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Ian M. Seruelo
About Ian
Biography
Ian M. Seruelo is a passionate and staunch advocate for worker and immigrant rights. An activist at heart, having him on your side means you have a champion who will fight for your rights and interest with intensity and dedication.
Mr. Seruelo has a long experience of activism and community organizing in the Philippines and in the United States. He has a passion for social and economic justice, and was deeply involved in various campaigns and movements that advance the interest of the marginalized. From his years in law school up to the present, he has volunteered thousands of hours to assists low-income immigrants and workers. He assists and/or provides pro bono legal services to different non-profits and community organizations in providing services to different minority communities such as the Pilipino Workers Center, Employee Rights Center, Somali Bantu Organization of America, Alliance San Diego, San Diego Volunteer Lawyers Program, and many others.
As an attorney, Mr. Seruelo continues his passion as an advocate for immigrant communities and the working sector. The Law Offices of Ian M. Seruelo handles the following types of cases:
I. Immigration:
T-Visa, U-Visa, VAWA, Affirmative and Defensive Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Relief under the Convention Against Torture, Removal or Deportation Defense, Cancellation of Removal or Deportation, Family Petition, Adjustment of Status (Green Card Application), Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Consular Processing, Naturalization, Citizenship, H1B, TN Visas, Employment-Based Visas, DACA, etc.
II. Labor & Employment:
Wage and Hour, Wrongful Termination, Discrimination in the Workplace, Retaliation, etc.
Note: Mr. Seruelo is fluent in Filipino (Tagalog) and Hiligaynon (Ilonggo). The law firm is also staffed with a bilingual Spanish speaker.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 300-500 per hour
Contingency
35%-45%
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 10 years
State: California
Acquired: 2015
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Ian M. Seruelo
7710 Balboa Avenue, Suite 325, San Diego, CA, 92111
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Ian M. Seruelo's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
43 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | April 29, 2023 | Hired Attorney
immigration
He explained everything the process of our application, time frame, guiding us what to do and he always inform us the any updates of our application.
Posted by Akif | August 17, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Business Development Manager
Ian is quite knowledgeable and communicative expert in his field, He did handle all of my greencard procedure professionally. Beside all of them he is very helpful and friendly. Totally recomended.
Posted by Maria | May 16, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Excellent Immigration Attorney
Was very helpful and understanding when I first seek information on DACA renewals! Also was able to give me an overview of what after DACA could look like. Breaks down information to make sure clients understand and reassure when there’s confusion.
Posted by Tatiana | February 02, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Complete trust
I would absolutely recommend Atty Seruelo. He successfully worked on my immigration case. The most helpful and knowledgeable lawyer. This is not my first experience with lawyers, but it is the first time when I had complete trust. Atty Seruelo was always available to answer my questions through phone...
Posted by Amalia D. Batongbakal | July 04, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Atty Ian Seruelo
Atty Seruelo met with me and the other Filipinos personally here in Louisiana. He explained to us our situation and the process that we need to go through ( we were T Visa holders). He was able to answer all the questions from us to the best of his knowledge. What I liked with him most is that I f...
Ian M. Seruelo's Lawyer Endorsements
"Ian is a dedicated and zealous advocate for his clients. He is a nice person, and really easy to work with. I highly recommend Ian for your employment matters, including wage & hours and/or discrimination claims. He is incredibly persuasive in the courtroom and has strong professional ethics."
"Ian is one of the hardest working lawyers I know. He works diligently for the best results possible and cares about the well being of his clients. If you're looking for an immigration or employment lawyer, do not hesitate to contact Ian."
"I highly endorse this lawyer. Attorney Ian Seruelo is an amazing passionate yet aggressive and effective attorney. It's truly a pleasure to have him in our legal community."
"Ian is a fantastic attorney and zealous advocate for his clients. He provides top notch legal services and guides his clients through the perplexities of the legal system."
"Ian is an outstanding attorney and goes above and beyond for his clients. I highly recommend Ian."
"Ian is a very knowledgable immigration attorney. He always gives 100% to each client."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Ian is dedicated, intelligent and passionate. As an attorney, Ian works extremely hard for his clients and I am very confident referring my employment law & immigration cases to him. I would recommend Ian to clients and fellow attorneys alike."
"Ian is passionate, fair, organized, and very logical. I have no doubt that his clients are in safe hands with him. I admire Ian's strong analytical skills and his desire to go way and beyond to achieve the best results possible for his clients. As a fellow attorney, I endorse this lawyer!"
"I endorse this lawyer. He is nothing but a professional!"
