Managing Partner & Founder | Global Family Law & Cross-Border Litigation Authority

“Your Assets Have No Borders. Neither Should Your Protection.”

Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, Ms. Schell eliminates the friction and astronomical expense of uncoordinated foreign co-counsel. She is an active member of the U.S. Department of State’s Hague Convention Attorney Network, representing parents in critical cross-border custody disputes, and serves as a Liaison for the Family Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. Her academic credentials include an LL.M. in International Legal Studies from Golden Gate University School of Law and a Law Degree (J.D. equivalent) in Civil Law and Procedure.

To effectively protect your assets, your business, or your children in a cross-border legal matter, your choice of counsel must turn on proven, verifiable credentials. You need an advocate who does not merely list practice areas, but one who possesses real-world, institutional recognition in international jurisprudence.

In high-net-worth marriages and cross-border families, a traditional domestic prenuptial agreement or strategy is simply not enough. Overseas business holdings, foreign real estate, and modern digital footprints require a sophisticated legal lens.

Attorney Norka M. Schell is the founder and principal of the Law Offices of Norka M. Schell, LLC. As a dually licensed attorney admitted to practice in both New York State and Federal Courts and the Republic of Brazil (OAB/MG), Ms. Schell brings a highly sought-after, dual-lens perspective to complex multi-jurisdictional litigation. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, she acts as a direct, seamless bridge between disparate legal traditions, eliminating the need for uncoordinated third-party foreign counsel.

Recognized Leadership & International Networks

True authority in international family law and immigration is earned through active, high-level contribution to the legal community. Ms. Schell’s specialized expertise is confirmed by her appointment to prominent leadership roles and elite professional networks:

U.S. Department of State Hague Convention Attorney Network: Ms. Schell is an active member of this specialized network, handling critical, high-stakes international parental child abduction cases.

• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): She has served as the Co-Chair of the NY AILA ICE Liaison Committee, shaping vital advocacy and operational dialogues.

• AILA-NY Asylum Committee: She led as the Chairwoman of this crucial committee from 2021 to 2022, protecting the rights of vulnerable populations in federal immigration venues.

• New York State Bar Association (NYSBA): She serves as a Liaison for the Family Law Section, ensuring her domestic litigation strategies align with evolving state matrimonial frameworks.

Over Three Decades of Academic and Practical Excellence

Ms. Schell brings an intrinsic, first-hand understanding to the complex legal challenges her clients face. As a naturalized U.S. citizen who emigrated from Brazil, she blends deep empathy with assertive, calculated courtroom strategy. Her multi-jurisdictional expertise is built upon a powerhouse academic and cross-border foundation.

• LL.M. (Master of Laws) in International Legal Studies – Golden Gate University School of Law (1998).
• J.D. (Juris Doctor) – Faculdade de Direito do Vale do Rio Doce (FADIVALE), Brazil (1984).

With over 30 years of legal experience, she is uniquely equipped to navigate the intense friction between U.S. Common Law and Civil Law systems (such as the Brazilian Civil Code) natively. Whether representing multinational firms transferring key corporate talent via L-1 visas, structuring complex high-net-worth property distributions, or executing cross-border service of process under the Hague Service Convention, her cases are prepared with flawless procedural integrity.

A Proven Record of External Trust

A lawyer’s standing is ultimately defined by the safety and confirmation felt by those they represent. Across major independent legal directories, Ms. Schell maintains an unblemished, top-tier rating:

• Avvo: Holds a perfect 5.0/5.0 Superb Rating based on verified client testimonials praising her responsiveness, legal sophistication, and courtroom execution.
• Lawyers.com & Martindale-Hubbell: Holds a flawless 5.0/5.0 rating, reflecting unanimous peer and client validation.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): Holds the highest possible institutional rating of A+.
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From the Financial District of Lower Manhattan to the courtroom steps of Queens and Westchester County, Norka M. Schell provides an authoritative, clear, and unyielding path forward through your most complex legal transitions.