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We provide top-level

legal services

Somos Galer Law Firm

Lawyer's firm

We are committed to our clients’ dreams.

We are a team of immigration attorneys based in Houston, committed to providing you with the support and guidance needed to carry out your life project in the United States, whether as an investor, student, professional or artist. Throughout our experience, we have helped hundreds of people achieve their dream of living and working in this great country.

Team

Our Specialized Support Staff

Immigration expert

Diego F.
Galer

Lawyer Director | AILA Member Since 2012, number 33451 | Bar Admissions New York | Law School University of Buenos Aires (JD) / Gerogetown University (LLM-2006)
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Meet Our Talented Professionals

Alberto
Marquez

Operations
Director
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Maria Eugenia
Valecillos

Administrative
Director
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Joana
Rodríguez Viada

Marketing and Sales
Director
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Mercedes
Crespo

Paralegal Leader
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Jorge
Rangel

Paralegal Leader
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Karelys Huise
Parra

Marketing Leader
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Lucrecia
Villaruel

Paralegal
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Ricardo
Cruz

Paralegal
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Samira
Abboud

Paralegal
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José
Aguirre

Paralegal
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Daniel
Malham

Paralegal
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Martha Elena
Vetencourt

Paralegal
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Samantha
Díaz

Paralegal
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Maria Eugenia
Chirinos

Paralegal
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Stephanie
Tello

Paralegal
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Victoria
Fraile

Paralegal
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Maria
Aragort

Paralegal
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Horiana
Gómez

Legal Assistant
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Avril A.
Diaz

Legal Assistant
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Carlos Daniel
Martini

Immigration Analyst
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Alejandra
Martínez

Immigration Analyst
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Doly
Achi

Marketing Assistant
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Maria
Andreina Borges

Administrative Assistant
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Orelys
Dugarte

Administrative Assistant
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Our legal services are led and supervised by Diego Galer, who ensures every case meets the highest standards of legal expertise and ethics | Our paralegals and legal assistants provide essential support to our attorneys and clients; however, they are not licensed attorneys and do not provide legal advice or legal representation

Diego F. Galer

Managing Attorney

Mr. Galer has extensive experience in corporate immigration law. Throughout his career, he has assisted hundreds of individuals, businesses, universities, and schools with their immigration needs. 

Mr. Galer has also provided pro bono legal assistance to individuals in Texas. He has participated in numerous television and radio programs, as well as conferences at universities and schools.

Mr. Galer graduated with honors from the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina) and earned a Master ‘s degree in International Law with distinction from Georgetown University Law Center, Washington, D.C.

Mr. Diego Galer holds the following licenses:

License to practice law in all courts of the State of New York and federal law Number 4917043.

License to practice law in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Authorized Notary Public in Texas.

AILA Member Number: 33451

National Association of Counties Award. Joint Gang Prevention Plan of the County. Maryland. 2007

CALI Award in International Human Rights. Washington DC. 2006

CALI Award in Development Law. Washington DC. 2006

CIDE. Best Law Professor. Mexico, 2005

National Science and Technology Commission. Scholarship. Mexico. 2005

Ford Foundation. Scholarship. Mexico. 2005

Associate Attorney at Adan G. Vega & Associates, PLLC. Head of the Corporate Immigration Department, Houston, Texas.

Coordinator of the Crossroad Youth Opportunities Center. Assisting young people with prevention and intervention services to avoid gang involvement, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States..

Law Professor and Program Director at CIDE (Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas), Mexico City, Mexico.

External Consultant for UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), Mexico City, Mexico.

Corporate Attorney at Vázquez Ponce Law Firm, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Co-author. “Family Law: Cases and Problems for Legal Education.” PORRUA/CIDE. Mexico. 2007

“A Legal Perspective to Eradicate Child Labor in Mexico.” Revista Bien Común. Fundación Rafael Preciado Hernández. Vol. 124. Mexico. 2005

“People and Family: The First Innovative Course of Prende.” Co-authored with Adriana Canales. Derecho y Democracia II. Cuadernos Unimetanos. Vol. 15. Universidad Metropolitana de Venezuela. 2008

Alberto Marquez

Paralegal Leader

Alberto Márquez, foreign lawyer with an extensive and solid career. My path has been forged through a robust education in my hometown, comparable to a Juris Doctor degree in the United States, backed by more than 15 years of experience in the judicial system. “My commitment is to provide you with expert and confident guidance on the complex immigration law of the United States.”

