About Us
Meet the attorneys of Azul Immigration Services — dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate the U.S. immigration system with clarity, dignity, and confidence.
J. Richard Carlson
Attorney & Partner
J. Richard Carlson is an attorney and partner at Azul Immigration Services, PLLC. His practice is dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate the U.S. immigration system with clarity, dignity, and confidence.
Prior to founding Azul, Rich had a successful career as a technology executive including four stints as Chief Executive Officer and two as VP of Sales and Marketing. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, an MBA with honors from Georgetown University, and a Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of the District of Columbia where he graduated magna cum laude. Rich is a member in good standing of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). In addition, Mr. Carlson is admitted into the Bar of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
Rich has five years of immigration law experience with a focus on family law including asylum claims, U-Visas, removal defense, naturalization, and other family immigration law relief.
Mr. Carlson has a stellar record of achievements that he will employ to advance your case and he will help you build your family's future in the U.S.
He loves spending time with his wife Lisa, his 5 adult children, and, especially, his 2 grandchildren. He enjoys weight training, reading, travel, hiking, and has finished over 20 marathons and 3 full Ironman triathlons. His passions include music and his favorite performers are Cafe Tacuba, Bomba Estereo, Natalia Lafourcade, Angelique Kidjo, Anoushka Shankar, Bad Bunny, Soda Stereo and Thievery Corporation. Send him your favorites!
Guillermo E. Sobalvarro
Director of Operations and Client Services
Guillermo E. Sobalvarro is the Director of Operations and Client Services at Azul Immigration Services, PLLC. He is dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate the U.S. immigration system with clarity, dignity, and confidence.
Before joining Azul, Guillermo spent more than a decade working in immigration law at both a national law firm and a dedicated immigration practice in Washington, D.C. During that time, he developed extensive experience in family-based immigration, adjustment of status, consular processing, waivers, asylum, removal defense, naturalization, administrative appeals, and federal court matters involving delayed immigration cases.
While attending law school, Guillermo served as a student attorney in the Immigration and Human Rights Clinic, where he represented clients in asylum and removal proceedings. His clinical experience strengthened his commitment to careful preparation, persuasive advocacy, and compassionate client service.
Guillermo earned his Juris Doctor from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law and Criminal Justice from Hood College, with a concentration in law and a minor in political science. He also regularly attends conferences hosted by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) to remain informed about developments in immigration law, policy, and practice.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Guillermo understands that immigration matters affect far more than a person's legal status. They affect families, livelihoods, personal safety, and the ability to build a future. His approach is grounded in listening carefully, explaining each step clearly, preparing every case thoroughly, and treating every client with patience, humility, and respect.
Guillermo brings the same discipline, curiosity, patience, attention to detail, and problem-solving mindset to his work at Azul. He is committed to helping clients understand their options, overcome difficult challenges, and build secure futures for themselves and their families in the United States.
Outside of his work, Guillermo enjoys spending time with family, traveling, experiencing different cultures, and discovering new foods. He also prioritizes staying active through regular Peloton rides and workouts. Guillermo enjoys movies and immersive, story-driven video games, particularly within the science fiction, action, and adventure genres. A technology enthusiast, he follows developments in computer hardware and especially enjoys building custom gaming PCs for friends and family.