Ian M. Seruelo

Ian Seruelo

Once in a while in this profession, we get to meet individuals who are unreasonable, mean, and privileged. The day after signing a contract with this individual, I happened to have a busy schedule, with deadlines, and back-to-back meetings. In short I got delayed for a few hours in not responding to calls, emails and texts. I am a solo practitioner, so there are days that are like this. So the day after she signs a contract, this individual accused me that I am not doing my work, that I am a scam, and threatened to report me to CalBar. Btw, the first Master Hearing is still weeks away. Below I am sharing my email to her that evening. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dear OO: Reasonable delays in sending a document or a few hours of not being able to respond to a client does not constitute malpractice or misconduct or an ethical violation. The delay in sending your G-28 and in responding to your messages did not put you in danger. It did not affect your removal proceedings. It did not result in you losing your rights. It did not prejudice your legal options. It did not negatively impact your case. So if you think that my action is an ethical violation, then I encourage you to file a complaint with the California Bar. Further, being delayed in emailing you the G-28 or not being able to contact you for a few hours is NOT a breach of our contract, and it does not constitute failure to do my work. On the contrary, the completed forms I sent you this afternoon shows I diligently started work on your case. I was only able to get back to you after a few hours because of my very busy schedule for the day. If my intention is to scam you, why would I even waste time completing those E-28 and G-28s and start preparing the motion? [...] I worked so hard and continue to work hard to reach where I am now, not to be called a scam. What if somebody, without knowing your story, will accuse you that your asylum claim is all a big scam? If you want your story to be heard, learn to be open to other people's story, be considerate, and show your humanity. I help a lot of people and I am sincere in my work as an advocate for migrants and immigrants. I provide free legal services to many individuals and families including those who are economically disadvantaged or those in distress at the border. I even provided you with a free one-hour legal consultation (phone and in person) and I accommodated you in my schedule right away knowing your upcoming hearing. However, I am sorry that I am not able to give you additional free legal services. We signed a contract, and after which I started reviewing your documents right away, completed forms, and I started working on the Motion to Change Venue that I was planning to file tomorrow in Immigration Court in San Diego. Anyway, you have a right to discharge me as your attorney at any time under paragraph 6 of the contract, but you also have an obligation to pay all fees for attorney services that were already rendered under paragraph 7. It is just fair that you pay for the work I rendered in pursuance of our contract. [...] I will stop any future payments and will delete your credit card information from my system. I was looking forward to fighting for you and your family in immigration court and it is unfortunate that things didn't work out. I hope all the best for you and your family. Sincerely, Ian M. Seruelo, Esq.