Immigration Quiz

Kely Martell

Kely Martell

Case Manager
Ms. Kely Martell is a Case Manager at the Law Offices of Jacob J. Sapochnick in the business department. She immigrated from Peru at a young age and grew up in the Bay Area of California. She earned her Associates in Social Sciences and Humanities along with an Associates in Liberal Arts/Sciences from De Anza College. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from San Jose University, and her ABA Paralegal Certificate from the University of San Diego Law School. Her journey in the field of immigration law began as a translator at Asian Law Alliance in the Bay Area. She later became a Business Immigration Analyst for the immigration law firm Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy. She decided to further her experience by joining the Law Offices of Jacob J. Sapochnick in May 2021, where she works as a case manager handling family and business-related immigration matters. 

Ms. Kely Martell is also a member of the San Diego Paralegal Association and of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). In her free time, she partakes in mentoring undocumented students through Undocumented Professionals. Assisting with calls for Detention Center Hotline in San Diego has become part of her community involvement as well and translating for Immigrant Justice Project for people in holding at detention centers.

Languages
  • Spanish
  • English
A Little Bit More About Kely Martell

What is your position with the Law Offices of Jacob J. Sapochnick?
Paralegal/ Case Manager

How did you end up working for the Law Firm?
I relocated to San Diego from San Jose after graduating from the San Jose State University to attend a Paralegal Program at USD Law School. My background experience has primarily been in immigration law with a focus on business cases. Due to my focus on immigration law, the Law Office of Jacob Sapochnick was a great fit.

What does your job entail?
I work primarily with business cases and occasionally with family cases. My job requires constant communication with clients through phone calls or emails. I also go through the intake process with each client to collect information and request specific documentation depending on the visa category.

What is the most difficult part of your job?
The most difficult part is the current immigrational delays and knowing my client's needs for their case to be expedited which can be due to families being separated for a prolonged period of time, work, or financial instability. Another difficult aspect of the job is having clients not lose faith in their case if circumstances are challenging.

What is the best part of your job?
To me, the best part of my job is interacting with clients and learning more about them. Every case is different, and it can require adjusting to each client’s needs. The best part will always be seeing reunifications of families.

Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Lima, Peru, and lived there till the age of 10 years old. I relocated to San Jose, California, and called the Bay Area home till early 2021.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like paddleboarding, hiking, drawing, dancing, doing pro bono work for communities in need, attending San Diego Paralegal Association events/forums, and learning about other sectors of law such as real estate law and criminal.

Do you have any unusual hobbies?
An unusual hobby would be cooking when stressed.

Can you tell us about your family, pet, etc.?
I grew up in a household with military and law enforcement officers. My dad was in the air force for over 15 years and my grandfather was a law enforcement officer for most of his life till he retired. I learned a lot about discipline from them and that it’s important to always adjust to new environments. My mother was a tour guide for Machu Picchu during her youth and now she works as a Caregiver for a family. My grandmother, Maria raised me for part of my life, and she is the most compassionate person out there. I have one younger brother that recently graduated with a degree in communication. My family adopted an adorable puppy named Teddy, the loves to wear sweaters.

Do you have a favorite saying or quote and if so, what is it and why?
What’s done in the dark will come to light

A favorite book or movie you would like to share?
My favorite movie is Just Mercy with Michael B. Jordan

Client Reviews
★★★★★
Great immigration lawyer, very professional, knowledgeable and experienced. Jacob always answered my questions, e-mails and calls; great customer service from him and everybody at his office. I highly recommend Jacob, probably the best immigration lawyer out there. Plinio Franca
★★★★★
I trust you know how much all of us at the Spreckels Organ Society appreciate your incredible generosity in providing legal assistance with the visas required by the international artists last year during our International Summer Organ Festival. We consider it an honor that you and your firm provided this service, and were delighted to publicize your firm in our concert materials. George H.
★★★★★
That's good news on the approval of our 3 executive L1A visas. You fought a tough RFE, but we won. We are pleased to be working with you. KB is also bringing passports tomorrow again to the US Embassy in Tashkent for visa processing. We look forward to his arrival to the US. Sarvar
★★★★★
I wanted to thank again and again for obtaining my E1 Treaty Trader visa for me. The process was not easy, especially since our trade was all based on Technology. You knew the law, and was able to craft an outstanding file to be presented to Immigration. We are now ready to take the business to the next level. Toda Raba
★★★★★
Thanks for helping me with my marriage-based immigration case. You were very accessible - taking my calls, returning my messages and emails promptly. You answered all my questions. I was most impressed and relieved that you attended the immigration interview with me and my wife. You made the whole process streamline and simple. You really know your stuff, and you're a nice, friendly guy as well. Shane P.