Instructor

Teodora Purcell J.D., LLM

Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization

Bio

Teodora D. Purcell is an immigrant and licensed attorney in both Bulgaria and California, bringing a distinct international perspective to her practice. She is a certified specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law and holds an LL.M. in Comparative Law from the University of San Diego, as well as a law degree in International Law and Juris Doctor equivalent from Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” in Bulgaria.
With extensive experience across all facets of immigration law, Ms. Purcell advises clients in industries such as technology, life sciences, biotech, and innovation on global mobility and business immigration matters. She also represents startups, scientists, individuals in family immigration, asylum, naturalization, investor cases, and advises employers on immigration compliance.

Ms. Purcell is the founding partner of Purcell Law APC, a boutique immigration law firm in San Diego, and has been a faculty member of the UC San Diego ABA-Approved Paralegal Program since 2013. She remains active in professional and community organizations and is a frequent speaker on immigration law and policy issues.

Her legal expertise, immigrant perspective, and commitment to pro bono advocacy have earned widespread recognition. She has been honored as a Thompson Reuters Super Lawyer in Immigration Law (2016–2025), Best Lawyers in America, Immigration Law (2024), and one of the Top 25 Women Lawyers in San Diego, Super Lawyers (2019–2021). Other accolades include the KPBS Local Hero Award for Women’s History Month (2016), the American Immigration Lawyers Association San Diego Pro Bono Award (2016), the Global Awards Winner in Relocation (2016), Casa Cornelia Law Center Distinguished Pro Bono Attorney of the Year (2015), and recognition among the Top Attorneys in Immigration Law by the San Diego Daily Transcript (2014).