About Ms. Norka M.
Ms. Norka M. Schell trained first in Brazil and built a legal foundation in civil law and procedure before extending her studies to the United States. She earned her law degree from Faculdade do Vale Rio Doce in 1984, a program grounded in civil law traditions. Later she completed an LL.M. in International Legal Studies at Golden Gate University School of Law in 1998, adding comparative and international perspectives to her credentials.
Her early years in practice were shaped by the Brazilian legal system. That background gave her a practical understanding of civil procedure and client advocacy in a different legal culture. She later moved into work that bridged national boundaries, drawing on the comparative law training from her LL.M. program.
In 1997 she established her own practice and has served as CEO of the Offices of Norka M. Schell, LLC since that year. Running a small firm required wearing many hats: casework, client intake, and the administrative responsibilities that keep a practice functioning. Over time she handled cases that required familiarity with both Brazilian law and United States federal procedures.
Her professional affiliations include membership in the American Immigration Lawyers Association, New York Chapter. That association aligns with parts of her caseload that involve immigration and cross-border movement. She is also listed as a Woman of Excellence in Strathmore’s Who’s Who Worldwide, a recognition that appears alongside her professional biography.
Her credentials include admission connected to the Third Circuit, indicating she has sought the ability to appear in federal appellate matters in that jurisdiction. She maintains professional ties across systems and often advises clients who confront legal issues that touch more than one country’s rules. Colleagues describe her work as practical and detail-oriented, emphasizing legal mechanics rather than theoretical abstractions.
Clients who come to her typically need counsel that can translate legal concepts between civil law and common law frameworks. Her bilingual background and years of practice in both environments help in cases that require document review, procedural strategy, or coordination with foreign counsel. Her practice has handled transactional and procedural matters that arise at the intersection of immigration and international civil issues.
She continues to operate the Offices of Norka M. Schell, LLC, maintaining an active role in case management and client advising. Her current practice centers on immigration law and cross-border legal matters.
