About Magaly
Magaly Fontes earned a Bachelor of Science in Global Business from Arizona State University in 2003. She went on to obtain her J.D. from Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2007. Those years of study preceded a career that quickly moved from classroom to courtroom.
She began her legal career as an associate at Montoya Jimenez P.A. in 2007. The role placed her in day-to-day client work early on. She handled case preparation, client interviews and court filings while learning the practical rhythms of immigration practice. Two years later she took on a leadership role at Silva & Fontes, becoming managing partner in 2009. In that position she combined casework with oversight of firm operations and mentoring of junior lawyers.
Fontes is admitted to practice in Arizona, before the Ninth Circuit and before the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Those credentials allow her to appear in immigration court, handle appeals in federal appellate court, and manage related litigation. Her practice encompasses representations in removal proceedings, family-based petitions, naturalization matters and appellate filings. She represents clients at hearings and in written advocacy, and she coordinates the procedural work that immigration matters require.
Her professional memberships reflect the circles she moves in. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the Los Abogados Bar Association, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the American Bar Association. Those affiliations connect her to colleagues and local business networks. They also provide a steady stream of continuing education and professional resources relevant to immigration practice.
Colleagues describe her work as attentive and practical. She splits time between hearing-room advocacy and the paperwork that precedes hearings. She has overseen teams that prepare affidavits, gather documentary evidence and draft appellate briefs. Her experience in both trial settings and appellate procedures informs how she frames cases for clients and tribunals.
At Silva & Fontes she manages cases and the daily operations of the practice. The firm’s work involves individual clients and family cases as well as complex procedural matters before immigration authorities. She continues to accept new matters and to represent clients in immigration court and on appeal. She currently practices at Silva & Fontes, handling immigration and related matters.
