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
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
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
CA | Active | 2012 | 10/27/2020 |
Legal answers | 52 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Certified Immigration Specialist | California State Bar | 2020 |
Top 40 Immigration Lawyers under 40 in California for 2018 | The American Society of Legal Advocates | 2017 |
2015 Pro bono award | ABA Immigration Justice Project | 2016 |
Appreciation Award | Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick | 2014 |
Wiley W. Manuel Award | SDVLP | 2012 |
Academic Award Achievement: Legal Skills | California Western School of Law | 2011 |
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Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Managing Attorney | Law offices of Jacob Sapochnick | 2016 - Present |
Attorney | Law Offices of Jacob Sapochnick | 2012 - 2016 |
Law Clerk | American Bar Association Immigration Justice Project | 2011 - 2011 |
Law Clerk | San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program | 2011 - 2011 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
American Immigration Lawyers Association | Co chair of New Member Division | 2019 - Present |
American Immigration Lawyers Association | Member | 2016 - Present |
U.S Court of Appeal for the 9th Circuit | Admitted to Practice | 2015 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 2012 - Present |
American Society of Legal Advocates | Member | 2017 - 2018 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Blog | What to Do If Your Green card is Approved But Never Received | 2014 |
Blog | What happens at the Green Card Marriage Interview at the USCIS office? | 2014 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
California Western School of Law | LL.M - Master of Laws | 2011 |
University of Bordeaux | Master 2 | 2007 |
University of Paris Pantheon Assas | Bachelor | 2006 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Engaged Encounter | A wedding is a day, a marriage is a lifetime | 2018 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
NIW and AOS for Lead Scientist with almost no citations | Approved |
NIW and AOS for very young entrepreneur | Approved |
EB-1C Executive of a small US company | Approved without RFE |
Petition for review with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal | Approved |
5th I-130 marriage petition | Approved |
Abused spouse VAWA | Approved |
---|---|
E-2 for start up | Approved |
F-1 reinstatement | Approved |
P-1 for MMA fighters | Approved |
H1B motion to reopen | Approved |
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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.