EPGD Law is proud to feature our dear friend and of counsel immigration attorney, Deirdre Nero, Esq of NERO Immigration Law, P.L. We’re excited to share with you some fun questions we had her answer for us to get to know her a little better.
First, a little about Deirdre!
Owner of her own private practice established in 2009, NERO Immigration Law, P.L., Deirdre has extensively amassed accolades worthy of her status in the Coral Gables community amongst others. Originally a New Jersey native, earned her bachelors degree from Florida State University and continued to pursue her legal career at the University of Miami School of Law where she graduated with honors in 2003.
Deirdre’s practice focuses on all types of business immigration including permanent residency and temporary visa petitions. Throughout her career, she has been actively involved in and held leadership positions in many local businesses and local organizations such as the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, AILA, The Beacon Council, and BNI Miami Dade, to name a few.
Currently, she serves on the board of directors, as secretary, and as an advocate and legislative liaison for the National Alopecia Areata Foundation (NAAF). A national non-profit foundation for patients and families of patients with the autoimmune disease Alopecia Areata. She is also the co-founder, with her sister Aria, of a jewelry line called B.A.L.D., which raises awareness for Alopecia Areata and donates a portion of profits to alopecia related charities.
Amongst her accolades, Deirdre is also a certified spinning instructor and certified in CPR/AED. She teaches several times a week at the University of Miami and other local health clubs.
With all that said, let’s get to the meat and potatoes. Here are the fun questions we asked Deirdre for this Newsies. Enjoy!
1. If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Exercise more. Learn to play guitar and piano. Learn to play tennis and golf. Learn to speak French, Italian, and Portuguese. This sounds lame… but work more! I would love to have an extra 8 hours a day to work on my business!
2. If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning medal for?
Using Amazon Prime. Avoiding gluten. Singing to my dog. Rubbing my bald head. How many medals can I win?
3. When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?
1) Help coping with their alopecia areata. I love to help people that are going through the same thing feel stronger and like they are not alone. I wish I had that when I first found out I had Alopecia Areata. It wasn’t until I found NAAF in 2011 that I felt that help and support from others. It changed my life. That is why I am so dedicated to helping NAAF achieve their goals and mission. 2) Help with an immigration issue. Typically it is a business person or family that wants to come to the US for work or to have a better life, but they are scared and confused about how to do it. I love what I do, helping people achieve that America dream is a beautiful thing.
4. What is the most annoying question that people ask you?
“How is your chemo going?” People assume a bald woman means cancer.
The runner up annoying question is “So you do EB-5?” when I say I practice business immigration. EB-5 is such a small portion of business immigration, but it is always what people ask me first.
I am considering a tattoo on my bald head that says “I don’t have cancer, and EB-5 isn’t the only thing I do” ….what do you think? I think it could be a new fashion statement! LOL
5. Why did you decide to do the work you are doing now?
Immigration law is the only kind of law that inspires me on a deeper level. I truly believe that Immigration built this Nation. Being able to help people come to our great country and build a life in America is truly rewarding.
6. Who inspires you to be better?
Eric Gros-Dubois- he not only gives me unconditional love and support, but he inspires me to work hard and take my business to the next level . My family- they are my roots, my heart, my history. I am so lucky to have them, they have helped me through all the toughest times in my life, and helped me celebrate the best times. They made me into the person that I am. My staff, Jessica and Natalia- They are smart, funny, hard working, loyal, badass women, and having them on my team has made my life better and helped my business flourish. Being their boss is a blessing and I am so grateful to have them.
7. How would you spend one million dollars?
Pay off my debts (hello, student loans!) and buy a house. Actually in Coral Gables I don’t even think a million would let me do these two things. Can I get 5 million? Thanks!
8. If you could live in any period of history, when would it be and why?
I have to say, I would stay a kid forever. I had the best childhood. I am thinking like middle school era…growing up in NJ with my big hair (the irony is not lost on me!) and my boyfriend that looked like Vanilla Ice (which back then was a good thing, trust me!). My biggest worries were school work, singing in the chorus, going to the mall with my friends, and spending summers at the beach house with all the extended family and friends. Those were good times. Were you looking for me to say some historical period like the Renaissance? Haha, pass…no thanks.
9. What fictional place would you like to visit?
Is there a place where dogs can talk and also live forever? That place. Oh, also the place where I can eat and drink whatever I want and not get fat. Ideally, those could be the same place – I want to be the President of that place.
Thank you for taking the time to answer our fun questions and giving our readers a chance to get to know you better. We’re lucky to call you our friend!
If you’d like to contact Deirdre Nero, Esq directly, you may do so at dnero@neroimmigration.com
