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Marie C. Puertollano

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  • San Diego, CA
  • Licensed for 8 years
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About Marie

My practice is entirely dedicated to U.S immigration law. With hundreds of cases approved from 40 different countries in a high volume immigration firm, I am one of only 24 Certified Immigration Specialists by the State Bar of California in San Diego county. As immigrant in the United States, I experienced first hand the hardship and stress that the immigration process can be.

I represent clients in removal before the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the BIA and immigration courts. I file employment based (H-1B, H-3, TN, R-1 religious, L-1, EB1C, PERM EB2, PERM EB3), family based (marriage, fiancé, I-751), and investment based petitions (E-2), as well as naturalization, DACA, F-1 reinstatement, visas based on extraordinary abilities (O-1, NIW and EB-1A), athlete visas (P-1), I-360 Victim of Violence Visas (VAWA) and asylum cases. I prepare the clients for their marriage first or second (fraud) interviews, I-751 and citizenship interviews and attend the interview with them. I also deal with complex motions to reopen as well as I-601, I-601A and 212(d)(3) waivers.

 I was born and raised in France. I earned two Master Degrees in Law; one in France in Public Law and one in the United States in Comparative Law (LL.M). And I am fluent in French, English and Spanish. While being a social worker in Gainesville, GA, I developed a passion for the protection of immigrants' rights. I attended California Western School of law in the United States with the sole purpose of becoming an immigration lawyer. 

In my free time, I am a motivational speaker and I mentor High schoolers. I enjoy swimming, and biking. I regularly serve food to the homeless. I also love spending time with my friends and family.

Practice areas

Immigration
  1. Immigration: 100%

    Work and Investment visas, extraordinary abilities, Family, and Naturalization. Representation in court including the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

    9 years, 1,000 cases

Languages spoken

English, French, Spanish

Photos and videos

4240116 1540839582

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Contact

1502 6th Ave
address map

Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick

1502 6th Ave
San Diego, CA, 92101-3216

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive201210/27/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers52
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Certified Immigration SpecialistCalifornia State Bar2020
Top 40 Immigration Lawyers under 40 in California for 2018The American Society of Legal Advocates2017
2015 Pro bono awardABA Immigration Justice Project2016
Appreciation AwardLaw Offices of Jacob Sapochnick2014
Wiley W. Manuel AwardSDVLP2012
Academic Award Achievement: Legal SkillsCalifornia Western School of Law2011
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Managing AttorneyLaw offices of Jacob Sapochnick2016 - Present
AttorneyLaw Offices of Jacob Sapochnick2012 - 2016
Law ClerkAmerican Bar Association Immigration Justice Project2011 - 2011
Law ClerkSan Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program2011 - 2011
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationCo chair of New Member Division2019 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember2016 - Present
U.S Court of Appeal for the 9th CircuitAdmitted to Practice2015 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember2012 - Present
American Society of Legal AdvocatesMember2017 - 2018
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
BlogWhat to Do If Your Green card is Approved But Never Received2014
BlogWhat happens at the Green Card Marriage Interview at the USCIS office?2014
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
California Western School of LawLL.M - Master of Laws2011
University of BordeauxMaster 22007
University of Paris Pantheon AssasBachelor2006
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Engaged EncounterA wedding is a day, a marriage is a lifetime2018
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
NIW and AOS for Lead Scientist with almost no citationsApproved
NIW and AOS for very young entrepreneurApproved
EB-1C Executive of a small US companyApproved without RFE
Petition for review with the 9th Circuit Court of AppealApproved
5th I-130 marriage petitionApproved
Abused spouse VAWAApproved
E-2 for start upApproved
F-1 reinstatementApproved
P-1 for MMA fightersApproved
H1B motion to reopenApproved

Reviews

(71)
5 Star
100%
4 Star
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Review Marie Puertollano

You are the BEST

Posted by

If you are looking for a great immigration lawyer- please look no further! Marie is truly AMAZING! My husband and I are extremely grateful to her as she helped us every step of the way for our spousal visa. Marie is a very responsive person. She replies e- emails in a quick manner. And during the final meeting/coaching she made sure that everything will be okay. Now i'm here in US already. Salamat Marie for doing such a wonderful job. I will highly recommend her because MARIE is simply the BEST.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Great lawyer

Posted by

I hired Marie to help me and my company with the H1B visa process. The process was overall very smooth and painless. Marie explained to us clearly what the steps would be and what my chances of approval were. Everything worked out fine and I'm happy I chose her firm to get the job done. I will definitely reach out again to her regarding my future immigration needs.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Successful E2 Visa

Posted by

Attorney Marie helped me successfully receive a 5 year E2 visa thanks to her extensive mock interview prep and thorough attention to detail. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for help with more complicated applications. She also helped my friend get her TN visa successfully. Thank you Marie!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Best Attorney in Town

