, 157 F.3d 106 (2d Cir. 1998), cert. denied sub nom.; Reno v. Navas, 119 S. Ct. 1141 (U.S. Mar. 8, 1999); Alba v. McElroy, Dkt. No. 96 CIV. 8748 (DLC), 1996 WL 695811 (S.D.N.Y. Dec. 4, 1996); Thomas v. McElroy, Dkt. No. 96 CIV. 5065 (JSM), 1996 WL 487953 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 27, 1996); Cruz-Taveras v. McElroy, Dkt. No. 96 CIV. 5068 (MBM), 1996 WL 455012 (S.D.N.Y. Aug 13, 1996); St. John v. McElroy, 917 F.Supp. 243 (S.D.N.Y. 1996). Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Immigration Law; Deportation; Asylum; Immigration and Naturalization; Citizenship; Consular Law; Employment Authorizations; Family Immigration Law; Political Asylum; Refugee Law; Removal Proceedings; Visas.Email: Kerry Bretz

MANAGING PARTNER

Eileen Collins Bretz (Managing Partner) born Brooklyn, New York, October 8, 1969; admitted to bar, 1995, New Jersey; 1996, New York and U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York. Education: St. John's University (B.S., 1991); City University of New York, School of Law (J.D., 1995). Member: Member: New York City Bar Association; American Immigration Lawyers Association; New York County Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Immigration Law.Email: Eileen Collins Bretz

OF COUNSEL

Michel Wolgel (Of Counsel) born New York, N.Y.; admitted to bar, 1984, New York and Israel. Education: Brooklyn Law School (J.D.). Works regularly with Consular offices at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel. Member: New York State Bar Association; American Immigration Lawyers Association. Languages: Hebrew. Practice Areas: Immigration and Naturalization; Citizenship(80%); Consular Law(10%); Employment Visas(2%); Family Immigration Law(5%); Immigration Law; Religious Visas(2%); Visas(1%).Email: Michel Wolgel

Garo G. Kapikian (Of Counsel) admitted to bar, 1995, New York. Education: Pace University (B.A., 1981; M.P.A., 1983); Quinnipiac College School of Law (J.D., 1992). Deputy Executive Director of the Fund for Armenian Relief, 1995-2000. Founder, The Homeless Street Children's Shelter, Armenia. Member: New York State Bar Association; New York Criminal Bar Association. Languages: Armenian. Practice Areas: Immigration and Naturalization; Asylum; Deportation; Immigration Law; Removal Proceedings.Email: Garo G. Kapikian

ASSOCIATES

Tracy J. Lawson (Associate) born Des Monies, Iowa; admitted to bar, 2009, New York. Education: University of Iowa (B.A.); City University of New York School of Law (J.D.). Languages: Spanish.Email: Tracy J. Lawson

David K.S. Kim (Associate) born Seoul, South Korea; admitted to bar, 2002, New York; U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second, Third, Ninth and Eleventh Circuits. Education: Emory University (B.A., Physics and Philosophy); West Virginia University (M.P.A.); Brooklyn Law School (J.D.). United Methodist Scholar. HERF Merits Scholar. Recipient: Outstanding Teaching Assistant of the Year Award, 1997; Public Service Award presented by Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan, Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration, May 28, 2008. Articles Editor, Brooklyn Journal of Law and Policy. Best Brief and Second Place at the Northeast Regional Competition, Thomas Tang National Moot Court Competition, 2000. Associate, Kurzban Kurzban Weinger & Tetzeli, P.A. Staff Attorney, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Staff Writer/Investigative Reporter, Dong-A Ilbo, U.S.A. Human Relations Specialist, Philadelphia Human Relations Commission. Contract Court Interpreter, New Jersey State Court System. President, Asian American Law Students Association. Interviewed by New York Law Journal, Chosun Ilbo, News Korea, Korea Times, Korea Central Daily, Segye Ilbo, Radio Free Asia, TKC TV and MK TV. Member: American Immigration Lawyers Association (Co-Chair, Federal Practice Committee; Member, National AILA/Executive Office for Immigration Review, Liaison Committee); Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (Member, Board of Governors; Vice President, 2007); Asian American Bar Association of New York; National Asian and Pacific American Bar Association; New York County Lawyers Association. Reported Cases: Sharkey v. Quarantillo, 541 F.3d 75 (2d Cir. 2008). Languages: English and Korean. Practice Areas: Immigration and Naturalization; Asylum; Citizenship; Business Immigration; Consular Law; Deportation; Employment Authorizations; Employment Immigration; Employment Visas; Family Immigration Law; Immigration Discrimination; Immigration Law; Investor Visas; Labor Certifications; Permanent Visas; Political Asylum; Refugee Law; Religious Visas; Removal Proceedings; Visas.Email: David K.S. Kim

Myriam Hildenbrand-Sanchez (Associate) born New York, N.Y.; admitted to bar, 2002, New Jersey; U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. (Not admitted in New York). Education: New York University (B.A., Political Science and French); Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University (J.D.). Notes Editor, Cardozo Women's Law Journal. President, Latin American Law Student's Association. Member, law school's Trial Team. Guest Lecturer for Immigration, College of New Rochelle and American Association of University Women. New York City Coordinator for the Celebrate America Essay Contest. Member, Board of Directors, Saint Jude School. Member: American Immigration Lawyers Association. Languages: Spanish, French and Italian. Practice Areas: Immigration and Naturalization; Employment Authorizations; Employment Immigration; Employment Visas; Deportation; Removal Proceedings; Immigration Law.Email: Myriam Hildenbrand-Sanchez

Amanda E. Gray (Associate) admitted to bar, 2006, New York; U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. Education: City University of New York School of Law (J.D., 2005). Participated, Mississippi Project at the Workers' Center for Human Rights, Greenville, Mississippi. Worked summers at the Legal Aid Society and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Member: New York State and American Bar Associations; American Immigration Lawyers Association. Languages: Japanese. Practice Areas: Immigration and Naturalization; Deportation; Immigration Law; Removal Proceedings.Email: Amanda E. Gray

Katherine Holbrook (Associate) admitted to bar, 2005, New York. Education: City University of New York School of Law (J.D., 2005). Student Member, New York City Bar's Committee on Immigration and Nationality Law. Staff Attorney, Immigration and Legal Services organization of the Catholic Church, Dallas, Texas. Member: American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Oliver Huiyue Qiu (Associate) born Wuhan, China; admitted to bar, 2003, New York; U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; U.S. Court of International Trade; U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. Education: Central China Normal University, Wuhan, P.R. China (B.A., English, 1996; LL.M., 1999); University of Utah (LL.M., 2001). Associate Attorney, firm's Employment Immigration practice. Recipient, merits fellowship, University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Member: Asian American Bar Association; American Immigration Lawyers Association. Languages: Mandarin and Japanese. Practice Areas: Immigration and Naturalization; Asylum; Consular Law; Deportation; Employment Authorizations; Employment Immigration; Employment Visas; Family Immigration Law; Immigration Law; Labor Certifications; Political Asylum; Refugee Law; Removal Proceedings; Visas; Business Immigration; Citizenship; Investor Visas; Permanent Visas; Religious Visas.Email: Oliver Huiyue Qiu

Blog Entries

United States Asylum Laws
by Eileen Collins Bretz on November 5, 2009

How have the Immigration Laws Changed since 9/11
by Eileen Collins Bretz on October 5, 2009

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