associate attorneys

Amy Wildes

Amy Wildes holds a B.A. in Psychology from Brandeis University and a J.D. from The Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.She is admitted to practice law in both New York and New Jersey.Amy is fluent in Spanish.

Amy Wildes joined Wildes & Weinberg, P.C. in 1992 as an Associate Attorney.  She works primarily in our Englewood, New Jersey office and concentrates her practice in Employer Compliance and I-9 Audits. She has managed many large scale I-9 audits, including assisting employers in response to government subpoenas. She also oversees I-9 maintenance programs for many organizations, including monitoring I-9 retention and destruction.

Sherzod Tuychibaev

Sherzod Tuychibaev holds an LL.M. from the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in the State of New York. Sherzod is fluent in Russian, Uzbek and French.

Sherzod joined Wildes & Weinberg, P.C. in 2006. He is an Associate Attorney in the Business & Employment Immigration Group.

Amy Eisen Bakst

Amy Eisen Bakst holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan (2007) and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School (2011). She is admitted to practice law in the State of New Jersey. Amy is fluent in Spanish and conversant in Hebrew. As the daughter of two immigrants from Colombia, Amy has always been passionate about helping individuals seeking opportunity in the U.S.

Julie P. Levey (Née Geifman)

Julie P. Levey is the Co-Chair of Wildes & Weinberg’s Practice Group that specializes in O/P Visas and EB-1/NIW Immigrant Visa Petitions. She received her B.A. from Colgate University, and her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Julie is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and is admitted to practice law in New York and Colorado. She now works remotely from Denver, Colorado, where she lives with her husband, two children and dog.

Caroline Gabela-Monteiro

Caroline Gabela-Monteiro received her B.A. in Political Science and English Literature from Florida International University, and her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Caroline is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She is admitted to practice law in the State of Florida and is licensed to practice law in immigration courts throughout the United States.

Tudor Neagu

Tudor holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania (2006) and a JD from Villanova Law School (2010). While at Villanova, Tudor participated in the CARES asylum clinic, and he interned with the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor. He is admitted to practice law in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as the federal districts of New Jersey, and the Eastern and Middle districts of Pennsylvania. Tudor is fluent in Romanian and conversant in French.

FRANK “JR” STRAUSS, JR.

JR’s primary focus is on business immigration matters for artists, musicians, designers, and related creative professionals, specifically those pursuing the O-1/EB-1 visa classes for "extraordinary" artists. Drawing upon his own experience in the performing arts, he brings a unique and nuanced perspective that allows him to effectively address the needs of creators and artists.

YONI JONAS

Yoni Jonas holds a B.A. in Economics from Binghamton University (2013) and a J.D. from Columbia Law School (2016). He is admitted to practice law in the States of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Yoni is fluent in Hebrew and conversant in Spanish.

During his time at Columbia, Yoni had a range of legal experiences. He interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of NJ, Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Morningside Heights Legal Services, and as a research assistant. His experience working for prosecutors’ offices gives him a keen understanding of how government works and what red flags investigators look for.

JOSEPH CARACCIO

Joseph Caraccio is a graduate of New York Law School in 2012, where he was the President of the New York Law School Chapter of the Federalist Society. Joseph is licensed to practice law in the State of New York, the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice Executive Office of Immigration Review, and several Federal District and Circuit Courts. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, American Immigration Lawyers Association, and many local grassroots organizations advocating for immigrant rights and government reform. Prior to attending law school, Joseph lived in Mexico City where he studied Mexican Culture Studies and Conversational Spanish at Universidad Iberoamericana.

NICOLE GUNARA

Nicole Gunara holds a B.A. in Political Science and Economics from Bard College at Simon’s Rock (2014), a Grande Diplôme from the International Culinary Center (2015), and a J.D. with a concentration in Business and Financial Law from Fordham University (2019). She is admitted to practice law in the States of New York and New Jersey. Nicole is fluent in Bahasa Indonesia.

JOSHUA H. WILDES

Joshua H. Wildes graduated as the valedictorian of the James Striar School at Yeshiva University, where he also obtained a degree in Business Management and Marketing from the Sy Syms School of Business (2016). Thereafter, he received his J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (2019), where, as a member of Cardozo's Arts and Entertainment Law Journal, he focused on the intersection between student athletes and immigration law. Josh is now admitted to practice law in the States of New York, New Jersey, and Florida. 

MIA GANOTICE-OLIS

Mia Ganotice-Olis is a graduate of Florida International University (FIU) College of Law in 2012, and is licensed to practice law in New York, Florida, and immigration courts across the United States. Mia is fluent in Tagalog and Ilocano and speaks basic-level Spanish. Mia joins the firm as a litigator and has represented detained and non-detained individuals in removal proceedings all over the United States.

VICTORIA MARIE PHILLIPS

Victoria Marie Phillips holds a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Legal Studies from the University at Buffalo (2015, magna cum laude). She earned her J.D. from Brooklyn Law School (2018, International Law), where she was President of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Brooklyn Law Immigration Society (BLIS). Victoria was selected as an International Human Rights Fellow, Public Interest Fellow, Post-Graduate Fellow, and Gold Pro Bono Award Recipient for her achievements at Brooklyn Law School.