Team Members

Mehran Fardis

Mehran was born in Iran. At a very young age, he witnessed a senseless war, and grave injustice that comes with chaos of war, and a revolutionary system that allowed for no freedom of expression, choice, or speak. Mehran was sent to Germany at age 12 to find a better future away from war and chaos of his homeland. His parents could not accompany him, so he embarked on the journey alone. After finishing the gymnasiale oberstufe in Köln (Cologne), he went on to study medicine, only to find that his passion lie elsewhere. Once in U.S., Mehran realized social justice, being of service to others, and enhancing the community are values he cares about most.

Soon after receiving his B.S. in Business from San Jose State University, Mehran started his own business. While running his business, Mehran attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, to receive his J.D. After getting licensed in California, Mehran spent much of his time providing Pro bono legal help at Justice and Diversity Center, which is a branch of the San Francisco Bar Association. There, he focused on helping tenants remain in their homes, and successfully assisted many San Franciscans find ways to not be evicted. Mehran also spent substantial amount of time helping the immigrant community with immigration related legal matters. Being an immigrant himself, he knows all too well the challenges immigrants face, and the minute intricacies of the immigration system. “Immigrants are a particularly vulnerable segment of the society, because many of them do not have legal rights to defend themselves in day to day interactions of life, and I have made it a cornerstone of my practice, to relentlessly help the immigrant community.”

Furthermore, having run a business for many years, Mehran understand challenges, predicaments, and unforeseen events, that may cause a business to collapse, often to no fault of a business owner, or an individual. During difficult days of Covid-19, forced closure of many small business can have drastic effects on continuation of a business. Mehran wants to help small business owners, and individuals who have to make the hard choice to proceed with bankruptcy, in a way to make the transition as easy, smooth, and effortless as possible. C.A.R.E. Law Group provides 100% online, and off site bankruptcy help, whereby clients do not need to come into the office not even once. These are difficult times of life, and Mehran understands this very well. He wants clients to spend time where it matters most to them, and not at a lawyer’s office, or in court.

“Giving back is not just a nice gesture, it is a duty incumbent upon all of us, who are privileged to live in this country as members of the community. Your well being is the most important factor for me, and not anything else. My pledge is outstanding communication, superb representation of your interests, delivering results, and taking care of you. This is not just a law firm, this is a group of individuals that deeply care about clients, and their interests.”

MYSTIC MOOMA RAMBLESMYSTIC MOOMA RAMBLES
10:17 04 Jan 24
I immediately felt relaxed and knew my questions mattered. All my queries were answered in an understandable and informed manner. I highly recommend Mr. Farris and look forward to working with him further.
AMANUL HOQUEAMANUL HOQUE
19:44 27 Dec 23
Good immigration attorney
Rob VillaRob Villa
17:19 27 Dec 23
Attny Mehran is easy to talk to, best law firm. Fast action. My case was change of status from j1 to f1. If you need immediatw help, dont hesitate to contact Attny. Mehran and shout out to Ms. Dattar.
Laraib AhmedLaraib Ahmed
04:14 17 Nov 23
I highly recommended Mr mehran.He helped me alot in my adjustment status and taking good care of our matter.
Eric AdolphusEric Adolphus
17:47 16 Nov 23
CARE Law Group and Mehran are incredible! Mehran assisted myself and my wife will all the immigration paperwork, and made an intimidating process easy to understand. He is a great communicator, as him and his team work lightning quick and answer emails promptly, and he always makes himself available for an in-person meeting or a call. I have already passed Mehran's contact info to a few friends and plan on continuing to do so! If you need an immigration Lawyer, you cannot go wrong with Mehran!!!
Jose De Soto GarciaJose De Soto Garcia
18:59 24 Sep 23
I cannot recommend C.A.R.E Law Group and Mehran enough. He is currently helping my wife and I with an immigration matter and is the best. We spoke to over 10 immigration lawyers across Southern California and Mehran was the most professional and direct to the point. He cut the nonsense and got straight to the point and our case.5 stars all around and has an excellent office.
Rodrigo IpinceRodrigo Ipince
00:19 15 Jul 23
I can't speak highly enough of Mehran and his law firm. Helped me with all my immigration issues in a speedy, professional, knowledgeable, and empathetic way. Highly recommended!
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Advisors

Lennie Alzate

Lennie Alzate is a bankruptcy attorney admitted to practice law in California since January 2011. She received her BA in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she was president of the UNLV Boxing Club. Lennie received a certificate of Global Legal Studies after studying comparative law at the Zhejiang University Guanghua College of Law in China through her law school Thomas Jefferson School of Law. She also graduated from The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center & School, United States Army, in August 2018. She is currently a Captain in the United States Army Reserve and a JAG attorney.

In Lennie’s spare time she enjoys rock climbing, reading and grappling. She lives in Nevada.

Lennie has been an avid martial artists for many years. She currently holds a brown black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu, and was an amateur Muay Thai fighter. Having helped hundreds of clients, Lennie is more than knowledgeable about bankruptcy related issues, but even more important than her skills, Lennie is just a decent person, who truly cares about others, with a very big heart, and a razor sharp mind.

Elizabeth Grumet

Elizabeth graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2009. While in law school, she won several legal writing awards, including the Jefferson Medal and the California Award for Excellence in legal writing. She also won the American Bar Association’s 2008 Law Student Programs Writing Competition for her extended research on environmental and indigenous rights.

