The Portela Law Firm, P.C.

415 Madison Ave.
New York, NY 10017 (212) 965-9458

177 Wadsworth Ave.
New York, NY 10013 (212) 927-7363 Mailing Address

37-06 82nd Street, Suite 3
Jackson Heights, NY 11372 (718) 424-5000  

Raves for The Portela Law Firm.

Here's what some of our clients are saying:

“From the very beginning Mr. Portela was extremely helpful and courteous, and we have the greatest faith in his services, and we will not hesitate to utilize his firm in the future. By his excellent professional representation on our behalf, we continue to have belief in the good services of the legal profession.”

“Para mi primero Dios y despues el abogado Manuel Portela. Es un abogado muy competente y de los cuales necesitamos aqui en la ciudad de New York para que proteja a toda la comunidad Latina.”

“Mr. Portela is an attorney of high moral character and highly qualified to handle commercial litigation disputes and defend business at the various NYC administrative agencies.”

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Our Team

 

Manuel Portela

Manuel Portela

Manuel@portelalaw.com
School: The Washington College of Law at American University
Degree: JD 1990
Foreign Language: Spanish

Manuel Portela Esq. is the founding partner of The Portela Law Firm, P.C. He specializes in Corporate and Commercial Law, Criminal Defense and Personal Injury.

After graduating from Fordham University and American University Washington College of Law, Mr. Portela accepted an appointment as an Assistant District Attorney at the Kings County District Attorney‘s Office in New York. During his tenure as an Assistant District Attorney, he received extensive training and instruction in the Criminal Court Bureau, Early Case Assessment Bureau, Felony Investigations Bureau and the Supreme Court Bureau. Among the Felony and Misdemeanor cases that he successfully won, he resolved thousands of cases through effective plea negotiations. After his resignation Mr. Portela diversified his practice representing businesses as well as individuals.

Manuel Portela launched The Portela Law Firm, P.C. with the aim of fighting relentlessly to assert and protect the interest of his clients as well as providing professional and compassionate representation to New York‘s diverse population.

Work Experience, Certifications and awards:

King County Assistant District Attorney, Senior Trial Attorney (1990-1995)
American University International Law Journal, Senior Editor
New York Federal Reserve Bank, 1986, Division: Domestic Bank Examinations- Domestic Bank Examiner

Virginia Alvarez

Virginia@portelalaw.com
Law School: Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center
Degree: JD 2004
Foreign Language: Spanish

Virginia G. Alvarez is the senior associate with the firm. Ms. Alvarez practices in the areas of  family and matrimonial law, criminal defense, personal injury, creditor’s rights, civil law, landlord tenant as well as trusts and estates and licensing.  Additionally, she is responsible for the daily operations of the office and the intern program. 

She is admitted to the New York State Bar and the United States District Court for the Eastern District.

Ms. Alvarez received her Bachelor’s of Science from Pennsylvania State University and went on to receive her Masters of Arts from the University of Missouri- Kansas City. In addition, she has her private pilot’s license. She later attended Touro Law School and  received her Juris Doctorate in 2004. She achieved Dean’s List in 2003.  Her hard work was recognized as she received the CALI Academic Excellence Award for both Oral Advocacy and the Family Law Clinic.  She was also awarded additional accolades including Service to the Bar Award and Service to the Community Award.  During her tenure at Touro she was actively involved as the treasurer of the Touro Women’s Bar Association from 2000-2001 and President from 2001-2004.  Ms. Alvarez is a member of the American Bar Association and is a former ABA Lieutenant Governor of the Student Division Second Department. She is also a member of the New York State Trial Lawyer’s Association and Penn State Golden Lions Society.  

Ms. Alvarez’s legal experiences include an internship at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District Civil Division, Publisher’s Clearinghouse as well as Suffolk County Legal Aid Elder Law Division.  She started her legal career in Long Island and presently practices in the five boroughs of New York City as well as the surrounding area. Ms. Alvarez is active in several philanthropic organizations benefiting the communities in which she works.

Ms. Alvarez looks forward to meeting you and helping you with all your legal matters.   She is fluent in Spanish and proficient in American Sign Language. We are sure her intelligence, warmth and experience will serve you well.

Jose Santiago

Jose@portelalaw.com
School: Fordham University School of Law
Degree: JD 2004
Foreign Language: Spanish

Jose G. Santiago, Esq. is a senior associate at The Portela Law Firm, P.C. where he specializes in Immigration and Criminal law and manages the Immigration Division of The Portela Law Firm.

Influenced by years of study at Jesuit universities, Jose G. Santiago has embraced the Jesuit tradition of Service of Others.  After earning his law degree from Fordham University School of Law in New York City, he accepted an appointment an as Assistant District Attorney in Queens County, New York City. 

Jose G. Santiago continues to endorse the ideal of service of others as he has appeared pro bono on various Spanish-language radio stations, including Orlando's Viva 1160 AM and Radio Luz 1270 AM, and local churches and civic organizations, helping to raise awareness of immigration issues affecting our country and educating the community with regards to various immigration and other legal issues.

Betzy Duran

Betzy@portelalaw.com
School: Mercy College
Degree: Master of Science in Counseling and Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
Language: Spanish

Betzy Duran is the chief legal administrator and paralegal who oversees the daily operations of the Washington Heights Branch at 177 Wadsworth Avenue in Manhattan.

Ms. Duran provides paralegal support in areas of Civil, Family, Criminal Defense and Commercial litigation.

Ms. Duran supervises staff members in completing daily responsibilities and providing paralegal support to the firm‘s attorneys to ensure customer satisfaction, reliable service with exceptional results.  She also facilitates the attorneys with uncontested divorces.

Maria del Carmen Ozoria

Maria@portelalaw.com
School: Universidad Central del Este, (UCE), Republica Dominicana
Degree: Licenciada en Derecho (2010)
Language: Spanish

Maria del Carmen Ozoria, although not admitted in the United States, obtained her law degree in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  She has five years of experience as personnel management assistant in the National Police Department of San Pedro de Macoris.  During her tenure, she was responsible for handling all evidence relating to criminal investigations. 

She is the office administrator for the Jackson Heights office.

She oversees the firm‘s business development, marketing, and customer relations.

Ms. Ozoria believes that The Portela Law firm‘s clients are entitled to the highest level of customer service and attention, and she ensures that each staff member of the firm fulfills that endeavor.

Of Counsel:

Anibal Romero, Esq.
Glen Wright, Esq.

The Attorneys at The Portela Law Firm, P.C. are members of the following Professional Organizations: 

  • New York State Bar Association
  • Board of Director, Lex Owner's Corp. 2005-2008
  • American Immigration Law Association, 2008-2009 
  • Board of Director and Cofounder of the Inwood and Marble Hill Chamber of Commerce, 2008-2009
  • Vice President of the U.S. Latin Chamber of Commerce, 2009-2010
  • American Bar Association
  • New York State Trial Lawyers Association
  • Queens County Bar Association
  • Kings County Bar Association