Ever since childhood, Renee Hykel Cuddy, Esq. has been passionate about helping others. While attending law school, Renee Hykel Cuddy ambitiously trained and competed around the globe as an international Olympic athlete for the U.S. Olympic Rowing Team. She competed for the United States for six years and won several international medals. She brings this same tenacity to her law firm by doing everything she can to win your immigration or family law case. Through her athletic experiences, Ms. Hykel Cuddy developed an understanding of the benefits of diverse culture in business, as well as a passion for uniting families. Hiring Hykel Law is like having Olympic-level legal representation. Through the years, Renee Hykel Cuddy’s vision and sense of purpose have never wavered. She founded Hykel Law Firm with a mission of helping foreign immigrants enjoy the same freedoms, aspirations, and opportunities enjoyed by U.S. citizens. Ms. Hykel Cuddy maintains resilient integrity, honesty, and aggressive defense on behalf of all the individuals and families in greater Philadelphia whom she has the pleasure of representing. When other lawyers throw in the towel, get in touch with Renee Hykel Cuddy, Esq., founder and managing attorney of Hykel Law.

Cristiane Lucena, who prefers to go by Cris, is a Brazilian-born attorney with over two decades of experience navigating complex legal systems across two continents. She began her legal career in Brazil as a labor and employment attorney, and she also clerked for justices at the Labor Regional Court in Paraná. After relocating to the United States, Cris earned her Master of Laws (LL.M.) in U.S. law from the University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) in 2020 and passed the Texas Bar Exam during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cris discovered her passion for immigration law while working as a student attorney at UHLC, where she advocated for vulnerable individuals facing overwhelming legal challenges. Since then, she has dedicated her career to immigration law, proudly supporting diverse communities—including Afghan nationals paroled into the U.S. due to the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Her work is marked by compassion, diligence, and a deep understanding of the immigrant experience. In 2023, Cris moved to Philadelphia and joined Hykel Law in May 2025. She is excited to continue helping immigrants achieve stability and opportunity, with a special commitment to serving the Brazilian community in the Philadelphia area. Outside the office, Cris loves the thrill of roller coasters and enjoys outdoor adventures, such as hiking, biking, and exploring nature trails. She’s an avid traveler who values time with friends and family, and she’s always happy to wind down with her beloved cat, Kobe.