MEET OUR STAFF
Maria Guadarrama
About Maria
Maria joined Zuma Law in December 2016. As office manager, Maria is in charge of administration and reception at Zuma Law. Prior to joining the team, Maria was the front manager at a law office in Waukegan from 2013-2016.
As a mother of three, and an immigrnat herself, Maria knows the sacrifices and dangers our clients face in order to give thier children a better future. She understands the importance of immigration law in keeping families together in the United State, and has been helping the community achieve that goal for eight years.
About Jael
Graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree in Management from National Louis Univeristy and with an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies, Jael brings 8 years of experience in immigration to Zuma Law. Since 2018, Jael focuses on Asylum cases helping asylum seekers find a better life in the U.S., and manages our legal team as the Legal Team Manager.
Jael is passionate about Immigration Law and helping others achieve thier dreams of obtaining legal status. She herself is an immigrant and has been through the process of our complicated immigration system. Jael is proud to be part of the Zuma Law team and to help immigrants obtain a better life in the U.S.
Jael Mejia
Melanie Pagan
About Melanie
Melanie initially started at Zuma Law as an intern while she attended Lake Forest College. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Spanish, Melanie has been working on Family Petitions, Waivers, and Work Permits at Zuma Law.
Melanie is passionate about Family as she herself comes from a family of immigrants. She can’t wait to start forming her own family with her husband and teach their children about their cultura. Meanwhile she wants to help other families accomplish their dreams of obtaining legal status in this country and her goal is to help as many individuals as possible.
About Ana
Ana has been working in Immigration Law since she graduated High School. Prior to joining Zuma Law, she worked at a non-profit and helped immigrants apply for Citizenship. Ana enjoyed her work so much that she became a volunteer Citizenship Instructor. As a Legal Assistant at Zuma Law, Ana continues her work in helping clients apply for Naturalization as well as helping clients apply for DACA, and work permits.
Interesting fact about Ana: Her parents immigrated to the U.S. and 20 days before her birth her Father became a Naturalized Citizen of the U.S.
Ana Ramirez
Darixza Rodriguez
About Darixza
Darixza joined Zuma Law in February of 2020 with three years of expereince in Immigration Law. Prior to joining our team, Darixza worked with non-profits in providing legal services to low income families. As a paralegal at Zuma Law, she helps families apply for U-Visas, VAWAs and SIJS.
Being raised in an immigrant family, Darixza understands the importance of education and hard work. Which is why she pushed herself to get two associate degrees, one in Arts and another in Paralegal Studies. Darixza contributes her success to her mother who single handedly raised her and her siblings.
About Alexandra
Alexandra graduated from Lake Forest College in May 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Spanish. She has been with Zuma Law since 2017 as a legal assistant. Alexandra has worked on various types of cases such as U Visas and Adjustment of Status, but now focuses on Asylum, Cancellation of Removal, and Bond Motions.
Alexandra is passionate about helping others and strives to help make the world a better place. She believes that her work in assisting individuals with their immigration needs is important and worthwhile.
Alexandra Vela
Berenice Uribe
About Berenice
Berenice Uribe has worked as an immigration paralegal in Lake County, IL for the past 14 years in both non-profits and private law firms. Berenice has a wide range of experience with multiple types of cases but primarily focuses on Family Petitions, Adjustment of Staus, and Consular Process. Berenice also prepares clients to attend their immigration interviews both in the U.S. and outside, such as Chicago, Milwuakee, Mexico, Honduras, and many other consulates.
She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Zuma Law team and uses her personal and professional experience to tend to the needs of our clients.
