About
Meet Sharifa Nasser-Cuéllar
Sharifa Milena Nasser-Cuéllar is a first-generation Colombian American and an accomplished attorney who has spent nearly 20 years fiercely advocating for the people of Queens. Her career has soared over the years, and she has practiced and litigated in the areas of matrimonial, family and criminal law. Sharifa demonstrates adeptness when trying complex matrimonial and family court cases that are often emotional and delicate situations for families.
Sharifa is a beloved daughter of Queens - born, raised and has lived here her entire life. A proud product of the public school system - attending PS 17, JHS 126, and Long Island City H.S. in Astoria - she has proven that children who are educated in public schools can excel and reach higher heights in their career and community. She also had the love and support from her parents who both migrated to the United States. Her father, who has middle eastern roots, moved to South America and lived there for more than a decade before meeting her mother in Colombia, South America.
Proven
Experience &
Integrity
A proud product of the public school system - attending PS 17, JHS 126, and Long Island City H.S. in Astoria - she has proven that children who are educated in public schools can excel and reach higher heights in their career and community.
Sharifa earned a law degree from Albany Law School and graduated cum laude from John Jay College with a bachelor’s degree. In 2008, she was admitted into the United States Court of Appeals 2nd Circuit and Southern and Eastern District of New York. In 2013, Sharifa founded her solo law practice, The Law Office of Sharifa Milena Nasser, P.C. In 2017, she began serving as a per diem judicial hearing officer for the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. In this role, she presides over administrative hearings between more than 25 city enforcement agencies and affected individuals. In 2021, Sharifa also began serving as an impartial hearing officer for the New York State Department of Education, where she adjudicates claims arising under the federal Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.
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Sharifa believes in the power of community, and she has surrounded herself with a community of associations that have helped sharpen her knowledge and skills as a fair and just legal professional. She is the current 2nd vice president of the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County, a delegate on behalf of the Queens County Bar Association (QCBA) for the New York State Bar Association House of Delegates, current member of the Board of Managers for the QCBA, and a committee member appointed by Mayor Adams to sit on the Mayor’s Committee on City Marshals. In addition, she previously sat on the Judicial Screening Committee and currently serves on the Attorney Grievance Committee for the QCBA.
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Sharifa has served in leadership positions and as a member of over a dozen professional organizations including:
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Hispanic National Bar Association
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New York State Bar Association
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New York State Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
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Queens County Women’s Bar Association
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Puerto Rican Bar Association
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Cafecito Network for Latina Attorneys
Current 2nd vice president of the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County
A delegate on behalf of the Queens County Bar Association (QCBA) for the New York State Bar Association House of Delegates
Current member of the Board of Managers for the QCBA
Committee Member on the Mayor’s Committee on City Marshals
Sharifa believes in the power of community, and she has surrounded herself with a community of associations that have helped sharpen her knowledge and skills as a fair and just legal professional.
A Heart
Of Service
Sharifa has a passion for helping others and is a shining example of “each one, teach one.”
She has volunteered countless hours to many endeavors, including as a:
Guest lecturer for John Jay College of Criminal Justice ACE Program
Street Law en Español for the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County
Speed mentoring participant for the Hispanic National Bar Association
Guest speaker for Career Day at Holy Family Elementary School
Guest judge for Young Debaters Club, LLC