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Experience
Honors
2022
SDCBA 2022 Service Award - Community Service Award, San Diego County Bar Association
2021
Super Lawyer Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine
2020
Super Lawyer Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine
2019
Super Lawyer Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine
2018
Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine
2015
FEFL Bayani Award, Filipino Educators Federation of Louisiana (FEFL)
2014
TJSL Pro Bono Honors, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
2014
Cum Laude Academic Honors, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
2014
Jefferson Medal (Employment Discrimination Law), Thomas Jefferson School of Law
2014
Jefferson Medal (Global Workplace Law), Thomas Jefferson School of Law
2014
Excellence for the Future Award (Employment Discrimination Law), CALI
2014
Excellence for the Future Award (Global Workplace Law), CALI
2014
Award for Academic Excellence (Employment Discrimination Law), Witkin Legal Institute
2014
Award for Academic Excellence (Global Workplace Law), Witkin Legal Institute
2014
2015 Who’s Who Among Students in American Univ. and Colleges, Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
Work Experience
2018 - Present
Legal Counsel, Pilipino Workers Center
2018 - Present
Contract Attorney, Somali Bantu Association of America
2015 - Present
Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Ian M. Seruelo
2015 - Present
Volunteer Attorney, Employee Rights Center
2014 - 2014
Legal Intern, Law Office of Paula Gonzalez (Immigration)
2014 - 2014
Summer Clerk, United Taxi Workers of San Diego (UTWSD)
2014 - 2014
Legal Intern, Law Office of Amanda Thompson (Civil, Employment)
2013 - 2013
Peggy Browning Fellow, Industrial Division of the Communication Workers of America (IUE-CWA)
2013 - 2013
Legal Intern, Unitarian Universalist Refugee & Immigrant Services & Education (UURISE)
Associations
2016 - Present
Filipino American Lawyers of San DiegoMember
2015 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
2015 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2015 - Present
San Diego County Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
Asia Pacific American Labor AllianceMember
2014 - Present
Delta Theta Phi - John Paul Stevens SenateMember
2001 - Present
Partido Manggagawa - PhilippinesMember
1998 - Present
U.P. Validus AmicitiaChairperson (1992-93) / Member
2018 - 2019
Filipino American Lawyers of San DiegoBoard of Directors
2016 - 2018
California Employment Lawyers AssociationMember
2014 - 2014
Thomas Jefferson Law ReviewNote Editor
2013 - 2013
Thomas Jefferson Law ReviewNote Writer
2013 - 2014
Public Interest Law AssociationMember
2013 - 2014
Immigration Law SocietyVice President
2013 - 2014
Asian Pacific American Law Student AssociationDiversity Chair
2013 - 2014
Labor and Employment Law Association (LELA)Founding President
Sample of Legal Cases
TN Visa Application
Granted
Citizenship
Granted
Adjustment of Status (Green Card) from U Visa
Granted
Wage Theft
Recovered unpaid wages and penalties
U Visa Application
Approval
T Visa Application
Granted
Wrongful Termination
Settlement
H-1B Petition
Granted
Humanitarian Parole
Approved
Cancellation of Removal
Granted
Political Asylum
Granted
Asylum
Granted
Asylum
Granted
T Visa
Approved
Family Petition
Approved
Petition for P1-A Visa
Approved
Adjustment of Status from T-Visa & Fee Waiver Request
Fee waiver & adjustment of status approved
Naturalization Application
Approved
Application for Permanent Residence from T-visa Status
Application Approved
Adjustment of Status from T-Visa Status
Application Approved
Education
2014
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2014
Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Certificate for Law and Social Justice
1995
University of the Philippines Visayas
BSBA - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Speaking Engagements
2021
PWC Monthly Virtual Town Hall
U Visa and VAWA Relief
2020
Albuquerque Filipino Teachers Assembly
Relief for Victims of Human Trafficking
2019
Towards Freedom: Filipino American Anti-Human Trafficking Summit 2019
Comprehensive Strategies to Fight Human Trafficking
2019
Towards Freedom: Filipino American Anti-Human Trafficking Summit 2019
Understanding the Changing Immigration Policies
2019
Towards Freedom: Filipino American Anti-Human Trafficking Summit 2019
Finding Solutions in the Midst of Hostility
2016
TJSL Labor Law Class Spring 2016
Organizing Outside of the NLRA's Protections: The UTWSD Example
2016
Naturalization, DACA, and DAPA
Naturalization, DACA, and DAPA
2016
Naturalization and Immigration Relief Options
Naturalization and Immigration Relief Options
2016
IBEW - ERC Informational Citizens Workshop
The Benefits and Process of Naturalization
2016
Guest Lecture at Employment/Labor Law Class
The Continued Relevance of Labor Unions
2016
Diversity in Law Practice
Diversity in Law Practice
2016
Community Feature Presentation
A Prensentation on DACA, Expanded DACA and DAPA
2016
Center for Solo Practitioner Presentation Series
Building Your Credibility and Likability
2016
CCLC Labor Working Group
Recruitment to Deployment: Experiences of Filipino Migrant Workers in Pursuit of Work in the United States
Publications
2024
2024
2024
News 10 San Diego
SD County Supervisors vote to deny aid to feds on immigration
2024
2024
2024
2024
2023
Immigrant Defenders Law Center
Advocates Continue to Welcome Asylum Seekers Released by Federal Government onto San Diego Streets
2022
San Diego County Bar Association Website
Congratulations to the SDCBA 2022 Service Award Winners
2022
2022
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
KPBS Podcasts
Hispanic, Latino, Latinx — A Question Of Belonging
2021
2020
Freedom for Immigrants
Otay Mesa DC Now Has Highest Number of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
2020
The Filipino Press
Filipinos Stand in Solidarity of the Black Lives Matter Movement
2020
Capital & Main
Battles Over Masks Grow Desperate
2020
Tribune.net.ph
Nanay Fedelina reunites with her family
2020
www.SouthernBorder.org
Virus Spreads in CA Detention Center as ICE Covers Up Pepper Spraying, Neglect
2019
2019
New Americans Campaign (.org)
Adriana Huerta and the ERC Citizenship Ambassador Program: A loan “with a catch” builds a program
2014
TJSL.edu
TJSL Solo Practice Incubator Program
2014
ABC News 10
B.O. check for cabbies: 'It's very insensitive'
2014
2014
2013
The Advisor
Peggy Browning Fellowship For (2L) Ian Seruelo
2013
The Advisor
TJSL Aids In Philippines Relief Efforts
2013
2013
The Advisor
Labor and Employment Law Careers Panel
2013
The Advisor
TJSL's Free Clinic Help to Close "Justice Gap"
2013
2013
Peggy Browning Fund
IUE-CWA Summer Fellowship Experience
2012
2012
The Advisor
Peggy Browning Fellows Represent TJSL
2012
Filipino Star News
Jury to recruitment agency: Pay $4.5 M to Pinoy teachers
Languages
English
Tagalog
Filipino
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers