LEGAL TEAM

Sophia joins Maier Gutierrez & Associates as an of counsel attorney focusing on the representation of individuals in consumer rights and personal injury litigation, as well as businesses in inter-business litigation matters. Sophia also represents organizations like the ACLU of Nevada. Sophia says, “I have fought for my clients my entire career. I truly love helping someone who was wronged become whole again.”

Before becoming of counsel to the ACLU of Nevada, Sophia served as its senior staff attorney, where she litigated numerous constitutional rights issues, both state and federal, as well as prisoners’ rights and voting issues. Prior to joining the ACLU, and since her 2011 admission to the bar, Sophia has litigated all types of consumer rights issues, including automobile fraud, illegal repossession, and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act cases, both individually and on a class-action basis. Sophia represents clients in state and federal court and is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. Sophia participated in many community outreach events and taught consumer education classes for the public, as well as routinely appeared as a guest speaker for the Consumer Law class at the William S. Boyd School of Law. Sophia has appeared on Good Morning America, been quoted in the New York Times, on MSNBC, and NBC Nightly News speaking on consumer issues, specifically starter interruption devices. Sophia is also an active member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates, including serving as the state chair for the State of Nevada, routinely presenting at conferences for NACA and the National Consumer Law Center. Sophia is also on the faculty of the Practicing Law Institute, where she helps teach: Representing the Pro Bono Client: Consumer Law Basics, helping to educate other attorneys on best practices for representing consumer clients.

Sophia is a graduate of the Gonzaga University School of Law. As a student attorney in the Consumer Law Clinic, Sophia appeared in federal and state court and took an illegal repossession case to the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division III. Sophia is licensed to practice law in both Nevada and New Mexico. Sophia received a J.D. from Gonzaga in 2011 and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from New Mexico State University in 2007.

When not fighting hard for her clients, Sophia enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Education:
Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane, WA – Juris Doctor
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM – Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice; Supplementary Degree, Law & Society

Court Admissions:
Supreme Court of Nevada
United States District Court for the District of Nevada
9th Circuit Court of Appeals
United States Supreme Court
Supreme Court of New Mexico

Awards and Recognitions:
Vegas Inc.’s 2022 Trailblazer Award

Professional Memberships:
National Association of Consumer Advocates, Nevada State Chair
Nevada Latino Bar Association
Nevada Justice Associations
Clark County Bar Association
North Las Vegas Charter Committee, Vice Chair

Bar Affiliations:
Nevada
New Mexico