Education

Alberto has a degree in Law from the Rafael Urdaneta University of Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Maria Eugenia Valecillos

Administrative director

Maria Eugenia Valecillos, lawyer with experience in the area of Human Resources and Collections in Venezuela. After several years of training at an accounting firm in this area, I joined Galer Law Firm in 2021, starting in the front office and progressing to become the firm’s administrative director.

Education

María Eugenia Valecillos is Venezuelan, bilingual (English and Spanish) and has a degree in Law from the Rafel Belloso Chacín University (URBE) in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

Joana Rodriguez Viada

Sales and Marketing Director

Joana Rodríguez Viada has been part of the Galer Law Firm since 2015.

She practiced Contract and Labor Law in Venezuela from 2004 to 2010. In 2011, Joana graduated with a master’s degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing from Marymount College in New York and in 2017 received her master’s degree in United States Law from the University of Houston .

Joana assists with immigration petitions for: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, United States Department of Labor, and United States Consulates around the world.

Petitions include: TN, E-1, E-2, L-1A, H-1B, H-2B, EB-1, EB-2, i-140, I-130I-485, N-400, NOID, PERMS and RFE’s. Additionally, she lectures on international immigration strategies and helps with the firm’s marketing.

Education

Joana Rodríguez is a bilingual professional with a law degree from the Rafael Belloso Chacín University in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

L.L.M at the University of Houston in U.S Law.

Mercedes Crespo

Paralegal

Mercedes Crespo is a bilingual and dedicated professional with a JD in Law from the Rafael Belloso Chacín University in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

In 2004, she completed a Master’s Degree in Civil Procedural Law at the University of Zulia in Maracaibo, Venezuela. She also obtained a Specialization in Litigation from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello – Caracas, Venezuela in 2006.

 Before joining our team, she practiced business, corporate and administrative law for more than 10 years in her native Venezuela.

Mercedes is a dedicated paralegal, passionate about helping clients with immigration matters, including non-immigrant petitions with an emphasis on TN, H-1B, L-1 and E visas; I-140 employment-based petitions, applications for permanent residence and US citizenship.

Education

In 2004, she completed a Master’s Degree in Civil Procedural Law at the University of Zulia in Maracaibo, Venezuela. She also obtained a Specialization in Litigation from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello – Caracas, Venezuela in 2006.

Jorge Rangel

Paralegal

He has been practicing law since 2009 as an independent attorney, in 2013 he founded Acosta, Rangel & Asociados: Abogados. He served as CEO and as a lawyer specializing in Civil Law, Labor Law and Corporate Law. Jorge is a bilingual professional, with special dedication to helping people.

Education

Jorge has a degree in Law from the University of Zulia, Venezuela. Additionally, he completed a Master’s Degree in Civil Law Studies in 2011.

Karelys Huise

Karelys Huise is a lawyer graduated from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, in Caracas, Venezuela. She has experience in Digital Marketing and social networks since 2017 and is linked to social and educational causes. She has collaborated with various NGOs in the area of communications and fundraising, standing out for her volunteer spirit and passion for helping others. Her comprehensive profile combines her legal training with her experience in digital marketing and her vocation for social service.

Lucrecia Villaruel

Paralegal

Lucrecia Villarruel is a distinguished foreign lawyer with a law degree from the prestigious University of Buenos Aires (UBA), where she excelled academically. With a strong foundation in Immigration Law, she has developed specialized expertise in EB2-NIW visas. Over the years, Lucrecia has gained extensive legal experience, where she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to her clients by delivering precise, efficient, and impactful legal solutions.

Her unwavering dedication to her cases and clients truly sets her apart. Lucrecia is recognized for her strong convictions and relentless advocacy on behalf of those she represents. As an Immigration Paralegal, she has successfully managed complex cases, conducted in-depth legal research, and presented numerous cases to USCIS. Her primary goal is to continue advancing in this field, helping clients achieve their dream of living in the United States.

Educación

Ricardo Cruz

Paralegal

Ricardo is a bilingual lawyer with more than 25 years of experience in his native Venezuela, where he practiced civil, corporate and labor law.

Education

Graduated from the Andrés Bello Catholic University (Caracas, Venezuela) with a Bachelor’s degree in Law and Specialization in Civil Procedural Law, for Ricardo it is an honor and a great reward every time he helps our clients achieve their immigration goals.

