Meet Ofelia
Ofelia L. Calderón is a founding partner at CS Law. In addition to maintaining a diverse practice which includes family, naturalization, business, and asylum, Ofelia concentrates on federal matters and removal cases. Outside her practice, Ofelia is a fervent advocate for the immigration community and has frequently taken her support and knowledge to various community forums. She has spoken to neighborhood associations on the rights of non-citizens in the U.S. and has also presented before local and regional courts on the impact of criminal sentencing for non-citizens.
Ofelia is on the Advisory Council of Legal Aid Justice Center, while maintaining membership with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the National Immigration Project, CAIR Coalition, and the Virginia Women Attorneys Association. She also served as past President of the Hispanic Bar Association of Virginia Through her membership with AILA, Ofelia served as the DC chapter chair of the liaison committee to the Executive Office for Immigration Review in Arlington, Virginia for more than 5 years. Ofelia has been invited to speak as a panelist at numerous AILA National and Chapter Conferences, AILA National Web Seminars, the National Immigration Project Fall Conference in Portland, Oregon, and various state and local seminars. Ofelia also contributes her time to the Board of Immigration Appeals Pro Bono Screening Project and has worked closely with numerous local non-profits to provide affordable legal advice to the community at large.
Ofelia is recognized by her peers and clients as a tireless advocate with a proven track record of resolving complicated legal problems. Ofelia has been described by her clients as “a person of utmost integrity and legal experience”, a “true professional, responsive, and very knowledgeable in her line of business.” Notably, Martindale-Hubbell recognizes Ofelia as an AV® rated attorney, the highest such rating available to any individual lawyer.
Ofelia graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1995 and received her law degree from the University Of San Francisco School Of Law in 2001. Ofelia is a member of the Bar of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia. She is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court of Maryland, the United States District of Virginia, and the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Practice Areas
- Family law
- Naturalization
- Business immigration
- Asylum
- Federal matters
- Removal (deportation) defense
Focus and Approach
- Concentrates on federal matters and removal cases
- Holistic advocate for immigrant communities; educates on non-citizens’ rights and criminal-immigration impacts
Education
- J.D., University of San Francisco School of Law, 2001
- B.A., Political Science, University of Maryland, 1995
Bar Admissions
- Maryland
- Commonwealth of Virginia
- District of Columbia
Speaking & Training
- Panelist/speaker at AILA National and Chapter Conferences, AILA National Web Seminars
- National Immigration Project Fall Conference (Portland, OR)
- Various state and local seminars; neighborhood associations and courts on non-citizen rights and sentencing impacts
Pro Bono & Community Work
- Board of Immigration Appeals Pro Bono Screening Project
- Collaborates with local non-profits to provide affordable legal advice
Court Admissions
- United States District Court of Maryland
- United States District of Virginia
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Current Role
- Founding partner, CS Law
Professional Memberships & Leadership
- Advisory Council, Legal Aid Justice Center
- Member: American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA); National Immigration Project; CAIR Coalition; Virginia Women Attorneys Association
- Past President, Hispanic Bar Association of Virginia
- AILA DC Chapter: Chair, Liaison Committee to EOIR (Arlington) for 5+ years
Recognitions
- Most notably, Martindale-Hubbell AV® rated
- Described by clients as having utmost integrity, professionalism, responsiveness, and deep legal knowledge
