Samantha Portillo is a Partner of Donoso & Partners, with over 15 years of experience advising
individuals and employers, ranging from unicorn companies to Olympic Athletes, researchers,
artists and influencers, on immigrant and nonimmigrant visas matters.
Samantha is a licensed attorney in the United States and in her native Mexico.
She began her career working several years as Deputy Law Clerk of a Justice of the Supreme
Court of Mexico. Later, Samantha was appointed Deputy Director of the Ministry of Public
Administration for two years.
After completing a Master’s Degree in International Legal Studies from the world-renowned
Georgetown University Law School, Samantha dedicated her career to the field of U.S.
immigration law. Upon graduation, Samantha joined the Pro Bono Program of the Immigration
Legal Services at Catholic Charities. Samantha and her team at the Pro Bono Program received
the American Immigration Lawyers Association DC Chapter Pro Bono Award for 2017-2018.
Samantha is a tenacious and creative advisor, who does not shy away from a challenge using a
holistic approach. Her work is focused on business immigration, working with employers,
entrepreneurs and families to successfully navigate complex U.S. immigration programs.
Samantha has partnered with prestigious universities like Cornell University and American
University to find immigration relief, combining business and corporate strategies with
humanitarian relief.
When asked about her strengths, Samantha stated that “my background combines the best
Mexican and American graduate legal education. As an immigrant, I represent every client as I
wish I would have been represented in the process of coming to study, work, and live in the
United States.”