Samira Abboud

Paralegal

Samira is a law student at the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Caracas, Venezuela, currently in her ninth semester. She is committed to her legal education and actively participates in community service-related activities. Her academic and volunteer focus aims to enrich her legal knowledge and contribute to the well-being of individuals and society.

Educación

Jose Aguirre

Legal Assistants Coordinator

José is a bilingual lawyer, and before joining the Galer Law Firm team, he practiced in areas of private law. As a Virtual Legal Assistant, he has played a fundamental support role alongside the entire immigration paralegal staff at the firm. He is responsible for assisting and collaborating in the preparation of various petitions and applications for both non-immigrant and immigrant matters.

Educación

Daniel Malham

Daniel joined our Immigration Paralegal team in 2023. He is a bilingual professional, graduated as a lawyer, summa cum laude, from Universidad Rafael Urdaneta in Maracaibo, Venezuela.In the professional area, he has experience in the private sector as well as in the Public Administration. Academically, he is dedicated to research in Compliance and New Technologies Law, especially in the field of Artificial Intelligence, in which he is a conference speaker and has several scientific publications.

Martha Elena Vetancourt

Martha Elena is a bilingual professional with a law degree from the Andrés Bello Catholic University in Venezuela, where she is also pursued an advanced studies program in Corporate Law. She participates in volunteer organizations, providing free legal advice on civil and commercial matters, an experience that gives her valuable insight into immigration law within the business context.

Maria Eugenia Chirinos

Legal Assistant

Maria Eugenia practiced Corporate Law in Venezuela from 2013 to 2015. In 2017, she graduated with a master’s degree from Northeastern University. Maria Eugenia assists with immigration petitions for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the United States Department of Labor, and United States Consulates worldwide.

Education

Maria Eugenia Chirinos is a bilingual professional with a law degree from the Universidad Monteávila in Caracas, Venezuela. LL.M. from Northeastern University, Boston, Mass.

Stephanie Tello

Stephanie Tello is a lawyer who graduated from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (UCAB) in Caracas, Venezuela. Early in her professional career, she provided free legal advice, drafted documents, and followed up on cases at the Centro de Clinica Juridica (UCAB), a social extension that provides legal support to communities. This experience allowed her to acquire primarily solid knowledge in civil, inheritance, and family law.

Passionate about continuous learning, Stephanie is expanding her knowledge in other areas of law. Currently, with a special interest in immigration law, she assists Paralegals in the resolution of applications submitted to the firm.

Victoria Fraile

Victoria is a dedicated bilingual legal professional, proudly licensed as a lawyer in Venezuela. Currently pursuing her studies in Political Science, she brings a diverse range of experience across various facets of legal practice. Her expertise spans Corporate Law in the oil and gas sector, as well as Legal Research focusing on International Human Rights Law and Administrative Law, among other areas. 

With a strong commitment to excellence, Victoria is driven by a passion for serving both her team and clients. Her primary goal is to continuously develop her professional skills and knowledge, ensuring that she contributes effectively to achieving shared objectives. Victoria embodies a strong work ethic, blending love for her craft with a relentless pursuit of success in every endeavor.

Maria Aragort

Legal Assistant

 As a recently graduated lawyer from UCAB, I am ready to continue this tradition of excellence. With knowledge as the ultimate goal and a desire to help people as the driving force, I am also  ready to expand my legal expertise while always prioritizing the pursuit of justice.

Educación

María Andreina Borges

Administrative Assistant

Andreina Borges is a Venezuelan passionate about architecture, currently pursuing her studies in this field. In addition to her academic dedication, Andreina has demonstrated her management and organizational skills by taking on responsibilities in the administrative field, where she handles phone communication and coordinates various tasks. Her collaborative and proactive approach makes her a valuable member of any team, always ready to contribute and improve processes with her positive energy. The combination of her architectural training and administrative experience allows her to bring a unique perspective and practical solutions to her work environment.

Educación

Orelys Dugarte

Administrative Assistant

Venezuelan, graduated in Business Administration with a specialization in Industrial Management from the Universidad de los Andes. With studies and experience in the administrative field, she has a solid foundation in areas such as accounting, finance, and human resources management. She firmly believes in the importance of serving others and constantly seeks ways to add value in any situation.

