Bardo Galindo Ulloa

Bardo Galindo Ulloa (he/him) has worked as a Legal Assistant with Sweet & Paciorek, LLC since June 2019. A native of Mexico City, Bardo immigrated to the United States in 2016. Bardo earned his bachelor’s degree in law at the University of Guadalajara. Prior to joining Sweet & Paciorek, Bardo worked as an advisor and Technical Secretary in the LV (50th) Legislature in the Congress of Guadalajara and as an advisor for the Mayor of Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico. Drawing from his prior personal and political experience, Bardo is adept at navigating consular processing of both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas at US consulates worldwide. He also supports the firm’s USCIS clients with family-based petitions, fiancé visas, tourist visas, humanitarian visas (U & T), naturalization and more.

Esmeralda Lara Vega

Esmeralda Lara Vega (she/her) joined Sweet & Paciorek, LLC in November 2023, first in the administrative department and then transitioning to the role of Legal Assistant in July 2024. Esmeralda is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, proudly raised by her Mexican immigrant family. Interested in one day potentially becoming an attorney herself, she is pursuing a college degree in Political Science at Wilmington University. Esmeralda is a licensed notary in the State of Delaware and garnered experience in immigration law cases while working at several prior law firms. In her spare time, Esmeralda enjoys traveling, learning about new cultures, and sharing new experiences. She considers herself always ready to lend a hand wherever she can, participating in local events and volunteer opportunities in the community.

As the daughter of first-generation immigrants, she is very familiar with the hardship immigrants can encounter in their legal journey, and she delights in being able to have a part in providing some relief and helping families come together. She is committed to making sure that clients understand their immigration process while efficiently processing their paperwork. At Sweet & Paciorek, LLC, Esmeralda focuses on immigration benefits.

Petra Tovar Leon

Petra (she/her) is a Junior Legal Assistant and has worked with Sweet & Paciorek, LLC since January 2022. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, Petra was born in Michoacan, Mexico. She immigrated to the United States at age 6 with her family, and has lived in Avondale, Pennsylvania for over 20 years. Petra graduated from Avon Grove High School in 2012 and is licensed Public Notary. As the daughter of immigrant parents and being an immigrant herself, she has witnessed the barriers that many immigrants face in accessing quality services in the community. Her own experience, and wanting better for her community, motivated her to join the legal team at Sweet & Paciorek, LLC where she helps clients with a variety of legal services. What she loves most about working with Sweet & Paciorek, LLC is being part of the process that brings families together and keeps families together in the United States.

Julia Krzton

Julita Krzton (she/her) has been a Legal Assistant with Sweet & Paciorek, LLC since December 2022. Born in Philadelphia, she was raised by first-generation Polish immigrant parents and is fully trilingual in Polish, English and Spanish. Julita earned her bachelor’s degree in both Criminology and Spanish as a double major at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ).

Julita has always held a deep interest in learning new languages and found a deep passion for the Spanish language and Spanish-speaking cultures. She enjoys using her language skills to help others and has plans on learning Russian to further her language palate. She is thrilled to be working at Sweet & Paciorek, LLC because she knows that she is helping immigrants and their families be able to stay together. Julita focuses on both benefits and litigation immigration cases.

Hidalis Mejia

Hidalis Mejias (she/her) has been a legal assistant with Sweet & Paciorek, LLC since June 2024. She studied at Montclair State University where she earned her B.A. in Justice Studies, Master’s degree in Law & Governance with a minor in Business Administration, and her Paralegal Certificate. She was born in Newark, New Jersey and raised by Spanish speaking parents. She is fluent in English and Spanish. She enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter to Puerto Rico and Central America every year.

Prior to joining Sweet & Paciorek, Hidalis was an Immigration Paralegal and Office Manager with a private law firm in Newark, New Jersey for 15 years. With her extensive and wide ranging experience, Hidalis works on a variety of both benefits and litigation immigration cases. Her goal is to assist all families who come to Sweet & Paciorek reach positive outcomes in their cases.

Mari Chu Wong

Mari Chu Wong (she/her) joined Sweet & Paciorek, LLC as a legal assistant in January 2024. Of Chinese descent and a native of Peru, Spanish is her first language, but she is fluent in English and also proficient in Cantonese and Mandarin. After growing up in Peru, Mari graduated from Baruch College in New York City with a Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Communications and has worked at several other immigration law firms in a similar capacity. In her free time, she cherishes traveling with her husband, spending quality moments with family and her beloved dog, and also exploring diverse cuisines.

Mari has had the privilege of studying between two different cultures. She learned at a young age that speaking multiple languages not only offers you deeper insight into other cultures, but it also helps you develop a better understanding of compassion and empathy across communities. Her background allows her to work fluidly with immigrants of all backgrounds and ages. Working on both benefits and litigation immigration cases, she is deeply committed to finding solutions and keeping families united.

Paola Lebron Muniz

Paola Lebron Muniz (she/her) joined Sweet & Paciorek, LLC as a legal assistant in June 2024. A recent graduate of Lehigh University, Paola holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Global Studies and French. Paola is fluent in English, Spanish, and French. Prior to joining Sweet & Paciorek, LLC, Paola acquired an interest in international immigration and migration issues while studying and volunteering in Montpellier, France and Cape Town, South Africa.

