Raul was often unreachable; he directly lied to about immigration paperwork being filed (which was then confirmed that it was not) and that he had communicated key information to the government (he, again, had not). This was after taking $5000. After confronting him and after multiple conversations (and literally threatening to press charges with another lawyer), he refunded the majority of our money. He wound up keeping around $400, but the thing is, he should not have kept any of it. And if we weren't willing to hold our ground, as many of his potential immigrant clients are unable or unwilling to do, he would have kept all $5000. Perhaps he took care of some clients, but he picks on people who think his name makes him sound like a friend, who have no recourse when he steals from them, and is not upholding his status as a lawyer and advocate. This made my family hesitant to try again for legal status and could have been devastating financially.

Raul was often unreachable; he directly lied to about immigration paperwork being filed (which was then confirmed that it was not) and that he had communicated key information to the government (he, again, had not). This was after taking $5000. After confronting him and after multiple conversations (and literally threatening to press charges with another lawyer), he refunded the majority of our money. He wound up keeping around $400, but the thing is, he should not have kept any of it. And if we weren't willing to hold our ground, as many of his potential immigrant clients are unable or unwilling to do, he would have kept all $5000. Perhaps he took care of some clients, but he picks on people who think his name makes him sound like a friend, who have no recourse when he steals from them, and is not upholding his status as a lawyer and advocate. This made my family hesitant to try again for legal status and could have been devastating financially.

Raul was often unreachable; he directly lied to about immigration paperwork being filed (which was then confirmed that it was not) and that he had communicated key information to the government (he, again, had not). This was after taking $5000. After confronting him and after multiple conversations (and literally threatening to press charges with another lawyer), he refunded the majority of our money. He wound up keeping around $400, but the thing is, he should not have kept any of it. And if we weren't willing to hold our ground, as many of his potential immigrant clients are unable or unwilling to do, he would have kept all $5000. Perhaps he took care of some clients, but he picks on people who think his name makes him sound like a friend, who have no recourse when he steals from them, and is not upholding his status as a lawyer and advocate. This made my family hesitant to try again for legal status and could have been devastating financially.