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The Global Family Legal Services office in Tubac is temporarily closed to the public until further notice due to the recommendation of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please contact us by phone or email as we are serving our clients and the public remotely.

Thank you.

Take care and stay safe.

Your Family's Right Choice for Legal Services

At Global Family Legal Services (GFLS), we are committed to provide access to justice via high-quality, low-cost legal services. Our mission is to provide the best legal guidance and assistance available. We support your dream to live in confidence and to work without fear. Our nonprofit, publicly-supported program of legal counseling, advocacy, and education is dedicated to bringing about a more compassionate and cooperative world.

Celinas Ruth, managing attorney, works with a dedicated volunteer staff. Serving your legal needs is what we do best. Nothing gets overlooked when we're on the case. Through educational community presentations and working with like-minded attorneys, we have a network that offers affordable legal representation to many areas of Arizona, other states, and internationally. Over the past 16 years since GFLS began serving the community, we have evolved from a faith-based program to a tax exempt 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation in March 2017. Our office is supported by grants and donations.

Consider donating to us today to help us expand our network, compensate more staff, and increase our service for those in need of legal assistance.

Your tax deductible donation helps us to expand our network, and increases our ability to serve those in need of legal assistance.

Our legal services reflect your family's needs.

Fees are based on ability to pay; appropriate referrals to outside service organizations and attorneys are made as necessary.

Practice Areas

Attorney at Law

Celinas Ruth

Celinas Ruth has practiced law since 1986 in California and since 1997 in Arizona. She has served clients from 39 countries. Celinas has been a public speaker on legal rights and comprehensive immigration reform on radio, television and at many community meetings. Her legal expertise includes U.S. Immigration and Consular Processing (including waivers, U visas, VAWA, religious worker visas, and naturalization); contracts, nonprofit organizations, and copyright law.

Core Staff

Jahlandon Eden

Legal Assistant

Our most recent legal assistant who has experience as a social worker with a BA in Psychology/Social Science from Pennsylvania State University. He has worked with Habitat For Humanity and as an agricultural volunteer in Arizona, West Virginia, Virginia, and California as well as working in a program in Philadelphia, PA for developmentally challenged adults and in a respite program for caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.

Savijaveh Wonson

Legal Assistant

A graphic artist and member of the staff of Global Change Media, a nonprofit media organization. She is joining the GFLS legal staff part-time to be trained in and assist our work in the area of intellectual property, i.e., copyrights, trade names, and trademarks. GFLS has done a significant number of copyright filings throughout each year.

Testimonials

Our clients recognize the willingness to go above and beyond. This is the hallmark of Global Family Legal Services and these are just a few stories from those individuals and families we were able to help.

Willowela Wilson's Story

Willowela Wilson's Story

Immigrated from United Kingdom

I grew up in the southwest of England and my family later immigrated to southern British Columbia, Canada. When I decided to move to the United States, Global Family Legal Services (GFLS) represented me. The GFLS team had unwavering professionalism along each step of the way. It was so encouraging to witness their skill, knowledge, and solutions throughout this difficult process. In particular, Celinas Ruth proved herself an outstanding immigration lawyer who was clearly determined and had a caring interest in the outcome of my case. She clearly outlined every step so that I was educated throughout the process. She is professional, thorough and very personable. Years later, I am now able to fulfill my destiny and dreams in this beautiful land and I am eternally grateful.

MaritaSeen ValYan's Story

MaritaSeen ValYan's Story

Immigrated from Canada

Thank you and much gratitude to Celinas Ruth and Global Family Legal Services (GFLS) for the outstanding service and assistance provided to me for my immigration visa to the United States from Canada. I was so happyto be able to join my family. Ms. Ruth flew to meet me in Montreal, Quebec, Canada during my religious worker interview at the US Consulate. Her time was given to me, and her care was exceptional as the true advocate she is for all. I always felt supported, given much peace, strength of mind, and confidence from GFLS in all of my process. I do not think I could have or would have done this without her perseverance. I always knew she was handling the hard part, and I was following her guidance through the whole process. Her deep caring strength is outstanding and obviously reflects the real motive of service to each client at Global Family Legal Services.

Dalina Gracia-Amaya's Story

Dalina Gracia-Amaya's Story

Immigrated from Mexico

I will be forever grateful to Global Family Legal Services (GFLS) for the great assistance they provided when my son and I initiated the process for our immigration to the United States from Mexico. The attorney, Celinas Ruth came to Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico to personally meet us. She then accompanied my son and me to the United States Consulate in Nogales, Arizona to help us with the legal process. Celinas walked us through the naturalization process until we became citizens of the United States. I will be forever grateful to Celinas and her staff for their continued support. Without it I would never have had the peace of mind and confidence to move forward with what I needed to do to complete my immigration process. I’m so thankful to have found a new and better life in the United States.

Spectra Schippers's Story

Spectra Schippers's Story

Immigrated from Australia

Traveling from Australia to Arizona in 1994 to visit family and friends a few times, I met attorney Celinas Ruth. She assisted me in acquiring a Green Card and immigrating to the United States. During my process of applying for US citizenship, she extended such kindness and compassion — going above and beyond what I ever could have expected. I find her to be a very competent and caring attorney who serves people 24/7 in a very touching way. I recommend her to anybody who is looking for justice.

Aladi Goodman's Story

Aladi Goodman's Story

Immigrated from New Zealand

I am originally from New Zealand and my contact with Global Family Legal Services (GFLS) began in 1995 when going through the process of getting a Green Card while working on an H-1 Visa as a nurse in Texas. My process was delayed almost one year due to a misfiling within the hospital administration. Celinas Ruth of GFLS gave me much support and advice, helping me persevere during the challenging times ahead, especially when my foreign nurse friends all left the country when faced with the same delay I was experiencing.
Later, in 2009, GFLS assisted me with becoming a US citizen and then gave me much legal support and advice throughout the long and painful custody battle over my son. Without their support, I doubt I would be able to even see my son today.
Today I serve as a full time hospice nurse. I am truly grateful for the GFLS team's service and commitment to serving those in need, such as myself, who would not be able to afford quality legal services otherwise.

O'Breean Lawrence's Story

O'Breean Lawrence's Story

Immigrated from New Zealand

I have been greatly blessed by the work of Global Family Legal Services (GFLS), especially with that of managing attorney, Celinas Ruth. I expected my case to be easy and straightforward as I had my Green Card and wanted to become a citizen of the USA. My husband is an American, a medical doctor, and a retired officer from the US Military. We have children together and were able to prove all of the items that immigration required. I was shocked when we were treated with rudeness and disrespect at our immigration interview, and had to go through many hoops to prove our situation. If it was not for the professional and steadfast representation and tremendous support of Celinas and the GFLS team, I do not know how we would have been able to negotiate our way through the challenging immigration system or, quite honestly, to have kept a sense of sanity through it all.
I was able to work as a volunteer with GFLS for a year and I was very moved by the extensive time, sincere care, and strong commitment to justice that is at the heart of their organization. From firsthand experience I was made aware that there are many families who would not be together today if it was not for the valuable service that GFLS provides. Family is the most important thing that there is and Celinas understands this at a core level. She treats her clients as if they are a part of her family, and such integrity and care is rare in this day and age.
GFLS comes with my highest recommendation to anyone who is in need of legal service.

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Phone: 520-398-3388
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Office Location

In Tubac and by phone and virtual visit

Send an Old-Fashioned Letter
P.O. Box 8001 Tumacacori, AZ 85640-8001