Team

LEGAL PRACTITIONERS

Meet the Team

Behind every successful hire, every visa approved, and every employee who crosses a border to join your team is a group of people who genuinely care about getting it right. Our immigration attorneys combine deep expertise in corporate immigration law with a personal commitment to the clients they serve. Trained at leading universities and shaped by experience at top business immigration firms, our team brings both the sophistication your organization needs and the attention your employees deserve. Click on a photo below to meet the team.

Noah Klug

Noah Klug, Esq.

Managing Shareholder
Teri Glas

Teri Glas

Director of Operations
Alexis Russell

Alexis Russell, Esq.

Associate Attorney
Ruxandra Curticapeanu

Ruxandra Curticapeanu, Esq.

Associate Attorney
Jessie Lowry

Jessie Lowry, Esq.

Associate Attorney
Adam Kaufman

Adam Kaufman, Esq.

Of Counsel
Aaron Goodman

Aaron Goodman, Esq.

Of Counsel
Jane Orgel

Jane Orgel, Esq.

Of Counsel
Claire Garland

Claire Garland

Senior Business Immigration Paralegal
Nicolas Ferro

Nicolas Ferro

Senior Business Immigration Paralegal
Lily O’Connor de Rivera

Lily O’Connor de Rivera

Senior Business Immigration Paralegal
Bianca Araujo

Bianca Araujo

Business Immigration Paralegal
Rebecca Martinez Alvarado

Rebecca Martinez Alvarado

Business Immigration Paralegal
Eva Levin

Eva Levin

Business Immigration Paralegal
Matheus Etrusco

Matheus Etrusco

Business Immigration Paralegal
Jake Hoioos

Jake Hoioos

Business Immigration Paralegal
Norelis Caldera

Norelis Caldera

Legal Assistant
Shaynna Manabat

Shaynna Manabat

Finance Specialist
Mike Cardella

Mike Cardella

Chief Technology Officer
Shiv Chandrakantshah

Shiv Chandrakantshah

Data Governance Officer
Mauricio Duarte

Mauricio Duarte

Chief Marketing Officer

Noah Klug, Esq.

Managing Shareholder

Noah Klug is the Managing Shareholder of Klug Law Firm PLLC. Internationally recognized as one of the leading business immigration attorneys in the United States, Mr. Klug has nearly 20 years of legal experience, and he and his team provide unmatched representation and support to corporate clients throughout the United States and the globe who have business immigration law needs. He has been recognized as a Thought Leader in the area of corporate immigration law by Who’s Who Legal.

Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Klug has worked for U.S. government immigration agencies as well as with some of the most prominent business immigration law firms in the country. Through his practice, he has served as counsel to prominent multinational corporations around the world.

A leader in his field, Mr. Klug has published many articles on immigration law, and he has conducted lectures and seminars on a variety of immigration legal topics. He has also contributed to various immigration studies, served as editor for major law treatises, and drafted comments to significant U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policy memoranda. Recognized for his outstanding legal knowledge, he has also appeared on a number of media outlets, where he has offered in-depth legal commentary on various subjects.

In honor of his exemplary professionalism and stellar client service, Mr. Klug has earned an AV Preeminent peer review rating from Martindale-Hubbell as well as listings and consistent recognition from Who’s Who Legal, Best Lawyers®, and Super Lawyers®. He has also received Superb, 10 out of 10 client ratings on Avvo.com along with numerous testimonials and referrals from those clients he has served.

A 2001 honors graduate of New York University, Mr. Klug obtained his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law in 2007, where he was a Dean’s List Scholar. He has served as Chair of the American Bar Association’s Immigration and Naturalization Committee as well as Chair of the Legal Research and Analysis Committee at a prominent corporate immigration law firm. Moreover, he helped establish and served as Chair of the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Asia Pacific Chapter and served on the organization’s National Business Immigration Committee.

Teri Glas

Director of Operations

Teri serves as our Director of Operations and plays a critical role in ensuring the firm runs efficiently, strategically, and seamlessly day to day. Working diligently behind the scenes, she oversees the operational infrastructure that allows our attorneys and staff to focus on delivering exceptional legal services to our clients.

She holds a Bachelor of Psychology degree from Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, and brings more than 20 years of operational management experience. In her role, Teri is responsible not only for firm operations, processes, and internal systems but also for managing and supporting our legal teams.

