Maria Batres
Intake attorney
An attorney who combines compassion, experience, and strong advocacy to protect immigrant families.
Maria is Of Counsel Attorney at James Immigration Law. As the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, her practice is deeply connected to the reality of families seeking stability, unity, and a secure future. Her approach unites genuine empathy with solid and committed legal advocacy.
Maria’s calling to law stems from both her personal history and her professional trajectory. The daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, she grew up admiring the courage and determination of the immigrant community, values that guide her daily work today.
Before becoming an attorney, Maria had a meaningful career as an educator. It was on that path where she discovered her passion for helping others face challenges, understand complex processes, and move toward their goals. That experience continues to shape the way she accompanies her clients: with patience, clarity, and deep respect for each story.
Education and Experience
Maria earned her Bachelor of Arts in History and her Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) from Trinity University.
She subsequently earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Georgia State University College of Law.
She began her legal career as a Prosecutor in Atlanta, Georgia, and for nearly a decade has practiced immigration law, focusing on family petitions, humanitarian relief, and deportation defense.
She is currently a member of AILA and the State Bar of Georgia.
Client Approach
Listen to the story
Accompany with compassion
Advocate with strength
Maria believes that every case begins by carefully listening to the complete story of the person before her. Her approach is based on treating each client with dignity, clearly explaining their options, and combining humane communication with strong and strategic legal advocacy.
For her, compassion and firm advocacy are not mutually exclusive: together they form the foundation for building trust and achieving results that protect families.
Her Greatest Motivation
Keeping families together and giving voice to every story
What motivates Maria most is helping families stay together and find stability through the immigration process. Inspired by the strength of the immigrant community, she finds meaning in accompanying each client with respect, empathy, and a genuine commitment to their future.
She knows that every story deserves to be heard and treated with dignity, and that conviction is what guides her practice every day.
Every story deserves to be heard and defended with dignity.
Beyond Legal Practice
Outside of work, Maria enjoys training and playing with her energetic Westie, Justice, as well as sharing quality time with her family and friends.
She is passionate about travel, especially to places with rich history and culture, and loves discovering unique stories—whether exploring new destinations, reading, or connecting with people from different backgrounds.
She describes herself as compassionate, empathetic, and committed.
A Message from Maria
Your story matters and deserves to be defended.
I'm here to listen to you, accompany you, and fight for you with compassion and determination. Every step of the process counts, and my commitment is to help you move forward with clarity, respect, and confidence.
Speak with our team today.