Eileen Blessinger

Owner | Attorney at Law

Eileen P. Blessinger has been practicing immigration law for over a decade. As the founder of Blessinger Legal, PLLC, Ms. Blessinger has litigated thousands of cases before United States Immigration Courts, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Asylum Offices, Federal Courts, and the State Department. In addition, she has provided commentary regarding important immigration topics in national and international media, bringing the legal perspective on current immigration policy. She is held as an expert in immigration matters by her colleagues and has appeared numerous times as an expert witness on immigration law in federal courts.

Ms. Blessinger has been recognized for her work as an immigration attorney by Washingtonian Magazine, Super Lawyers Magazine, and Virginia Business. These accolades are given by both peer and public nomination. As a dual citizen of Ireland, Ms. Blessinger participates in the Irish Network of the District of Columbia and the Ireland Fund. She has been recognized by The Irish Echo as a top 40 under 40 Irish American and by the Federal Bar Association (“FBA”) Immigration Law Division as Younger Lawyer of the Year in 2017. Ms. Blessinger is active in a number of professional organizations, including the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) and the FBA. She sits on the board of directors for the ACACIA, a nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of immigrants throughout the United States and currently serves as the Secretary for the DC Chapter of AILA.

Ms. Blessinger is beloved by her clients and frequently collaborates with criminal defense counsel regarding immigration consequences of criminal conduct. Ms. Blessinger is a member in good standing of the Virginia, District of Columbia, New York, and New Jersey Bar Associations and is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Eastern District of Virginia.

Claudia Cubas

Of Counsel

Claudia R. Cubas comes with a wealth of immigration experience from the government, private and nonprofit industry. Prior to joining Blessinger Legal, Claudia served as the Assistant Chief Immigration Judge overseeing the Baltimore, Hyattsville, Orlando, and San Juan Immigration Courts from March 2024 to December 2025.

Before then she was appointed as an Immigration Judge to begin hearing cases in March 2022 at the Hyattsville Immigration Court. Claudia Cubas earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2005 from the University of St. Thomas, in Houston, and a Juris Doctor in 2008 from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

From 2018 to 2022, she was the Litigation Director at the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, formerly known as the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition in the District of Columbia. She held the following roles at Amica: from 2016 to 2018, Senior Program Director; from 2014 to 2016, Program Director; from 2013 to 2014, Supervising Attorney for the Legal Orientation Program; and from 2011 to 2012, Staff Attorney. From 2009 to 2011, she was an Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps Legal Fellow at the Central American Resource Center, in the District of Columbia. From 2008 to 2009, she was an Attorney in private practice. Claudia is a member of the Maryland State Bar and is admitted to practice before the Maryland District Courts, the Fourth Circuit and the Eleventh Circuit.

Joseph Moravec

Attorney at Law

Joseph Moravec has been with Blessinger Legal since August 2022 and has been practicing law for five years. He specializes in immigration law with a focus on removal defense, asylum, and appeals. He is a specialist in challenging immigration detention through federal habeas corpus petitions.

He is admitted to the New Jersey and Maryland bars and is admitted to practice before the Second and Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeals and the U.S. District Courts for the Western and Northern Districts of New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. He has also been admitted pro hac vice to practice before the U.S. District Court of North Dakota.

Jan Pederson

Attorney at Law

Jan Pederson is a Partner at Blessinger Legal, PLLC, and is widely regarded as one of the preeminent immigration attorneys in the United States. With over forty years of experience, her practice is strictly limited to immigration and national law, where she has earned a reputation for resolving the most complex and high-stakes visa issues.

Core Specializations

Ms. Pederson is a recognized pioneer in several niche areas of immigration law, specifically:

• Medical Immigration: A leading advocate for J-1 Physicians, Foreign Medical Graduates (IMGs), and J-1 Waivers (including the Conrad State 30 program).
• Employment & Extraordinary Ability: Expertise in O-1 Visas, National Interest Waivers (NIW), and Investor Visas (EB-5).
• Consular Practice: Highly skilled in navigating American Embassies and consular posts globally; she has personally represented clients in 23 countries.
• Journalism & Entertainment: Representing hundreds of journalists, television networks, and entertainers.

Key Leadership & Advocacy

Throughout her career, Ms. Pederson has been instrumental in shaping U.S. immigration policy through legislation and organizational leadership:

• Co-Founder of IMMLAW: A prestigious national consortium of immigration law firms (est. 1987).
• Co-Founder of the IMG Task Force: An organization dedicated to bringing physicians to medically underserved areas in America (est. 1990).
• Legislative Influence: She has been key to the passage of legislation benefiting J-1 physicians and has sought solutions through the White House and Congress for systemic issues.
• AILA Leadership: Served as President of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and was an elected director of the national Board of Governors for 18 years.

Education & Bar Admissions

• J.D. – Howard University
• B.A. in Economics (with honors) – University of Washington
• Admissions: District of Columbia Court of Appeals, U.S. District Court for D.C., and the United States Supreme Court.

