TOP EB-5 INDUSTRY RISING STARS
SONIA OLIVERI
KELLEY KRONENBERG | PARTNER
Sonia Oliveri is a Partner with
Kelley Kronenberg, one of the
largest firms in South Florida
where she leads the firm’s EB-5
practice group focusing on
corporate clients’ business immigration and international
business needs. Oliveri assists investors on complex
immigration matters, with an emphasis on the EB-5 program
and the E-2 Treaty Investor Program. Oliveri holds two law
degrees, Italy-U.S., and is licensed to practice law in the state
of Florida and in the District of Columbia. Oliveri is fluent in
six languages: Italian, English, Farsi, Spanish, Portuguese
and French. She is an active member of AILA.
WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING
IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
We have been noticing an increase in media exposure portraying
the EB-5 program in its negative aspects. Although it is true that
there have been episodes of fraud in the industry, the majority of
players in this field are very professional groups with impressive
track records. The EB-5 program is a magnificent tool that
promotes U.S. job creation, project construction and injection of
vetted foreign capital. Very few and isolated cases of fraud/bad
actors should not be taken as a reflection of the entire industry.
Another issue is represented by the continuous deadlines with
short re-authorizations of the program.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED
IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
Pure coincidence. My fluency in six languages, coupled with my
multicultural and corporate background, lead me to work with
distinguished EB-5 specialists. The reason for remaining in the
EB-5 field is definitely not a coincidence. I strongly believe in
EB-5 being a win-win program. Representing international
clientele and investors from Europe, Latin America, the Middle
East, Dubai and India in achieving their dreams is a privilege.
Moreover, being an immigrant myself, I can perfectly relate with
my clients. My cultural experience, coupled with my global
international background, allows me to work with international
clientele on matters that require a specific cultural sensitivity.
RAKESH PATEL
THE PATEL LAW GROUP, PLLC | MANAGING PARTNER
Rakesh Patel is an accomplished
attorney within the EB-5 world.
He obtained his law degree
and international master’s in
business administration from
the University of Denver. After
graduating, he opened his own practice in 2006. For the past
five years, he has been assisting investors throughout the world
with all their EB-5 immigration needs. He has worked with
direct and regional center projects covering 62 metropolitan
areas and across 21 states. His clients can attest that his
professionalism and experience truly set him apart from other
attorneys in the field.
WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING
IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
Over the past few years, investments from places all over
the world has become more prevalent. As education of the
EB-5 program has spread, so has the interest. I see more
investments coming from places like India, as families are
seeing their children coming to the U.S. for an education. In
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EB5 INVESTORS M AGAZINE
addition, we are seeing developers becoming more creative
in their investment offerings in order to fulfill the ever-
changing needs of the sophisticated investors.
WHY DID YOU GET INVOLVED
IN THE EB-5 INDUSTRY?
My background in business and immigration law gave me an
affinity to the EB-5 industry. As an immigrant and a business
owner, I was raised with the unique experiences that many
of the EB-5 investors have. As a result, I can understand my
clients and their business needs, and with my expertise in
immigration, working in the EB-5 industry was a natural fit. It
is an honor to help fellow immigrants achieve the American
dream just as my parents helped me achieve mine.