Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
Margarita Tarkalanova is an accomplished immigration attorney currently serving at Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area since May 2023. Previously, Margarita held the position of Associate Attorney at Velter Yurovsky Zoftis Sokolson, LLC from October 2020 to September 2022, and worked as an Immigration Attorney at Wu & Hung Law from January 2019 to August 2020, as well as at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. from April 2018 to October 2018. Margarita also gained valuable experience as an Associate at Wong Fleming from March 2017 to March 2018, an Unlicensed Activity Analyst at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation from June 2013 to November 2014, and as a Certified Legal Intern at the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office in June 2011. Earlier internships included a position at the Florida Office of the Attorney General and an administrative role at the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. Margarita earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law (2009-2012) and holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Anthropology and Russian Language and Literature from the University of Florida (2005-2009).
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
Since 1917, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), a human services and immigration relief and refugee welcome agency, has accompanied those in need throughout Maryland, Virginia, and the Washington D.C. metro area to foster resiliency, self-sufficiency, and access to opportunities by creating, connecting with, and engaging welcoming communities. Motivated daily by our belief in the inherent dignity of all, LSSNCA’s innovative participant-informed programs serve refugees, forced migrants, immigrants, children and youth, and underserved communities by filling in the gaps. Piloting initiatives like the area’s first camp for kids impacted by the HIV/AIDS crisis, originating local pro se asylum workshops for Afghan Allies, launching a Resource Center to serve as a community hub for all recently arrived program participants, and backing an array of ongoing mental health support services, alongside community partners, LSSNCA strives to create an inclusive community of well-being where people thrive.