Honors & Recognition

Ms. Pederson’s work has been consistently lauded by major publications and legal peers:

• The Edith Lowenstein Award: The most prestigious national award for excellence in the advancement of immigration law.
• Hall of Fame: Inducted into the Washingtonian Top Lawyers Hall of Fame (2022).
• Lifetime Achievement Awards: Honored by the Maryland State Bar Association (2022) and the International Medical Graduates Task Force.
• Top Ratings: AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and an AVVO rating of 10.

Human Rights & Media

Beyond her legal practice, Ms. Pederson is an advocate for vulnerable populations. She recently joined the Board of Directors for the Blue Tulip Human Rights Center, focusing on the exploitation of women and victims of trafficking. Her expertise is frequently sought by the national media, with appearances on CNN, ABC News, and in The New York Times.

Note: Ms. Pederson is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Kristin L. Acuff

Associate Attorney

Kristin L. Acuff is an experienced litigator who represents clients in federal litigation and removal defense. She works closely with individuals navigating complex immigration proceedings, including those facing detention and enforcement actions, and is committed to providing strategic, thoughtful advocacy at every stage of a case. Prior to joining Blessinger Legal, Ms. Acuff served as a Senior Policy Advisor in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, where she investigated allegations of civil rights violations arising from immigration enforcement and detention, issued formal findings of fact and law, and advised senior leadership across DHS components, including ICE, CBP, and USCIS.

Ms. Acuff also brings significant federal litigation experience from her time as an Assistant Corporation Counsel in the City of Chicago’s Federal Civil Rights Litigation Division, where she represented law enforcement officers in complex civil rights cases brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and handled matters at every stage of litigation. Earlier in her career, she served as a Vice Consul with the U.S. Department of State, adjudicating visa applications and investigating immigration fraud, and worked with the U.S. Department of Defense managing an international rule of law and human rights training program. Ms. Acuff earned her J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law and her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign and is admitted to practice law in Illinois.

Pardis D. Quatrano

Managing Attorney of Affirmative Cases

Pardis D. Quatrano is an experienced immigration attorney who is well versed in both family- based and employment-based immigration law. She is admitted to the State Bar of Michigan. Mrs. Quatrano has been practicing immigration law for six years and has a proven track record of successful cases. She is a zealous advocate who is incredibly thorough, creative, and effective. Mrs. Quatrano works tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcomes for all her clients.

Mrs. Quatrano is a Farsi speaker, and a talented and extraordinarily competent, persuasive legal writer. The strength of her legal writing significantly contributes to favorable outcomes, as well as the overturn of denials. Mrs. Quatrano has represented clients in removal proceedings, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Board of Appeals, and Federal District Courts. Mrs. Quatrano joined Blessinger Legal in May 2024.

Estefania Suárez

Case Manager

Estefania Suarez is a licensed attorney in Honduras, admitted to practice in 2021. She began her legal career focusing on labor and human rights law, where she developed a strong commitment to advocacy, professionalism, and serving individuals with integrity.

She currently focuses on U.S. immigration law as a Case Manager, overseeing a wide range of matters, including removal defense, affirmative applications, and detainee cases. She works closely with attorneys and clients to manage cases, ensure procedural compliance, and guide each matter through every stage of the legal process. Passionate about client advocacy, Estefania is dedicated to helping individuals share their stories with dignity and authenticity.

Pamela Yee

Attorney at Law

Clarisa Suarez

Affidavit Supervisor
Clarisa Suarez is a psychologist with over a decade of experience in clinical treatment and people management. Her compassionate and insightful approach has allowed her to build a strong foundation in understanding human behavior, fostering mental well-being, and supporting individuals through life’s challenges.

In addition to her clinical background, Clarisa has spent the past four years focusing on the immigration field, where she has worked closely with clients from diverse backgrounds to help them share their stories with dignity and respect. She is committed to ensuring that each client’s experiences are conveyed authentically while promoting a culture of compassion and empathy among her colleagues.

By combining her expertise in psychology with her work in immigration, Clarisa is dedicated to helping clients feel heard, understood, and supported. Her commitment to professionalism, integrity, and client-centered advocacy contributes to providing the highest quality of service to those she serves.

Armando Duke

Paralegal

Armando Duke has been a valued member of Blessinger Legal since April 2023, where he currently serves as a Paralegal. Originally from Honduras, Armando is a dedicated law student in his home country and brings that same passion and commitment to his work with the firm.

He plays a key role in supporting the firm’s efforts across a wide range of immigration cases, including defensive, affirmative, and detainee matters. His comprehensive understanding of legal procedures and his commitment to justice make him an essential part of the team.

Armando is known for his hardworking nature, enthusiasm, and deep sense of responsibility. His positive attitude and unwavering dedication to clients’ needs have earned him the respect of his colleagues and clients alike. Passionate about immigration law and driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, Armando exemplifies the values and mission of Blessinger Legal in every case he touches.

Natali Felipe

Paralegal Manager

Corey Goettsch

Paralegal