Bertha Alicia Zuniga

PRO

Bertha Alicia Zuniga

also known as Bertha A. Zuniga

4.9
Rating: 9.7

Licensed for 45 years

Immigration Lawyer at San Antonio, TX
Practice Areas: Immigration

2619 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, TX

Virtual Consultation Available

About Bertha

Biography

2024 Avvo Client's Choice Award. Most experienced in complex immigration cases. U.S. Immigration Judge, retired. Board Certified. Award for "Warrior Advocate", Immigration and Nationality Law Section, State Bar of Texas, due to effective representation in complex immigration removal matters.

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Immigration 100%

100%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Awards

Distinguished Peer Review Rating
Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2025 2024 2023
...
+ 8

Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 45 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1980

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Location

ZUNIGA LAW, PLLC

2619 McCullough Ave., San Antonio, TX, 78212

avvo.com/attorneys/78212-tx-bertha-zuniga-142807.html

Bertha Alicia Zuniga's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

155 Client Reviews

Posted by pablo flores | December 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

En agradecimiento

persona muy profesional y seria en todo su trabajo ,mi famila y un servidor estamos muy contentos con todo el trabajo de ella ,simpre hablando con la verdad en el casó ,personal mente es la mejor en lo que hace yo la recomiendo 100% gracias por reunirme con mi famila

Posted by Donna | November 18, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

A Life-Changing Immigration Attorney Forever Grateful

There are not enough words to express the gratitude my family and I have for Bertha Zuniga. From the very first day, she was honest, direct, and unwavering. She didn’t sugar-coat anything or tell us what we wanted to hear she told us the truth, even when it was difficult. And in the moments when fear... and doubt felt overwhelming, her strength and confidence held us together. She is demanding, yes but every demand had purpose. Every instruction was part of a larger plan. She is calculating, strategic, and absolutely brilliant. She sees what others miss, she prepares for every possible outcome, and she fights with everything she has. When she walks into a courtroom, you feel protected. You feel like you have someone extraordinary in your corner. We followed her directions step by step, trusting her process completely, and because of that trust and her unmatched dedication, we won our case. She didn’t just represent us she changed the course of our lives. My husband is home, our family is whole again, and we will never forget what she has done for us. The impact she left on us is so powerful that my daughter now says she wants to be like her one day—to fight for families, to change lives, and to stand up for those who need a voice. That is the kind of inspiration this incredible woman carries with her. Thank you, from the deepest part of our hearts. We will cherish you forever.

Posted by Liz | August 25, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Best Immigration Lawyer

The best immigration lawyer! Thanks to her, my family and I were finally able to bring our mother back home. She is truly amazing—highly professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated. Yes, she asked for a lot of documentation, but if you truly commit to gathering everything she needs, she will win the c...ase. Zuniga knows exactly what she's doing. She's simply the best of the best. I would recommend her 100%. Thank you so much for everything you did for my family—we are forever grateful!

Posted by Natacha | August 25, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

From Immigrant to Judge to Advocate – The Attorney You Need

Attorney Bertha A. Zuniga is one of the most extraordinary immigration attorneys you could ever hope to work with. She knows this field like no one else because she has lived it, shaped it, and continues to fight for people every day. An immigrant herself, she came to the United States from Mexico at... the age of nine and has dedicated over 44 years of her life to immigration law. In 1995, she made history as the first Mexican-American woman appointed as an Immigration Judge in El Paso, Texas, and went on to serve for 20 years on the bench before returning to private practice. That experience alone sets her apart — she has seen this system from every angle. Working with Ms. Zuniga, you immediately see her strength and intelligence. She is tough, direct, and uncompromising in her standards, which is exactly what you want in an attorney handling something as serious as immigration court. She doesn’t waste time with empty promises — she gives you the truth, clear instructions, and the confidence that comes from decades of experience. At the same time, she never disrespects or dismisses her clients. She treats you with fairness and professionalism, and she understands the human side of these cases in a way only someone who has lived it can. What mattered most to me was that she made us feel seen. We never felt like just another case on her desk. She took the time to understand our story, answered our questions with patience, and carried herself with the confidence of someone who knows exactly how to guide a family through the hardest chapter of their lives. In moments where I felt overwhelmed and powerless, she was steady and clear, reminding me that we had a path forward. Because of the complexity of my husband’s case, I honestly don’t believe another attorney could have achieved what she did. He was detained, and against the odds, she secured his release on bond — one of the very few Venezuelans to be granted that opportunity. That outcome changed everything for our family. I will never forget the moment it was granted: the relief, the tears, the disbelief that after weeks of fear and uncertainty, we were finally bringing him home. That was not luck. That was the result of Ms. Zuniga’s preparation, presence, and skill in the courtroom. She carried herself with authority, and it was clear the judge respected her. She knew exactly what to present, what to emphasize, and how to advocate so powerfully that the decision could not be ignored. Even beyond the courtroom, she has been a steady anchor for us. She has treated us with dignity, answered our endless questions, and never once made us feel like a burden. She is efficient, professional, and laser-focused, but she also has the empathy of someone who understands how deeply these cases affect real families. I came into this process scared and exhausted, but with her by our side, I finally felt like I wasn’t alone. She gave me back the strength to keep showing up every single day for my husband and for our future. Our journey with her is not over — in fact, this is just the beginning. We know the road ahead is still long, but we also know we are keeping her through it all. Once you have someone like Attorney Zuniga on your side, you don’t let go. She has earned our loyalty, our gratitude, and our deepest respect. If you are reading this because you are unsure of which attorney to trust with something as serious as immigration, let me make this decision easier for you: choose her. Do not waste time second-guessing. Attorney Bertha A. Zuniga is smart, tough, and unmatched in her field. She has walked this road herself, she has sat on the bench as a judge, and she now fights for families with the same courage and determination that made her a trailblazer in the first place. She is not only the attorney you want — she is the attorney you need. Eternally grateful, Natacha Melani Rousseau and Vinicio Enrique Alvarez Nava

