When Elektra B. Yao Founded Yao Law Group in 2017, she wasn’t simply starting another law firm—she was pioneering a movement.
With a background in Communication Arts from Marymount Manhattan College in New York and active memberships in professional bodies such as the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association, and the New York City Bar Association, Elektra has spent her career building bridges between law, culture, and creativity.
Her journey began with a simple but urgent realization: too many artists and entrepreneurs lacked access to legal services designed to meet their unique needs. Immigration and entertainment law, while powerful tools, often felt out of reach.
Yao Law Group was created to change that narrative, and today, it has successfully represented clients from over 50 countries across fashion, film, music, dance, design, and beyond.
Driven by a Mission to Empower Creatives
At the heart of Yao Law Group is a mission rooted in integrity, compassion, and excellence. These principles guide the firm’s legal strategies and client relationships and contribute to an extraordinary 99% approval rate for O-1 visa petitions.
For Elektra, it’s not about paperwork; it’s about advocacy, ensuring that the world’s brightest creatives have access to opportunities that allow their talent to shine globally.
Leadership Defined by Mentorship and Empowerment
Elektra’s leadership style is defined by collaboration and empowerment. Since the firm’s founding, she has personally mentored more than 30 interns and junior associates, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in law, business, and the arts. “When my team thrives, our clients thrive,” she emphasizes, underscoring her belief that a law firm’s strength lies in the growth of its people.
Within Yao Law Group, the majority of leadership and staff are women, a reflection of Elektra’s dedication to creating space for women to lead and innovate. Her approach to mentorship extends well beyond the office, with speaking engagements, university panels, and community events where she uplifts aspiring women and minority professionals.
Areas of Practice and Global Impact
Yao Law Group specializes in four core areas:
- Artist Visas
- Entertainment Law
- Business Law
- Intellectual Property
The firm’s impact is both profound and practical. From securing U.S. visas for high-profile musicians and award-winning filmmakers to negotiating contracts for fashion designers featured in Vogue and visual artists showcased at the Venice Biennale, Yao Law Group safeguards the rights and futures of global creatives.
Beyond legal victories, Elektra views her work as creating pathways for cultural exchange and professional sustainability—bridging gaps between nations, industries, and communities.
Staying Ahead in an Evolving Legal Landscape
In a world where immigration policies and industry standards are constantly changing, Elektra remains proactive. She closely tracks policy shifts, adapts strategies, and ensures her team is equipped to respond to evolving requirements.
When O-1 visa petitions faced stricter standards, for instance, the firm developed innovative legal strategies that preserved its success rate while continuing to represent nontraditional clients such as digital creators and multidisciplinary artists.
This adaptability ensures Yao Law Group remains not just relevant but indispensable.
Building Authentic Partnerships with Creatives Worldwide
More than 500 clients globally have worked with Yao Law Group, and over 70% of new business comes through referrals. That statistic tells a bigger story: Elektra and her team build authentic, long-lasting relationships.
The firm doesn’t just provide legal counsel; it invests in clients’ dreams, understanding their vision and crafting strategies to protect and expand it. This personal, relationship-driven approach has become a cornerstone of Yao Law Group’s reputation in the legal community.
Empowering Women and Championing Diversity in Law
As a recognized woman leader in law, Elektra has been featured in Enterprise World, Fox Magazine, and Women’s Daily Magazine for her trailblazing role. She is a vocal advocate for women’s advancement and diversity in the legal profession.
For Elektra, diversity isn’t just a value—it’s a professional advantage. “The law becomes stronger and more relevant when it reflects the communities it serves,” she explains.
Representing clients from over 50 nationalities, Yao Law Group embraces cultural fluency as a strength, reshaping industries that have long lacked representation.
Community Engagement and Mentorship
Elektra’s commitment extends to initiatives that empower the next generation of legal professionals. She has mentored dozens of aspiring lawyers, provided internships for women and minority law students, and regularly shares her expertise at universities and public forums. These initiatives ensure that tomorrow’s leaders see themselves reflected in today’s successes.
Looking Ahead: A Global Vision
For 2025 and beyond, Elektra has ambitious plans. Yao Law Group is exploring partnerships in Europe and Asia to broaden its international presence while deepening its roots in New York. Personally, Elektra is dedicated to advancing cultural diplomacy, using law as a tool to connect, protect, and amplify voices across borders.
Her long-term goal is to establish Yao Law Group as the leading law firm for creatives worldwide.
Words of Wisdom for Future Leaders
To the next generation of women entrepreneurs and lawyers, Elektra offers advice born of experience:
- Resilience and authenticity are your greatest assets.
- Remember that setbacks are not failures; they’re lessons.
- Surround yourself with mentors and allies who will champion your vision. The path may not be linear, but it will be uniquely yours.
Above all, she encourages women to embrace their power unapologetically: “Don’t be afraid to take up space and create your own version of success.”
A Personal Mantra
Elektra’s guiding mantra encapsulates her mission: “Creativity is the catalyst for change, and the law is the framework that protects it.”
This belief fuels her work—protecting ideas and innovations that shape culture and move the world forward.
About Yao Law Group
Founded in 2017, Yao Law Group is a boutique law firm based in New York, specializing in immigration, entertainment, business, and intellectual property law for creatives and entrepreneurs. Led by Elektra B. Yao, the firm has represented clients from over 50 countries, maintaining a 99% approval rate for O-1 visa petitions.
With a philosophy grounded in integrity, compassion, and excellence, Yao Law Group continues to empower artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs worldwide.
Company Details
- Company Name: Yao Law Group PLLC
- Founding Year: 2017
- Office Locations: 143 West 29th Street, Ste. 1101, New York, NY 10001
- Official Website: https://yaolawgroup.com/
- LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yaolawgroup/posts/?feedView=all
- Industry/ Sector: Immigration Law Firm
Leader’s Profile
- Name of the Featured Leader: Elektra B. Yao, Esq.
- Designation: Founder and Managing Attorney
- Brief Background & Experience:
Elektra is a very active attorney and is a member of The American Immigration Lawyers Association, Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyer Association, and The New York City Bar Association, where she is a member of several committees. As a multicultural attorney with immigrant parents from Italy and Côte d’Ivoire, Elektra is fully fluent in French, Italian, and Spanish. She has lived, studied, and worked internationally in the US, the EU, and Africa.
Company Highlights
- Key Services/Offerings: Yao Law Group is a New York-based law firm that specializes in providing legal services for artists, offering customized solutions to help them develop their brand and monetize their work across various practice areas. They specialize in O-1B, O-1A, EB-1A, Marriage-based Green Card, and AOS.
- Major Achievements or Recognitions:
- 99% Approval Rate
- 1,000+ Cases won
- Yao Law Group received more than 30+ prestigious awards and honors from distinguished organizations.
- Yao Law Group caters to 100+ different artistic professions.
- Yao Law Group is an international immigration law firm that works with artists from different countries.
- Featured in several major national and international publications such as The Enterprise World, The Fox Magazine, Lawyer Minds, Women Daily Magazine, Canvas Rebel, US Today, CEO Weekly, and MSN.