Helena M. Tetzeli is a partner at Kurzban Kurzban Tetzeli and Pratt P.A.

Ms. Tetzeli has a nationwide reputation as a leading immigration attorney. She is frequently asked to write and speak on immigration law topics. Her immigration practice areas include E and L visas, EB -5 visas, Extraordinary Ability visas and National Interest Waivers for clients in the sciences, arts, business and athletics. Additionally, she represents clients in federal and administrative court litigation, including removal defense, habeas, and APA cases. Her immigration clients include unions for major league professional athletes, high profile U.S. and foreign companies, individual investors and others seeking to do business or immigrate here, as well as start-ups in a variety of business and industrial sectors.

In addition to her immigration law practice, Ms. Tetzeli also represents her clients in federal and state court and in arbitration and mediation proceedings in a variety of complex matters including substantial collection cases and defense of discrimination, FLSA, ADA and other employment law claims. She also advises her business and institutional clients on a variety of compliance and policy matters to minimize the risk of litigation.

Ms. Tetzeli has been recognized by Who's Who in American Law, The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Chambers and LawDragon. Because of her successful track record and high degree of ethics in all of her professional endeavors, she has received the highest possible AV Preeminent* peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

Education

• University of California, San Francisco
  • J.D.
• Florida International University
  • B.A.
  • Honors: cum laude
  • Major: International Relations

Admissions

• Florida Supreme Court

Honors

• Recognized in Lawdragon 500 as one of the five hundred Leading U.S. Corporate Immigration Lawyers
• Recognized by Who’s Who in American Law for Immigration work and in both International Who’s Who listings
• Listed as one of the Best Lawyers in Best Lawyers in America for Immigration Law
• Recognized in Florida’s Super Lawyers for Immigration Law
• Named one of South Florida’s top attorneys in the field of immigration law by Miami Metro Magazine’s South Florida Legal Guide
• AV Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers
• Ranked in Chambers and Partners
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated

Publications and Speaking Engagements

• Navigating Immigration Law in the Current Administration: Executive Orders and Shifting Policies

HNBA Annual Convention, 2025

• Deporting Dissent: Is the Trump Administration Silencing Free Speech or Protecting National Security? The Case for and against Mohamoud Khalil’s Deportation

YPO Democracy Webinar, 2025

• Survey of Immigration Law – Hot Topics and Trends

Pennsylvania State School of Law: Annual Immigration Law Symposium

• Introduction to Other Nonimmigrant Visas: The Less Traveled Path

AILA National Annual Conference, 2024

• When Two Worlds Collide: Wage Transparency Laws, RIFs, and Other Challenges Facing US Employers Hiring Foreign Talent in 2023

HNBA Annual General Conference, 2023

• What Labor Shortage? Options for Leveraging the Global Talent Pool in Challenging Economic Times

HNBA/VIA Annual Convention, 2022

• Border Issues - Hot Topics and Trends

AILA National Conference, 2022

• Current Status of Operations at U.S Consulates and Embassies Worldwide

AILA South Florida CLE Panel, 2021

• Overview and High Points: Important Business Litigation Developments

AILA South Florida CLE Presentation, 2020

• Battling the Invisible Wall: Current Border Practices in North America, Pre-Clearance, Global Entry, E-Safe, and More

AILA Annual Conference Panel, 2020

• U.S. Visa Bans and Exemptions

AILA South Florida Business and Investment Panel, 2020

• The Intersection of Immigration and Family Law

Broward Bench and Bar Panel, 2019

• Other Non-Immigrant Visas Options

AILA Annual Conference, 2019

• Ain’t No Stopping U.S. Now: J-1 Waivers – Trends and Updates

AILA South Florida Annual Conference, 2019

• Employment-Based U.S. Immigration Options for Humanitarian Parolees and TPS Recipients Affected by the Trump Administration’s Recent Actions

Chambers Global Immigration Annual Edition, 2025