Posted by Edith | August 18, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excelente Abogada.

100% recomendada, hoy gracias a Dios y a ella puedo caminar tranquila en US. La abogada Bertha Zuñiga es honesta, ruda y sin rodeos, si eres de piel delicada ella no es para ti, pero si buscas una buena abogada con experiencia y que te diga la verdad y sin rodeos la abogada Bertha es para ti, si el...la te acepta y la contratas va a luchar por ti y tarde o temprano vas a mirar los resultados. Si tienes un caso difícil que mejor que ella con su experiencia de haber sido Jueza de migración tantos años para decirte la verdad si puedes o no arreglar, muchos abogados te dicen mentiras o te sacan o se van con tu dinero en cambio la abogada Bertha siempre te va a hablar con la verdad aunque no escuches lo que quisieras oír. Esperó que tú el que está leyendo este post y te animes a contratarla un día puedas ir con tu green card o ciudadanía y toques esa campana en su oficina y sientas la energía positiva que tiene. Gracias, muchas gracias Abogada Bertha Zuñiga por su excelente trabajó.

See All Client Reviews

Bertha Alicia Zuniga's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Bertha
Michael Anthony Morgan headshot
Michael Morgan

Immigration lawyer | Mar 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Bertha Zuniga's reputation precedes her and she is deserving of every ounce of sweeping approval and respect that she has earned in the legal community. Bertha is a tireless fighter and an equally compassionate counselor. When you hire Bertha, rest assured, she will channel all her energy to bust through barriers and to open doors for her clients. Make no mistake when it comes to legal wisdom; Bertha's engine is fueled by more than 3 decades of irreplaceable experience. I have conferred with Bertha on a number of complicated immigration matters and I am indebted to her for the selfless mentorship she's offered. I am proud to endorse this attorney."

Linda Alice Brandmiller headshot
Linda Brandmiller

Immigration lawyer | Jun 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Can't say enough wonderful things about Bertha Zuniga. Her knowledge and experience make her a great attorney and combined with her passion and compassion she is a phenomenal advocate! She is particularly well-versed in asylum and detention issues and I can't recommend her highly enough. She will do WHATEVER she can to assist a client!"

View All Endorsements
Bashir Ghazialam headshot
Bashir Ghazialam

Immigration lawyer

Gerard Jesus Perches headshot
Gerard Perches

Criminal defense lawyer

Michael Anthony Morgan headshot
Michael Morgan

Immigration lawyer

Marlene Gonzalez-Ruiz headshot
Marlene Gonzalez-Ruiz

Immigration lawyer

Linda Alice Brandmiller headshot
Linda Brandmiller

Immigration lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.7 (Superb)

Honors

2024

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2024

Board Certified - Immigration and Nationality Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

2023

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2023

Board Certified - Immigration and Nationality Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

2022

Board Certified - Immigration and Nationality Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

2022

"Warrior Advocate", Texas State Bar, Immigration and Nationality Law Section

2022

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2021

Board Certified - Immigration and Nationality Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

2021

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2020

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2018

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Outstanding Woman of Distinction Award Recipient for 2017, The Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC)

2016

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Board Certified - Immigration and Nationality Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

2015

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2015

Board Certified - Immigration and Nationality Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

2014

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2013

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Work Experience

2015 - Present

Attorney, ZUNIGA LAW, PLLC

1995 - 2015

United States Immigration Judge, U.S. Department Of Justice

1980 - 1995

Attorney, Law Office of Bertha A. Zuniga

Associations

2015 - Present

Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit

Member

2015 - Present

Houston Bar Association

Member

2015 - Present

National Immigrant Rights Project

Member

2010 - Present

Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Board Certified Immigration and Nationality Law

2015 - 2015

American Immigration Lawyers Associatoin

Member

Education

1979

Indiana University School of Law

Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.)

1975

University of Texas at El Paso

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2017

State Bar of Texas, Immigration and Nationality Law Section Spring Conference

Representing Your Client In Immigration Court

2017

10th Annual Women's Conference

Women Empowerment

2016

2016 Annual AILA Conference

Present Impact of Family Immigration History

2015

Houston Immigration Practitioners Meeting

Crimes Involving Moral Turpitude

2012

University of Texas School of Law

Practicing in Immigration Court

2010

Political Asylum Project of Austin

How to Present and Asylum Case

2008

University of Texas School of Law Annual Immigration Conference

Aggravated Felonies

Publications

2000

Aggrqavated Felony Outline Aggravated Felony Outline

Languages

Spanish

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution