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.
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Practice Area
14 years | 1,000 cases
Always
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 2012
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1502 6th Ave, San Diego, CA, 92101-3216
93 Client Reviews
Showing 6 - 10 of 49 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | October 30, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Jean
Marie is an excellent lawyer . She successfully helped in my immigration papers and was very professional and prompt. She did always answered my inquiries in a timely manner and gave me good advice. I will highly recommend her as an excellent immigration lawyer.
Posted by Matteo | October 07, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Great experience!
We hired Marie for our green card petition through marriage (US Citizen). While a relatively simple case on the surface, che case was processed during the pandemic, so there was a lot of uncertainty. Marie did a fantastic job at staying on top of our case, keeping us informed on a regular basis and m...
Posted by Maria | October 04, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
The best Lawyer
My family and I have been working with Marie since the past year. She is very knowledgeable and professional. We strongly recommend Marie if you need any help regarding your immigration situation. She is the best!
Posted by Keyla | October 04, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Fantastic, highly recommend Marie
Marie Puertollano is in my opinion, one of the most dedicated and empathetic attorneys that I have ever met. Her deep understanding of the immigration process is truly valuable. Basically, after being rejected for a couple of law offices, which didn’t offer any help or good understanding of my case,...
Posted by Biplav | August 27, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Great lawyer
She helped me walk through what to expect during my interview and what documents to take. She is a great lawyer who has a great knowledge on her field.
"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. 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."
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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
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
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
Approved
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2011
LL.M - Master of Laws
2007
Master 2
2006
Bachelor
2018
English
French
Spanish
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