Stephen O’Connor
Stephen O’Connor is a Board Certified attorney that focuses his practice on all aspects of deportation/removal defense and family-based immigration. With over 15 years of experience in immigration law, Mr. O’Connor is widely recognized for his exceptional legal expertise, strategic insight, and unwavering commitment to his clients.
His experience includes the representation of persons in deportation proceedings due to criminal convictions, lacking an immigration status, and failing to maintain a lawful immigration status. He has extensive experience in appellate immigration work, having successfully handled numerous appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. His proficiency in navigating complex legal challenges and his dedication to securing favorable outcomes for his clients at the appellate level set him apart as a trusted leader in the field. His family-based immigration experience includes naturalization, claims to United States citizenship, lawful permanent residence, extreme hardship waivers, DACA, VAWA, and visas for victims of crimes and special immigrant juveniles. He has published articles on diverse immigration topics, and is a frequent speaker at AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) conferences.
He served as an Assistant Trial Attorney for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Phoenix, Arizona. He also served as an Attorney Advisor for the Executive Office for Immigration Review, Immigration Court in Dallas, Texas. Following his public service, Mr. O’Connor was an attorney with one of the largest immigration law firms in the United States, where he represented clients with regulatory compliance and immigration litigation matters. The last 15 years he has devoted to private practice focused on deportation defense.
El Abogado O’Connor habla Español.
Education:
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Juris Doctor, Catholic University of America
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Master of Laws, Georgetown University
Admissions:
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State Bar of Texas
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Texas Western District Court
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Texas Southern District Court
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5th Circuit Court of Appeals
Maria Nereida Jaimes
Associate Attorney
Maria Nereida Jaimes is an associate attorney at O’Connor & Associates, PLLC, specializing in immigration law. Ms. Jaimes has over five years of experience in immigration law matters, and her extensive experience in immigration defense at the trial and appellate level underscores her dedication to ensuring fair and just treatment for her clients within the complex immigration system.
Ms. Jaimes pursued her Juris Doctor at St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio. During her legal education, Ms. Jaimes excelled academically and demonstrated exceptional advocacy skills as a member of the National Trial Team, winning two national championships. Her commitment to serving immigrant communities was nurtured during her time in the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic at St. Mary’s University School of Law, where she gained practical experience and honed her skills in advocating for individuals facing immigration challenges. Her dedication to excellence was recognized when she was inducted as a member of the Order of Barristers, a prestigious national honorary organization dedicated to the encouragement of oral advocacy and brief writing skills through effective law school oral advocacy programs.
As a licensed attorney in the State of Texas, Ms. Jaimes brings her expertise and passion to serve clients in various immigration matters, including family-based immigration petitions, waivers, naturalization, DACA, U-visas, VAWAs, special juvenile immigrant visas, and representation in deportation/removal defense before the Immigration Courts. She is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective representation to individuals and families navigating the complexities of the immigration system.
Ms. Jaimes’s dedication to her clients, her commitment to justice, and her passion for advocacy make her an indispensable asset to O’Connor & Associates, and a steadfast advocate for her clients and community.
La Abogada Jaimes habla Español.
Education:
- Juris Doctor, St. Mary’s University School of Law
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Texas State University, Magna Cum Laude
Admissions:
- State Bar of Texas
- 5th Circuit Court of Appeals
Anna Patino
Office Manager
Anna Patino is the Office Manager and Senior Legal Assistant at O’Connor & Associates.
Anna is the cornerstone of communication within the firm, fostering strong relationships with staff, clients, and external stakeholders. She coordinates various administrative tasks, from scheduling appointments and managing budgets to streamlining internal processes, all with precision and dedication.
In addition to her office manager role, Anna is the lead trainer for new legal assistants at O’Connor and Associates. Drawing on her extensive experience in office management and legal administration, she guides and mentors new team members, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to excel in their roles.
As a Senior Legal Assistant, Anna’s role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. She assists the attorneys in deportation/removal proceedings before the Immigration courts, particularly for those who lack an immigration status or are at risk of maintaining a lawful status. Her support extends to family-based petitions such as adjustments and consular process, naturalization, DACA, waivers, and visas for victims of crimes or special immigrant juveniles.
Anna’s work at O’Connor & Associates has ignited a deep passion within her for assisting individuals in navigating the complexities of Immigration laws. Motivated by her desire to enhance her expertise and advocate more effectively for her clients, she is actively preparing to attend law school and is currently in the process of preparing for the LSAT.
Anna habla Español!
Education:
- Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice, Texas State University.