Why Work With Us

ABOUT

JOHN KOKOLAKIS, ESQ.

John Kokolakis earned his undergraduate degree from Queens College and his Juris Doctor from Hofstra University School of Law. He is admitted to practice law in all the State Courts of New York, as well as the Federal District Courts of the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York. He is also admitted to the Connecticut bar.

Mr. Kokolakis is a former management auditor and community associate to the City of New York. While conducting performance audits of city agencies and private contractors contracted by the City, he learned to pay attention to detail.

His position as a legislative Aid to a New York Senator allowed him at an early age to research, analyze and draft state legislation. He represented the Senator at political functions and in various committees. Further, he responded and addressed concerns from constituents. His attention to detail and his ability to negotiate and offer compromise allowed him to serve those positions well.
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    Mr. Kokolakis has many years of experience with all forms of business and real estate transactions. His representation includes a wide range of business sales from the sale of businesses such as restaurants to dental practices in addition to representing buyers and sellers of residential and commercial properties.


    Further, Mr. Kokolakis, as a business lawyer, has the experience to draft documents and counsel clients in the formation of their limited liability companies, corporations, corporate and individual ventures and Sole Proprietorships. This experience includes the handling of: certificates of incorporation; Shareholder Agreements; Buy-Sell Agreements; Operating Agreements; Security Agreements; Promissory Notes; Employment Agreements; Non-compete Agreements; Non-disclosure Agreements; Contracts; Leases; Corporate Minutes for Meetings of the Board of Directors and Stockholders. Mr. Kokolakis goes beyond just drafting documents. He prides himself on being a trusted advisor to his clients.


    John Kokolakis takes special pleasure in representing the first time home buyer. He understands the excitement and anxiety that tend to overwhelm a first time home buyer. Mr. Kokolakis takes the time to meet with his clients and explain the entire home buying process with an ear towards helping them meet their ultimate goals as he holds their hand during the entire process.


    Mr. Kokolakis advises his clients through good times and bad times. He understands that sometimes a fresh start is needed. His experience in handling bankruptcies allows him to determine if bankruptcy is a viable option for his clients. Bankruptcy allows those in need to gain a fresh financial start by eliminating their debt and allowing them to keep their exempt assets. John Kokolakis takes pride in providing personalized attention as he takes the time to get to know each of his clients and answers any questions or concerns they might have.


    Understanding the essential and intricate role immigrants have in our society both individually and as head of businesses Mr. Kokolakis, early on in his career, took all efforts to assure that his clients became permanent residences and citizens as they provided positive contributions to our society.


    Mr. Kokolakis vigorously attends continuing legal education seminars and programs each year covering various aspects of the practice in order to maintain his skills and keep up with the latest changes in the law. In addition, he has many hours of self-study each year from various legal publications and periodicals per year.


    Mr. Kokolakis has spoken at several public seminars open to all with an interest in immigration law including Seminars sponsored by the Federation of Hellenic Societies, Cretan Association, Omonoia and The State of New York. John Kokolakis is often available as a guest speaker. Kindly call the office to discuss scheduling him at your next event.


    He is committed to providing exceptional professional services, while focusing on the needs unique to each individual client.


    Mr. Kokolakis believes in giving back to the community, which he does by handling pro bono cases and by sitting as an arbitrator in small claims court, a pro bono position.

DEBORAH E. VELEZ CARDEC, ESQ.

Deborah E. Velez Cardec is an attorney at the Kokolakis Law Firm, PLLC. A Native Spanish speaker, Deborah was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Her multicultural background and international experience enable her to understand different perspectives and reach creative solutions, which she uses to advise and assist clients in different areas of the law.

From an early age, Deborah was interested in understanding how people worked together and figuring out ways to help resolve their problems. Deborah was able to gain and develop her organization, leadership, planning and problem solving skills while receiving her B.A. in Sociology from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus. During her undergrad years she served as Vice President of the Sociology Student Union where, in addition to planning meetings and assisting students and faculty, she worked in organizing the Annual Social Science Research Symposium. She also worked as a research assistant studying the impact of tourism in the coastal community, as well as traveling to China as a member of the Anthropology delegation of the International Scholars Laureate Program.
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    Building on her Sociology background and looking to further develop her skills, Deborah decided that obtaining a legal education would be the best way to help people in different aspects of their lives. She moved to New York to attend the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University where, apart from the core legal courses, she made sure to include courses that would help her understand her future clients needs, including Race and the Law, Advance Immigration and Spanish for Lawyers. After her first year in law school, Deborah was a Public Policy intern at Immigration Equality in Washington D.C., where she worked with other non-profit organizations and members of Congress towards gaining immigration benefits for the LGBT community. During her time in D.C., she also had the opportunity to volunteer with the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC) Advocacy Day as well as the National Stonewall Democrats Convention. Deborah also worked as a legal intern at PRC Avvocati, in Florence, Italy, and participated in the International Criminal Law Program at the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law in Freiburg, Germany, which focused on the intersection of immigration and criminal law.


    Since she arrived in New York, she was an active member of the Latino/a Law Student Association, serving as Vice President of the organization. Deborah is also a Founding Member and Alumni of MetroLALSA Inc., a non-profit organization of Latino law students and attorneys focused on raising the voice and presence of latinos in the law and helping the latino community in the New York/New Jersey area. Deborah also volunteers with organizations like CARECEN and NYLAG, assisting the community in immigration matters.


    In her spare time, Deborah is an avid sports fan, and is part of the directive of the Real Madrid Supporters Group in NYC, and a season ticket holder of the New York Cosmos. She also enjoys traveling , going to Broadway shows and visiting museums and parks in New York City.

We believe that there is no single master of all legal practice areas. It takes many years and dedication to become an expert in any field. For this reason, we, as your trusted legal and strategic advisor pride ourselves in referring you to the appropriate experienced professional when your business requires assistance outside of our expertise.


Our goal is to support and connect you with competent and experienced professionals who may solve your needs so you can get back to focusing on growing your business.


We have been known to provide our clients experienced and diligent real estate agents, bankers, financial planners, certified public accountants, liability and health insurance brokers, engineers, home inspectors, contractors and even a plumber on New Year’s Eve.


We can’t help you, however, if you don’t call us. This is why we urge that you call us first irrespective of your needs and if we are not able to directly assist you then we will try to find you someone that will.

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