Adriana Kostencki

Adriana Kostencki, a dual Venezuelan-U.S. attorney, is a partner whose practice focuses on a wide range of complex commercial matters including transnational litigation,  and jurisdictional disputes. Adriana also handles intellectual property disputes involving patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.

Adriana’s experience crosses borders, languages and cultures. She is a multilingual attorney licensed to practice in Venezuela who provides valuable insight into Latin American – U.S. business transactions and relationships. Adriana manages a diverse clientele comprised of individual, start-up, mid-size, and large multinational companies encompassing a broad range of industry sectors, including shipping, technology, media advertising, finance, construction, and professional services. She represents both domestic and international clients, including foreign companies doing business in the United States, cargo carriers, shipping companies, and marina and terminal operators in commercial, litigation and maritime matters before both state and federal courts.

Additionally, Adriana leads the firm’s business immigration practice to assist U.S. businesses obtain work visas and permanent residence for highly-skilled foreign workers. These foreign professionals include engineers, executives, chief financial officers, management analysts, financial analysist, chemists, economists, and other highly-qualified professionals all of whom bring a wealth of fresh ideas, talents, and skill sets to benefit U.S. business operations and promote cultural diversity. Adriana also advises high net-worth individuals on challenges and opportunities presented by the EB-5 investor program.

Adriana regularly appears as a legal commentator in local and national media such as Univision, TV Venezuela, and El Venezolano TV, and writes regularly on legal immigration and Latin America issues for El Nuevo Herald.

Adriana is the current President of the Venezuelan American National Bar Association and President Ex-Officio of the Venezuelan-American Chamber of Commerce.

J.D. equivalent , with honors, Universidad Catolica

• Venezuela

J.D., magna cum laude, University of Miami School of Law

Venezuela
Florida
U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida

Government and Regulatory
Dispute Resolution
Business, Finance & Tax

Business Immigration
Complex Commercial Litigation
Corporate
Intellectual Property
Latin America & Caribbean Practice

• Spanish

Intellectual Property

Patent

• Somero Ent. v. Stoltzfus (M.D. Fla., Ft. Myers), patent case involving concrete hose pullers

Trademark

• Silver Streak Trailer Co. v. Airstream Inc. (S.D. Fla., Ft. Pierce), represent Airstream in trade dress declaratory judgment action

Immigration

• Successfully represented numerous employers before the U.S. Department of Labor in matters under the new PERM labor certification procedures for permanent foreign national employment.
• Advised a multinational conglomerate regarding immigration implications of acquiring new U.S. subsidiaries and obtained necessary visa approvals to facilitate transfer of high-level executives to newly acquired companies from overseas.
• Advised a rapidly growing international software engineering conglomerate and start-up biotech company on issues related to temporary and permanent/indefinite employment of foreign national engineers, and designed strategies to meet employer objectives while addressing the challenging visa climate.
• Organized numerous client presentations onsite and by distance learning to update key HR personnel on recent USCIS, DOL, CPB, and ICE developments.
• Advised an international shoe manufacturer and supplier regarding immigration strategies and obtained necessary visa approvals to facilitate transfer of high-level executives and managers to U.S.-affiliated companies from overseas. Also obtained visa approvals for foreign professional workers including scientists, marketing managers, and IT professionals.
• Advised several multinational clients on strategy to obtain blanket L qualification for worldwide subsidiaries transferring workers to the U.S. Advised on blanket L renewal/amendment issues in light of complex corporate organizational changes. Successfully petitioned for initial blanket L qualifications for multinationals, and renewed and amended blanket L approvals as necessary. Advised on individual employee cases falling under the blanket L approvals and facilitated transfers to the U.S. Advised on compliance needed for individuals transferred under the blanket L approval where corporate reorganization altered the relationship among U.S. and foreign affiliates.
• Strategized with various companies needing visa alternatives for foreign employees impacted by the H-1B cap.

