About Us
Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund
The Filipino American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (FALDEF) was formally organized on October 15, 2009 in New York as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. However, long before their formal organization, the men and women of FALDEF have commenced their task of helping the migrant community to promote their rights and secure full access to justice.
Sometime in 2008, lawyers of various backgrounds initially and informally bonded together in providing immediate legal reliefs to Filipino nationals in distress. This common desire soon found its strength in the hearts of other volunteers who came from other professional and non-professional fields. They were further blessed with guidance and inspiration from the leaders of other civil rights groups based in New York.
As an offshoot of linking up with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People-Legal Defense Fund (NAACP-LDF) while addressing the concerns of a number of aggrieved Filipino migrant workers in New York, this group of Filipino and Filipino-American lawyers, community leaders and volunteers formed a core group to formally organize the first community-based legal defense and educational fund in the Northeast Region which eventually became FALDEF. The group aims to provide immediate legal assistance to Filipinos, Filipino-Americans and foreign nationals working or living abroad whose cases will have a significant impact to the welfare and interests of the migrant community in the United States, particularly in areas of employment, family, immigration and human trafficking laws.
Our programs include:
- Advocacy
- Citizen Education
- Community Outreach
- Free Legal Clinics
- Immigration Rights
- Pro Bono Legal Representation
- Voter Education
Our Vision
A vibrant Filipino American community whose members can freely share their knowledge, talents and resources to advance the welfare of their family and society without fear of unjust treatment of their heritage.
Our Mission
FALDEF is a New York-based organization committed to achieve the realization of the full potential of the Filipino American community as an integral part of the immigrant community in the United States through impact litigation, education and advocacy.
Our Values
We believe in justice
We believe in reliability
We believe in integrity
We believe in service to others
Our Team
Licelle Cobrador
Member of the Asian American Bar Association of New York.
Licelle Cobrador
Licelle is the founder and principal attorney of Cobrador & Associates, PLLC, an immigration, business, real estate and IP law firm based in New York City. As a leader in immigration law, Licelle represents clients from Asia, Latin America, Europe and all 50 states. She advises clients on legal and strategic issues rising from the global movement of talents, top executives and expert staff. Licelle is admitted to practice before the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the First, Second, Fifth and Ninth Circuits, and the U.S. Federal Court of the Southern District of New York. She is licensed to practice law both in New York State and in the Philippines.
Raising awareness on immigration issues, she serves as the Vice President and Executive Director for the Filipino American Legal Defense and Education Fund (FALDEF). She was FALDEF’s Director of Legal Affairs until 2017. Licelle is also Co-chairman of the Cardozo Law Masters Alumni Community and a member of Asian American Bar Association of New York, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and Filipino American Lawyers Association of New York.
Prior to establishing Cobrador & Associates, PLLC, Licelle worked for a number of leading firms in New York City and Manila. She also served as chief political affairs officer for the Philippine House of Representatives, legal consultant for the Department of Justice and as a lecturer at the University of the Philippines, Manila. Licelle was a Dean’s Merit Scholar at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law where she received her Master of Laws degree in Intellectual Property. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from Ateneo de Manila University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in the University of the Philippines, Manila and finished Cum Laude.
Altin Nonaj
Specializes in dealing with people with “extraordinary abilities.”
Altin Nonaj
Because of Altin’s personal story, it was inevitable for him to end up working in immigration law. At Koburger Law, Altin helps clients with issue of business immigration, international and corporate transactional practice. He specializes in dealing with people with the so called “extraordinary abilities,” having guided clients in the fashion industry, athletes, academics, investors and many more highly skilled individuals and specialized businesses to get their visa approved.
Altin’s experience in these fields traces back to his multi-nationality as two-time immigrant and New Yorker, who was born in Albania and raised both there and in Italy. On his way to Koburger Law, Altin worked in both Italy and the U.S. and earned his Dottore in Giurisprudenza (Doctor of Jurisprudence) from the University of Padova and his LL.M. in Banking, Corporate and Financial Law, from Fordham University School of Law.
Shravanthi Suresh
Member of the New York State Bar Association.
Shravanthi Suresh
Shravanthi Suresh-Silver, Esq is an Associate Attorney at the New York offices of Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP. She focuses her practice on comprehensive immigration issues, including employment-based visa petitions and permanent residency applications. Her practice includes advising on nonimmigrant visas, as well as the PERM labor certification process. On a Dean’s Merit Scholarship, she obtained a Masters of Law (LL.M) in Dispute Resolution from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 2016. Shravanthi received her Ba. LL.B. (Hons.) from Christ University, Bangalore, India in 2015. Shravanthi has co-authored an article entitled Transforming Business Through Proactive Dispute Management, 18 Cardozo J. Conflict Resol. 659-676 (2017), among others. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association and is actively involved in Alternative Dispute Resolution as well as the International Mediation Institute. Shravanthi passionately advocates for immigrant justice.
Randy Gonzales
Licensed to practice in the States of New York and New Jersey.
Randy Gonzales
Randy C. Gonzales is an attorney licensed to practice in the States of New York and New Jersey. His legal experience includes the areas of employment, labor, transportation, small business, ecommerce, and immigration. He earned his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law in 2005.
Osvaldo Dominguez
Senior Personal Banker at JPMorgan Chase.
Osvaldo Dominguez
Osvaldo Dominguez has a mixed professional background; J.D/LLM Graduate from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (Pucmm) in the Dominican Republic and Cardozo School of Law, J.D/LLM. He is passionate about Banking, Immigration and Corporate Law. As a Senior Personal Banker at JPMorgan Chase, he is responsible for targeting new growth opportunities by actively prospecting, recruiting and pre-qualifying new clients to maximize profitability and efficiencies. He is fluent in Spanish, French, Portuguese. When he isn’t working, you’ll find Os playing dodgeball, exploring the city and volunteering at FALDEF.
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OUR mission is YOUR mission.
Donate to FALDEF
Your generous contribution will allow FALDEF to continue to defend, serve, and educate the Filipino-American community and other migrant communities, which will benefit our society as a whole.
FALDEF Team
Types of Cases Handled
