Amaryllis Law Team

Dana has been with Amaryllis Law since 2005 and while she’s worn many hats, she now manages our entire paralegal team while still working on our most difficult family-based matters. Dana loves what she does, and it shows. Our clients know that Dana is invested in their cases, and she is an integral part of each client’s success. Whether she’s juggling multiple tasks to meet client deadlines, engaging faceless government agencies, or working closely with our paralegal staff and attorneys, Dana is the consummate professional and our clients’ best ally. When she’s not at the office, Dana is likely attending or watching a sporting event, walking her dogs Taz and Harvey, or hanging out with a close-knit group of Clinevell kin.

Danielle brings 20 years of experience in both public and  private accounting to her work as Amaryllis Law’s Chief Financial Officer. A graduate of Mary Baldwin College (B.A., Business Administration), Danielle keeps the accounting and billing operations running smoothly. With grace, humor, and a well-executed plan, Danielle keeps the office sailing smoothly so that the attorneys can focus on clients and casework. A native of Blacksburg, she is a devoted Hokie fan. When she is not attending her son’s sporting events she is either playing tennis or traveling. 

Cari is our employment-based paralegal and her masterful work demonstrates the pride she takes in a job well-done. A native of Salem, Cari graduated from Roanoke College (B.A., Business Administration) and previously worked as a human resource professional. What Cari loves about her job is her ability to help others enrich their lives and achieve their goals through employment-based immigration. Cari is a wealth of knowledge and kindness. She is the first one to stop what she is doing to answer a question or lend a listening ear. Outside of work, she enjoys attending athletic events, reading a good book, and spending time with her family.

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Debby recently graduated in 2022 from Virginia Western Community College with a degree in Business Management and a certification of Business Communication. Debby was born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia. Before working at Amaryllis Law, Debby worked in the healthcare  industry for two years as a patient administrator and a Spanish interpreter. Debby assists with client services and paralegal duties. In her spare time, she enjoys reading romance novels, spending time with friends and family, and dancing with City Modern Assemble dance group. 

Jasmine graduated from Roanoke College in August of 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. She was raised in Roanoke, Virginia and loves what the area has to offer. Jasmine is one of the kindest humans you will meet. She’s humble, a team player, and a hard worker. These assets make her an integral asset to our family-based team. When she’s not working, Jasmine enjoys baking and cooking, spending time with her husband and two animals, and listening to True Crime podcasts.

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Kari’s family immigrated to the United States when she was only three years old. She was born in a small town in Northern Mexico but was raised in Austin, Texas. Her family moved to Roanoke, Virginia, where she has called home for almost two decades. Kari was drawn to the healthcare industry initially and worked as a Spanish Medical Interpreter before attending Virginia Western Community College where she received her certification as a Medical Assistant. After years in healthcare, she decided to pursue a new career path as a paralegal. She joined Amaryllis Law in the summer of 2022 and works with special immigrant juveniles. She adds incredible value as she is a former client and has witnessed many struggles firsthand. When she’s not at work, she enjoys baking with her two kids and watching documentaries with her husband.

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Karen came to the United States as a young child. Since moving to the United States, she has always resided in Roanoke, Virginia. She graduated from William Fleming High School and obtained her Certificate of Medical Interpreting in 2018. Karen is gifted in communication and, prior to working at Amaryllis Law, worked in the customer service industry since she was 17. It brings her joy to interpret a conversation between two people that speak completely different languages. Karen is essential to our stellar front desk team! Outside of work, she loves to spend time reading, being with friends and family and exploring the outdoors–especially during the winter season.

Melanie grew up in Northern Virginia. She moved to the Roanoke Valley after she married her husband and is now a Salem “transplant” having lived here longer than anywhere else. Melanie has been a family and criminal law paralegal for over two decades. She handles adoptions and special immigrant juvenile status cases. Melanie has an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from Virginia Western Community College. In her spare time, Melanie enjoys spending time with her three children and her sister. She also enjoys reading and playing video games.

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Katy brings years of customer service experience with the immigrant community to her role at Amaryllis Law. Formerly the lead of the client services team, Katy is now a paralegal who manages Special Immigrant Juvenile cases. Katy’s sunny disposition, empathy, and compassion are some of the reasons she is so well-suited for her work with vulnerable populations. Katy is actively involved in a number of Christian ministries and has served congregations in several different local Spanish-speaking churches. She travels extensively with church missions, including to Mexico and Puerto Rico, and graduated from Mizpa Pentecostal University with a degree in Spanish and Theology.