• Florida Super Lawyers “Rising Star”, Thompson Reuters Super Lawyers, 2015-2018
• Daily Business Review Professional Excellence Award, On the Rise Honoree, 2018 
• 2016-2017 Leadership Academy Fellow, The Florida Bar Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Leadership Academy, Class IV.
• Miami Dade Commission on Ethics and Public Trust, 2014-2016.
• Children’s Home Society of Florida, 2014-2016.
• Competition Judge, We the People Competition: The Citizen and the Constitution, High School Hearings

• Venezuelan American National Bar Association (VENAMBAR), President (2016-2018), Secretary (2013-2016)
• Venezuelan-American Chamber of Commerce- President Ex-Officio (2014-2015), Secretary (2012-2014), Board Member (2011-Present), President (Present)
• The Florida Bar, Admiralty Law Committee (2011-2017)
• Connect Florida Statewide Leadership Institute Class VII (Present)
• Ibero-American Maritime Law Association
• Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
• American Immigration Law Association
• Member, Law360 Immigration Editorial Advisory Board
• Honorary Board Member, Alfalit International
• ACG South Florida Woman Connect

CNN Espanol quotes Adriana Kostencki in, "Los venezolanos en Estados Unidos dicen que también necesitan ayuda y esta es su realidad"
February 15, 2019

Thirty-One Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in 2018 Edition of Florida Super Lawyers
June 17, 2018

Miami Herald quotes Adriana Kostenck in, "Activists push for TPS for Venezuelans, but how viable is that option, really?"
August 21, 2017

Thirty-Two Berger Singerman Attorneys Recognized in the 2017 Super Lawyers Florida Edition
June 8, 2017

Doing Business in Florida, "Beginning April 2, 2018, U.S. Companies May File H-1B Petitions on Behalf of Their Prospective Foreign Workers"
January 3, 2018

Doing Business in Florida, "USCIS to Begin Accepting Applications Under the International Entrepreneur Rule"
December 19, 2017

El Nuevo Herald, "Evite realizar transacciones con clientes que estén en la lista de la OFAC"
December 16, 2017

Doing Business in Florida, "DHS and DOS Implementation of Executive Order Imposing Travel and Refugee Ban"
October 18, 2017

Doing Business in Florida, "Business Immigration Updates for U.S. Corporations and Foreign Investors"
October 11, 2017

Miami Herald, "Gov. Scott's resolution on the Maduro regime is a step toward protecting Florida businesses"
September 16, 2017

El Nuevo Herald, "Extensión del programa EB-5 vence el 30 de septiembre de 2017"
June 16, 2017

Daily Business Review, "Business Owners: Keep a Close Eye on H-1B Visa Program Changes"
May 25, 2017

Daily Business Review "What Businesses Should Know About H-1B Visa Bill"
March 13, 2017

VentureBeat "Tech industry faces new H-1B visa reality"
March 12, 2017

El Nuevo Herald "Immigration Options: Employers Must Consider E-2 Visas"
March 8, 2017

Doing Business in Florida, "Beginning April 3, 2017, U.S. companies may file H-1B petitions on behalf of their prospective foreign workers"
January 25, 2017

El Nuevo Herald "H1-B Visa Petitions Begin in April"
January 23, 2017

South Florida Legal Guide - 2017 Edition, "The Tax Yin to the Immigration Yang"
January 4, 2017

Miami Herald, "A Venezuelan-born lawyer recounts her path to U.S. citizenship, and a few lessons learned along the way"
December 3, 2016

USCIS Reminder: F-1 “Cap-gap” Status and Work Authorization Extension Only Valid Through September 30
October 8, 2018

Beginning April 2, 2018, U.S. Companies May File H-1B Petitions on Behalf of Their Prospective Foreign Workers
January 3, 2018

USCIS to Begin Accepting Applications Under the International Entrepreneur Rule
December 20, 2017

DHS and DOS Implementation of Executive Order Imposing Travel and Refugee Ban
October 19, 2017

Business Immigration Updates for U.S. Corporations and Foreign Investors
October 12, 2017

Beginning April 3, 2017, U.S. companies may file H-1B petitions on behalf of their prospective foreign workers
January 26, 2017

• Moreno Kostencki, P.A.
• Fowler White Burnett, P.A.
• Clyde & Co, LLP. (Venezuela)