Posted by

Marie is one of the best attorney in San Diego, not only she is caring and kind but she knows how to get you a green card! Marie helped me get my green card through my marriage case in less than 2 years, considering being in the US for about ten years (changing 3 lawyers), she did an amazing job. My husband and I definitely recommend her.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Time sensitive DV lottery based green card

Posted by

Marie Puertollano is amazing. She is very knowledgeable and really takes a case to heart. I first interacted with her when she prepared me for my adjustment of status interview. She was very thorough and patient, and from that point on, she was key in getting my application approved. I am sure that without her help I wouldn't have been approved on time. My application was a diversity visa lottery adjustment of status, and, as such, it had to be approved by the end of the fiscal year. At the time we only had about two weeks left to complete the process (I hadn't even had my biometrics taken). Marie really pushed for my case and never gave up on it, even as time was running out. She really cared about the case and kept constant communication with me, for which I am extremely grateful as it was a very stressful time. I had a great experience with Marie and I cannot thank her or recommend her enough.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Excellent Attorney

Posted by

Ms. Puertollano is an excellent Attorney, very professional with great attention to detail and customer service. Ms. Puertollano is very well versed in the immigration field, not just in family immigration but also Employment immigration. Ms. Puertollano handle my immigration process with great knowledge, detail, professionalism and due diligence. Great Attorney.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Excellent and understanding with an approach to always win

Posted by

I had never met her physically but she never let my trust down. I believe she his highly equipped by God as she was understanding and was fantastically profession and handled my case with every detail.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

General manager green card

Posted by

Marie and her team help our family for the last three years on the differents process of immigration. We recently been approved on a permanent residence for All my family Finally my dream becomes true I recommend her to anyone needs immigration attorney she’s the best
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Grateful for Marie's assistance

Posted by

After a 2 year struggle with other incompetent lawyers and lots of bad advice, we made the best decision to approach and hire Marie in February 2019. She gave us invaluable assistance and advice from the beginning to the end - when our green card was finally issued almost a year later. We don't think we could have done it without her. We're always grateful for her prompt and professional service.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Successful EB2-NIW

Posted by

She took over my EB2-NIW (Which is one of the most challenging permanent residency visas to obtain). Marie worked on it diligently until successful completion. she guided me through the inevitable challenges. I know I am a perfectionist so I appreciated her going through all the revisions that I requested.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
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Attorney endorsements

(13)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Jacob Sapochnick, Immigration Attorney on Jan 23, 2020
Relationship: Supervised lawyer

Marie is an excellent immigration lawyer. Not only she knows the law well and is always up to date, but she’s also passionate about her practice. She’s a pleasure to work with.

Camille Keppi, Immigration Attorney on Nov 28, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Marie is an honest, dedicated and incredibly knowledgeable lawyer. I would recommend her to anyone seeking an Immigration Attorney. I endorse her without hesitation.

Rayana Thomas, Immigration Attorney on Sep 23, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Marie is an honest and hard working attorney. I have had the pleasure to work with her and have seen her dedication towards her clients. She is fluent in French and Spanish and is a great attorney.

Begum Benchimol, Immigration Attorney on Apr 20, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker

Marie is a great attorney. She is experienced and cares for her clients. I confer with her almost daily about a wide variety of legal issues. Her breadth of experience and professional judgment are great assets for her clients.

William Markham, Immigration Attorney on Dec 11, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Marie really cares about her clients and is conscientious, absolutely reliable, knowledgeable, and committed to helping her clients. She is also honest, forthright, and completely trustworthy. I highly recommend her services.

Yi-Hung Chung, Immigration Attorney on Jun 16, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Marie is very capable at handling immigration cases; she is mostly handling H1B, E,P,R, and marriage immigration cases. She is very passionated about her work and she cares clients very much.

Yingfei Zhou, Immigration Attorney on Jun 11, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Marie Puertollano is an experienced immigration lawyer who is diligent, brilliant, knowledgeable in both family and business immigration, and truly caring about her clients. I highly endorse this lawyer to anyone seeking quality services.

James Voeller, Immigration Attorney on May 20, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Marie has what is sorely lacking in much of the legal community - a kind heart. Marie genuinely cares for her clients and is an excellent communicator. Having emigrated to this country herself, she has a special understanding of the process. You won't be sorry if you hire Marie. I endorse this lawyer.

Mark Young, Immigration Attorney on May 14, 2015
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer. Marie is a caring, family-oriented person who happens to be a great immigration lawyer.

Douglas Borthwick, Immigration Attorney on Jan 4, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Nadia Galash, Immigration Attorney on May 6, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Marie is a very passionate attorney. She is very knowledgeable in family visa petitions, H-1B visas, R-visas, N-400 applications, and I-751 petitions.

Ekaterina Powell, Immigration Attorney on Apr 29, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Marie Puertollano is one of the most hardworking and dedicated attorney I know. She makes her clients a priority and goes above and beyond what is expected from an attorney providing exceptional level of legal service and personable attention to each case. I highly recommend Marie Puertollano to anyone seeking quality legal assistance.

Habib Hasbini, Immigration Attorney on Aug 28, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.