Former USCIS Officer * US Military Veteran
As the daughter of immigrant parents, and as a veteran of the US armed forces, I practice law in the areas that I am passionate about. I strive to ensure that all of my clients receive the individualized care that they deserve. My mission is to take a genuine interest in my clients, understand their goals and meet their expectations in a timely and efficient manner. I work to maintain the highest ethical standards and foster a culture of open communication with clients and colleagues.
My focus is immigration, primarily involving family applications, citizenship, removal defense, and T/U/VAWA visas aka humanitarian petitions. This is a growth area of the legal field due to the ever-changing landscape that is immigration policy and the anticipation that some form of immigration reform can be expected in the near future, which will increase the demand for knowledgeable representation.
Practice areas
Former Immigration Service Officer, working on family applications/petitions, asylum, removal defense, T/U/VAWA victims assistance.
Languages spoken
Korean, Spanish
Law Offices of Sonia Figueroa-Lee
2000 Riverside Drive
Los Angeles, CA, 90039
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 2010 | 02/03/2021 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Public Service Award | Korean American Bar Association | 2016 |
Golden Keyboard Award | Los Angeles County Bar Association | 2015 |
Pro Bono Guardian | American Immigration Lawyers Association | 2014 |
Honor Award | United States Army | 2003 |
Summa Cum Laude, Honors Scholar with University Honors | Freed-Hardeman University | 2001 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | Law Offices of Sonia Figueroa-Lee | 2010 - Present |
Volunteer Attorney | Korean American Bar Association Legal Clinic | 2010 - Present |
Immigration Service Officer | USCIS | 2012 - 2013 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
American Immigration Lawyers Association | Member | 2014 - Present |
Los Angeles County Bar Association | Member | 2014 - Present |
Korean American Bar Association of Southern California | Member | 2008 - Present |
Lesbian and Gay Lawyers Association of Los Angeles | Member | 2015 - 2016 |
National Crime Victim Bar Association | Member | 2015 - 2017 |
Department of Veteran Affairs | Accredited Attorney | 2012 - 2019 |
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Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
LA Times | Quoted in the LA Times | 2019 |
AVVO Legal Guides | 6 Quick Do's Before Your Adjustment Interview from a Former Immigration Officer | 2015 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Loyola Law School | J.D. | 2007 |
Cochise College | Associate's Degree | 2003 |
Freed-Hardeman University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 2001 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
TOWARDS FREEDOM: Filipino American Anti-Human Trafficking Summit 2019 | Anti-Human Trafficking Summit | 2019 |
Adoption Citizenship Seminar | Are You a US Citizen - Strategies to Confirm Your Citizenship | 2018 |
Webinar | Immigration Relief for Survivors of Sexual Assault | 2017 |
2016 National Conference, Civil Actions for Criminal Acts | Immigration Visas for Crime Victims: Minding Your P's and Q's | 2016 |
Focus on the Future: the 2014 CFI Conference | Probate Proceedings and Other Experiences | 2014 |
Lunch with the Experts | Pick the brain of a former USCIS Officer | 2014 |
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Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Military Humanitarian Parole in Place | Removal order reopened and terminated |
Immigration Status under VAWA | Found prima facie eligible |
Successfully Challenged a Notice of Intent to Deny | Re-interview granted |
Stay of Removal Granted | Pending on appeal |
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Thu Jul 19 2018
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Fri Sep 16 2016
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Fri May 27 2016
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Sat May 21 2016
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Wed Apr 13 2016
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Fri Apr 08 2016
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Thu Mar 31 2016
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Sat Jan 16 2016
I endorse this lawyer.
An excellent lawyer who treats her clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism. She is an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend her for future services.
Jinna Kang, Immigration Attorney on Sep 15, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I wholeheartedly endorse Sonia. Sonia is a true rarity - in a good way; she comes from a Spanish-speaking Korean background who served this country both in the military and at USCIS. Sonia handles VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) cases, and that's where our paths crossed - I handle Domestic Violence Victims' cases in family law courts. Sonia is genuine, passionate, knowledgeable, and truly cares about her clients. She will bend over backwards to help her clients in the most efficient way. As someone who started her legal career in immigration law, I truly appreciate and respect Sonia's passion for the work she does and would strongly recommend her to anyone with immigration law needs.
Somair Alam, Immigration Attorney on Feb 12, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Sonia is a top-notch immigration attorney. She is a zealous advocate for her clients and well respected in the legal community.
Susanna Litwack, Immigration Attorney on Jan 9, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Sonia is a an amazing immigration attorney who cares deeply about her clients and is a strong advocate. I've worked with Sonia in the past and hope to do so again in the future.
Sonia Is an impressively talented attorney. She delivers results for her clients and does it with a smile and at a reasonable rate. We need more attorneys like Sonia Figueroa. I endorse this lawyer.
Constance Hill, Immigration Attorney on Nov 12, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Sonia is highly knowledgeable in immigration law and procedure. She has helped me tremendously many times by generously sharing her knowledge. Sonia is without a doubt, an asset to her peers and I strongly endorse her.
Alberto Quirantes, Immigration Attorney on Oct 7, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Sonia Figueroa is an excellent immigration lawyer. When you need immigration help, it's important to hire a lawyer you can trust. Sonia is that lawyer. I have nothing but good things to say about her passion for the law and for helping her clients. I highly endorse Sonia. You should call her today.
Steven Chung, Immigration Attorney on Jun 13, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Sonia immensely. She is very helpful to other immigration attorneys with their questions. She is on her way to becoming the immigration lawyer's lawyer.
Farid Zakaria, Intellectual property Attorney on Jun 12, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I previously worked with Sonia on a litigation matter and can say confidently that she is a top-notch attorney. Sonia quickly identified the key legal issues in the case and displayed refined analytical skills when evaluating the parties' respective legal positions. She applied complex legal concepts with ease and assurance, and developed a legal strategy that ultimately greatly benefited the client. I would highly recommend her to anyone.
I endorse this lawyer. Very knowledgeable attorney.
George Henderson, Immigration Attorney on May 18, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Based on her excellent responses to questions posed here on Avvo I feel Attorney Figueroa is a fine advocate.
Dale Pawley, Immigration Attorney on May 13, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Ms. Figueroa is a well-prepared, compassionate attorney who routinely goes the extra mile for her clients. She works hard, and is thoroughly prepared for every hearing. I look forward to working with her again on future matters.
Richard Llerena, Immigration Attorney on May 11, 2015
Relationship: Other
I have been privileged to have observed Ms. Figueroa and observe the quality of her contributions to those of us who have a passion for immigration work. She has a strong work ethic and puts the client's needs above anything else. A great attorney all around who has secured great results for her clients.
Benjamin Osorio, Immigration Attorney on May 6, 2015
Relationship: Other
Mrs. Figueroa always provides thoughtful detailed responses to complicated legal issues. I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Potter, Immigration Attorney on May 5, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Sonia's considerable talents are brought to the forefront in serving her clients. She is bright, diligent and puts her client's interest first. Sonia is a credit to the Legal Profession.
Michael Shabani, Immigration Attorney on May 3, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. She is very knowledgeable in area of Immigration law and a regular contributor on Avvo. Ms. Figueroa is talented, though and fights hard for her clients. I highly recommend attorney Figueroa.
Luisa Beristain, General practice Attorney on May 2, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I have the pleasure of knowing Sonia Figueroa, a fellow attorney in Los Angeles County. She is ethical, compassionate and hardworking.
Vivek Mittal, Immigration Attorney on Apr 30, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Ali Shalchi, Litigation Attorney on Apr 30, 2015
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
I endorse this lawyer.