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 8 reviews | Trustworthiness
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 Yamilet | January 16, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Excellent Service
One of the Best Immigration law firms in Phoenix Arizona starting an immigration process is very scary and overwhelming hiring an attorney to guide you and be there was the best decision I could have made this firm is very attentive to the client and always willing to help Thank You for taking care o...
Posted by Maria Valdez | October 10, 2022
Recomendadisimo
Abogado muchas gracias por su dedicacion y por resolver todo muy rapido y sobre todo por darme la tranquilidad de que todo quede en orden y conforme ala ley.
Posted by Carlos | February 18, 2022 | Immigration
Confiables y excelentes
Los reconocimiendo son muy responsables para su trabajo y bien dedicados gracias por el apoyo cuando tuve el problema de inmigración, por el papeleo rápido.
Posted by anonymous | October 27, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Excellent Lawyer
This is a very honest group of lawyers this lawyer stood out to me because of a case of immigration this lawyer was able to defend my son and get him out of immigration I definently recommend this lawyer and he also has an excellent assistant (Maria Acosta) she is very communicative and attentive wit...
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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