Educación

Doly Achi

Marketing Assistant

Doly holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Communication, with a specialization in Print Media, and has a solid track record of 5 years in Digital Marketing and 2 years in Media Production. Doly combines journalistic accuracy with digital efficiency to connect brands with audiences in an authentic and organized manner.

Doly Achi

Asistente de Mercadeo

Doly es Licenciada en Comunicación Social, mención Impreso, con una sólida trayectoria de 5 años en Marketing Digital y 2 años en Producción de Medios de Comunicación. Doly combina la veracidad periodística con la eficiencia digital para conectar marcas con audiencias de manera auténtica y organizada.

Horiana Gomez

Asistente Legal

Estudiante de Derecho en la Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (UCAB). Ha sido elegida Representante Estudiantil ante el Consejo de Facultad de Derecho para el período 2024-2025, evidenciando su liderazgo y dedicación. Demuestra un rol como Entrenadora académica de la agrupación CEJA UCAB para la competencia de simulación de litigio “Eduardo Jiménez de Aréchaga” en San José de Costa Rica. Además, participa activamente en LAMUN UCAB y el Voluntariado de Derecho, mostrando su interés por la diplomacia y el servicio a la comunidad. Finalmente, funge como preparadora académica en la cátedra Fuentes de las Obligaciones en la UCAB, lo cual subraya su dominio del derecho y su habilidad para transmitir conocimiento.

Alejandra Martinez

Analista de Inmigración

Alejandra es Abogada egresada en el 2008 de la Universidad Yacambú, Barquisimeto Estado Lara, Venezuela. Con más 17 años de experiencia en derecho civil y mercantil, donde ejerció la mayor parte de su tiempo en el Bufete de Abogados Armando Martinez Gutiérrez & Colina, brindando asesoría legal integral en temas relacionados con contratos, responsabilidad civil, sucesiones, propiedad y obligaciones. Su trayectoria le ha permitido representar con éxito a clientes en procesos judiciales y extrajudiciales, siempre buscando soluciones estratégicas y eficientes. 

A lo largo de su carrera, ha trabajado con particulares, empresas e instituciones, destacándose en la redacción y negociación de contratos, la resolución de conflictos civiles y la defensa de derechos patrimoniales. su compromiso con la justicia y la ética profesional le ha permitido construir relaciones de confianza con sus clientes, quienes valoran su enfoque personalizado y capacidad para encontrar soluciones efectivas.

Samantha Diaz

Asistente Legal

Samantha Díaz se encuentra cursando el último semestre en Derecho en la Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (UCAB). Su trayectoria se ha caracterizado por un profundo compromiso con los Derechos Humanos, demostrado en proyectos de integración y enseñanza a comunidades a través del proyecto de voluntariado UCAB. Además de su experiencia profesional en Derecho Corporativo, Civil y de Sucesiones, participó en el proyecto de investigación por el marco de la internacionalización COIL-DUT con la Universidad de Sudáfrica. En esta etapa de su formación, ha desarrollado una gran pasión por el Derecho Migratorio, con un enfoque especial en el área del visado NIW, y actualmente participa  en la competencia de moot courts de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos

Natalia Agustina Gómez

Paralegal

 Con experiencia en Derecho Corporativo, Bancario e Inmigración, ha demostrado una capacidad excepcional para desenvolverse en situaciones complejas, brindando un servicio de alta calidad a sus clientes. Se caracteriza por su enfoque colaborativo, habilidades avanzadas en comunicación y negociación, y una eficaz gestión del tiempo, lo que le ha permitido afrontar desafíos y asumir nuevas responsabilidades con éxito.

A lo largo de su trayectoria, Natalia ha desempeñado roles clave en el ámbito legal, como abogada litigante donde gestionó una variada cartera de juicios en áreas como derecho laboral, civil, comercial, de consumo y fraudes cibernéticos, consolidando su capacidad para manejar casos legales multidisciplinarios y tambien ha ampliado su perspectiva internacional al convertirse en Immigration Paralegal, ayudando a individuos, inversionistas y empresas extranjeras a obtener su estatus legal en EE. UU. a través del proceso EB2-NIW y de Habilidades Excepcionales, elaborando estrategias migratorias exitosas.

Educación

Abogada egresada en el año 2016 de la Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), destacándose por su dedicación y entusiasmo en su carrera profesional