Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Colon.
Maria, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in Puerto Rico, and I became a mother while I was still in college. Shortly after, my father passed away as a result of medical malpractice, and that loss changed the course of my life. I knew then that I wanted to become an attorney, but the path was anything but easy. I was a single mother, grieving my father, and navigating legal education which was intimidating. With the support of people I consider my angels, I made it through. I would arrange rides to law school, drop my daughter off at daycare, attend classes, and repeat that cycle every day. It was exhausting, but I didn’t quit.
During law school, immigration law captured my heart. I realized that although Puerto Rico has a large immigrant population, I wanted to be in a place where I could serve more directly and more urgently. After becoming licensed, I made the intentional decision to work first as a paralegal, even as an attorney, because I understood the weight of this work. In immigration law, your work can determine whether a family stays together or is separated. I wanted to be ready.
I worked at several firms before finding true mentorship at Catholic Charities of Baltimore, where I was surrounded by dedicated, skilled attorneys who shared my commitment to service. That experience shaped who I am as an advocate. During COVID, I decided to open my own practice. I naively thought I would have more time, especially as a mother to a child with severe autism and a teenager who needed me present, but entrepreneurship had other plans. It has been challenging, humbling, and deeply rewarding. Through my small practice, we have been able to help thousands of families navigate one of the most difficult moments of their lives, and every day I am reminded why I chose this path.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road at all. From the moment I decided to become an attorney, the journey has been marked by sacrifice and constant struggle. Doing this work while raising a small child was overwhelming, and entering a profession where, as a Latina woman, I am still often mistaken for an interpreter when I walk into a courtroom has been both painful and discouraging, no matter how prepared or qualified I am. The shifting immigration policies and changes in administration add another layer of difficulty, creating barriers that often feel designed to wear you down and regularly result in due process violations against an already vulnerable community. This work can be exhausting, emotionally heavy, and at times heartbreaking. And yet, every time I feel like giving up, I am reminded that this is my calling, and that the very difficulty of the road is why I am meant to walk it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the founder of the Law Office of Maria Colon LLC, where I practice exclusively U.S. immigration and nationality law. My work focuses on keeping families together, protecting due process, and finding relief in cases where others have said there is none. I am most proud of the trust my clients place in me, especially those who come after being dismissed, overlooked, or harmed by prior representation. What sets me apart is that I lead with compassion and care, taking the time to truly listen and thoroughly review each case so my clients never feel like a burden. I know what it means to struggle and to start with very little, and that lived experience allows me to connect with my clients on a deeply human level. For many of them, being heard, believed, and advocated for has been the difference between giving up and finding hope.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Empathy. I genuinely care about the people I serve and the situations they are in. Many of my clients come to me at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives, and feeling seen and heard matters. Empathy allows me to build trust, understand the full picture of a case, and advocate for my clients with both skill and heart. It is the foundation of everything I do and has been essential to my success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mariacolonlaw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abogadamariacolon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abogadamariacolon
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-colon-117533b3
- Twitter: https://x.com/abogadacolon
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@abogadamariacolon
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/law-office-of-maria-colon-lutherville-2
