Martha E. Penturf | Immigration Attorney
Martha Penturf, a native Texan, joined the Law Office of Paul S. Zoltan in May 2017. Prior to practicing law, Martha graduated from Texas Tech University, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa. At Texas Tech she majored in both Political Science and Spanish and participated in study-abroad programs in San Luis Potosi, Mexico and Seville, Spain. Martha attended Oklahoma City University School of Law, where she developed her interest in public interest advocacy. She gained experience in criminal defense and immigration law while working as an intern with the Oklahoma County Public Defender’s Office and with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. After graduating from law school Martha returned to Texas and to begin her career in Dallas, Texas.
A pivotal moment for Martha occurred during the 2015 “surge” of unaccompanied Central American children that arrived at the US southern border. At that moment, Martha returned to public advocacy as a volunteer with the Pro Se Asylum Clinic founded by Attorney Paul Zoltan. After nearly two years of consistently volunteering with the Dallas Pro Se Asylum Clinic as a volunteer attorney, Martha committed herself to practicing immigration law full-time in May 2017 with the Law Office of Paul S. Zoltan.
Martha began practicing immigration law during one of the most contentious eras of US immigration law and policy. Precipitate and drastic changes in immigration policy endangered the lives and livelihoods of many immigrants and their families. With Paul Zoltan as her mentor, Martha developed the strategic and zealous advocacy skills required to secure the best outcome for their clients. She is now an experienced advocate in cases related to asylum, withholding of removal, cancellation of removal, special immigrant juvenile status (SIJS), adjustment of status, family-based visa petitions, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), U nonimmigrant status, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), parole in place (PIP), custody redetermination (i.e. bond) hearings, stays of removal, and other forms of immigration relief.
Martha is fluent in Spanish, licensed to practice law in the State of Texas, and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.