Get To Know Our Immigration Team!
Michael Berger
Founder and Partner with Berger Berger & Sobieski
Mr. Berger was born in Rochester, New York, and later attended the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Master’s in Social Work, and his Juris Doctor. He has since returned to his alma mater to teach courses at the Law School. Mr. Berger and his wife, Joanne, have made Buffalo their home, where they raised their three children.
A leader in his field, Mr. Berger founded the local chapter of the American Immigration Association, serving as its first President. He remains deeply involved in the community, serving on the boards of numerous organizations.
Mr. Berger has been in independent practice since 1980, following nearly a decade in general practice. Over the course of his distinguished career, he and his firm have been recognized with honors such as Top Attorney in North America, New York Area’s Best Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, and Buffalo Business First’s Who’s Who in Law. He is also listed in the National Register’s Who’s Who in Professionals.
With more than 40 years of experience, Mr. Berger has dedicated his legal practice exclusively to Immigration and Nationality Law, earning a reputation as a trusted advocate and respected authority in the field.
Lee M. Sobieski, Esq.
Attorney and Senior Partner with Berger Berger & Sobieski
Top Attorney – Diamond Member: https://whoswhopr.com/2018/12/top-attorney-lee-m-sobieski/
Lee Sobieski is a partner at Berger Berger & Sobieski, where he has been with the firm for approximately eleven and a half years, total. He has been practicing law since 2011, when he was first admitted to practice by the New York Bar. He assists clients in various immigration-related issues, including employment and family-based immigration. He assists many clients in obtaining work Visas, usually H-1B Visas, which he has specialized in ever since joining the firm. Additionally, he handles the vast majority of the firm’s Removal Proceedings in Immigration Court, where he has claimed numerous difficult victories, in front of various Immigration Judges, many of which have been very difficult cases, particularly recently, in lieu of all the changes in the field of Immigration law, many of which have made it significantly more difficult for asylum seekers to be granted legal relief.
Mr. Sobieski has previously served semi-regularly as a Volunteer / Pro Bono Attorney for the Volunteer Lawyers Project on behalf of tenants appearing in front of Buffalo City Court for eviction matters since June of 2016. Additionally, he has given various presentations in the field of Immigration Law at Buffalo State University, in Buffalo, New York, and the Saturn Club, in Buffalo, New York, and has previously served as a Volunteer Evaluator for the first round of the February 2011 National Trial Competition, at Buffalo City Court, in Buffalo, New York. Mr. Sobieski was also featured on the Sharkpreneur Podcast, with host Seth Greene, on April 19, 2021, where he discussed various immigration issues, and is currently being considered for a follow-up to this podcast, through another local agency. Additionally, and most proudly, Mr. Sobieski served as a Presenter / Speaker at the Upstate New York AILA Chapter 2021 Fall Conference, speaking all about H-1B Visas and their effect on Immigration Law as a whole.
Mr. Sobieski graduated from State University of New York at Buffalo with a Bachelor of Arts (BA), in Social Sciences (With a Concentration in Legal Studies), 2007. He then received his Doctorate of Law (JD), in 2010 from the University at Buffalo Law School. In addition to being a member of AILA, in good standing, he is a member of the New York State Bar Association, and the Erie County Bar Association. He has also previously served as President of a regional networking group from 2018 to 2019.
Mr. Sobieski has lived in the Buffalo area nearly all his life, and is proud to call this area home. He is married to his wonderful wife Christina since May of 2018, and his dog, Burdy, and he is the youngest of two siblings. He currently resides in Depew, New York, and truly enjoys spending his time with his family, especially his nieces and nephew, and considers himself quite the movie buff, as well as a master puzzle solver on the popular game show, Wheel of Fortune. He is also an avid and lifelong Buffalo Bills fan, and dreams of one day retiring in Italy with his lovely bride.
F. Alejandro Gutierrez
Of Counsel with Berger Berger & Sobieski
As an immigrant from Colombia, Alejandro understands the need for an attorney that will provide effective guidance during the immigration process, whether it involves affirmative applications or defensive proceedings in Immigration Court. Outside of work, Alejandro is an artist who enjoys spending time with his demanding Australian Cattle Dogs.
Aliza Berger
Associate Attorney with Berger Berger & Sobieski
Aliza Berger grew up in Buffalo, New York, having deep roots in the field of immigration law. Growing up, she often accompanied her father to the office and witnessed firsthand the life-changing impact that strong advocacy can have on clients and their families.
Her experiences abroad—including living in Vietnam from 2019 to 2020—further deepened her appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives, shaping her commitment to immigration law.
After graduating from law school, Ms. Berger began her career practicing corporate litigation and civil rights. That work sharpened her skills as both a litigator and advocate, experience she now brings fully into her immigration practice.
Ms. Berger is dedicated to being a zealous advocate for every client, striving to build strong relationships and pursue each case with diligence, creativity, and persistence. She is committed to ensuring that every client feels heard, respected, and supported throughout their immigration journey.
Danielle Mengedoht, Esq.
Associate Attorney with Berger Berger & Sobieski
Ms. Mengedoht has been an associate at Berger Berger & Sobieski since June 2025. She has been practicing law since 2024, when she was first admitted by the Vermont Bar. She assists with various immigration-related issues, including removal proceedings, asylum, and other humanitarian relief. She assists many clients and firm attorneys in preparing for their asylum hearings before EOIR.
Ms. Mengedoht has previously practiced as a public defender with private defense firm NEK Law, appearing before the Orleans’ Country Superior Court in Newport, Vermont for various criminal court matters. Prior to that she worked as a Law Clerk for NEW Law, the State of Alaska, and the State of Vermont.
Ms. Mengedoht graduated from Niagara Community College with an Associates of Science (AS) with a major in Criminal Justice in December 2016. She then received her Bachelor’s of Science (BA) with a major in Criminal Justice and minor in Political Science in May 2018. She went on to graduate from Vermont Law and Graduate School with a Juris Doctor in May of 2022. She is a member of the Vermont Bar, in good standing. In addition, she has had the opportunity to volunteer through various internships including the South Royalton Immigration Clinic, Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Sitka Alaska District Attorney’s Office, and assisted in holding an expungement clinic with the Orleans County Restorative Justice Center (now included in NEKCA) in Vermont.
Ms. Mengedoht grew up in Lockport, New York. She has spent time across the country including Alaska, Tennessee, Vermont, and New York. When not practicing law, Danielle can be found out and about riding her motorcycle, at home spending quality time with her dog Rosie, or online playing various video games. Visiting Japan, skydiving, and owning a SuperSport motorcycle are on her bucket list.