Francisco “Frank” Symphorien-Saavedra

Francisco “Frank” Symphorien-Saavedra

“Frank” Symphorien-Saavedra is a Board Certified Expert in Immigration and Nationality Law, a distinction limited to less than 7% of all Florida lawyers.  Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra is rated as one of the Best Lawyers in America, as listed in the U.S. News & World Report legal directory and bestlawyers.com, AV-rated “Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, and by Super Lawyers Magazine.  Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra served on the Florida Bar Immigration & Nationality Law Certification Committee from 2016 to 2023. He served as the Vice-Chair for the 2021-2022 term and Chair of the committee for the 2022-2023 term.  His unique practice focuses on removal defense, federal court litigation, and extraordinary ability visas or national interest waivers.

Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra previously served as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Liaison Chair for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Central Florida Chapter.  He also served as the Chair for the Immigration and Naturalization Executive Committee for the Orange County Bar Association.  Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal and regularly provides commentary on national and local news media outlets, including Univision, Unimás, News 13, WFTV, among others.

Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra is also a regular speaker at local and national conferences for the American Immigration Lawyers Association.  His panels typically equip other lawyers on topics involving federal court litigation, extraordinary ability visas, or national interest waivers. 

A native of Venezuela, Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra immigrated to the United States when he was 11 years old. His father worked 24-hour shifts as a taxi driver in New York City in order to bring his wife and children to the United States. 

Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra attended West Orange High School in Winter Garden where he participated in the law magnet program and won a mock appellate brief competition under the tutelage of local celebrity attorney and high school mentor Carol Shannin who, along with his parents, inspired his legal career. His promising young career was evident when he presented mock oral arguments on his written brief before the Florida Supreme Court. Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra attended The Florida State University College of Law after graduating with high honors from the University of South Florida. 

Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra is married with three children. He enjoys cycling with his wife and children and playing and coaching basketball.