Chartrisse A. Adlam is the Senior Partner at the Law Offices of David M. Sperling, a premier Long Island Law Firm that specializes in Immigration Law. Ms. Adlam has over 25 years of experience in Immigration and Family Law. Ms. Adlam began her legal career at the federal government through the Attorney General’s Honors Program (Immigration and Naturalization Service). She was a Senior Assistant Chief Counsel with the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New York City handling deportation and removal cases. There, Ms. Adlam litigated many cases in Immigration Court including “special interest” and high-profile media cases. Prior to joining the federal government and practicing law, Ms. Adlam was a New York State Certified Social Worker working with children and families in the family court system.
After 11 years with INS/DHS Ms. Adlam opened her own law firm practicing Immigration and Family Law. Ms. Adlam handled a significant amount of immigration cases that involved women and child who have often been victims of sexual and physical abuse in their home countries. She was also a member of the Family Court Assigned Panel in Brooklyn where she handled neglect, abuse, juvenile delinquency cases and custody/visitation cases.
Ms. Adlam has been an active member of numerous professional organizations over the years and served the community in various ways. She is a member of the American Immigration Law Association – New York Chapter, Suffolk County Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, and the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association. She is a past Immigration Section Chair for the National Bar Association. For 3 years she was a board member for the Protestant Board of Guardians Inc., a social service organization that provides family preservation and foster care services. She has served as a pro bono attorney for In Motion for Women, New York County Lawyer’s Association – Monday Night law Project and handled bankruptcy cases for the Pro Bono Consumer Bankruptcy Project for The Association of the Bar of the City of New York.
Ms. Adlam, a 2023 Power Woman of Long Island award recipient, is also the Vice-President and Community Service Chair for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. – Suffolk County Graduate Chapter. Her contributions to the community are further reflected in her membership with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. – Long Island Chapter, where she actively advocates for the empowerment of women. Moreover, Ms. Adlam’s dedication to youth development is evident as she was an active committee member for Boys Scouts Pack 625 and Troop 560, where she played a critical role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Ms. Adlam received her Bachelor’s degree from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, her Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University and her Juris Doctorate from New York Law School. She is admitted to the New York State Bar.
