Work Contract Lawyers for Connecticut

Skilled in the details of complex corporate transactions, I have 15 years experience working with entrepreneurs and businesses to plan and grow for the future. Clients trust me because of the practical guided advice I provide. No deal is too small or complex for me to handle.

M. Joseph “Joe” Smith is the founder of Celina Law, P.C. and Amirext LLC. Licensed to practice law in Connecticut and Texas, he helps clients with commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, financing, corporate governance, and disputes. Whether reviewing a straightforward agreement or guiding a complex transaction, Joe brings practical judgment and personal attention to matters large and small.

I am an Immigration attorney specializing in business, corporate, and family immigration. I have served the immigrant (EB1A/B/C, NIWs, and PERM) and non immigrant (H, L, O, TN, E) needs for individuals, families, start-up companies, and some of the largest financial and commercial companies. I have experience with adjustment of status and consular processing. Please let me know how I can serve your immigration needs.

I am a Connecticut-licensed business attorney with over a decade of combined legal and business-operations experience, including roles as in-house counsel, Director of Operations & Compliance, and Director of Growth. I provide practical, business-focused legal solutions to entrepreneurs, small and mid-sized businesses, and investors who need a trusted advisor that understands both the legal and operational realities of running a company.

Creative, results driven business & technology executive with 27 years of experience (17+ as a business/corporate lawyer). A problem solver with a passion for business, technology, and law. I bring a thorough understanding of the intersection of the law and business needs to any endeavor, having founded multiple startups myself with successful exits. I provide professional business and legal consulting. Throughout my career I've represented a number large corporations (including some of the top Fortune 500 companies) but the vast majority of my clients these days are startups and small businesses. Having represented hundreds of successful crowdfunded startups, I'm one of the most well known attorneys for startups seeking CF funds. I hold a Juris Doctor degree with a focus on Business/Corporate Law, a Master of Business Administration degree in Entrepreneurship, A Master of Education degree and dual Bachelor of Science degrees. I look forward to working with any parties that have a need for my skill sets.

Immigration expert with over 30 years’ experience focused on start-up companies H-1, L-1, E, O-1 visas. PERM and extraordinary ability immigrant visas. Complex family immigration cases and waivers. I also assist early stage comapnies in entity formation and general legal matters for start-up companies in the areas of Telehealth, Technology and International Trade.

Professional Experience Neil Belloff is an accomplished business lawyer with over 35 years of business and legal experience, including as Board Member, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Corporate Secretary. After law school, Neil joined a boutique law firm in New York City and practiced as a litigator and corporate securities lawyer. Soon thereafter, Neil became a Senior Attorney-Advisor in the Division of Corporation Finance at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. responsible for reviewing 1933 Act and 1934 Act documents, coordinating projects with the EPA and DOL, overseeing bankruptcy, reorganization and work-outs, responding to Congressional inquiries, and providing assistance to other SEC divisions and the Department of Justice. Following his tenure with the government, Neil practiced with several NY-based law firms providing legal and business services to public and private enterprises focusing on securities, corporate, employment, IP, licensing, M&A, finance, governance, litigation, compliance and privacy matters. Neil became an in-house attorney in 2003 joining Deutsche Telekom, one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, as Executive Vice President and US Securities and Corporate Counsel. He joined Celgene Corporation, a publicly listed global biopharmaceutical company, in 2010 and became General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of Eloxx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in 2018 (and Chief Operating Officer in 2020) and General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary of Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. in 2021. Neil went back to private practice in 2024. Neil has been lead counsel on dozens of IPOs (representing both issuers and underwriters) and multi-billion dollar M&A transactions. His practice includes licensing, structured finance, venture capital, risk assessment, corporate governance, legal and regulatory compliance, pharmaceutical development, and all aspects of corporate, securities, intellectual property, privacy and employment law. Education • J.D. - Quinnipiac University School of Law • LL.M. - Program in Securities Regulation at Georgetown University Law Center • M.A. - New York University • B.A. - Queens College of the City University of New York Admissions • New York, New Jersey, Connecticut • Southern District of New York • Eastern District of New York • District of Connecticut Publications • Frequent conference speaker (FEI, NACD, NIRI, ACC, PLI, MarcusEvans) • Co-authored chapter of NACD report on the Role of Directors in Strategic Planning, member of Blue Ribbon Commission of NACD • Authored various articles on securities, litigation and governance topics • Featured in Vanguard Law Magazine - https://www.vanguardlawmag.com/case-studies/neil-belloff-acorda-therapeutics/ Board Memberships • Former Board Member | Private computer network and software development company sold to NASDAQ listed company • Former Board Member | NASDAQ listed location-based entertainment company

Accomplished business and litigation counsel with experience managing a broad spectrum of legal matters on behalf of individuals as well as early-stage and established technology, software, service and medical device companies. Substantial experience in drafting commercial agreements as well as litigation and arbitration of complex business disputes as plaintiff’s and defendant’s counsel. Served as infantry officer (attaining rank of Major) in ground combat units for the United States Marine Corps and educated in Marine Corps management and tactics. Adept at taking complicated information and legal principles and presenting strategy to non-lawyers in a concise and easy-to-understand format.

I am a solo practitioner that runs my own legal practice. I am currently licensed in 16 states and I'm working to expand that reach.

NYC based attorney of over 15 years in NY & CT who specializes in entertainment transactional law. 10 years as a general/in-house counsel in 2 entertainment companies and former indie film company executive as well as a creative professional (actress, singer, writer, model, blogger, podcast host/producer and beauty ambassador). Also have over 5 years of court appearance experience in various practice areas including foreclosure defense, bankruptcy, personal injury (plaintiff), immigration, consumer debt, etc.