We had the good fortune of connecting with Alix Martin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alix, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I originally moved from France to the U.S. on a student visa in 2015 to pursue my Master of Law at UCLA. Over the years, I navigated through various visa types—an intern visa, a work visa, and eventually obtained my green card. This journey involved years of stress, juggling visa applications, and dealing with lengthy processing times. Drawing from that experience, I founded my own immigration law firm, with the goal of providing clients with the support and reassurance I know they need, having been through the process myself. As an immigration attorney, I’m committed to guiding them every step of the way.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I initially specialized in international arbitration, but after completing my LLM at UCLA, I decided to extend my stay in the U.S. and pursued an internship. I secured one at an immigration law firm in Century City, and that’s where I discovered the field of immigration law—and I absolutely loved it. Having gone through the visa process myself, I knew firsthand how stressful it could be, and I wanted to help others facing similar challenges.

Starting my own practice wasn’t easy. One of the biggest hurdles was finding a way to establish myself permanently in the U.S., which meant securing a sponsor for my visa. After years of navigating the immigration system, I finally obtained my green card, allowing me to officially open my practice. From the moment I did, business took off.

My first case was deeply meaningful. A woman reached out to me because her grandfather, who was dying of cancer, hadn’t seen his sister since he moved to the U.S. in his 20s, while she stayed behind in Mexico. The family wanted to reunite them before it was too late, but his sister couldn’t get a visa. I applied for humanitarian parole on her behalf, and it was approved! The family sent me a video of the surprise reunion, and seeing their joy reaffirmed why I chose this path.

Today, most of my clients are French or Quebecois. I’ve found that French-speaking individuals feel more at ease working with someone who speaks their language and understands their unique concerns. Word of mouth spread quickly, and I started receiving a steady stream of referrals from happy clients in France and Canada.

Over time, I refined the services I offer. While I no longer take asylum or H-1B (work visa) cases, I focus mostly on visas like the O-1 (“talent visa”), E-2 (“investor visa”), L-1 (“intracompany visa”), TN visas for Canadians, marriage-based green cards, and EB-1A self-sponsored green cards.

What sets me apart is my deep commitment to my clients. I listen carefully to their needs, reassure them throughout the process, and I’m relentless in fighting for them. I also ensure that my fees are fair and reasonable, as I believe high-quality legal services should be accessible. My journey to building this practice wasn’t easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding, and I’m proud to help others achieve their immigration goals.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I live in West Hollywood, we’d start there, where I have my go-to places. For a great workout, we’d kick things off with a Pilates class at G-50 Studio—it’s the perfect way to energize for the day. Afterward, we’d stop by Erewhon for one of their (admittedly overpriced but worth it) smoothies.
In the afternoon, we’d explore Silver Lake and Echo Park—two of my favorite areas when I want a change of pace. They have a more laid-back vibe, lots of charming cafes, and a peaceful atmosphere that’s great for unwinding.
For dinner, I’d take them to my favorite restaurant, Amour, which has some of the best French food and wine in West Hollywood.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a huge shoutout to my friend and employee, Camila Tamayo! I met her years ago when I was interning at an immigration law firm in Century City, and she was my roommate at the time. We became best friends, and she’s been by my side through it all—especially when I launched my own practice. As my firm grew rapidly and I began taking on more clients, I started looking to hire help but wasn’t completely satisfied with the candidates I found. Hiring Camila turned out to be the best decision ever. She’s been a lifesaver, managing cases and supporting me every step of the way.

Website: https://martinlawfirms.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/martinlawfirms/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alix-martin-8a15953a/

Other: https://frenchdistrict.com/californie-sud/adresse/martin-law-avocat-francophone-immigration-etats-unis/

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