Marie C. Puertollano
About Marie
Biography
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
1
Practice Area
14 years | 1,000 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 13 years
State: California
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick
1502 6th Ave, San Diego, CA, 92101-3216
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Marie C. Puertollano's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 93 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | November 26, 2025 | Hired Attorney
EB1A success story
Marie is the best lawyer I worked in my life and she was able me to get EB1a green card within 6 months and I am super grateful for our partnership on this process.
Posted by Pradip Dhakal | September 9, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Super attorney
I had a very complex immigration history, including a denied EB-3 green card case, which left me in a very difficult situation. Marie and her team not only guided me with confidence but also prepared a strong petition that successfully got me back into valid status through O-1A approval with I-797A. ...
Posted by Gustavo B | April 21, 2025 | Hired Attorney
TN Visa to Greencard
We went from TN visa to Permanent Resident, it took some time but they did a great job, specially Paralegal Linda was very helpful at all times. Thank you very much!
Posted by Armen | January 11, 2025 | Hired Attorney
EB1A crisis management
Marie and her team took over my case when I fell victim to some charlatans that unfortunately had an attorney license. I had a bad RFE that was completely due to the unprofessionalism and lack of knowledge of the previous “attorney”/charlatan. Thankfully I was referred to Marie and her team and they...
Posted by Trish | February 13, 2024 | Hired Attorney
EB2 NIW
I have to say the EB2 NIW process was very long and stressful but Marie and her team were extraordinary. They were insightful and very caring the entire time. Anahita was an amazing support person to Marie and someone I could reach out to easily with questions. Marie was gracious to provide us wit...
Marie C. Puertollano's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
"Marie is an honest, dedicated and incredibly knowledgeable lawyer. I would recommend her to anyone seeking an Immigration Attorney. I endorse her without hesitation."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer. Marie is a caring, family-oriented person who happens to be a great immigration lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2020
Certified Immigration Specialist, California State Bar
2017
Top 40 Immigration Lawyers under 40 in California for 2018, The American Society of Legal Advocates
2016
2015 Pro bono award, ABA Immigration Justice Project
2014
Appreciation Award, Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick
2012
Wiley W. Manuel Award, SDVLP
2011
Academic Award Achievement: Legal Skills, California Western School of Law
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Managing Attorney, Law offices of Jacob Sapochnick
2012 - 2016
Attorney, Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick
2011 - 2011
Law Clerk, American Bar Association Immigration Justice Project
2011 - 2011
Law Clerk, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
Associations
2019 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationCo chair of New Member Division
2016 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
2015 - Present
U.S Court of Appeal for the 9th CircuitAdmitted to Practice
2012 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2017 - 2018
American Society of Legal AdvocatesMember
Sample of Legal Cases
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Approved without RFE
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Approved
Education
2011
LL.M - Master of Laws
2007
Master 2
2006
Bachelor
Speaking Engagements
2018
Publications
Languages
English
French
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Uscis officer forgot to ask for medical?
12 Sep 2021
Change of Status from B2 to H1 B with Premium Processing?
24 Feb 2021
Can my wife skip her biometrics and my daughter attend it to get h4 extension approved ?
24 Feb 2021