Attorneys
Claudia Canizares, Esq.
FOUNDING PARTNER
Claudia Canizares is originally from Habana, Cuba.
In 2009, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Psychology from Florida International University.
In 2012, she graduated cum laude from Nova Southeastern University where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree. She was admitted to the Florida Bar on September 19, 2012.
She started her law career doing Personal Injury. She then transitioned into Immigration Law which has been her main area of practice since the beginning of 2013. Since then, Mrs. Canizares has completed thousands of cases before USCIS and the immigration court.
Ms. Canizares’s case experience includes asylum applications, adjustment of status applications, waivers for unlawful presence, fraud, criminal issues, smuggling and others, cancellation of removal, special visas for crime victims, victims of domestic violence and juveniles, humanitarian deferred actions, TPS applications, Parole in Place and others.
She has appeared in USCIS interviews and court hearings in various places of the United States including but not limited to: Florida, California, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Texas, Missouri, Nevada, Arizona, Minnesota, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Louisiana.
Mrs. Canizares came to the US at the age of 16 and endured detention at the southern border followed by a lengthy immigration removal proceeding. Thankfully, Mrs. Canizares was granted lawful permanent residency. During her early years in the United States, she did not imagine that she would become an immigration attorney. However, it is her personal experience that has allowed her to empathize with the thousands of people she has met and serviced during her last decade as immigration attorney.
Zulimary V. Maymi-Serrano, Esq.
MANAGING SENIOR ATTORNEY
Zulimary V. Maymi-Serrano, Esq., is an attorney with over 15 years of experience in various fields of law including removal defense immigration, labor & employment, contracts and collective bargaining.
Mrs. Maymi-Serrano graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2003 obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Public Communication from the University of Puerto Rico and graduated Cum Laude in 2007 from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law.
Mrs. Maymi-Serrano has successfully represented clients nationwide before the Immigration Court, Asylum Offices, and USCIS. Mrs. Maymi-Serrano’s case experience includes removal defense, asylum defense, family-based petitions, adjustment of status, waivers, cancellation of removal, special visas for crime victims (U Visas), victims of domestic violence (VAWA), humanitarian deferred actions and humanitarian paroles, TPS, parole in place, and consular process.
During her career, Mrs. Maymi-Serrano has also represented employers and companies before the National Labor Relations Board and the Department of Labor. She has experience in wages and hours, employment litigation, and as lead negotiator in collective bargaining agreements.
Mrs. Maymi-Serrano was born and raised in Puerto Rico. In 2019, she moved to Miami to pursue her passion for Immigration Law, and she joined our Firm in 2021. She is a passionate and empathic advocate that provides effective representation to our clients throughout their immigration processes.
Angelica Hernandez, Esq.
SUPERVISING SENIOR ATTORNEY
Angelica Hernandez, Esq. is an attorney with over eight years of experience. She was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. She later obtained her Juris Doctor also from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law. In February 2015 she was admitted to the Law Practice by the Supreme Court of Puerto Rico. During the first two years of her career as an attorney she dedicated her practice to Family, Criminal, and Civil law in Puerto Rico. In 2017 she moved to Miami and started practicing Immigration Law which she continues to practice.
As an immigration attorney she has successfully represented individuals and families from different nationalities before the Immigration Court, USCIS, and ICE in a variety of cases such as asylum, withholding of removals, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, family petitions, naturalizations, waivers, temporary protected status (TPS), detained custody redetermination requests, stays of removals, and more.
Vasili S. Hernandez, Esq.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Vasili S. Hernandez, Esq., is an attorney with over 10 years of experience in various fields of law, including criminal defense, immigration, and civil litigation. Mr. Hernandez was born and raised in Cuba from where he immigrated to the United States at age 20 with his family. Being an immigrant himself, he is fully committed to the zealous representation of his clients in front of the United States’ Immigration Courts and USCIS offices where he has successfully represented hundreds of clients.
Mr. Hernandez holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from the City University of New York- Hunter College and received his Juris Doctor in 2010 from the City University of New York- School of Law, also in New York City, which he attended on a full academic scholarship. In addition to the traditional practice of law, Mr. Hernandez also worked as a legal and compliance analyst in the financial sector for several years focusing on anti-money laundering and financial crime investigations for various banks in New York City. After having spent 20 years in New York City, Mr. Hernandez relocated to Miami in 2019 to continue his legal defense work on behalf of the community. Mr. Hernandez is fluent in Spanish and French.
Karla Moncada, Esq.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Karla Moncada, born and raised in Honduras, brings a wealth of legal expertise to her practice as an immigration attorney. With a bachelor’s degree in law from the prestigious Catholic University of Honduras and a Master’s degree in Human Rights from the esteemed National Pedagogic University of Honduras, Mrs. Moncada has a strong academic foundation; and she has been practicing law since 2004.
