Danielle M. Rizzo

Partner Buffalo

A nationally recognized immigration attorney with over 17 years of experience. Danielle assists U.S. companies and their foreign national workforce with the complexities of visa and permanent residency applications. She also represents investors and traders who require work authorizations in the United States.

In addition, Danielle represents Canadian citizens seeking entry to the United States under the U.S. Mexico-Canada-America (USMCA) free trade agreement. She prides herself in helping immigrants find legal paths of entry by filing petitions with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Because Danielle is an immigration attorney with a full breadth of expertise, she also prepares foreign nationals for visa interviews at U.S. embassies and navigates land and air ports of entry to the United States.

She is a nationally sought-after speaker on a broad range of immigration topics.

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Honors & Awards

  • Selected for the Upstate New York Super Lawyers® list, 2020-2024
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®, 2013-2024
    • Named the Best Lawyers® Immigration Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Buffalo, 2017, 2019, 2025
  • Mark Kenmore Mentor Award, May 2023
  • JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards, 2021
  • Buffalo Business First, 40 Under 40, 2018
  • AILA President’s Commendation Award, 2017
  • Who’s Who Legal, Corporate Immigration, 2016
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Education & Admissions

Education
  • State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law, J.D., 2006
  • Houghton College, B.A., summa cum laude, 2001
Admitted to Practice
  • New York
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Speaking Engagements

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  • Panelist, “Immigration Law After Loper Bright Decision: Anticipated Agency Impact, Ramifications for Attorneys and Clients,” Strafford webinar, September 2024
  • Panelist, “U.S. Customs and Border Protection,” AILA Upstate NY Chapter 2024 Northern Border Conference, September 2024
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Activities & Professional Associations

Professional Associations

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
    • Business Section Steering Committee, Vice Chair, 2021 – 2022
    • Business Section Steering Committee, Member, 2020 – 2021
    • CBP National Liaison Committee, Chair, April 2016 – June 2018
    • CBP National Liaison Committee, Member and Immediate Past Chair, June 2018 – 2019
    • CBP National Liaison Committee, Vice Chair, June 2014 – April 2016
    • CBP National Liaison Committee, Member, June 2013 – June 2014
    • Department of Labor Liaison Committee, Member, 2019 – 2020
    • National Publications Committee, Chair, June 2013 – June 2015
    • National Publications Committee, Member, June 2011 – June 2014
    • Upstate New York AILA Chapter, Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, 2008 – 2013
    • Upstate New York AILA Chapter – CLE Annual Program, Coordinator, 2011- 2013

Articles & Publications

Articles

  • Author, “Canadian Citizens Engaging in Business Activities in the U.S.,” Invest Buffalo Niagara, August 2024