Staff
Mabel Pluas-Vaitzman
Office Manager
Mabel Pluas-Vaitzman is an experienced professional who brings over a decade of legal and administrative experience to her role as Office Manager for the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC.
As the Office Manager, Mabel oversees the firm’s daily operations, including but not limited to, human resources, client management, billing and bookkeeping functions. Mabel ensures the smooth operations of the firm, using an unmatched level of compassion and understanding for clients who are facing serious criminal charges, immigration consequences, and family law related complications.
Mabel completed undergraduate studies at Touro College in 2010, graduating with Cum Laude distinction , receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
Mabel is a native Spanish speaker, she was born in Ecuador and migrated to the United States in 1985. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and children.
Pei Zhang
Senior Paralegal
Pei Zhang serves as the firm’s Senior Paralegal. Pei is responsible for the preparation of Nonimmigrant and Immigration Petitions, including, but not limited to, Adjustments of status, Family-based Petitions, Naturalizations, Renewal Petitions of Visas and Green Cards, Deportation Defense Petitions, and Political Asylum Petitions.
At the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, Pei provides support to the firm’s immigration attorneys, assists with consultations, acts as liaison by and between clients, attorneys, and courts and engages in high volume written and telephonic communication with immigration courts and USCIS.
Prior to joining the firm, Pei held an immigration paralegal position at a prominent New York City-based immigration law firm for five years. In 2010, Pei graduated from Montana State University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering.
In 2007, Pei migrated to the United States from China. As such, he is fluent in the Mandarin language and therefore handles the firm’s high-volume Chinese-immigration case load. Pei brings an unmatched level of knowledge and skill into his work, and assists the firm’s immigration attorneys in securing the best results for their clients.
JERRY VASQUEZ
Senior Paralegal
Jerry Vasquez is a paralegal at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, with decades of criminal law experience. Jerry is devoted to assisting the attorneys in all phases of criminal defense litigation, including but not limited to communicating with clients, reviewing discovery, communicating with the courts and preparing for trial.
He is a graduate of New York Law School, attended the prestigious Trial Practice Institute at the National Criminal Defense College in Macon, Georgia and has appeared as a guest commentator on the original Court TV cable television channel, offering analysis of prominent criminal cases. Previously, Jerry has presented lectures at seminars to attorneys throughout New York State on wide-ranging topics in criminal law and trial advocacy.
As part of his Paralegal responsibilities, Jerry functions as liaison by and between clients, attorneys, and courts and engages in extensive written and telephonic communication with criminal courts, law enforcement agencies and client advocacy services. Having operated as a sole-practitioner for 15 years, Jerry brings valued insight, organizational and client-related experience to the legal team.
Violetta Murdock
Paralegal
At the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, Violetta provides support to the firm’s immigration attorneys, manages clients, coordinates schedules, and corresponds with immigration courts and USCIS.
Prior to joining the firm, Violetta held an immigration paralegal position at a prominent Queens-based immigration law firm for 14 years. Violetta has extensive knowledge and experience in immigration since 2004. She graduated from Interboro Institute in 2004 where she obtained an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies and from John Jay College in 2014, where she acquired a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
Having immigrated from Uzbekistan herself, in 2000, Violetta is a native Russian speaker and often acts as a translator by and between clients and attorneys. Violetta brings her own experiences as an immigrant into her day-to-day client management responsibilities, resulting in her compassionate and understanding nature. Violetta is a Notary Public.
Ana Elisa Vitorino de Lima
Paralegal
Ana Elisa Vitorino de Lima is an experienced Immigration Paralegal at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, specializing in immigration case management, document preparation, and legal research. With a strong background in compliance, contract management, and legal assistance, Ana has worked in various legal sectors, including M&A, GDPR compliance, and personal injury law. She holds a degree in Law and is pursuing postgraduate studies in Compliance and Legal Governance.
Fluent in English and Portuguese, Ana is known for her diplomatic communication style and strategic thinking. Outside of her professional life, she is passionate about volunteering, having provided legal assistance to vulnerable communities and contributed to the implementation of compliance programs for non-profit organizations. In her free time, Ana enjoys traveling, learning about different cultures, and staying updated on the latest developments in immigration law.
Emily Zarceno
Paralegal
Emily joined the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC in 2022, as a Front Desk Receptionist where she provided guidance, translation, and assistance to our clients with enthusiasm and compassion. Emily ensured that clients felt at ease during what can be a stressful time in their lives and excelled in her responsibilities, which resulted in her promotion to Paralegal. Emily now assists clients navigate their criminal defense cases with ease and compassion. She also supports our attorneys to help them obtain the best possible outcome for our clients.
