The State Bar of California closed two law offices of Judith Gil, the woman accused of defrauding dozens of immigrants by posing as an attorney who could help them obtain legal residency when she could not.
The Bar Association, which obtained a court order to assume jurisdiction and take possession of the offices, is also analyzing Gil's bank accounts to be frozen, and confiscated more than 300 boxes containing approximately 1,000 active client files.
That number of files means that there are at least 1,000 cases of immigrants who may have been harmed and should be dealt with immediately.
Gil, a native of El Salvador who operated under the business name of FJA & Associates at six different locations in the Los Angeles area, misled her clients into believing she was qualified to provide legal services in immigration matters, with serious consequences for several of the individuals she served.
The reality is that never obtained authorization to practice law or operate as an immigration consultant.
According to an investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, Gil lied to her clients, telling them that she had special influence with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and could guarantee results in their cases. They also found that she did not perform work for which she was hired and even advised clients to lie to USCIS.
His inaction in one case resulted in a client receiving a deportation order. Another client had to return to Guatemala to live with her husband who was deported because Gil did not do the work she was hired to do. Other clients had to hire lawyers after Gil took their money and abandoned their cases.
Gil operated his illegal immigration consulting business with his daughter Minerva Gil, 36.
The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office filed multiple criminal charges against both women in January. Gil currently faces 17 criminal charges, including grand theft and unauthorized practice of law. Her daughter Minerva faces 3 criminal charges for improperly acting as an immigration consultant and unauthorized practice of law.
Judith and Minerva Gil must appear in court on March 12, 2019 to plead not guilty or guilty to the charges.
Victims of fake attorneys can file complaints
The State Bar of California has a unit dedicated to investigating the unauthorized practice of law. This includes people who give unlicensed legal advice, advertise as "notaries" or pose as lawyers.
By law, immigration consultants may only translate answers to questions on state or federal forms, obtain copies of documents, and refer clients to legal representatives. Immigration consultants cannot provide legal advice or represent immigrants in court. If they do, they could be prosecuted for unauthorized practice of law.
If a lawyer has been disbarred or practices law with a suspended license, he or she is also considered to be engaging in the unauthorized practice of law.
Individuals who have been victimized by persons practicing law without a license or authorization may file a to file a complaint with the State Bar of California by clicking here.where you will find instructions in Spanish.
There is no cost to file a complaint and you will not be asked your legal status.