Meet The Team
Experienced and Strategic
Regina Ragon Varela
Lawyer
Regina has a Bachelor of Arts from King College in Modern Languages in Spanish, French and German. She has a Master of Arts in Spanish American literature from University of Georgia and a Master of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology and a Juris Doctorate from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.
Regina taught English as a Second Language for more than 25 years when she decided to retire and devote herself to helping immigrant families stay together.
Regina volunteers with Latin American Community Development helping communities in Latin America with their educational, medical and business development. LACD partners with Engineers without Borders to bring potable water to towns in need.
Gustavo Varela
Associate
Gustavo Varela received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and a Masters in International Relations with a concentration in Global Security and Conflict Resolution. Gustavo is also a Political Science professor at UTC (University of Tennessee in Chattanooga). He has spent more than 14 years working in Latin America with Latin American Community Development. He is also a Real Estate Developer and Investor. Gustavo works as the Director of Operations for the Law Firm.
María Isabel Guijón
Paralegal
María Isabel Guijón has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from GA State University. She has served as community liaison and wellness coach in diverse community settings including immigrant non-profit organizations and healthcare corporations. She volunteers as a community leader and event coordinator at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Being bilingual in Spanish and English, Maria has served as interpreter in the medial field as well as during client’s USCIS appointments. She is an instructor for the US Citizenship Process and Interview/Test.
Wendy Sanchez
Family Adjustment and Employment Authorization Paralegal
Wendy Sanchez graduated with Honors from Dalton High School in May 2018. She is currently attending Dalton State College to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a concentration in Microbiology. She will also be attending Athens Technical College in Athens, GA to become a Veterinary Technician. She is glad to be part of a service that helps the Latino community!
María Dolores González
Legal Administrative Assistant
María Dolores Gonzalez graduated from Fort Payne High School May of 2013. She graduated as one of the first in her class to complete the Fort Payne High School Nursing Program. She volunteered at The Cancer Care Center Of Dekalb for 2 years. She currently holds a Major in Arts and Science.
Maria being bilingual in Spanish and English has served as an interpreter since the age of thirteen to anyone in need. She truly has a huge passion for helping the community.
She also drives from Alabama to Tennessee an hour commute to serve The Varela Firm. Maria is married and her family is her everything. She has a one year old daughter who also loves to learn. Maria loves to teach her daughter about the different cultures and she is currently learning how to speak Spanish as well as English.
Maria loves learning, new experiences, improving existing experiences and helping anyone in need no matter what time, day, or distance. Favorite quote "The day you stop learning is the day you stop living."
Verónica Cruz
Legal Assistant, Dalton Office
Verónica graduated from Southeast High School in 2019, and is currently working on obtaining her associates degree in diagnostic medical sonography. She is very glad to be part of a team that helps the Hispanic community.
Beth Jordan
Paralegal
Beth graduated from Presbyterian College with a BA in English and Education and a minor in Spanish. She also has a Masters degree from Tusculum University and an Education Specialist degree from Piedmont College.
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Beth has worked with English language learners most of her career teaching high school English as a Second Language as well as college English and Adult English language courses through Dalton State College.
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Beth's husband is an athletic director at Christian Heritage School, and she has a son and daughter who both attend the University of Georgia in Athens. She is very passionate about helping her community and excited to work with the Varela Law Firm team in making a difference in the lives of others.
Biridiana Young
Legal Assistant
Biridiana Young, our Dalton Legal Assistant, attended Dalton High school after coming to America at the age of 14.
After working for over 11 years for the same company in the carpet industry, where she was able to show her leadership, attention to detail and problem solving skills now is part of our firm.
She is bilingual and helps customers no matter the day or time. She has a personal connection to the immigration process that is present with every interaction she has with our clients. Since day one she has shown her love and dedication to her job.
Family is everything to Biridiana. Being a married immigrant and having 5 children she understands the importance of our clients case's and what it might mean to them as individuals.
She pushes with every case the importance of keeping families together and safe in this new place called home. She treasures making a difference in our community and helping provide opportunities to those she can.