About
Hernando A. Montoya
Founder │ New York-Licensed Attorney
I am a New York-licensed attorney advising entrepreneurs, investors, and families across Europe on U.S. business formation and immigration. My practice is focused exclusively on clients who operate across both sides of the Atlantic and need U.S. legal work handled with clarity, structure, and efficiency.
- Bar AdmissionsNew York
- LanguagesEnglish · Spanish · German
- Professional MembershipsNew York State Bar AssociationAmerican Immigration Lawyers Association
- Legal EducationJuris Doctor, University of Virginia School of Law
Background
Before entering full-time legal practice, I built and operated an international travel and tourism business serving clients across Europe and the United States. That work required managing cross-border operations, coordinating with partners and distributors across European markets, and serving a large client base across multiple time zones. I understand what it takes to build and run a business in Europe while maintaining transatlantic commercial relationships.
That experience shapes how I practice. I approach U.S. legal matters with an understanding of the practical realities Europe-based founders and operators face: the operational timelines, the capital considerations, and the complexity of navigating two different business environments at once.
Why This Practice
U.S. immigration and business formation are consequential decisions. An E-2 visa requires a substantial investment and a credible structure. An L-1 transfer often reshapes a company's international management. A Delaware entity is often the first step into the U.S. market. A spouse or fiancé(e) visa determines when a couple can start their life together in the U.S. Each decision calls for judgment and structure.
I focus on this specific intersection (Europe-based clients, U.S. business and immigration law) because it is where my legal training, language capabilities, and operational background converge.
How the Practice Works
Valstone Law is a boutique practice. Every matter is handled directly by me from the initial consultation through to completion.
There are no case managers, no delegation, no hand-offs. Fees are fixed and agreed upon upfront: no hourly billing, no surprises.
The practice is intentionally selective. I do not take high-volume consumer immigration work or commodity filings. The clients I work with are founders, investors, executives, and internationally mobile families who value direct access, clear communication, and structured execution.
If that describes your situation, schedule a consultation.
Practice Areas
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa · L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa · Delaware C-Corp and LLC Formation · Spouse and Fiancé(e) Visas (CR-1/IR-1, K-1)
Bar Admissions
New York
Professional Memberships
New York State Bar Association
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
Education
Juris Doctor (J.D.), University of Virginia School of Law
Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.), University of Miami
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), University of Miami
Languages
English · Spanish · German