Today we’d like to introduce you to Claudia Pasillas.
Hi Claudia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story really begins when I was 10 years old and my family immigrated to the United States from Mexico. My parents came here hoping to build a better future, and I grew up watching them work tirelessly to make that a reality for my four siblings and me. Today, the four oldest have a degree, and my youngest brother is graduating in May in Agribusiness.
That firsthand experience of navigating a new country is exactly why I became an attorney. I know intimately what it is like to face an unfamiliar, often daunting legal process when your family’s entire future is on the line.
I began the formal steps of my career at Angelo State University, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in government in 2012. From there, I attended Thurgood Marshall School of Law. I wanted to build a strong foundation of practical experience while studying, so I interned at the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and clerked with immigration and criminal defense firms in Houston. I graduated summa cum laude in 2015, finishing in the top 10% of my class.
Once I received my Texas law license in November 2015. I began practicing immigration and criminal law, focusing heavily on removal defense, family-based immigration, and humanitarian cases. I joined The Brown Law Group in June 2016 and have been here since.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was definitely not a smooth road. The hardest part for me was learning English at age 10. I will never forget my first day of class in Los Angeles. The teacher read a story aloud and told us to write a short summary. I sat there wanting to participate, but the only word I knew how to write was “The.”
I worked so hard that year to catch up. By the end of sixth grade, I had made it to the top of my class.
That experience really defined how I approach challenges. When things got tough in college or law school, I remembered how much effort it took just to learn the language. It is also the main reason I connect so well with my immigration clients. I know exactly what it feels like to be completely overwhelmed by an unfamiliar system, and I use my position now to make sure my clients are always heard.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an attorney at The Brown Law Group in Houston, practicing both immigration and criminal law. I am licensed by the State of Texas and admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. In my daily practice, I specialize in family based immigration, humanitarian cases, and removal defense.
I am known for being a dedicated advocate who takes every case personally. Over the years, I have been recognized as a Houston Top Lawyer in 2019 and 2021, and a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2024 and 2025. Beyond those titles, I am known for treating my clients with the exact care and attention I would want for my own family.
What I am most proud of is how far my family has come. My parents brought us to the United States from Mexico when I was 10 years old. They worked incredibly hard to give us a future, and today, the four oldest children hold degrees and have successful careers in law, teaching, nursing, and meteorology. This fall my youngest brother will join us when he graduates with a Bachelor in Agribusiness. Professionally, I am extremely proud of going from an immigrant who spoke no English, to an immigration attorney.
What sets me apart from others is my personal background. I have lived the experience what my clients are going through. I know exactly what it is like to face an unfamiliar process when the future of your family is on the line. When a client comes to me, they get an attorney who truly understands the weight of their situation and advocates for them with genuine empathy.
Any big plans?
Looking ahead, my focus is on continuing to grow as an advocate and expanding the impact of my work. In my legal practice, I want to keep taking on complex removal defense and humanitarian cases, ensuring that families navigating the immigration system have strong, compassionate representation. As someone who went through the immigrant experience firsthand and built a career in law, I also look forward to mentoring young, first-generation students who want to enter the legal field.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brownlawgrouptx.com
- Instagram: thebrownlawgroup
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brownlawgrouptx/
