The Breach of Trust: Client Allegations of Misconduct and Fraud by Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C.

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Every immigrant family facing deportation or complex status issues knows the terror of legal uncertainty. When they seek help, they don't just need a lawyer; they need an advocate—a person they can trust with their future, their freedom, and their life savings.

Yet, for years, the firm, Landerholm, has allegedly engaged in practices that, clients contend, undermine client trust by charging fees that clients argue are disproportionate for services that were reportedly delayed, neglected, or incomplete.

These documented claims suggest a systematic pattern of alleged financial and professional irregularities that resulted in significant financial and legal harm to vulnerable families. We are demanding immediate action to investigate this firm, review the licenses of those involved, and secure client redress and justice for all affected individuals.

The Documented Cost of Alleged Irregularities
 

The client stories documented below reveal a pattern of alleged misconduct that raises serious questions about the firm's ethical and professional standards:

1. Allegations of Disproportionate Fees and Negligence One client, jailed and facing a felony, was quoted a fee of $20,250 for a service that professionals usually charge between $4,000 and $10,000 for, which the family, facing legal uncertainty, paid. The client, incarcerated and terrified, reportedly never received basic communication or assurance from the assigned attorney. This alleged negligence, including dismissing vital legal options, reportedly resulted in his transfer hundreds of miles away, severely limiting family visits. The family claims they paid a disproportionate amount for a case that resulted in neglect and devastating loneliness.

2. Fee Discrepancies and Unilateral Fee Retention Another client, seeking help with an i751 case, retained an attorney from the firm. After receiving a $3,000 advance, the attorney allegedly changed strategy, withdrew from the case, and promised a full refund. Weeks later, the client reports the firm returned only $1,750, unilaterally retaining $1,250 for services the client contends were minimal or non-existent. The client asserts this retention constitutes unearned fees and financial misconduct.

3. Breach of Fee Agreement and Alleged Case Abandonment A couple paid $14,000 for a petition, with a client assertion of an explicit promise that the firm would help the husband if he was ever detained, at no extra cost. When the husband was arrested two years later, the firm reportedly refused to honor that stated promise. After the husband was released, the firm allegedly withdrew from the case twice without notice. Upon demanding a refund for the unperformed work, the client claims the founder provided only $4,000 and spoke in a "condescending tone," resulting in a client-reported loss of $10,000 for unperformed work.

4. Contractual Violations and Documented Threats Mr. Jimenez paid a $22,500 flat fee for his U visa and removal defense, under a contract that reportedly prohibited additional charges. Yet, the firm later demanded up to $35,000 more, in alleged violation of the written agreement and legal ethics. When his attorney left, the firm allegedly failed to assign new counsel, resulting in no opposition being filed against a Department of Homeland Security motion, which subsequently placed Mr. Jimenez back into active deportation status. Documented audio and text messages show the firm admitting fault. Mr. Jimenez possesses audio evidence documenting a communication where an attorney allegedly demanded he re-hire the firm and pay an estimated additional $35,000. The recording documents the attorney stating that failure to comply could result in the firm sending a communication to the court that would expedite Mr. Jimenez's hearing. Mr. Jimenez contends that this communication constituted a threat to pay the additional, disputed fees or face expedited deportation proceedings. To date, the firm has also refused to provide a refund, accounting records, or his complete case file, an alleged violation of state bar rules.

5. Alleged Professional Negligence and Financial Discrepancies Mr. Vélez Tobón paid over $8,000 after allegedly being assured his case was simple. After over a year of delays, another attorney reportedly admitted that the firm had overlooked critical legal elements and could no longer file his case. Despite acknowledging this alleged negligence, the firm refunded only $4,000—half of what he paid—and provided a folder of documents the client asserts were useless photocopies. Mr. Vélez Tobón claims he lost not only $4,000 but also an entire year of opportunity to file his case, potentially impacting his eligibility window with USCIS.
 

Our Demand for Accountability
 

We, the concerned community members and allies, cannot stand by while vulnerable immigrant families are allegedly subjected to professional and financial misconduct.

We demand that the State Bar Association and the Attorney General's Office immediately:

Launch a Full Civil and Regulatory Investigation into the practices of the firm and its associates regarding alleged billing irregularities, communication failures, contractual non-compliance, and case management concerns within the immigrant community.
Review and Assess the Licenses of any attorneys found by the State Bar to have knowingly engaged in professional misconduct.
Mandate Full Client Redress for all affected parties, ensuring they receive a full accounting and appropriate refunds for services that were reportedly never performed or where fees were found to be unjustifiable.
Sign this petition. Your signature is a demand for full accountability and protection of our neighbors from those who allegedly engage in professional misconduct.