Teri enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and traveling to scenic beachside locations.

Alexis Russell, Esq.

Associate Attorney

Alexis Russell is a skilled business immigration lawyer with extensive experience in both non-immigrant visa (NIV) and immigrant visa (IV) processes, as well as PERM labor certifications. She joined Klug Law Firm PLLC after working for the second-largest business immigration law firm in the United States. With a strong academic background and years of practice in business immigration law, Alexis provides strategic legal counsel to businesses and individuals navigating complex immigration processes.

Education:

  • Juris Doctor (J.D.) – University of Mississippi School of Law
  • Bachelor of Arts in English and Political Science – University of Mississippi

Throughout her career, Alexis has helped clients with visa petitions for a range of employment-based categories, including H-1B, L-1, TN, E-3, and EB-1.

Ruxandra Curticapeanu, Esq.

Associate Attorney

Ruxandra “Bianca” Curticapeanu is an experienced U.S. immigration attorney with a practice focused on sophisticated employment and business immigration strategies. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Romanian, she serves a diverse international client base with empathy, clarity, and cultural fluency.

Ms. Curticapeanu is a member of the Florida Bar. She holds a Juris Doctor degree, earned cum laude from St. Thomas University School of Law, and a bachelor’s degree in International Business from Georgia Gwinnett College. Her legal background also includes work in entertainment law at NBCUniversal in Miami, where she gained valuable insight into contracts and intellectual property – tools she now leverages in support of clients in business and talent-based immigration pathways.

With over 15 years of experience in the immigration field, Ms. Curticapeanu brings a deep understanding of U.S. immigration agencies and procedures, including USCIS, EOIR (Immigration Court), U.S. Consulates, and CBP. She advises professionals, athletes, creatives, and STEM experts on a wide range of petitions, including National Interest Waivers and options for individuals with extraordinary ability. Her approach is both strategic and client-centered, designed to meet each client’s unique goals in an evolving immigration landscape.

Jessie Lowry, Esq.

Associate Attorney

Jessie Lowry is a seasoned immigration attorney with more than 15 years of experience advising corporate clients on U.S. and global employment-based immigration strategy, compliance, and risk management. She brings a rare and valuable in-house perspective developed through more than a decade of service as senior corporate counsel for the largest U.S. subsidiary of a global technology company, where she acted as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and key business stakeholders.

Jessie partners closely with companies to manage the full lifecycle of business immigration, including non-immigrant visas, global mobility, U.S. permanent residence (or “green card”) sponsorship, and workforce planning. She is known for translating complex and constantly evolving immigration regulations into clear, practical guidance that enables informed decision-making and supports business objectives. Her counsel is grounded in a deep understanding of corporate operations, talent strategy, and risk tolerance, allowing her to deliver solutions that are both legally sound and commercially efficient.

Throughout her career, Jessie has advised executives, human resources, talent acquisition, and global mobility teams, and has led and managed high-performing legal teams. She is particularly skilled at navigating complex immigration legal issues and providing calm, solution-oriented guidance. She has been invited to speak on panels to discuss topics at the intersection of business and immigration law.

Clients value her responsiveness, collaborative approach, and ability to balance compliance requirements with business realities.

Jessie earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 2009, after earning her undergraduate bachelor’s degree from the Pennsylvania State University in 2006.

Bar Admissions Pennsylvania U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Adam Kaufman, Esq.

Of Counsel

Adam B. Kaufman chairs Klug Law Firm’s Business Law Department and has over 20 years of experience in this area. He represents clients in contract negotiations, company formations, the purchase and sale of businesses and professional practices, commercial and residential real estate matters, loan and equity transactions, employment matters, international transactions, licensing and distribution, trademarks, commercial litigation, and wills, trusts, and estate administration.

