Immigration Law Firm Signs Dayana Mendoza as Client
NEW YORK, NY, December 3, 2009—Wildes & Weinberg is pleased to announce that immigration lawyer and Mayor of Englewood, NJ, Michael Wildes has been hired as legal counsel to Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008.
Wildes will be assisting Mendoza, born in Venezuela, in securing a green card to reside in the United States. Despite having traveled the world for the past eight years as a fashion model, Mendoza feels at home in the U.S. and believes there are many opportunities for her here. She will be studying at the New York Film Academy and plans on pursuing several avenues including acting, small business ownership, and continued support of HIV/AIDS awareness.
Although she was crowned Miss Universe in 2008, her life had never been as glamorous. “I have been modeling since I was 15 year old in Venezuela and it has been a rough eight years since then, with times when I was very hungry and very lonely” said Mendoza. Since winning Miss Universe, however, she has had the opportunity to represent the organization around the world and decided to create a new home abroad. “I always loved being in the United States,” said Mendoza. “I enjoy the way of living, the people, the culture, the patriotism, and how much the government cares.”
As partner of NYC-based preeminent immigration law firm Wildes & Weinberg, established in 1960 by his father, Leon Wildes, in 1960, Michael has become internationally renowned for having represented the United States Government in immigration proceedings, for the successful representation of several defectors who have provided hard-to-obtain national security information to the United States and, most recently, for obtaining an injunction to prevent Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi from residing in New Jersey during the 2009 UN Summit.
Mr. Wildes holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Queens College and a J.D. from Cardozo School of Law. Elected Mayor of Englewood in November of 2003 and to a second term in November 2006, Wildes was voted one of the “100 National Up and Coming Leaders to Watch” by the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), and the late Senator Kennedy said he had “high expectations” that Wildes would soon be joining him in the United States Congress.
About Wildes & Weinberg P.C.
Founded in 1960, Wildes & Weinberg P.C. is the premier law firm in the United States concentrating exclusively on the immigration and nationality field. The firm grew out of the practice of Leon Wildes, Esq., a distinguished immigration practitioner in New York City who also represented a Miss Universe winner, Rina Messinger, in 1976. Its original clientele consisted of individuals, rather than corporations, who had been placed in deportation or exclusion proceedings or were otherwise in jeopardy. The practice expanded steadily as word of its outstanding achievements in individual cases spread in the international community (including the firm’s representation of former Beatle John Lennon in deportation proceedings), attracting clients from around the world. Today the firm consists of thirteen attorneys, all experts in the field of U.S. immigration and nationality law, with two dozen staff members in its New York City and Englewood, NJ offices. The firm is known for its prompt and efficient service. Despite its steady growth over the past 50 years, the hallmark of the law practice remains the individualized attention to its clients’ needs.
Michael Wildes, born and raised in Queens, New York, is the Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey, an immigration lawyer and a former federal prosecutor. As partner of NYC-based preeminent immigration law firm Wildes & Weinberg, established by his father, Leon Wildes, in 1960, Wildes has become internationally renowned for having represented the United States Government in immigration proceedings, for the successful representation of several defectors who have provided hard-to-obtain national security information to the United States and, most recently, for obtaining an injunction to prevent Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi from residing in New Jersey during the 2009 UN Summit.
Elected Mayor of Englewood in November of 2003 and to a second term in November 2006, Wildes is recognized by the Democratic Party as a leading fundraiser for congressional and senate candidates throughout the United States, including Senators Hillary Clinton, Edward Kennedy, Joseph Lieberman and many others. He was voted one of the “100 National Up and Coming Leaders to Watch” by the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), and the late Senator Kennedy said he had “high expectations” that Wildes would soon be joining him in the United States Congress.
Wildes is a frequent legal commentator/analyst for top tier media outlets including BBC, MSNBC, CNN, Fox, Wall Street Journal, New York Post, AOL, and Forbes.com.