Robert Garmo
Robert Garmo graduated from the University of Michigan in 1988 with an undergraduate degree in political science, and graduated from the University of Detroit, school of law in 1992. He passed the Michigan bar exam in the summer of 1992, and began practicing law in the Detroit area.
In 1997, Robert moved to San Diego, and passed the California bar exam and began practicing law in the San Diego area. Since 1997, Robert has been practicing law as a partner of Garmo & Garmo LLP in the San Diego area. The primary areas of practice have been immigration law and commercial real estate transactions, including contracts, sales, acquisition, and repositioning of assets, including the handling of distressed assets, REO properties, and commercial loan modifications.
In addition to practicing law, Robert became a licensed real estate broker in California in 1998 with emphasis in the commercial real estate market, including hospitality, NNN properties, and development. Robert has acted as acquisition specialist in numerous commercial real estate transactions and he continues to help California Real Estate owners evaluate their properties and reposition properties to help add value.
Ileana Soto
Ileana graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Sociology – Law and Society and a minor in Literature’s of the World from the University of California, San Diego in 2013. She applied for law school in 2014 and received her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law in December 2016. Ileana passed the California bar exam in 2017, and began practicing law in the San Diego area.
Ileana has been practicing immigration law for two years, but has been immersed in all aspects of immigration since 2011. She has researched cross border issues, specifically those affecting the United States and Mexico border, made Know Your Rights Presentations to various Spanish speaking communities in Central and Southern California, and studied migration patterns from Latin American countries into the United States and their realistic effects on global migration. Since 2015, Ileana has focused on assisting individuals and businesses with their employment needs. From small, individually owned businesses to larger corporations, Ileana has helped connect businesses with excellent expansion opportunities as well as assisting them with employment-based petitions for individuals they wish to hire from abroad on a temporary or permanent basis.
Ileana is admitted to the State Bar of California and is licensed to practice law before the Supreme Court of California and the Department of Homeland Security nationwide. She is fluent in Spanish.
Education
J.D., California Western School of Law, 2016
B.A., University of California, San Diego, 2013
Bar Admissions
California State Bar
Organizations
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Lavina Tallo
Lavina graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Sociology, magna cum laude, from San Diego State University in 2021. She applied for law school in 2021 and will begin her studies at Western Sierra Law School in September 2021, with an intent to receive her Juris Doctor in May 2025. She earned her Associate’s Degree (A.A) in Political Science with Honors and Magnum Opus from Cuyamaca College in June 2019.In addition, Lavina has 2 years of experience as a Legislative Intern for the California State Senator Joel Anderson. She also has three years of experience in legal administrative work. Her interests are in the functions and roles of Local and State Governments and in Public Law and Policies. During her free time, Lavina enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading books, and hiking. She is fluent in Chaldean, Arabic, and literate in Spanish.
Education
J.D., Western Sierra Law School, San Diego, est. 2025
B.A., San Diego State University, San Diego, 2021
A.A., Cuyamaca College, San Diego, 2019
Organizations
American Immigration Lawyers Association, National, Paralegal Member
Pre-Law Society, San Diego, Chair Member
Empowering Women in Law, San Diego, Vice President