Emily graduated from Monroe College in 2022, with Honors, receiving her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Criminal Justice. Emily plans to attend Law School, and is currently studying for the LSAT. Born in Guatemala, Emily is a native Spanish speaker who migrated to the United States in 2011. In her spare time, Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends, trying new restaurants and binge-watching her favorite TV series.
Jorida Shima
Paralegal
Jorida Shima is a paralegal at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC with international experience in law firms across Italy, Albania, and New York. She possesses deep knowledge of a range of human rights issues, approaches, and techniques.
Jorida supports the firm’s Family Law attorneys by guiding clients through the complexities of the New York family law system. She is dedicated to ensuring clients receive exceptional service, is sensitive to their needs, and is committed to advocating for their interests.
Jorida holds a Juris Doctor (JD) and two Master of Laws (LL.M) degrees—one from Cardozo School of Law in New York, and the other from the Giovanni Tarello Institute for Legal Philosophy at the University of Genoa, Italy. As a Visiting Scholar at the University of Bocconi and Polo Universitario Imperia in Italy, she participated in numerous seminars, gaining extensive knowledge in using argumentative techniques for an autonomous and thoughtful understanding of significant changes in legal systems, particularly in the areas of rule of law, human rights, and democracy. She also excelled as an assistant expert in Global Bioethics.
A native Albanian, Jorida has lived in Italy and is now a resident of New York. She has worked with clients and colleagues from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds and has excellent interpersonal skills. She is proficient in Italian, French, Spanish, and Albanian. In her free time, Jorida enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring the culinary world.
Lauren Loop
Executive Assistant
Prior to joining the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, Lauren shared her expertise and love of coffee as a leader within both the Operational and Events Teams at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery located in the Meatpacking District.
Lauren is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from Gannon University in 2015, she fulfilled her childhood dream of relocating to New York City.
Suzette English
Client Success Specialist
Suzette English is a seasoned professional who brings over 25 years of experience in client relations and advocacy to her role as Client Success Specialist at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC.
As the Client Success Specialist, Suzette is instrumental in upholding the firm’s steadfast commitment to exceptional customer service. From the first client interaction to the final resolution, she ensures that every client receives personalized attention and care. Her duties include managing client relationships, clearly articulating the firm’s services to potential clients and assisting clients manage the emotional roller coaster inherent in legal matters.
Previously, Suzette worked as a Client Relations Manager at a prominent New York-based family law firm, where she helped clients face challenging and life-changing decisions. Suzette is widely recognized for her compassionate, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and dedicated approach. She is often described as professional, energetic, driven, and a true team player.
Suzette is a lifelong New Yorker and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Fordham University. She enjoys spending her free time with her two wonderful daughters, her adorable dog, and her close-knit family.
Alam Polanco
Assistant Billing Manager
Alam Polanco is an experienced professional who brings a great deal of administrative, billing, and office support expertise to his role as Assistant Billing Manager to the Law Offices of Robert Tsiger, PLLC. Alam joined the firm in 2022, after serving as Accounts Receivable clerk at a reputable New York law firm.
As the Assistant Billing Manager, Alam creates and distributes client invoices, collects payments, keeps accurate records of client accounts and addresses any outstanding balances. Alam has excellent communication, organizational, and time management skills. Alam’s optimism, calm demeanor and good energy helps the clients feel more at ease while facing these legal difficulties.
Alam obtained his Associates degree from CUNY Hostos College in 2020 graduating Magna Cum Laude and he is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s degree Organizational Leadership at Colorado State University – Global. Alam is native from New York City, both of his parents migrated from the Dominican Republic. Alam is a Spanish speaker. In his spare time, Alam enjoys sports (mostly UFC and Basketball), working out, relaxing with family and friends.
Jennifer Cruz
Billing Specialist
Jennifer Cruz is an experienced billing specialist at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler who ensures accurate and timely processing of invoices and payments for our clients. She is responsible for reviewing and verifying all billing information and communicating with both internal teams and clients to ensure a seamless experience. Jennifer’s attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to work effectively under pressure are essential to her role to ensure that billing processes run smoothly and efficiently for our clients.
Jennifer is currently pursuing an Accounting degree from Queens College and is an avid cook and baker. During her free time, she likes to recharge, indulge in her hobbies, and connect with her loved ones.
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