Maria Leanos, owner of an immigration consulting business, is accused of operating an unauthorized law practice. As NBC 7’s Dave Summers explains, Leanos’ trouble began after an argument with her niece on social media.
The State Bar of California has seized the law office of an El Cajon woman who was allegedly pretending to be an immigration and family law attorney, authorities said Wednesday.
The State Bar's Office of Chief Trial Counsel says Maria Leanos held herself out to be a licensed attorney at her East County law office and through her advertising of her legal services on social media.
Leanos allegedly operated her business as the Law Office of Maria Leanos, Latino Unidos Immigration, or Mejia Income Tax.
After her niece filed a complaint with the State Bar last year, Leanos responded to an inquiry by identifying herself as an immigration consultant, rather than an attorney, officials said. The State Bar says Leanos was registered as an immigration consultant from 2017 through 2020, but was not registered or bonded as an immigration consultant at the time of the investigation.
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"From her law office business signs to firsthand accounts and inconsistent statements, Ms. Leanos' actions provide ample evidence that she engaged in the unauthorized practice of law," said George Cardona, the State Bar's Chief Trial Counsel. "As reported to the State Bar, it appears that she misrepresented her status and qualifications to immigrants in need of legitimate legal representation."
El Cajon resident Iralda Gonzalez says she trusted Leanos because she helped renew her green card. She says she spent $3,500 and two years working with Leanos to get her husband one but never could.
"I feel upset because I trusted her," the former client told NBC 7 in Spanish. "In reality, she was doing a bad job."
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Brenda Rodriguez is with the Office of Chief Trial Council for the California Bar Association. She is the lead attorney on this case.
"There was a sign outside that read Law Offices Maria Leanos. Signs inside the office that said the layer does not work unless until we receive payment. She had a Facebook group where she claimed to be an attorney," Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez says she doesn't know how many clients Leanos had worked with, but they confiscated seven boxes of documents. Two-thirds of those were client files.
She also said that the Secretary of State, for reasons unknown to her, filed a cease-and-desist order against Leanos in 2020, but she continued to practice.
"A consultant can help fill out paperwork and things like that, but they cannot tell you what paperwork you need. They can't give you legal advice," Rodriguez said.
NBC 7's attempts to reach Leanos were unsuccessful. According to the court filing though, Leanos responded to the allegations this way: "Respondent identified herself as an immigration consultant and denied holding herself out as an immigration lawyer. Respondent stated that her niece, Kendall Leanos, has personal problems with her because Respondent filed a lawsuit against her niece for defamation."
Rodriguez can't speak to the motive but says people trying to obtain legal status in the U.S. are often taken advantage of.
"This is a very vulnerable community. A lot of them don't speak English," Rodriguez said. "It can really negatively impact their case."
As for Gonzalez, her struggle getting a green card for her husband continues, only with thousands of dollars less than when she started.
"I feel sorry for what she's going through, but it wasn't OK," Gonzalez said. "If you don't have a license to practice, why risk it?"
Leanos is scheduled for a hearing on this matter on Oct. 11 in Superior Court. The allegations have been turned over to law enforcement to investigate possible criminal charges.
Any current or former clients of Leanos seeking the return of their files were advised to contact the State Bar at 213-765-1649.