His business clients range in size from small startups to large, established enterprises, and they are located throughout the United States as well as abroad. Recent matters include:

  • Representing the owners of a yogurt and related dairy products manufacturer in the sale of their company to a private equity firm
  • Advising the Israeli producer of an original documentary reality show in its launch of an American version of the series
  • Counseling operators of online branding and advertising agencies
  • Negotiating leases for Manhattan fashion showroom and office space on behalf of commercial landlords and tenants
  • Advocating on behalf of a New York-based manufacturer in commercial disputes
  • Negotiating supply and manufacturing agreements for a Shenzhen, China-based producer of electronic medical device components
  • Representing Indian investors in U.S. real estate transactions
  • Counseling American owners on the sale of land in Israel

In 1989, Mr. Kaufman graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the State University of New York at Albany, where he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa national honor society and the Pi Sigma Alpha political science honor society. After graduating from the UCLA School of Law in 1994, he began his legal career in the project finance department of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, where he represented the Export-Import Bank of the United States and various power plant and infrastructure developers in international transactions. Mr. Kaufman then became associated with Morrison Cohen Singer & Weinstein, LLP, where he worked in the corporate law department. While at that firm, Mr. Kaufman represented numerous clients in various capacities, such as Goldman, Sachs & Co. in public stock offerings, the J.H. Whitney venture capital group in private equity transactions, and Genovese Drug Stores in retail store acquisitions.

Mr. Kaufman resides in Woodmere, New York with his wife Shari and their three children. He serves as a parent volunteer in his children’s school. During his spare time, Mr. Kaufman enjoys playing guitar and singing with friends around a campfire.

Aaron Goodman, Esq.

Of Counsel

Aaron Goodman is an attorney specializing in real estate and business transactions. He provides a wide range of legal services to businesses and individuals. His areas of expertise include commercial leasing, commercial real estate acquisitions, corporate loan and entity restructuring, commercial and residential closings, and conventional and non-conventional finance.

In addition to his legal career, Aaron finds joy in his roles as a husband, father, and friend. Giving back to the community is important to him, and he actively reaches out to help those in need and has supported local initiatives. Being an “Aussie” at heart, Aaron loves a perfectly grilled steak on the “barby,” an ice-cold beer, and a good footy or cricket match. He is a passionate music fan and strives to stay fit through swimming, jogging, and tennis.

Jane Orgel, Esq.

Of Counsel

Jane Orgel was born in Ireland and lived, studied and worked in the UK and Middle East before moving to the United States. She obtained a BA in Political Science from Columbia University in New York in 1993, and a JD from Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1997. She is admitted to practice law in the states of New York and New Jersey. She is also admitted to the Federal District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the District of New Jersey. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, AILA, and the New York State Bar Association. For over 20 years, Jane has devoted her practice to obtaining O-1 visas and Green Cards for individuals with Extraordinary Ability including designers, artists, journalists, entertainers, scientists, researchers, academics, and entrepreneurs.

Claire Garland

Senior Business Immigration Paralegal

Claire Garland is a Senior Business Immigration Paralegal at Klug Law Firm. She has over three years of experience preparing a variety of different employment-based immigration matters. She has processed over 400 non-immigrant petitions with a heavy concentration in H-1B visas. She is also adept in other non-immigrant visa categories such as L-1, TN, E-3, O-1, etc. Claire is also very well versed in preparing immigrant petitions such as I-140, I-485, I-751, etc.

Claire graduated from Temple University’s Fox School of Business with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Legal Studies (2020). She also completed a Paralegal Certificate Course at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (2021).

Nicolas Ferro

Senior Business Immigration Paralegal
Nicolas Ferro Vega is a Business Immigration Paralegal at Klug Law Firm with over a year of experience specializing in employment-based immigration law. Nicolas is adept at navigating a wide range of employment-based immigration matters, including non-immigrant and immigrant visa cases. In his role, he is responsible for preparing and organizing comprehensive documentation for immigration applications and providing strategic guidance to clients. Nicolas works closely with employers and employees, ensuring their unique objectives and legal needs are thoroughly addressed.
As a Colombian lawyer, Nicolas brings a valuable global perspective to his practice. He is passionate about helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration law with diligence and empathy.

Lily O’Connor de Rivera

Senior Business Immigration Paralegal

Lily O’Connor de Rivera is a Senior Business Immigration Paralegal at Klug Law Firm. Lily has more than 7 years of experience in business immigration and specializes in nonimmigrant and immigrant visa types, including H-1B, L-1, E-2, E-3, O-1, PERM, PERM-based and PERM-exempt I-140, and Adjustment of Status. Lily is responsible for managing case processing, monitoring service delivery practices and ensuring a seamless service to clients across various industries. In her role, she serves as a point of contact for clients and collaborates closely with key stakeholders to understand their unique objectives and needs.

Lily is passionate about U.S. Immigration Law and has gained a unique perspective on how to approach her work and utilizes her knowledge to serve our clients with empathy and compassion. She enjoys helping foreign nationals achieve their immigration needs and goals.

In addition to her professional experience, Lily earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and History from Spring Arbor University and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) as an Affiliated Paralegal.

Bianca Araujo

Business Immigration Paralegal

Bianca Araujo is a Business Immigration Paralegal at Klug Law Firm with over two years of experience helping businesses and their global workforce navigate complex U.S. immigration processes. With extensive knowledge of immigration laws and policies, she streamlines visa and work authorization procedures, ensuring compliance while delivering strategic, tailored solutions.

She collaborates with HR teams, legal departments, and employees to manage a full range of business immigration services, specializing in non-immigrant visa categories such as L-1s, E-2s, TNs, B-1s, and B-2s. Known for her attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and commitment to staying current with evolving immigration regulations, she is a trusted resource for businesses and individuals alike.

Bianca holds a law degree from the Federal University of Ceará in Brazil.

Rebecca Martinez Alvarado

Business Immigration Paralegal

Rebecca Martinez Alvarado is an experienced legal assistant and immigration paralegal with a strong background in immigration law. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Universidad de las Americas, Puebla (UDLAP), Mexico, and is fluent in both Spanish and English.

With more than three years of experience, Rebecca has supported attorneys in managing over 200 immigration cases, conducting legal research, and helping keep countless families united in the U.S. She currently works as a Legal Assistant and has previously served in similar roles across law firms as a Paralegal, gaining experience in immigration, corporate, criminal, employment, and civil law. Through this work, she has built comprehensive knowledge of both U.S. immigration law and Mexican domestic law.

Recognized for her attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to communicate effectively with clients, Rebecca brings a strong work ethic, adaptability, and a cross-cultural perspective to her legal practice. She is passionate about advocating for the value immigrants bring to the United States and is eager to contribute her skills in immigration and employment-based visa processes to a dynamic legal team.

Eva Levin

Business Immigration Paralegal

Eva Levin is an experienced Business Immigration Paralegal with over six years of experience supporting corporate clients in both non-immigrant (NIV) and immigrant (IV) visa processes, including PERM labor certifications and naturalization.

Ms. Levin earned her Bachelor’s degree from Reichman University, a leading academic institution in Israel. During her studies, she completed an intensive course in International Diplomacy, Government, and Communication offered by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and interned at the Asper Institute for New Media Diplomacy, where she strengthened her analytical and writing skills.

Fluent in English and Spanish and proficient in Hebrew, Ms. Levin brings a global perspective, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong commitment to client service to her work in business immigration. She is passionate about helping individuals and organizations navigate complex immigration processes with clarity and care.

Matheus Etrusco

Business Immigration Paralegal

Matheus Etrusco is a licensed Brazilian attorney with over 4 years of experience in U.S. business immigration law. He has represented multinational companies, executives, and professionals in a wide range of visa and green card processes, including L-1A/B, EB-1A/C, EB-2 NIW, O-1, E-2, and H-1B categories, as well as Adjustment of Status and motion filings before USCIS.

Combining his legal education with additional studies in tax, corporate, and international business law, Matheus brings a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory, fiscal, and organizational aspects that shape cross-border mobility. His multidisciplinary background allows him to align immigration strategies with each client’s corporate structure, compliance obligations, and long-term U.S. growth plans.

Jake Hoioos

Business Immigration Paralegal

Jake Hoioos is a Business Immigration Paralegal at Klug Law firm. They have over 8 years of diverse experience across the immigration field, working on cases such as removal cases before EOIR; L-1 to EB-1C, O-1 to EB-1A, and Conrad 30 J waivers; and I-9 inspections conducted by HSI. Jake has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Government from the College of William & Mary (2017).

Norelis Caldera

Legal Assistant

Norelis Caldera is an experienced legal assistant and immigration paralegal with a strong background in immigration law. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Languages from Universidad del Zulia, Venezuela, and is fluent in Spanish, English, French, and Portuguese.

With over five years of experience in immigration law, Norelis is proficient in family-based and employment-based visa processes, USCIS forms, civil records, and client communications. She currently works as a Legal Assistant and has previously held similar roles in law firms as a Legal Secretary, as well as administrative and bilingual assistant positions in the legal, corporate, and oil production sectors.

Recognized for her excellent communication, customer service, legal translation, bilingual assistance, and problem- solving skills, she has received multiple commendations for her efficiency and professionalism. Having undergone the PERM process herself, she brings a unique perspective to immigration matters. A permanent U.S. resident, she is eager to contribute her expertise in executive administration to this dynamic organization.

Shaynna Manabat

Finance Specialist

As a Finance Specialist, Shaynna (“Shay”) Manabat brings a strong focus on numbers, organization, and accuracy to her work. She enjoys diving into the details and making sure everything balances seamlessly, which allows the team to operate smoothly and efficiently. Her role is not just about handling figures—it’s about providing the reliability and clarity that helps keep projects and goals on track.

Outside of work, Shay loves being on the move. Whether it’s a scenic drive or a trip to explore a new town, she’s always looking for new places to discover. Along the way, Shay enjoys seeking out local spots to try good food and experience different flavors. For Shay, the combination of structure in her work and adventure in her free time creates the perfect balance.

Mike Cardella

Chief Technology Officer

Since beginning his IT career in 2001, Mike Cardella has established himself as a trusted leader in cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and managed IT services. As the Chief Technology Officer at Klug Law Firm, he is responsible for overseeing the firm’s technology strategy, ensuring the highest levels of security, efficiency, and compliance in all IT operations.

With a strong commitment to data protection and regulatory compliance, Mike works closely with the firm’s leadership to implement cutting-edge technology solutions that safeguard sensitive information and support seamless legal operations. His extensive experience in cybersecurity and IT infrastructure allows him to proactively address complex technology challenges, keeping Klug Law Firm at the forefront of digital security and innovation.

Outside of work, Mike enjoys boating, hiking, biking, sports, and spending quality time with his family.

Shiv Chandrakantshah

Data Governance Officer

Shiv Chandrakantshah serves as Klug Law Firm’s Director of Data Analytics. He has been living and breathing immigration since 2000 when he arrived in the United States as an immigrant himself.

Coming with a law degree from India, he started working at a small IT firm in 2001, helping them prepare H-1B and other visa petitions for the firm’s foreign-born employees. He worked at this small IT firm for three years and then went on to a boutique immigration law firm in Atlanta to learn the immigration process from the law firm side. There, he helped file visa applications on behalf of the firm’s clients, did business development and, most importantly, started learning how to build various reports.

After a few years, he joined one of the largest employment and immigration law firms in the United States where he gained experience with corporate clients doing high-volume business immigration work. He then worked at Microsoft in their in-house immigration team, and then at the country’s largest business immigration law firm until December 2017.

Throughout all these experiences, he worked through some of the most complex challenges faced by the immigration industry and realized that his combination of skills was addressing a huge gap in the immigration market. He noticed that most immigration law firms, as well as the companies hiring foreign workers, didn’t have access to the kind of business intelligence and legal data analytics that he was building in-house for the employers he had been working with. He realized that he had a unique set of skills – immigration process know-how, technical savvy and a knack for data analytics – that could bring value to law firms.

In his role with our firm as Director of Data Analytics, Shiv helps us to ensure that we always maintain the highest levels of data integrity, streamline our immigration processes and procedures, leverage data to drive productivity, and find new efficiencies.

Mauricio Duarte

Chief Marketing Officer

Mauricio Duarte is a lawyer with an LL.M. from the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota). In addition to being Chief Marketing Officer with Klug Law Firm, Mauricio also serves as the Chief Operating Officer and a Justice Entrepreneur with A2J Tech. Mauricio has an extensive background advising technology startups, venture capital firms, and law firms.

Before joining A2J Tech, he focused primarily on using technology to improve legal operations, including his own practice. His previous legal tech experience led him to become a Fellow in the Kleros Fellowship of Justice in Law & Society, a member of the Asian International Arbitration Centre Technology Expert Committee, a member of the Silicon Valley Arbitration and Mediation Center Young Professionals Steering Committee, and an Executive Committee Member of Law Practice Management and Technology Section for the California Lawyers Association.

In addition to Klug Law Firm and A2J Tech, Mauricio remains an attorney who advises technology startups and technology companies.