I have been practicing law in Arizona and California since 1990, and have devoted my career to helping people who need immigration help. My practice includes all types of immigration matters. We handle deportation cases, bonds, appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, family petitions, work permits, and labor certifications and non-immigrant visas.
It is my goal to serve the needs of my clients, and to solve their problems as best I can. I also speak Spanish and German.
I have had experience trying cases throughout Arizona, California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Texas and New York, including Federal District Court and several Circuit Courts. I have in-depth experience before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on a number of appellate cases.
I am a member of the following Professional Associations: Former Vice-President, American Immigration Lawyers Association, AZ Chapter; Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association, San Diego & Arizona Chapters; Member, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, AILA, AZ Chapter; Former Member, Immigration Section, State Bar of Arizona
Being a lawyer has helped me contribute to my community in many ways. I had the privilege of serving with the following organizations and charitable activities: Board Member, Foster Care Review Board (FCRB), Grace Point Church, Usher, Audio/Visual, Honduras Mission, Kids Choir, Tijuana Schools Mission, Homeless Outreach, Salvation Army, Cesar Chavez School Mission, Homeless Outreach; YMCA, Florence Immigrant Rights Project (FIRRP); Feed My Starving Children, Red Mountain Christian Center, Adult Bible Study; 2007, California Public Defenders Association: Representing Noncitizen Criminal Defendants, San Diego, CA; 2007, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers: Juveniles, Gangs, Immigration, San Diego, CA; 2014, Judge, Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, Scottsdale, AZ.
I have had the following published opinions in immigration law:
Moris Quiroz v. Sessions, No., 13-73967 (9th Cir. Aug. 29, 2018)
Pritam Kaur Taggar v. Holder, 736 F.3d 886 (9th Cir. 2013)
Vasquez de Alcantar v. Holder, 645 F.3d 1097 (9th Cir. 2011)
Eneh v. Holder, 601 F.3d 943 (9th Cir. 2010)
Chawla v. Holder, 599 F.3d 998 (9th Cir. 2010)
Uppal v. Holder, 605 F.3d 712 (9th Cir. 2010)
Trejo-Mejia v. Holder, 593 F.3d 913 (9th Cir. 2010)
Turcios v. Holder, 582 F.3d. 1075, (9th Cir. 2009), opin. wthdwn, 608 F.3d 491 (9th Cir. 2010)
Escobar v. Holder, 567 F.3d. 466 (9th Cir. 2009), vacated 572 F. 3d 957 (2009)
Marmelejo-Campos v. Mukasey, 519 F.3d 907 (9th Cir 2008)(en banc)
Aragon-Munoz, 520 F.3d 82 (1st Cr. 2008)
Nath v. Gonzales, 467 F.3d 1185 (9th Cir. 2006)
Salvatierra-Cermeno v. Gonzales, 404 F.3d 1119 (9th Cir. 2005);
Diaz-Ramos v. Gonzales, 404 F.3d 1118 (9th Cir. 2005);
Martinez-Garcia v. Ashcroft, 366 F.3d 732 (9th Cir. 2004);
Murillo-Espinoza v. INS, 261 F.3d 771 (9th Cir. 2001);
Albillo-Figueroa v. INS, 221 F. 3d. 1070 (9th Cir. 2000);
Cardenas-Uriarte v. INS, 227 F. 3d. 1132 (9th Cir. 2000);
Magana-Pizano v. INS, 152 F. 3d. 1213, as amend, 159 F. 3d. 1217, cert. granted, 526 U.S. 1001 (1999);
Magana-Pizano v. INS, 200 F. 3d. 603 (9th Cir. 1999)(Magana II);
Lafarga v. INS, 170 F.3d 1213 (9th Cir. 1999);
Sebastian-Sebastian v. INS, 195 F.3d 504 (9th Cir. 1999);
Kalaw v. INS, 133 F.3d 1147 (9th Cir. 1997);
Mendez-Tapia v. Sonchik, 998 F.Supp. 1105 (Dist. AZ 1998);
Matter of Escobar, 24 I&N Dec. 231 (BIA 2007);
Matter of A-S-B-, 24 I&N Dec. 493 (BIA 2008)
Matter of Andazola-Rivas, 23 I&N Dec. 319 (BIA 2002)
Matter of U-M-, 20 I&N Dec. 327 (BIA1991)
I enjoy being a lawyer, and I hope that I have a chance to help you with any legal needs you may have.
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Chat withState: New York
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
State: Connecticut
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
State: Arizona
Acquired: 1993
No misconduct found
141 E Palm Ln Ste 112, Phoenix, AZ, 85004-1554
945 4th Ave, Suite 301, San Diego, CA, 92101
343 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 23 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by Anna | November 09, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Immigration services
My husband and I are very pleased with the service that was provided to us by Christopher and his assistance Alma. Alma was excellent in guiding us through the process. Even checking on us while in Juarez, Mexico. We are very thankful for them and their help.
Posted by anonymous | May 29, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Liar!
I do remember, back in 1996 or so, back then it was stender & Larkin or something like that, they offered my ex wife to help her, only she need it to go to Nogales and and comeback to phoenix so inmigracion will arrested her, once she did that, I called them and they were so rude and they abandoned o...
I think your memory from 27 years ago is wrong and it is sad that you waited this long to falsely attack me.
Posted by Gael Dela Cruz | February 13, 2023
Recomendado
Es muy buen abogado y muy profesional en su trabajo ,me ayudó en todo momento y me explico cada uno de los pasos
Posted by Ana | January 24, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Residencia permanente
Yo quiero agradecer al abogado Christopher y a Carmen araiza q se porto muy profesional en mi caso, me dio todas las respuestas a mis dudas y me ayudó en todo momento durante mi proceso. Gracias a Dios ya soy residente de este gran país.. me siento más q agradecida con Dios y con ellos ..
Posted by Rene Chavez | January 02, 2023 | Hired Attorney
Feliz
Es un excelente abogado siempre muy atento a contester nuestras preguntas y nos ayudo en too momentous del process
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2011 - Present
Owner, Federal Immigration Counselors, AZ
2008 - 2011
Owner, Stender & Lappin
2004 - 2008
Owner, Stender & Pope, PC
1993 - 2004
Owner, Stender & Larkin
1990 - 1993
Attorney, Immigration & Naturalization Service
1994 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
Granted
Denied
Denied
withdrawn
Granted
Granted
Granted
Transferred
Vacated
1990
Juris Prudence
1987
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1986
Undergraduate
2014
Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition
2007
Juveniles, Gangs, Immigration
2007
Representing Noncitizen Criminal Defendants,
Spanish
German
English