Andrea Piontkovski is the Founder and President of Piontkovski Immigration Law, where she represents clients in immigration cases nationally and internationally. She is licensed to practice law in the US and Venezuela. Andrea is a member of the California Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association of the USA, and the San Diego Bar Association.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [3:31] Andrea Piontkovski talks about practicing law in Venezuela and why she immigrated to the US
- [10:05] How Andrea evaluates immigration cases
- [14:16] Andrea’s repeated failures to pass the California bar exam and how she stayed motivated
- [19:46] Addressing the controversy of legal versus illegal immigration
- [26:00] The challenges of building and scaling a firm while practicing law
- [31:22] How Andrea responds to policy changes during a turbulent political climate
- [35:11] Tips for filtering immigration advice from non-immigration attorneys
- [38:10] Andrea explains how her multicultural roots help her connect with and represent clients internationally
In this episode…
Immigrants seeking to rebuild their lives in a new country often face overwhelming legal, cultural, and professional obstacles. Even those who were successful professionals in their home countries must start over, navigate foreign systems, and prove themselves again, often without support. How did one determined attorney transform her personal struggles into a law practice that serves others walking the same path?
After leaving Venezuela amid political unrest, international immigration attorney Andrea Piontkovski immigrated to the US, where she faced language barriers and cultural adjustments. Rather than giving up, she taught herself constitutional law, refined her English, and passed the bar exam after five tries. Cultivating perseverance has allowed Andrea to build a reputation rooted in honesty, client trust, and a deep belief in lawful immigration. She recommends leaning into your cultural heritage and leveraging personal experience to guide others.
Tune in to the latest episode of The Lawtino™ as John Gomez and Venessa Felix Corona interview Andrea Piontkovski, Founder and President of Piontkovski Immigration Law, about building a legal career from scratch in a new country. Andrea talks about building a firm while practicing law, navigating immigration misinformation, and leveraging social media for law firm growth.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- John Gomez on LinkedIn
- Venessa Felix Corona on LinkedIn
- Gomez Trial Attorneys: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
- Andrea Piontkovski: LinkedIn | Instagram
- Piontkovski Immigration Law: Website | Facebook
Quotable Moments:
- “I became a lawyer because I believe in law enforcement. I believe in doing things right.”
- “My job is to be honest in terms of the law and explain, okay, well, you don’t have an option.”
- “I didn’t give up. Another person would have given up for sure.”
- “Don’t do anything just because of the money. Just listen to your guts.”
- “You just have to use everything that makes you happy, and that makes you feel identified.”
Action Steps:
- Be honest when evaluating potential clients: Establishing trust early prevents future conflict and protects your reputation. Clear expectations ensure clients understand the risks and possibilities from the start.
- Embrace perseverance through failure: Persistence — especially in high-stakes challenges like bar exams — builds resilience and deepens professional credibility. Each setback is a step toward eventual success.
- Use social media strategically, not passively: Treating platforms as tools for education and connection helps expand your reach and grow your practice. Intentional content builds authority and attracts aligned clients.
- Learn the business side of law: Legal skills alone aren’t enough to run a successful firm — finance, marketing, and networking matter too. Filling these gaps is essential for sustainability.
- Filter out unethical opportunities: Turning down dishonest clients preserves your integrity and aligns your work with your values. A values-based practice attracts loyal, respectful clients over time.
Sponsor for this episode…
This episode is brought to you by Gomez Trial Attorneys, a personal injury law firm based in San Diego.
Award-winning attorney John Gomez developed a nationally recognized legal team that goes above and beyond for injured clients.
With numerous designations, distinctions, and top-notch resources, we have what it takes to fight and win against major corporations.
For a free case evaluation, visit https://www.thegomezfirm.com/contact/.