Meet The Faculty

Tamaira Rivera, Esq.
Founder of Court Mentor

BIOGRAPHY

Tamaira Rivera is the founder of Immigration Court Mentor, LLC. She brings three decades of extensive litigation experience. She has held notable positions including Unit Chief Immigration Judge at the Richmond Immigration Adjudication Center, Assistant Chief Counsel for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in San Antonio, Texas, and Orlando, Florida, alongside roles as an immigration solo practitioner and military prosecutor.

Tamaira identified a need for personalized coaching in trial advocacy for immigration attorneys. With her wealth of experience and profound understanding of immigration court dynamics, Tamaira offers invaluable guidance and support to fellow legal professionals navigating the complexities of immigration proceedings.

Tamaira holds degrees from Florida State University (BS), California Western School of Law (JD), and The George Washington University Law School (LL.M). She is licensed in Florida and Washington DC and actively participates in the Central Florida AILA and is in the Board of Directors for the Orlando Center for Justice. Additionally, Tamaira proudly served in the United States Air Force.

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Monique Carreras-Amadeo, J.D.

BIOGRAPHY

Monique Carreras is an immigration attorney, former U.S. Immigration Judge, and legal educator dedicated to advancing high-quality, ethical, and strategic representation in immigration court. After graduating magna cum laude from law school, she built a career in private practice representing families, individuals, and employers in complex immigration matters, including removal defense, humanitarian relief, waivers, and federal litigation.

In February 2022, Monique was appointed as a U.S. Immigration Judge, serving in Texas until September 2025. In that role, she presided over thousands of cases and developed a reputation for approaching each matter with careful attention to the law, thoughtful analysis of the facts, and deep respect for due process. Her experience on the bench now informs her work in private practice, where she brings a unique, insider perspective to courtroom strategy, case presentation, and evidentiary development.

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Shelly Schools, J.D.

BIOGRAPHY

Shelly W. Schools served as an Immigration Judge for six years in Fort Worth, Texas. She presided over more than 4,000 hearings, adjudicating applications for asylum, cancellation of removal, and adjustment of status. Shelly is also a proud Air Force veteran who retired from active duty in 2019 as a Colonel. As a judge advocate, she served as a prosecutor, defense counsel, appellate defense counsel, military justice instructor, military judge, and Chief Trial Judge of the Air Force. Shelly currently serves as an adjunct professor of law with Purdue Global Law School and is Of Counsel to Contigo.Law in Utah.

Shelly has extensive experience with all aspects of trial preparation and trial advocacy. She is available for mentoring on all matters related to trial strategy, case preparation and presentation, and trial advocacy, regardless of case type. Shelly obtained her undergraduate degree and JD from the University of Mississippi and is licensed to practice law in Mississippi.

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Philip Barr

BIOGRAPHY

Philip Barr (FACULTY EMERITUS), a retired United States Immigration Judge, brings over 20 years of experience in immigration law. He served for three years at the Atlanta West Peachtree Street Immigration Court.

Before his judgeship, Judge Barr spent eleven years as an Assistant Chief Counsel for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Port Isabel, Texas, San Antonio, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to his government service, he practiced law privately in Birmingham, specializing in immigration and criminal defense.

Before his legal career, Judge Barr worked as a journalist at various newspapers in Texas and the Southeast. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and the Birmingham School of Law.

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