Alumni Spotlight:
Rosemarin Belliard ’17
Our Alumni Spotlight Series highlights some of the most remarkable members of our alumni community—NYLS graduates who are shaping the future of law and making meaningful contributions in New York City and beyond.
This installment features Rosemarin Belliard ’17, President of the Dominican Bar Association and the founding attorney of Belliard Law Firm PLLC, a boutique firm dedicated to advancing immigrant rights through mission-driven advocacy.
Finding Purpose
Rosemarin Belliard ’17 has always been driven by a deep sense of purpose—a calling rooted in her family’s immigration story. The daughter of Dominican immigrants, Belliard grew up frequently advocating on her parent’s behalf—an experience that ignited a passion for helping others. She knew from a young age that helping others was how she wanted to spend her life, and she understood from the beginning that a strong education was key.
Belliard attended CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she discovered law as a tool for social change. “I realized that, as a lawyer, I could be a voice for individuals with limited access to resources and who need help navigating the complex legal system,” she explained. Through John Jay’s Pre-Law Institute, Belliard secured internships at the office of former New York Governor David A. Paterson, the Law School Admission Council, and the Queens County Supreme Court.
After earning her degree in political science, Belliard was selected as a New York City Urban Fellow in the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA)—a position that deepened her interest in immigration law. “Working at MOIA allowed me to see immigration from all angles,” Belliard notes. “The Office worked to bridge a gap between NYC’s immigrant communities, nonprofit organizations, and local government. I had a front-row seat to all the challenges that come with that, and what can be done to address them. While I enjoyed it, I saw that, when you're not in legislation or not directly representing immigrants, there are some limitations. So, I kept the path going.”
“Leadership is at the heart of advocacy.”
Belliard’s path led her to New York Law School, where her focus in immigration law crystallized. “My initial interest was in immigration reform, but NYLS’s immigration law course opened my eyes to the niche field of business immigration. I was intrigued by the idea of representing highly skilled workers and finding creative solutions to bring their talents to the American workforce,” she says.
Belliard credits her mentor Professor Lenni Benson and the Safe Passage Project with greatly influencing her trajectory. Professor Benson, the Distinguished Chair in Immigration and Human Rights Law at NYLS, founded the Safe Passage Project to provide pro bono services to minors facing deportation.
As an NYLS student, Belliard served as the Mentoring Chair for both the Latin American and Black Law Students Associations and as Co-President of the Immigration Law Students Association. At the School’s 125th Commencement, she was honored with the Chief Justice Rose E. Bird Award for Motivation in Pursuing Public Interest Law.
“Leadership is at the heart of advocacy,” Belliard says. “Through the leadership opportunities I had at NYLS, I learned how to manage different obligations, responsibilities, and even personalities to bring visions to life. As a lawyer, that’s a skill I rely on every day.”
Belliard with her family at NYLS's 125th Commencement.
Belliard with her family at the Dean's Reception for the Class of 2017.
“It’s a calling that I’ve felt my entire life.”
After law school, Belliard started her career at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP before moving on to Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty, LLP, where she was an Associate in the firm’s Immigration Practice Group. In these roles, she represented multinational corporations and businesses of all sizes across various industries including information technology, financial services, higher education, media, and fashion.
“Business immigration is about creating pathways for talented individuals worldwide to bring their skills to U.S. companies,” Belliard explains. “To me, it’s a highly creative side of law, because the ultimate goal is driving innovation and economic growth. We're fostering intercultural understanding and, on a larger scale, contributing to a more dynamic and globally connected economy.”
In October 2024, Belliard launched Belliard Law Firm PLLC, a boutique firm combining compassion, experience, and strategy to guide clients through the intricate U.S. immigration system. But starting her own firm wasn’t always part of the plan. "It was a leap of faith,” she recalls of the firm's launch. “Up to that point, my entire trajectory had been fueled by opportunities that presented themselves.”
Belliard’s diverse professional roles—ranging from nonprofit work to positions in government and private practice—highlighted gaps in the immigration system that she felt uniquely qualified to address. “It's a calling that I’ve felt my entire life, and because I've been able to serve in different capacities within immigration law, I have the advantage of truly understanding the immigrant story from all angles,” she says.
Belliard alongside Justices of the Appellate Division, Second Department, and her family on her admission date.
Belliard alongside members of the New York State Senate Delegation and the Constitutional Court of the Dominican Republic.
A Compassionate Force in Immigration Law
While business immigration is her firm’s primary focus, Belliard takes great pride in representing individuals and providing pro bono services to address critical needs within immigrant communities. A self-described “super volunteer,” Belliard has a longstanding commitment to pro bono work, having volunteered with CUNY Citizenship Now! and Dominicanos USA and serving as a Friend of the Court in immigration cases.
“The immigration system is historically complex, and immigrants are often on an unequal playing field. Strategic counsel can level that, along with the support of someone who inherently believes in their right to be heard as they pursue their dreams,” Belliard explains.
Looking ahead, Belliard envisions her firm as a “compassionate force in immigration law which serves as a beacon for immigrant communities.” By blending legal expertise with holistic support, Belliard Law Firm PLLC strives to elevate the dignity, voice, and dreams of immigrants.
Belliard participating in a panel hosted by the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Department.
Belliard at the Dominican Bar Association's 2024 induction ceremony, where she was sworn in as President.
“What you give back to others blooms into the future.”
Reflecting on NYLS’s impact, Belliard emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community support. “You can’t succeed alone. It’s vital to seek out mentors and allies, and to pay it forward as you rise in your career,” she says. “What you give back to others blooms into the future. Our efforts for the immigrant movement turn into progress, and progress turns into legacy.” Speaking to young women and lawyers from underrepresented communities, Belliard’s message is one of empowerment: “Own your unique perspective. Your identity and individuality are strengths that can shape and strengthen the legal profession.”
Belliard notes that several of her law school classmates continue to be friends and supporters within her professional network. A mentor herself, Belliard inspired Brandon Smith ’24 to attend NYLS, where he eventually became President of BLSA. Aptly, Smith praises how, in the NYLS community, “People look out for one another.”
Belliard’s journey exemplifies the power of compassion, advocacy, and dedication. Through her mission-driven firm, Belliard aims to leave a legacy of trust, excellence, and positive impact, while inspiring the next generation of lawyers to continue advocating for immigrants and creating opportunities for those who follow.
Belliard at the annual CUNY Citizenship Now! Naturalization Drive.