Passionate about an immigrant’s right to having competent and quality legal services, Paola found Sweet & Paciorek, LLC as the right fit for her career. Paola works with both benefits and litigation cases at Sweet & Paciorek, LLC

Ethan Moreland

Ethan Moreland (he/him) joined Sweet & Paciorek, LLC as a legal assistant in July 2024. A recent graduate of Swarthmore College, Ethan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in Spanish. Ethan is fluent in Spanish and English. He has traveled extensively in Latin America, studying and working in both Belize and Cuba. In his free time, Ethan enjoys playing and coaching soccer.

Proud to be a Philadelphia native, Ethan is committed to working on impactful immigration cases that affect the wellbeing of the Philadelphia immigrant community and beyond. Ethan focuses on litigation cases at Sweet & Paciorek, LLC.

Amanda Vega

Amanda Vega (she/her) joined Sweet & Paciorek, LLC as the Human Resources and Business Operations Director in January 2024.  Amanda is bilingual in English and Spanish and holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Immaculata University.  Coming with Sweet & Paciorek, LLC with extensive experience in personnel and program management in several social service sectors, Amanda saw an opportunity to apply her skills in a different way.  Throughout her career, she has had the privilege to work closely with numerous immigrant families in her community at all stages of their immigration processes.  She has witnessed firsthand the resilience, courage, and determination of individuals navigating complex immigration processes. Those experiences deeply impacted her and fueled her passion for supporting this population, making her work not just a job, but a personal passion.  In her free time, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.  She enjoys traveling, experiencing new adventures, dancing and cooking.

In her position, Amanda is committed to increasing Sweet & Paciorek’s operational efficiency as a firm while simultaneously supporting its mission to compassionately advocate for clients in their immigration processes.  She strives to create a workplace culture that values diversity and teamwork and creates an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Amanda Gaytan

Amanda Gaytan (she/her) is the Client Services Coordinator and has worked with Sweet & Paciorek, LLC since September 2021. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Amanda is the first point of contact for clients retaining Sweet & Paciorek’s legal services. Born in Delaware and growing up in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Amanda is the daughter of a Mexican father and Puerto Rican mother. After getting her GED and attending some college, Amanda realized that had a passion for working with members of the Latino and other minority communities. Before joining Sweet & Paciorek, LLC, among other things, she worked as a Family Advocate for Latina mothers and their newborn children and volunteered for the Hispanic Commission of Coatesville. Amanda enjoys working with Sweet & Paciorek, LLC because it is rewarding to help clients directly and see firsthand how many people struggle due to lack of information or a language barrier. Working directly with the attorneys of the firm gives her satisfaction in knowing that clients are on their way to receive potentially life changing information and help.

Diana Almanza

Diana Almanza (she/her) joined the administrative department of Sweet & Paciorek, LLC in May 2023. Raised in Chester County, Pennsylvania and having also lived in Mexico, Diana is quite familiar with the needs of the immigrant community. Diana has extensive experience in customer service and is fully bilingual in Spanish and English. In her spare time, Diana enjoys adventures with her son, friends, and family and is an accomplished visual artist. As an experienced Administrative Assistant, Diana supports both the Avondale and Philadelphia offices to ensure a smooth client experience.

Victor Recarte

Victor Recarte (he/him) has been the Receptionist/Administrative Assistant with the Philadelphia Office since March 2024. Born and raised in Honduras, Victor studied Psychology at the University of Technology (UNITEC), Honduras. He is fully bilingual in both English and Spanish. In his spare time, Victor enjoys spending time with his wife and his cats. Prior to joining Sweet & Paciorek, LLC, Victor completed a year-long internship with Nationalities Service Center in the Department of Survivor Services where he assisted immigrants, refugees and survivors of torture and trauma. Victor’s background and empathy for our clients allows him to effectively manage the administrative needs of the Philadelphia office.

Gisell Hernandez

Gisell Hernandez (she/her) has worked with Sweet & Paciorek since October 2019. Originally from Guerrero, Mexico, Gisell is fully bilingual in both English and Spanish. She enjoys working with the Sweet & Paciorek team because she is able to contribute to the process of making families’ dreams of immigration to the United States come true. Seeing client’ happiness when their cases are completed successfully is particularly motivating for Gisell to be excellent at her job. Gisell supports the administrative team of Sweet & Paciorek, focusing on billing, client communication and new client onboarding.

Fatima Mercado-Velazquez

Fatima Mercado-Velazquez (she/her) joined Sweet & Paciorek, LLC in July 2024 as the Avondale Office Receptionist. With over 5 years of experience in customer service, Fatima also has an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences, majoring in paralegal technologies. A native Spanish speaker, Fatima is able to greet clients fluently in English and Spanish. Fatima enjoys traveling, visiting museums, and spending time in nature, especially the mountains. Fatima’s skill set and warm demeanor make her a great asset to all clients visiting Sweet & Paciorek, LLC.