David-Sperling

David M. Sperling, Esq.

David Sperling is a distinguished attorney specializing in immigration law. Since opening his practice in 1995, he has dedicated himself to the legal needs of immigrants and other low-income communities. His four Long Island offices are strategically located in Huntington Station, Central Islip, Riverhead and Hempstead.

Before embarking on his legal journey, Mr. Sperling worked as a foreign correspondent in Central America where he became fluent in Spanish. He later applied his expertise as a journalist with the Miami Herald and Newsday. Although no longer a journalist, he continues to write articles for legal publications and mainstream media, providing insightful commentary on immigration matters.

Mr. Sperling’s clients have garnered recognition in prominent media outlets, including the New York Times, USA Today, Newsday and Univision. Over the past 29 years, he has actively participated as a panelist and lecturer, advocating for immigration rights and minority communities.

His legal career started at CARECEN, the Central American Refugee Center, where he volunteered, preparing asylum applications for Salvadoran and Guatemalan asylum seekers. In 1995, he established his first office in the downtown Huntington. Mr. Sperling and his professional team take pride in dedicating hundreds of pro bono hours and community service to Long Island’s minority and immigrant populations. He and his associates have successfully represented tens of thousands of immigrants, a large number who are now U.S. Citizens.

In 2012, Mr. Sperling established the DREAM Foundation with the mission of providing scholarships to immigrant students who were ineligible for government assistance. The foundation’s initial funding was generated through the inaugural DREAM Foundation Cruise in the same year. Since then, the organization has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to immigrant students worldwide.

In 2023, the foundation awarded $30,000 to Nassau Community College and Suffolk County Community College for eligible incoming or current college students from Long Island.

Mr. Sperling’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. He has received Proclamations and Citations from local and federal officials, senators, and congresspeople. Furthermore, he has been recognized by esteemed local institutions Notably, he was honored with the Humanitarian Award by the National Association of Puerto Rican Hispanic Social Workers in 2015. In 2017, Mr. Sperling was honored as the “Grand Champion”at the 51st annual Puerto Rican/Hispanic Day Parade. His advocacy work continued, earning him the Outstanding Advocate Award from PRONTO of Long Island in 2018. Most recently, during the Hispanic Heritage Month, he received recognition from the Town of Huntington and was honored for his contributions to Salvadoran American culture by the Town of Hempstead in 2023.

Chartrisse-Adlam2

Chartrisse A. Adlam, Esq.

Chartrisse A. Adlam is the Senior Partner at the Law Offices of David M. Sperling, a premier Long Island Law Firm that specializes in Immigration Law. Ms. Adlam has over 25 years of experience in Immigration and Family Law. Ms. Adlam began her legal career at the federal government through the Attorney General’s Honors Program (Immigration and Naturalization Service). She was a Senior Assistant Chief Counsel with the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New York City handling deportation and removal cases. There, Ms. Adlam litigated many cases in Immigration Court including “special interest” and high-profile media cases. Prior to joining the federal government and practicing law, Ms. Adlam was a New York State Certified Social Worker working with children and families in the family court system.

After 11 years with INS/DHS Ms. Adlam opened her own law firm practicing Immigration and Family Law. Ms. Adlam handled a significant amount of immigration cases that involved women and child who have often been victims of sexual and physical abuse in their home countries. She was also a member of the Family Court Assigned Panel in Brooklyn where she handled neglect, abuse, juvenile delinquency cases and custody/visitation cases.

Ms. Adlam has been an active member of numerous professional organizations over the years and served the community in various ways. She is a member of the American Immigration Law Association – New York Chapter, Suffolk County Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, and the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association. She is a past Immigration Section Chair for the National Bar Association. For 3 years she was a board member for the Protestant Board of Guardians Inc., a social service organization that provides family preservation and foster care services. She has served as a pro bono attorney for In Motion for Women, New York County Lawyer’s Association – Monday Night law Project and handled bankruptcy cases for the Pro Bono Consumer Bankruptcy Project for The Association of the Bar of the City of New York.

Ms. Adlam, a 2023 Power Woman of Long Island award recipient, is also the Vice-President and Community Service Chair for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. – Suffolk County Graduate Chapter. Her contributions to the community are further reflected in her membership with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. – Long Island Chapter, where she actively advocates for the empowerment of women. Moreover, Ms. Adlam’s dedication to youth development is evident as she was an active committee member for Boys Scouts Pack 625 and Troop 560, where she played a critical role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

Ms. Adlam received her Bachelor’s degree from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, her Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University and her Juris Doctorate from New York Law School. She is admitted to the New York State Bar.

Adam-Tavares

Adam M. Tavares, Esq.

Adam Tavares is a Partner at the Law Offices of David M. Sperling. Mr. Tavares is the son of two immigrants who came to the United States for a better life. His father fled the fascist government of Salazar in Portugal in the late ’60s, and his mother escaped the violence in Colombia in the ’80s. Witnessing his family achieve the American Dream has inspired him to help others attain the same. He is a native Spanish and Portuguese speaker.

Since becoming an immigration attorney, Mr. Tavares has helped thousands of immigrants with their immigration issues. In 2017, he founded the Law Offices of Adam M. Tavares after working four years with the Law Offices of David M. Sperling, one of the largest providers of immigration legal services on Long Island, New York. In January 2021, he became a Partner at the Law Office of David M. Sperling.

Mr. Tavares actively contributes to the Hispanic Community. He served as the former President of the DREAM Foundation (nydreamfoundation.org), he was a Treasurer at the Long Island Hispanic Bar Association (www.lihba.org) and now is a board member at LIHBA. In 2017, the DREAM Foundation donated $40,000 in Scholarships to undocumented students, supporting their pursuit of higher education. In 2023, he joined the board of directors of the Hispanic Counseling Center, an organization that provides mental health services to the Hispanic community.

Mr. Tavares is admitted to the New York State Bar. Super Lawyers recognizes Mr. Tavares as one of their Rising Stars from 2019 to 2023.

MyAsia J. Terry, Esq.

MyAsia J. Terry is an Associate Attorney at the Law Offices of David M. Sperling since July 2022. Ms. Terry currently focuses her practice on Immigration Law and practices before the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals and Unites States Citizenship and Naturalization Service (USCIS). Prior to joining the Law Offices of David M. Sperling, Ms. Terry completed a legal fellowship at the Miami Dade Public Defenders’ Office, where she zealously advocated for indigent clients in need of legal assistance. Ms. Terry received her Juris Doctor from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, where she was a member of Moot Court. Ms. Terry served as Treasurer and President of the Black Law Students’ Association. She received her Bachelor of Science from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Ms. Terry is a proud member of the Shinnecock Nation in eastern Long Island. Ms. Terry is admitted to the New Mexico State Bar and is also admitted to the New York State Bar.