Maria joined Bogart, Small + Duell in January 2019, and has been with the firm ever since. Originally Charlcee Small’s criminal defense assistant, a position she held going back to October 2017, Maria eventually began providing support to attorneys Susan Duell and Rachel Bush in matters involving immigration benefits. Prior to working with the firm’s attorneys, Maria worked as a legal assistant at other Northwest Arkansas law firms going back to 2015.

In 2020, Maria was promoted to the role of senior legal assistant. Since April 2023, she has been the firm’s office manager. In this position, Maria keeps the ship running by managing all non-attorney staff, coordinating with the firm’s business partners and vendors, and ensuring the firm’s multiple practice areas work together in a cohesive manner. She also provides support to the firm’s managing member, Charlcee Small.

Maria is Originally from Durango, Mexico. Her family migrated to Arkansas in 1992. She grew up in Springdale and graduated from Springdale High School in 2009. A mother of three, Maria, enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Itzy is the firm’s Senior Legal Assistant and Case Coordinator. She has been with the firm since August 2022, assisting attorney Rachel Bush in the Fayetteville office and providing quality control support to the firms legal and litigation assistants. Itzy focuses primarily on family petitions, naturalization, U visas, VAWA, and other immigration benefits applications.

Itzy graduated from Springdale High School in 2009 and acquired her Paralegal Degree from Northwest Arkansas Community College in 2012. She has a strong background in different fields of law working with different attorneys and acquiring experience in family law, criminal law, civil matters, and Immigration. Itzy was previously at Wilkinson Law Firm and worked for Rachel starting in 2015. At that time, Itzy discovered her love for immigration and has dedicated career to immigration law.

“Being an immigrant to the United States at a very young age has shown me the values and the importance of the law, especially immigration law. I believe going through the process and finally having the opportunity to naturalize in the year 2022, it has given me more understanding and clarity in this line of work. It is the reason why I am able to connect with all my clients and people with different backgrounds and history.”

Itzy is very dedicated to her work, but outside of work she likes to run, spend time outdoors, and make memories with her two children and puppy. Itzy is originally from Mexicali, Baja California Mexico.

Cathy joined Bogart, Small + Duell in June 2021. She started as the firm’s criminal defense assistant, providing support to Charlcee Small. Since then, her role with the firm has grown to providing support in family law and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status matters, providing support to several of the firm’s attorneys. Today, Cathy works in the firm’s immigration litigation practice, providing support to attorney Maegan Hodge Nieves in the Fayetteville office.

As part of her work, Cathy helps prepare and organize evidentiary packets filed with the immigration courts. She assists clients pursuing bond redeterminations, cancellation of removal, asylum, adjustment of status, and other forms of relief before the immigration courts.

Cathy was born in Sylmar, California, but her family is originally from El Salvador. Cathy’s family moved to Arkansas from California in 2004 and this has been their home ever since. Cathy attended and graduated from Springdale High School in 2012. Cathy has some college experience, attending Northwest Arkansas Community College. In her free time, Cathy enjoys having cookouts, spending time with her children, and going out with friends.

Sandra has been a legal assistant with the firm since September 2023. She assists attorney Susan Duell and works out of the Rogers office. Sandra has extensive experience in several different types of immigration benefits, including consular processing and matters before the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. Her work includes family petitions, adjustments of status, waivers of inadmissibility, work permits, renewals of residency, and humanitarian benefits.

Sandra graduated from John Brown University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She has a diverse professional background having worked in banking for seven years, the Rogers District Court, and another area law firm. She has developed a comprehensive skill set that enhances her contributions to the firm’s team.

Outside of work, Sandra enjoys biking, traveling, and spending quality time with her family. She is married to Omar Mejia, a banker originally from El Salvador, and together they are raising two children. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, Sandra draws inspiration from her parents’ dedication and resilience, striving to pass those values on to her own family. Her ability to balance work and family life exemplifies her commitment to both her career and personal passions.

