About alvarado tsosie & HAKES
Mari Alvarado, ESQ. is the founding partner and head attorney at Alvarado Tsosie & Hakes. Mari has spent the past ten years building an unprecedented record of success in immigration, criminal, and family law, and preparing a new generation of attorneys. Coming from a cross-border community in South Texas, Mari understands the unique challenges and circumstances that shape the lives of clients and the tools necessary to help them navigate the US legal system. Upon graduation from the BYU J. Reuben Clark Law School, Mari established an independent law practice as one of the first Mexican-American attorneys in the region. Mari specializes in complex cases where immigration, criminal, and family law intersect, ensuring that her clients are supported in all areas of their lives, from petty misdemeanor charges up to high-profile federal court decisions. As a proud member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Mari has become a leading voice in immigration law, advocating for her clients and defending their rights in the face of unprecedented challenges and policy changes. At Alvarado Tsosie & Hakes, Mari leads a client-focused practice committed to delivering life-changing legal solutions. She approaches her work with profound compassion for her clients and aggressive advocacy for their rights and well-being. Whether defending clients in court, navigating family law disputes, or assisting with immigration challenges, Mari is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for the people she serves.
Brixton Hakes is a trial attorney with over a decade of experience practicing in courts across the United States. His practice focuses on criminal defense, immigration law, and personal injury, and he has represented clients in dozens of state, federal, and immigration courts nationwide. A seasoned litigator, Mr. Hakes has handled more than 100 trials, winning cases involving first-degree felonies, life-sentence-exposure charges, multi-million-dollar white-collar matters, major drug-trafficking cases, serious sex-offense allegations, and high-stakes civil disputes involving millions of dollars in claimed damages. His experience includes representing defendants, plaintiffs, respondents, and alleged victims, giving him a balanced and comprehensive understanding of how to build and deconstruct cases at every stage of litigation. In his immigration practice, Mr. Hakes has represented individuals from across the world and handled all major forms of immigration relief. He is admitted to practice and has appeared in proceedings across numerous states and jurisdictions nationwide. Beyond the courtroom, Mr. Hakes is an avid athlete and adventurer. He enjoys mountain biking, triathlons, paragliding, motocross, kart racing, private aviation, and most of all, spending time with his family. Mr. Hakes is known for his relentless dedication to his clients. He is passionate about protecting the rights of those he represents and fights vigorously to ensure every client receives a powerful, thorough, and unwavering defense.
Mitchell Robinson, ESQ. partners with Alvarado Tsosie & Hakes, focusing on criminal defense and immigration law. A Denver native, Mitch earned his law degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University after graduating magna cum laude in English literature from BYU. With over 10 years of legal experience, he began his career in Colorado handling complex civil matters before returning to Utah to dedicate his practice to criminal defense. Mitch has served as a Public Defender for Orem and later as a trial attorney, where he successfully defended clients in serious felony jury trials. Drawing on his experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney, Mitch brings a balanced perspective to his work and is committed to protecting the rights of clients facing criminal charges or immigration challenges.
Meet our Legal Team
Naabaahii Tsosie is the Legal Manager at Alvarado Tsosie & Hakes, where he applies his expertise in legal systems and policy to support clients with professionalism and care. A proud BYU alumnus with a degree in Political Science, Naabaahii is passionate about justice and advocacy. He is currently attending Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan to further his legal career and make a meaningful impact through his legal education.
Alan Villa, a Political Science graduate from Brigham Young University, currently focuses on immigration law at Alvarado Tsosie & Hakes, offering dedicated support to clients. With a strong foundation in the US immigration system, he helps navigate complex cases for immigrants hoping to achieve their dreams. Alan plans to attend law school and pursue a career as an immigration attorney, driven by his passion for justice and client advocacy.
Originally from Southern California, Laura Cuevas earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Wellness from BYU on a full-ride scholarship. She works in immigration case management, offering dedicated support to clients navigating complex systems. Known for her reliability and drive, Laura goes above and beyond to assist both her team and the families she serves. With plans to attend law school next year, she brings both passion and ambition to everything she does, making her an invaluable part of the team.
Mariana Zabarain is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Utah Valley University and plans to attend law school with a focus on immigration law. As a legal assistant at Alvarado Tsosie & Hakes, she supports attorneys and clients in immigration cases with diligence and compassion. Mariana recently earned 3rd place in the Miss Grand Peru pageant, an achievement that reflects her confidence, dedication, and ability to excel in diverse fields. Passionate about helping immigrant communities, she is committed to building a career in law that makes a lasting impact.
Magali Ortiz, from Provo, Utah, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English Literature at Utah Valley University. A resilient and compassionate individual, she is passionate about advocating for survivors of domestic violence and using her experiences to uplift others. Her determination, empathy, and positive attitude make her an inspiring and valued member of our team.
Mariana Loran graduated from Brigham Young University–Idaho in 2023 with a degree in Business Management. Originally from Mexico City and raised in Provo, Utah, she brings a unique perspective and strong work ethic to her role. Mariana primarily assists with criminal law matters, supporting attorneys and clients with organization, preparation, and case management. With her background in business and her dedication to justice, she is passionate about helping clients feel supported and understood throughout the legal process.
Shaelynne Martinez is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Philosophy at the University of Utah and focuses on all criminal matters at the firm. Her dedication to justice and strong work ethic make her an essential part of the criminal defense team. She plans to attend law school and build a career as an Immigration and Criminal Defense Attorney, reflecting her commitment to making a meaningful difference for the clients she serves.
Angel Alvarado is currently studying Political Science at Brigham Young University and plans to pursue a law degree. With a unique blend of technology and law, he brings a modern approach to legal work, ensuring that processes run smoothly and efficiently. Angel focuses on immigration cases while also handling the firm’s technical operations. His expertise in information systems has helped streamline workflows, improving efficiency and organization within the firm.
Araceli is a student at Utah Valley University pursuing a degree in Marketing. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she brings strong communication skills and a passion for serving diverse communities. As part of the team at Alvarado Tsosie & Hakes, Araceli is highly motivated to support clients, expand her knowledge of the law, and continue her personal and professional growth.
Celeste Tsosie is our records management specialist, ensuring all case files are accurate, organized, and up to date. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Latin American Studies and brings strong attention to detail and a passion for legal work to the team. Celeste will begin law school at Cooley Law School this Winter, continuing her path toward a career in law.
Jacob Maughan is a second-year law student at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Brigham Young University. With a strong interest in business and the law, Jacob plans to pursue a career in commercial law in the western United States, where he hopes to contribute meaningfully to the region’s evolving legal and economic landscape.
Jose Alvarado Jr. is a Corpus Christi native with over 30 years of experience at Valero Refining Co., where he built a long and successful career. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a focus in Accounting from Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Now retired from Valero, he currently works at Alvarado Immigration Law’s new office in Corpus Christi, contributing his experience and dedication to the firm’s mission.
Mari Tsosie is a legal assistant at our firm and a current student at Brigham Young University, where she is majoring in Political Science. Fluent in Chinese and Korean, Mari brings a unique cultural perspective and strong communication skills to her role. She assists primarily with our criminal law cases and plans to attend law school after graduation, continuing her passion for justice and legal advocacy.
