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Cite as In re White, 19 DB Rptr 343 (2005)
The Maria Sanchez-Reyes Matter
(Case No. 04-124)
6.
In December 2000, Adolfo and Maria Sanchez-Reyes consulted with Aleman
about an immigration matter. Maria Sanchez-Reyes had illegally entered the United
States from Mexico. The Sanchez-Reyeses requested Aleman to assist Maria Sanchez-
Reyes to prepare and pursue an application to adjust her immigration status to that
of a legal permanent resident in the United States (hereinafter “application to adjust
status”).
7.
In or around December 2000, the Accused entered into an arrangement with
Aleman for the two to share office space and for Aleman to assist the Accused in his
immigration law practice. Thereafter, the Accused regularly relied on Aleman to
provide translation services to the Accused’s clients and to assist him by interviewing
clients; providing, selecting and preparing INS forms for clients using a facsimile of
the Accused’s signature; drafting and sending correspondence to third persons about
clients’ cases using a facsimile of the Accused’s signature; meeting with clients while
their applications were pending before the INS; providing services and documents
necessary to support clients’ applications to the INS; and answering clients’ questions
about their INS applications.
8.
On or about January 4, 2001, the Accused undertook to represent Maria
Sanchez-Reyes in her application to adjust status. With the Accused’s knowledge and
consent, Aleman thereafter provided the services described in paragraph 7 to Maria
Sanchez-Reyes. The Sanchez-Reyeses paid the Accused $200 on January 4, 2001,
and $200 on January 19, 2001, for legal services. The Accused shared these legal
fees with Aleman.
9.
Between January 4, 2001, and October 10, 2003, when Maria Sanchez-Reyes
terminated his employment, the Accused failed to exercise or acquire the legal
knowledge, skill, thoroughness, or preparation necessary for the representation of
Maria Sanchez-Reyes as follows:
A. He failed to adequately supervise Aleman’s activities on and related to
Maria Sanchez-Reyes’s application to adjust status;
B. He failed to determine the necessity of appearing with Maria Sanchez-
Reyes at a March 13, 2002, interview with the INS;
C. He failed to take any action, or to direct Aleman to take action, in
response to a notice from the INS that Maria Sanchez was required to provide an
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