Elizabeth has also won several awards for her humanitarian work, including the Charles T. Bumer Civil Libertarian Book Award and the San Andreas Regional Center’s Service Above Self Award.

Elizabeth Grumet was raised in San Diego since childhood. In 2001, she graduated with honors from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Elizabeth credits her brother Paul, who has Down’s Syndrome, with inspiring her in her life and her career. After college, Elizabeth dedicated her life to expanding the opportunities of individuals with disabilities, working for Special Olympics Northern California for six years. For ten years, Elizabeth was her brother’s care provider. Through her brother Paul, Elizabeth’s passion for expanding the rights of individuals with disabilities grew. She decided to attend law school in order to hone her advocacy skills on behalf of individuals with disabilities and underrepresented individuals in her community.

Elizabeth’s passion is protecting civil liberties. During law school, Elizabeth served as a law clerk at Disability Rights California, and also clerked on a legal team representing railroad union workers in labor disputes.

After graduating from law school, Elizabeth gained tremendous complex litigation experience, representing victims of San Diego wildfires in personal injury, business, and property losses, helping win millions of dollars in settlements.

Elizabeth also represented individuals in several federal civil rights lawsuits, all of which reached successful resolutions. Prior to starting her employment rights/civil rights practice in 2016, Elizabeth gained tremendous experience working as a staff attorney at California’s largest disability rights legal non-profit, Disability Rights California, representing clients on state and federal disability discrimination claims. She also gained invaluable experience working as an associate attorney at a San Diego employment rights law firm.

Elizabeth brings passion, compassion and drive to her work. Elizabeth is a dedicated public servant. She has served as a Red Cross Disaster Action volunteer and Shelter Operations volunteer for over ten years, assisting families during large-scale and residential fires. Elizabeth has also run multiple marathons and half-marathons and raised tens of thousands of dollars as part of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training, towards a cure for blood cancers. Elizabeth has served as a Make-A-Wish wish granter for over ten years, and was honored to receive the 2015 Make-A-Wish San Diego Wish Granter of the Year Award.

Sara Waddington

Sara has been with CARE Law Group since 2022 and has quickly advanced to participate in a variety of tasks within the organization.  Sara is managing clients’ schedules, and manages the operational side, making sure everyone has what they need, and provides backend support to the entire team.  Having held positions at a diverse set of companies and organizations, Sara has brought with her a unique skill to make sure everything runs smoothly, and every team member has what they need to be at their best.

In her free time, Sara is an avid participant in many sports such as cycling, crossfit, climbing and weight training.  Sara enjoys spending time with family and friends, and to discover new places whenever she gets a chance.

Kevin Torres

Kevin Torres is a dedicated law clerk who is passionate about the pursuit of justice and advocating for clients. His journey in the legal field began at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology. He is also a graduate from the Student Leadership Academy based in Texas. Kevin is currently enrolled in law school at Roger Williams University School of Law in Rhode Island.

During Kevin’s academic journey and early career, he had the privilege of interning at the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office in Texas, where he worked closely with experienced attorneys and legal professionals, providing support on a wide range of cases, from investigations to courtroom proceedings. This led him to work for a program as a case manager in reunifying children who came to the United States searching for a better life. This role allowed him to develop a deep understanding of the legal system and its impact on individuals and communities.

In Kevin’s free time he loves to golf, play American football, and watch movies with his dogs. He served as a director for an animal rescue in Texas for many years, caring for animals and finding them loving homes.

With a strong foundation in the legal principles and the drive to make a positive impact, he is a legal clerk on the path to becoming a practicing attorney.

Liina-Maija Quist

Liina-Maija is a mother and a Ph.D. in social sciences. She was born in Finland and at age two moved with her family to live in Egypt and Israel. Later, she has lived in Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Russia and Tanzania. She speaks and writes in eight languages.

Liina-Maija’s early exposure to global inequality and to ways of life vastly different from her society’s sparked in her a curiosity about difference – and a passion to work for social justice. She has devoted her life career to academic research on environmental justice and focused especially on disputes between communities and companies over territory, identity and livelihoods. She has also studied the governance of emerging climate change-related hazards.

Liina-Maija’s experience as a new mother and an immigrant adjusting to life in the American society helped her understand better the everyday struggles of other women like her and led her to pursue legal work to help immigrant families. She also took training in teaching postnatal yoga, and practices yoga and meditation in her daily life.

Yvette Marie Datar

Yvette is an immigration paralegal passionate about her work. Originally from the Philippines, Yvette is more than familiar with immigration challenges, and has been helping a vast number of clients over the course of ten years. Yvette has a Bachelor of Science from Bicol University, Philippines in Business Administration.

Yvette is also the mother of a 19 year old son who recently started his college career.

In her free time, Yvette spends time with family, friends, and helping others in any way she can.

Yvette chose immigration as a path for life, because she is familiar with struggles immigrants face coming to U.S.

Maria Garcia

Maria Garcia is a seasoned professional with over twelve years of experience in high-level administrative support. Having held positions in the legal, media, and non-profit fields, Maria can apply a myriad of skills to her commitment to excellence. Maria graduated from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. 

As a certified public Notary, Maria also provides legal assistance. In addition to her duties as a Case Manager, Maria also enjoys writing. She is a published author of three fiction novels and is currently writing a memoir. Maria is passionate about volunteering at her local homeless shelter. The most joyful aspect of Maria’s life is being a mother to her two teenage daughters.