Our Firm
Who We Are
JW Law Firm, PLLC is a law firm built around immigrants and the families who depend on them. Our name carries our promise: justice, guided by wisdom.
Legal problems are stressful, especially when your status, your family or your future is at stake. We slow things down, explain your options, and help you choose a path you understand.
- Clear answers at every step
- Careful, thorough case preparation
- Respect for every client and every story
- Steady updates from start to finish
What We Do
Three focused practice areas: immigration law, estate planning and family law.
Immigration Law
Removal defense, asylum and humanitarian protection, bond hearings, court motions, and family-based immigration.
Estate Planning (North Dakota)
Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, wealth preservation and business succession, with remote services available.
Family Law (North Dakota)
Uncontested divorce, child custody, parenting plans and settlement agreements, with remote services available.
Meet Our Team
A small team that knows your name and your case.
Woodly Claircius Fenelus, Esq.
Attorney Woodly Claircius Fenelus is the Founder and Managing Attorney of JW Law Firm, PLLC. Born in Haiti, she immigrated to the United States at the age of ten, an experience that taught her the importance of having someone willing to advocate for you when the stakes are high.
Her legal career has taken her through different sides of the justice system, including service as an Administrative Law Judge, Hearing Officer, Judicial Law Clerk, and in prosecutorial and public defense roles. She holds a J.D. from the University of North Dakota School of Law and an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Attorney Fenelus is particularly passionate about immigration and removal defense, where the outcome of a case can profoundly affect an individual’s safety, freedom, and future. She also helps North Dakota clients with estate planning and family law.
She is licensed in North Dakota and admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court, and her New Jersey bar admission is pending. She speaks English and Haitian Creole fluently and is proficient in French.
Beyond the courtroom, she is a wife and mother of four, and her Christian faith guides her commitment to serving others with integrity, compassion, and excellence.
Mardea H. George, Esq.
Mardea H. George has practiced law since 2022. She is licensed in Missouri and Utah, and handles immigration matters in Tennessee and nationwide. She is also the Founding and Managing Attorney of The George-Law Firm, LLC.
She earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2014 and a Juris Doctor from the Charleston School of Law in Charleston, South Carolina in 2019.
Mardea is a member of the Ben F. Jones Chapter of the National Bar Association, The Missouri Bar Fee Dispute Resolution Program and the Missouri Complaint Resolution Program.
Many people seek legal counsel during some of the most uncertain moments of their lives. Mardea believes deeply in advocating for those who may otherwise feel unheard, and in making sure every client receives careful attention, strategic preparation and responsive communication. She listens carefully before advising, prepares thoroughly before acting, and communicates clearly at every stage.
Outside the practice of law, Mardea enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends. She is a child of God, and her faith informs her commitment to integrity, compassion and purpose.
Rosie Bigabwa
Rosie Bigabwa is a foreign-licensed attorney and experienced immigration law professional with more than 10 years of experience in U.S. immigration law. She holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C.
Throughout her career, Rosie has served as a Senior Immigration Law Consultant and Senior Law Clerk. Her experience covers asylum and humanitarian protection, removal and deportation defense, family-based immigration, VAWA, adjustment of status, waivers, USCIS applications and petitions, EOIR proceedings, motions, appeals and detained immigration matters.
She has worked with individuals and families from many countries and backgrounds, including complex cases involving persecution, human-rights violations, detention and threats. Beyond preparing forms, Rosie brings deep experience in case strategy, legal research, pleadings and motions, declarations, evidence development, country-conditions research, and hearing and appeal preparation. She cares about helping clients tell their stories well and making sure every relevant fact is fully developed.
Rosie’s work is grounded in her Christian faith, which inspires her commitment to serving others with integrity, compassion, dignity and excellence. She believes every client deserves respect, and that good advocacy begins with listening.
Rosie is currently pursuing admission to the U.S. bar and works in collaboration with U.S.-licensed attorneys, consistent with applicable professional and ethical requirements.
Shavette Clarke-Fenelus
Shavette Clarke-Fenelus is a Certified Senior Paralegal at JW Law Firm, PLLC, bringing two years of legal experience and more than five years of management and leadership experience to the firm.
Originally from Jamaica, Shavette brings a diverse cultural perspective and a strong commitment to serving individuals and families navigating the legal process. She earned a Certificate in Paralegal Studies from George Mason University and has developed experience in case management, legal document preparation, client communication, and law firm operations.
In her role, Shavette works closely with attorneys to coordinate case preparation, organize legal documents, manage deadlines, and ensure clients receive attentive and professional support. Her leadership experience, organizational skills, and attention to detail contribute to the firm’s commitment to efficient and compassionate client service.
Shavette believes that every client deserves to be treated with dignity, patience, and respect. She takes pride in helping individuals and families feel informed, supported, and confident throughout their legal matters.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Shavette is a devoted wife and mother who values family, education, and personal growth. She aspires to continue her legal education and pursue a career as an attorney.
John Clerge
John Clerge serves as Office Administrator at JW Law Firm, PLLC, bringing a background in business administration, tax preparation and paralegal studies. He approaches his work with an emphasis on clear communication, organization and attentive client service.
A graduate of the U.S. Career Institute’s paralegal program, John combines his paralegal training with practical experience working with individuals, families and business owners. His professional background also includes real estate, insurance and notarial services, giving him a broad perspective on the administrative and financial concerns clients may face when seeking legal assistance.
At JW Law Firm, John’s focus is on supporting the firm’s administrative operations and helping clients navigate their interactions with the office. He values timely communication, careful attention to documentation, and a welcoming environment where clients feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their concerns. He works in an administrative and support capacity, with legal advice and representation provided by the firm’s attorney.
Fluent in English and Haitian Creole, John places particular value on helping clients communicate in the language they feel most comfortable using. He recognizes that unfamiliar processes and language barriers can make an already stressful situation more difficult, and he strives to make each interaction clear, respectful and approachable.
As an entrepreneur and service professional, John understands the importance of trust, responsiveness and personal attention. He brings those values to his work at JW Law Firm, supporting the firm’s commitment to serving its clients with professionalism and care.
Ready to talk about your case?
Every case starts with listening. Tell us what you are facing and we will walk you through your options.
Take the next step today.
Talk with our team about your immigration, estate planning or family law matter.