United Kingdom

Focusing on cases that range from political asylum to sports, Maria Patsalos is a partner in the Mishcon Private department of Mishcon de Reya, a London-based law firm with offices in New York that offers legal services for businesses and individuals in all facets of immigration.She brings technical knowledge, background dealing with complex immigration matters and ability to produce innovative solutions .Patsalos handles such immigration pathways as the U.K. five-tier, points-based immigration system; sponsorship certificates for employers; sole representative visas; family visas including fiance, spouse, civil partnership and unmarried partner; Tier 2 and Tier 5 sponsorship licenses; first-tier tribunal (immigration and asylum) cases and judicial reviews.She is well-versed in the many complexities facing clients who seek an Indefinite Leave to Remain in the U.K. and subsequent British citizenship, offering long-term strategic advice and setting up connections within the U.K. for those clients.One particular area of expertise is advice for clients seeking political asylum due to their political affiliation or social group. Patsalos has helped clients seeking citizenship by investment in countries including Malta, Cyprus, Portugal, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. She serves as the immigration representative in Mishcon de Reya’s Sports group, advising British football clubs in obtaining visas for their players and has done the same for rugby, golf and darts.Patsalos is recognized as an authority in U.K. immigration law by Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500, was named one of the “rising stars” in U.K. immigration law by Spear’s 500 in 2015 and was honored as a Private Client Practitioner Top 35 Under 35. In partnership with Liberty Human Rights, which champions civil liberties and human rights in the U.K., Patsalos advises clients in meritorious defense cases. She founded and oversees immigration issues at Pink Law, a free legal advice service for LGBT individuals offered by the Queen Mary University of London.Patsalos received her bachelor’s degree in classical literature from the University of Birmingham and civilization. She speaks fluent Greek and English