Mrs. Moncada’s professional journey encompasses extensive experience in both private and public sector law, particularly in Latin America. In Honduras, she served as an integral part of the legal advising team for the President, working on matters of paramount importance. Moreover, Mrs. Moncada’s passion for education led her to become a respected law professor, imparting her knowledge in constitutional law, human rights, civil law, and family law.
Driven by her ambition and a desire to expand her legal horizons, Mrs. Moncada made the United States her new home. She obtained her Juris Doctor from Saint Thomas University and became a member of the Florida Bar. Now, as an immigration attorney, she is committed to assisting families and individuals with unwavering dedication, ensuring they receive the finest advice and representation for their immigration matters in this country.
Briana N. Whyte, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Briana N. Whyte, Esq., is a dedicated immigration attorney known for her passion for justice and unwavering commitment to her clients. As a member of the New Jersey Bar Association since 2021, Briana brings a wealth of legal expertise and a compassionate approach to her practice.
Briana’s journey in law began at Rutgers Law School, where she excelled both academically and in extracurricular activities. During her time at Rutgers, Briana distinguished herself as a leader and advocate. She was actively involved in various legal clinics, including the Entrepreneurship Clinic and the Children’s Justice Clinic, where she honed her skills in advocating for vulnerable populations. As the President of Alianza, The Latinx Law Student Alliance, Briana demonstrated her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the legal community.
In 2020, Briana graduated from Rutgers Law School with distinction, equipped with a solid foundation in law and a deep sense of social responsibility. She embarked on her legal career by practicing in diverse areas, including real estate, business transactional law, and personal injury. In 2021, Briana relocated to Miami, where she found her true calling in immigration law. Motivated by her desire to make a meaningful impact on individuals and families facing complex immigration challenges, Briana shifted her focus exclusively to immigration law. Drawing on her diverse legal background and her unwavering dedication to justice, Briana advocates tirelessly for her clients, guiding them through the intricate legal processes with compassion and expertise.
Briana N. Whyte, Esq., stands as a beacon of hope for immigrants seeking legal assistance and a staunch advocate for justice and equality. With her sharp legal acumen, compassionate approach, and unwavering commitment to her clients’ well-being, Briana continues to make a profound difference in the lives of those she serves.
Victoria E. Galan, Esq.
Associate Attorney
Victoria E. Galan is an immigration attorney specializing in family-based immigration, proudly serving clients with compassion and expertise. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Victoria’s personal background as the daughter of Cuban immigrants fuels her passion for helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of the immigration process.
Victoria earned her Juris Doctor degree from Shepard Broad College of Law, where she developed a deep understanding of immigration law and advocacy. After graduating, Victoria began her career at a non-profit organization, Florida Justice for our Neighbors, dedicated to serving immigrants and refugees. There, she gained invaluable experience in handling a wide range of immigration cases, including asylum, deportation defense, and citizenship.
Driven by her desire to make a meaningful impact, Victoria decided to focus her practice on family-based immigration. She understands the importance of keeping families together and works diligently to navigate the complex legal processes involved in obtaining visas, green cards, and citizenship for her clients’ loved ones.
Victoria is fluent in English and Spanish, allowing her to effectively communicate with clients from diverse backgrounds. She takes pride in providing personalized attention to each case, guiding clients through every step of their immigration journey with empathy and expertise.
As a Miami native and the daughter of Cuban immigrants, Victoria brings a unique perspective and cultural sensitivity to her practice, earning the trust and respect of her clients and colleagues alike. Her unwavering commitment to justice and compassion makes her a trusted ally for individuals and families seeking to build a better future in the United States.
Alejandro Machin, Esq.
ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY
Alejandro Machin is an attorney with the Canizares Law Group practicing in the area of Immigration Law.
Alejandro graduated from Suffolk University Law School in 2019. He also graduated as an attorney from the University of Havana School of Law in 2010. Mr. Machin is licensed to practice law in Massachusetts and has been a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association since 2020.
Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, until later in 2014, he made the decision to move to the United States. Upon arriving in Miami, he worked as a legal assistant at a Construction Company. Alejandro wanted to continue being an attorney, so he moved to Boston to pursue a legal career in the United States. After graduating in 2019, he practiced Real Estate Conveyancing Law in Boston, Massachusetts, until he relocated to Miami in 2023.
Alejandro has a passion for helping others. He worked as an intern at Greater Boston Legal Services, placing homeless women with children into shelter. During his last year as a law student in Boston, he became part of the school’s immigration clinic helping clients with their asylum applications. Ultimately, because of his own personal experience with the United States Immigration System, Mr. Machin decided to focus on a different type of law in order to help others to obtain legal status in the country.