Frances Arroyo launched Los Angeles Legal Advocates in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home while pregnant with her second child, starting with a single printer. Within three years, the firm grew from a solo operation into a multimillion-dollar organization with more than 100 employees. The firm is located at 1025 W. 190th Street, Suite 400, Gardena, California 90248, and can be reached at (310) 978-7426.
How the Firm Came to Exist
Arroyo’s path to immigration law began during her undergraduate years at American University in Washington, D.C., where she worked in restaurants alongside immigrant coworkers who lived in constant fear of deportation and family separation. That experience shaped the practice she would eventually build. She earned her J.D. from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2010 with a specialty in Global Legal Studies, and went on to become board certified as an expert in Immigration and Nationality Law.
The firm now operates with multiple offices, including locations in Gardena, Rancho Cucamonga, and Santa Ana, and handles both immigration and personal injury matters.
The Legal Team
Frances Arroyo, CEO and Immigration Attorney, holds board certification as an expert in Immigration and Nationality Law from the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She has been recognized as a Top 100 Lawyer and a Top 40 Under 40 by The National Advocates.
Sumeet Lall, Esq., Managing Attorney, is a former Department of Homeland Security attorney with trial experience. His practice covers family-based petitions, U visas, VAWA cases, and removal defense.
Ivo Genchev, Esq., Managing Attorney, brings more than 18 years of legal experience across multiple jurisdictions. He has been admitted to the California State Bar since 2012 and has spent 12 years focused on removal defense and immigration court litigation. He is also licensed to practice in Europe and is fluent in English, Spanish, and Bulgarian.
Christina Michael, a senior trial lawyer, handles personal injury matters, representing accident and injury victims in civil litigation against insurance companies and businesses.
Practice Areas
Family-Based Immigration
The firm handles sponsorship petitions for spouses, children, parents, and siblings of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, guiding clients through the petition, interview, and adjustment of status or consular processing stages.
Removal Defense
The firm represents individuals with pending immigration court cases or existing deportation orders. Managing Attorney Sumeet Lall’s prior experience as a DHS attorney provides direct insight into the government’s approach to removal proceedings.
Humanitarian Relief
Los Angeles Legal Advocates handles asylum applications, VAWA petitions for survivors of domestic violence, U visas for crime victims cooperating with law enforcement, and T visas for trafficking survivors. Team members have worked with organizations including Casa Cornelia, the ACLU, and the American Bar Association Immigrant Justice Project.
Naturalization
The firm guides eligible lawful permanent residents through the citizenship application process, including form preparation, document gathering, and interview preparation.
Waivers
For individuals with grounds of inadmissibility, the firm prepares and files immigration waivers, including waivers based on unlawful presence, prior removal, or criminal grounds.
Appeals
The firm handles appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals and federal courts when Immigration Court decisions go unfavorably for clients.
Personal Injury
Christina Michael handles civil litigation for accident and injury victims, pursuing claims against at-fault parties and insurance companies.
Social Security Disability
The firm assists clients with Social Security disability claims, a service area that addresses the overlap between immigration status and access to federal benefits.
Languages
The firm provides services in English, Spanish, and Bulgarian.
Service Area and Hours
Los Angeles Legal Advocates serves Los Angeles and surrounding Southern California communities through three offices: Gardena, Rancho Cucamonga, and Santa Ana. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Free consultations are available. The firm’s website is www.lalegaladvocates.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What immigration matters does the firm handle for crime victims?
The firm prepares U visa petitions for individuals who have been victims of qualifying crimes and who cooperate with law enforcement. Managing Attorney Sumeet Lall has direct experience with these cases. The firm also handles T visas for trafficking survivors and VAWA petitions for domestic violence survivors, regardless of gender.
Can the firm help someone who already has a deportation order?
Yes. Removal defense is a core part of the practice, and the firm handles cases involving existing removal orders as well as ongoing court proceedings. Managing Attorney Sumeet Lall’s background as a former DHS attorney provides experience on both sides of these proceedings.
Does the firm work with clients who are outside California?
The firm’s primary service area is Southern California, with offices in Gardena, Rancho Cucamonga, and Santa Ana. For complex immigration matters with federal components, the firm can assess whether it can assist clients outside the region on a case-by-case basis.
What is board certification in immigration law?
Board certification as an expert in Immigration and Nationality Law is a formal designation that requires demonstrated knowledge, experience, and peer review in the field. Frances Arroyo holds this designation, which is separate from standard bar admission and reflects advanced specialization in immigration law.
What are the firm’s Saturday hours?
The firm is open Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM in addition to its Monday through Friday schedule of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The firm can be reached at (310) 978-7426 or through its website at www.lalegaladvocates.com.