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.

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.

Clarisa Suarez

Affidavit Supervisor

With over a decade of experience in clinical treatment and people management, I bring a compassionate and insightful approach to my work as a psychologist. At 31 years old, I have developed a strong foundation in understanding human behavior and fostering mental well-being.

In addition to my clinical background, I have spent the past two years concentrating in the immigration field, where I have worked closely with diverse clients to help them share their stories in a respectful manner. My focus is on conveying their struggles authentically, ensuring that my peers also understand the importance of treating each client with compassion and respect. This commitment allows us to procure the best services for those we support.

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.

Katharine Clark

Senior Attorney

Katharine Clark is an experienced litigator and adjudicator with over 18 years of nonprofit and government service. Katharine was honored to serve as an Appellate Immigration Judge on the Board of Immigration Appeals from 2023 to 2025, adjudicating over 2,400 appeals and motions. Katharine also led training sessions for Immigration Judges and Board staff on citizenship law, criminal immigration issues, and administrative case processing regulations.

Before becoming an Appellate Immigration Judge, Katharine gained over a decade of federal litigation experience at the Department of Justice. She handled petitions for review in the circuit courts of appeals, certiorari petitions before the Supreme Court, and nationality, habeas, and mandamus actions in federal district courts. She also worked drafting and responding to comments on federal immigration regulations.

From 2019-2021, Katharine served as Managing Attorney for Immigration at the Silver Spring, Maryland office of Ayuda. At Ayuda, Katharine represented clients in removal proceedings and Maryland circuit court custody hearings. She also filed humanitarian and family-based visa petitions, as well as naturalization and adjustment of status applications, for clients before USCIS.

In addition to her litigation and adjudication experience, Katharine Clark served as immigration counsel for Ranking Member Dianne Feinstein on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, and as a Judicial Law Clerk and Attorney Advisor at the Boston Immigration Court. Katharine is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Brown University, and she is admitted to practice law in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Katherine Alay

Law Clerk

Katherine Alay has been at Blessinger Legal PLLC since September 2021, initially as an Affidavit Team Supervisor and now as a Law Clerk. Since 2016, Ms. Alay has been working in the immigration field. She is passionate about helping people, which is why she is currently in law school at the University of Puerto Rico, School of Law. She is expected to graduate soon and begin her journey as an immigration attorney.

Kevin Hirst

Attorney at Law

Kevin Hirst came to Blessinger Legal from the Department of Justice’s Office of Immigration Litigation in June 2025. Over the course of seven years with DOJ, Kevin handled a wide variety of immigration cases in federal district and circuit courts across the country. These included nationwide class actions, civil rights claims, mandamus lawsuits, habeas corpus petitions, programmatic challenges to immigration policies and regulations, and naturalization claims. Kevin also provided training to other DOJ attorneys on habeas corpus and discovery issues. Kevin earned a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University and his Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a member of the Maryland bar and is admitted to practice in the First, Fourth, Fifth, and D.C. Circuit Courts.

Mark Wilson

Law Clerk

Mark B. Wilson joined Blessinger Legal in September 2025. Originally from the Nashville, Tennessee area, Mark holds bachelor’s degrees in international business from Tennessee Technological University and Aachen University of Applied Sciences in Germany. After working for the Tennessee Secretary of State’s Office for four years, Mark attended law school at the College of William & Mary, graduating in 2025.

While at William & Mary, Mark held leadership positions with the Center for International Law & Policy, the Immigration Law & Service Society, and the Business Law Review. Throughout his third year of law school, Mark worked for the William & Mary Immigration Clinic, where he appeared in Annandale Immigration Court and helped the Clinic mark its first win in an EOIR defensive asylum case.

Mark has language skills in French and German, and he is learning Spanish.

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.