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Owner Immigration Attorney Rhodora Derpo is a first generation Filipina American. She emigrated
from the Philippines at the age of ten and can relate to the challenges that non-citizens experience in the United States.
Ms. Derpo began her work in immigration law while she was
attending University of Hawai`i William S. Richardson School of Law. As a Student
Attorney for the Immigration Law Clinic, she represented indigent clients charged with
committing removable criminal offenses. In 2003, Ms. Derpo served as an Immigration Advocate for Grants to Encourage
Arrest Policies in Hawai`i. As an Immigration Advocate, she developed and adapted language appropriate materials for
state-wide presentation and national distribution. Ms. Derpo collaborated with immigrant service organizations in scheduling
and presenting information about stalking to immigrant communities. She authored Safety Planning for Immigrants,
a victim rights handbook that has been published by the National Center for Victims of Crime. And, as a Law Clerk at
Hawai`i's only nonprofit immigration law center, Ms. Derpo worked on cases involving self-petitions under the Violence Against
Women Act. In
2008, Ms. Derpo established Immigrant Rights Advocate, an immigration law practice specializing in family-based and employment-based
immigration. As part of her ongoing effort to promote education and awareness on immigration matters, Ms. Derpo provides
free immigration law seminars and workshops to community-based and nonprofit organizations. Ms. Derpo's commitment to equality and social justice informs her work as an immigration law practitioner.
 Bar Admissions California Honors and
Awards Advocates for Public Interest Law Grant Professional Associations
and Memberships American Bar Association American Immigration Lawyers Association State
Bar of California Pro Bono Activities Volunteer Attorney, American
Immigration Lawyers Association Citizenship Day (Chicago) Education University
of Hawai`i at Manoa, William S. Richardson School of Law, Juris Doctor, Asian Pacific Legal Studies Certificate University
of Tulsa College of Law, Geneva Institute on Indigenous Law, Geneva, Switzerland, Comparative Law Program University
of California, Davis, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science: Public Policy emphasis, Minor in Asian American Studies
Interests Ms. Derpo practices capoeira, a Brazilian martial art.
Her other interests include international travel and dance. |
