Our Team
Sasha Begum Managing Partner
Sasha Begum has experience in a wide range of domestic and international transactions. She is devoted to her clients and gets as excited working for large companies as she does assisting start-ups.
Sasha started her career at Bracewell’s Houston, Texas office where she worked in the Real Estate, Infrastructure and Oil & Gas Practice Group. From there she moved to Baker & McKenzie’s Major Projects Practice Group where her focus was on international infrastructure, energy, and oil and gas transactions. Thereafter, Sasha went to work as Associate General Counsel for Cardtronics Inc. (NASDAQ: CATM) and served in that capacity for 6 years before deciding to start her own firm in San Antonio, Texas, where she attended high school at St. Mary’s Hall.
Recognized in 2018 by “San Antonio’s Business Journal’s 40 under 40”.
*Licensed in Texas
She completed her B.A. with a double major in Philosophy and Psychology at Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts and her J.D. from American University, Washington College of Law in Washington D.C. Additionally, Sasha obtained a J.D. equivalent for the European Union at Universidad Alfonso X in Madrid, Spain.
She is able to conduct business, draft agreements and negotiate seamlessly in both English and Spanish.
Juanita Pelaez-Prada Managing Partner
Juanita Peláez-Prada represents and counsels clients in all types of civil litigation matters, including business and commercial disputes, labor and employment matters, contract disputes, personal injury claims, family law disputes, real estates disputes and trademark controversies.
Juanita’s experience as a litigator also serves her in assisting and counseling her clients in legal compliance, assessing risks and developing strategies to avoid litigation. In addition to working with litigation clients, Juanita assists sophisticated corporate clients with general business issues including corporate formation and dissolution and contract negotiations.
She is able to conduct business seamlessly in both English and Spanish.
Recognized in 2017 for “San Antonio’s Business Journal’s 40 under 40”.
1 – Rising Star awarded by Super Lawyers to Juanita Peláez-Prada for the years 2012 – 2018. Super Lawyers is a Thomson Reuters service.
*Licensed in Texas
Juanita obtained her J.D. and became licensed to practice law in Texas after graduating from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2008.
Marisa Balderas Flores Attorney
Marisa Balderas Flores has over 10 years of immigration and international custody litigation experience. At Begum Peláez-Prada PLLC, Marisa assists clients with a wide range of corporate and employment immigration matters including E visas, EB visas, HB-1, L visas, and TN visas. Marisa also assists families wishing to file family-based petitions and citizenship applications. Marisa has vast experience in federal litigation and international custody matters filed under the Hague Convention. In 2013, Marisa successfully argued in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in R.G.L. v. Angelica Lopez Sanchez (5th Cir. No. 12-50783).
Prior to joining Begum Peláez-Prada PLLC, Marisa successfully ran and operated her own law practice, Law Office of Marisa C. Balderas, PLLC for nine years focusing on immigration matters. Marisa then joined Family Violence Prevention Services, Inc. (FVPS) as the Director of Legal Services. At FVPS, Marisa oversaw the legal department and assisted victims of domestic violence with immigration matters under VAWA and U-visas. Marisa also advocated on behalf of victims in state district court on family law matters related to divorce, child custody and protective orders. At Begum & Peláez-Prada, Marisa assists corporate clients with employment, business and investor immigration needs. Marisa is fluent in Spanish and has helped many international clients. Marisa is admitted to practice the State of Texas, Supreme Court of the United States, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Southern and Western Districts of Texas.
Marisa received her Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Entrepreneurial Studies from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas. Marisa also received a minor in Spanish Language. Marisa then received her Juris Doctor from University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. While in law school, Marisa served as a research assistant and assisted with two published works, ¿Comprende?: Celebrating the Spanish that All Americans Know and One Night in America: Robert Kennedy, Cesar Chavez, and the Future of the Democratic Party by Professor Steven Bender.
