State Bar Seizes Unlawful Practice of El Cajon Woman after Complaint from a Relative

State Bar Seizes Unlawful Practice of El Cajon Woman after Complaint from a Relative

On Tuesday, the State Bar of California seized the unlawful practice of Maria Leanos, an El Cajon woman operating a law office without a valid license and misrepresenting herself as an attorney to clients on immigration and family law matters, the Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) announced today. The Superior Court of California County of San Diego granted OCTC's petition to execute the seizure in a September 26, 2024, order.

The investigation into Leanos began when her niece filed a complaint with the State Bar in December 2023 stating that Leanos repeatedly misrepresented herself as an attorney, operated a business under the name "Law Office of Maria Leanos," and advertised her services on Facebook and through an immigration service website. The complaint further alleged that due to her own misrepresentations, many of Leanos's social media followers believed she was a licensed attorney.

In May 2024, an OCTC investigator visited Leanos's El Cajon office where he viewed a sign outside the building that read, 'The Law Offices of Maria Leanos.' Inside, business cards and signage further promoted Leanos as a practicing attorney, including a sign that stated in Spanish: "In the law office of Maria Leanos, first you pay and then services will be rendered."

When Leanos responded to an OCTC inquiry, she identified herself as an immigration consultant and denied holding herself out as an attorney. She claimed to be bonded as an immigration consultant with the California Secretary of State's office. While Leanos was registered as an immigration consultant between May 2017 and June 2020, an OCTC investigator could find no record of any current registration or bonding as an immigration consultant.

"From her law office business signs to firsthand accounts and inconsistent statements, Ms. Leanos's actions provide ample evidence that she engaged in the unauthorized practice of law," said George Cardona, 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."

During the seizure, OCTC seized seven boxes of client files.

Clients or former clients of Maria Leanos, who did business as the Law Office of Maria Leanos, Latino Unidos Immigration, or Mejia Income Tax, seeking the return of their files may contact the State Bar at (213) 765-1649.

The State Bar has a unit dedicated to investigating and addressing UPL throughout California. People who have been targeted by someone who is not licensed to practice law can file an unauthorized practice of law complaint with the State Bar. There is no cost, and U.S. citizenship is not required; the State Bar will not ask complainants about their citizenship or immigration status. The online complaint form is available in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese.

As a warning to the public, the names of those who have received unauthorized practice of law Cease and Desist notices are posted, by county, on the State Bar website. The State Bar also provides consumer information about avoiding legal fraud, including the unauthorized practice of law.

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The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.