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Born in Honduras, Karina moved to the United States in 2006 with her younger sister. Though she’s been a resident of the Roanoke area most of her time in the U.S., she has also lived in New York City. Karina takes pride in her role as an Asylum paralegal as she helps clients through this elaborate process. Karina relishes the fast-paced work and manages multiple demands on her time effortlessly. When she isn’t at work, Karina spends time with her family, and experiments with fashion.

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When Liz was fourteen years old, she and her family immigrated to the United States from Mexico City. Before working at Amaryllis Law, Liz juggled several full and part-time jobs while graduating summa cum laude from Kaplan University (B.A. Business Administration). As a paralegal, Liz works on asylum cases. Bright, loving, and determined, Liz inspires the office to work harder, do more, and stay positive. Outside the office, Liz is actively engaged in local immigrant advocacy, reading, watching musicals, baking, or salsa dancing.

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Elisabeth grew up with an appreciation for Latinx culture in her hometown of Miami, Florida, and later, while living in southwest Kansas. She studied Spanish and Leadership at Hollins University and brings more than ten years of customer service to her role at Amaryllis Law. As the Billing Manager, she provides administrative support with legal contracts and billing, including implementing online services in an effort to go green. One of the most generous people we know, inside the office and out, she has previously organized charitable drives and events to benefit troubled girls, a local high school, and homeless adults. Elisabeth joined Amaryllis Law in 2013 and if there are muffins or a breakfast casserole on the counter at the office, it’s usually courtesy of Elisabeth’s culinary skill. Elisabeth enjoys drinking specialty coffee in her beloved moka pot (and keeps a google spreadsheet of more than 100 roasters she’s tried so far) and running the coffee bar at her church.

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A native of New Jersey, Natalie’s parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico which fuels her passion to provide first-class, detailed oriented and compassionate service to our clients. Natalie is currently pursuing her degree in business administration from Roanoke College and has worked in a variety of roles at Salem favorite Mac & Bob’s since 2015. A die hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Natalie likes to stay active, try new restaurants with friends and hangout with her cat Rosie in her spare time.

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As a receptionist, Karla is dedicated, conscientious, and one of the quietest people in the office. She moved to Roanoke nine years ago from the northwest. It was there that she and her husband met and started their family. Her life has been shaped by immigration ever since her parents moved their family from a coastal Mexican town to Washington State. When not at work, Karla and her family love hiking the Mill Mountain trails, playing pool, barbecuing, and relaxing.

Carly was born and raised in Yorktown, Virginia. She began her academic career at Randolph-Macon College, graduating in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in criminology. She then continued her educational pursuits at Arizona State University, where she earned a Master of Science degree in forensic psychology in 2023. In 2022, Carly moved to Smith Mountain Lake with her family, and they have grown to love the area. Aside from working as a paralegal at Amaryllis Law, Carly enjoys going to concerts, spending time with family, watching movies, and hiking with her Australian Shepherd dog, Winnie.

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Cristina is a dedicated legal assistant with over a decade supporting attorneys and keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes. She graduated from James Madison University in 2012 with a double major in International Relations and Spanish, with a minor in French. Cristina enjoys visiting her mother’s home country of the Dominican Republic as often as she can. Cristina is very passionate about animals and spends much of her free time pet sitting. She also enjoys binge watching tv, spending time with her two dogs and two cats, hanging out with friends and being outside in nature.

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With over a decade of experience working closely with the immigrant community, Kelsey brings compassion and understanding to every interaction. As a dedicated front desk professional, she takes pride in creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels seen and supported. Kelsey’s approachable nature makes her a trusted point of contact for clients and colleagues alike. A native from Western Maryland, Kelsey graduated from Roanoke College and fell in love with the area. Outside of work, Kelsey loves to be active, travel. and spend time with her husband and dog Maya, who is often seen in the office.

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Julio Monteiro Fernandes was born in Cape Verde and immigrated to the United States at the age of 18. He currently serves as a legal assistant and interpreter at Amaryllis Law, where he provides dedicated support to our attorneys. Julio brings a diverse professional background and holds an Associate Degree in IT Help Desk Support from Massasoit Community College. He is fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and Cape Verdean Creole. Known for his enthusiasm and commitment to helping others, Julio is especially passionate about assisting immigrants, drawing from his own personal experience to guide and empower clients through complex legal processes. Outside work Julio enjoys hiking, grilling outside and playing video games with friends.