Business Details
21 Years
experience
Trusted Immigration and Criminal Defense Lawyers in Charleston, SC
Founded in 2005 by attorney Marco Torres, our firm provides comprehensive legal services in immigration and criminal defense. With a focus on serving diverse communities, including Spanish-speaking clients, we combine decades of experience with personalized advocacy. Marco Torres, a former Charleston County Public Defender, and his wife Claire Xidis Torres, a civil litigation expert, lead our team in delivering strategic legal solutions. Our practice spans family-based immigration, deportation defense, and criminal cases from municipal to federal levels. We prioritize client education and community engagement through workshops and direct support.Our multilingual team includes paralegals and legal assistants dedicated to making immigration processes accessible and transparent. We maintain active memberships in professional organizations like the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Our Charleston-based office serves clients statewide while adhering to strict ethical standards and client confidentiality. With combined experience exceeding 30 years, we approach each case with meticulous preparation and compassionate representation.
Services
Immigration Law
Criminal Defense
Family Petitions
Adjustment of Status
Consular Processing
Deportation Defense
Citizenship Applications
Military Immigration Cases
Criminal Record Expungement
Legal Consultations
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- We offer 18+ years of immigration law experience since 2005
- Our attorneys are former public defenders and litigators
- Bilingual Spanish-English legal team with cultural understanding
- Personalized case strategy development for each client
- Active community engagement through immigration workshops
Services
Immigration Law
We handle all aspects of immigration law including family-based petitions, deportation defense, and citizenship applications. Our attorneys represent clients in USCIS interviews and immigration court proceedings. With specialized expertise in complex cases like U visas and VAWA applications, we provide comprehensive solutions for individuals and families navigating the U.S. immigration system.
Criminal Defense
Our firm defends clients facing criminal charges from traffic offenses to federal crimes. We provide strategic representation for cases involving DUI, drug crimes, and domestic violence. With experience in both prosecution and defense, we develop tailored defense strategies while protecting clients' rights throughout the legal process, including immigration consequences of criminal charges.
Family Petitions
We assist U.S. citizens and permanent residents in petitioning for family members through spouse, parent, child, and sibling visas. Our services include preparing documentation for consular processing and adjustment of status applications. We guide clients through the entire process from initial petition to visa approval and permanent residency.
Adjustment of Status
We help eligible individuals apply for legal permanent residency without leaving the U.S. Our services include preparing applications, gathering required documentation, and accompanying clients to USCIS interviews. We specialize in cases involving family relationships, employment, and humanitarian protections while ensuring compliance with evolving immigration regulations.
Deportation Defense
Our attorneys represent clients in immigration court facing deportation proceedings. We develop defense strategies using available legal remedies including cancellation of removal, asylum applications, and bond motions. We work to protect clients' rights while seeking relief from removal through both administrative and judicial processes.
People
Marco T. Torres
Attorney
Founder of Torres Law Firm with 18+ years of immigration and criminal defense experience. Former Charleston County Public Defender. Licensed in South Carolina and Washington D.C. Fluent in Spanish. Member of American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Claire Xidis Torres
Attorney
Specializes in immigration law with focus on family petitions and deportation defense. Former judicial law clerk and complex litigation attorney. Licensed in four states. Active member of American Immigration Lawyers Association. Co-founder of Torres Law Firm since 2010.
Kate Samuel
Legal Assistant
Supports immigration cases with Spanish language proficiency. Former Peace Corps volunteer with experience in migrant education and human trafficking victim advocacy. Manages client communications and case preparation for the legal team.
Mayra Williams
Paralegal
15-year medical field veteran transitioned to immigration law. Fluent Spanish speaker with family immigration background. Provides compassionate client support while leveraging healthcare experience to understand clients' unique needs during immigration processes.
SaraCrystal Rodriguez
Paralegal
Certified medical interpreter with healthcare coordination background. Focuses on assisting Hispanic community with immigration cases. Bilingual English-Spanish professional with personal understanding of immigration challenges as daughter of Mexican immigrants.
Questions
What immigration services do you offer?
We handle family petitions, deportation defense, citizenship applications, adjustment of status, consular processing, U visas, VAWA applications, and military immigration cases.
Do you handle criminal defense cases?
Yes, we defend clients facing DUI, drug crimes, domestic violence, federal illegal re-entry, theft crimes, and traffic offenses from municipal to federal levels.
Are your attorneys licensed in South Carolina?
Marco Torres is licensed in South Carolina and Washington D.C. Claire Torres is licensed in South Carolina, New York, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.
Do you offer Spanish language support?
Yes, both attorneys and our paralegal team are fluent in Spanish with extensive experience serving Spanish-speaking clients.
How can I schedule a consultation?
Call our Charleston office at 843-720-3732 during business hours (Mon-Thurs 8:30-5:30, Fri 8:30-5:00) to schedule an appointment.
What makes your firm different?
Our combined 30+ years of immigration and criminal defense experience, bilingual capabilities, and personal understanding of immigrant challenges create unique client advocacy.
