Frank Symphorien-Saavedra

Board Certified Expert

Attorney Francisco "Frank" Symphorien-Saavedra is a Board-Certified Expert in Immigration and Nationality Law, a distinction limited to less than 7% of all Florida lawyers. His practice focuses on removal defense, federal court litigation, extraordinary ability visas, and national interest waivers. Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra is AV rated "Preeminent" by Martindale-Hubbell, recognized by Super Lawyers magazine, and listed as one of The Best Lawyers in America by Best Lawyers, as featured in U.S. News & World Report. In 2014, he became one of the youngest attorneys in Florida to earn board certification, and as of June 2021, he was the only Venezuelan native to hold that distinction.

Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra has served in several prestigious leadership roles within the legal community. He was a member of the Florida Bar Immigration & Nationality Law Certification Committee from 2016 to 2023, serving as Vice-Chair for the 2021–2022 term and Chair for the 2022–2023 term. He also served as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Liaison Chair for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Central Florida Chapter, and as Chair of the Immigration and Naturalization Executive Committee for the Orange County Bar Association.

A frequent speaker at local and national conferences for AILA, Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra leads panels designed to equip other lawyers with expertise in federal court litigation, extraordinary ability visas, and national interest waivers. He is also frequently sought after by media outlets for his insights and expertise, having been quoted in The Wall Street Journal and appearing on Univision, Unimás, News 13, WFTV, and other national and local news platforms.

A native of Venezuela, Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra immigrated to the United States at the age of 11. His father worked 24-hour shifts as a taxi driver in New York City 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. His promising legal potential was evident when he presented mock oral arguments on his written brief before the Florida Supreme Court.

Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra earned his undergraduate degree with high honors from the University of South Florida and later attended Florida State University College of Law.

Now married with three children, Mr. Symphorien-Saavedra enjoys cycling with his family and playing and coaching basketball.

Fluent Languages: English and Spanish