Yesenia is a legal assistant based in the firm’s Rogers office. She has been part of the team since September 2024. Yesenia currently assists attorney Susan Duell with translations, managing consultations, and providing support in immigration matters involving employment authorization, DACA, Temporary Protected Status, and renewals of residency. Prior to joining the firm, Yesenia worked for several years in the medical field as a receptionist and billing specialist. She has extensive training and experience in customer service.

Yesenia was born in Delano, California and grew up in Springdale. She then moved to Austin, Texas where she graduated from Del Valle High School. A mother of four, Yesenia loves to spend quality time with her children and traveling is her favorite thing to do when possible.

Miriam started working with Bogart, Small + Duell in February 2025 assisting
with immigration cases. She focuses most of her work on matters involving work permit renewals, residency renewals, DACA, and temporary protected status.

Miriam graduated from Har-Ber High School in 2013 and obtained her medical assistant
from Blue Cliff College in February 2016. Miriam has a strong background in the medical field. She previously worked at Highlands Oncology.
Miriam also has a background of working in immigration law. She previously worked at PR Immigration, PLLC (formally known as the Law Offices of Roy Petty) from September 2019 to January 2024 where she assisted with family petitions, citizenships, U-Visa, and other immigration cases. She has learned and seen the importance of immigration law and also values the relationships with clients.

When not working, Miriam enjoys going to the gym and spending time walking outdoors, especially during spring and fall. She enjoys experimenting with arts and crafts with her three children and making joyful memories with them. Miriam was raised in Northwest Arkansas, but is originally from Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Miguel has been working with Bogart, Small + Duell since March of 2025. He provides support to the firm’s criminal defense attorneys, Adam Rose and Cheston Wright. His work involves traffic violations, misdemeanors, and felonies, amongst other criminal matters. Miguel assists in managing court calendars, discovery files, and client communications.

Miguel graduated from Rogers High School in 2020 and acquired a degree in Ethics, Politics & Economics from Yale University in 2024. Miguel has a wide background in languages, earning a certification in Modern Standard Arabic, working as a Spanish and Arabic language tutor and studying Russian in college. From a young age, Miguel has been fascinated by immigration and criminal law.

“Growing up in Northwest Arkansas as the son of immigrants from Mexico has molded the way that I view every aspect of society, especially the law. While studying in Connecticut, I volunteered at an immigrant rights group and quickly became interested in criminal and immigration law as I got to know members and leaders of the local immigrant community there and learned about their struggle. Returning home after graduating, I knew that I wanted to pursue law as a career and give back to the community in which I was raised.”

Miguel is devoted to his work. Outside of work, Miguel likes to play guitar, travel, and spend time with his family. Miguel is from Rogers, Arkansas.

Brunella joined Bogart, Small + Duell in March 2025. She provides support to attorney Nathan Bogart as part of the firm’s immigration litigation practice group. Her work includes a particular focus on asylum matters as well as cancellation of removal, waivers, adjustment of status, and other defenses to removal from the United States.

Brunella graduated from the Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal’s law school in Lima Peru in 2018. Brunella has a strong background in administrative law working for the Peru’s government and empowering citizens about their rights and obligations. Brunella has always had a passion for human rights and advocacy.

“Like many other immigrants I came to the United States because of the economic, social and political crisis in my country, I came for love, but also to have the opportunity to build a better life. And I must admit that the outlook here is very encouraging. But you have to believe me when I tell you that it was not all easy, I was involved in a petition process that lasted 20 months and I got the privilege of being here. I know firsthand what it is like to go through a challenging, time consuming, and frustrating process, just to be with loved ones and have access to a better future. For this and other reasons, I believe that we all have the right to access the same privileges and achieve the life we long for.”

Outside of work, Brunella enjoys spending time in the library and reading and researching, participating in book clubs, making candles and making memories with her husband. Brunella is originally from Lima, Peru.

Upasana began working with Bogart, Small + Duell as a law clerk in February 2025, assisting attorneys Susan Duell, Nathan Bogart, and Rachel Bush with family-based petitions and removal cases. She brings a strong background in complex and high-stakes international family law and taxation to her role with the firm.

Upasana previously earned her law degree in India from Guru Gobind Singh University and practiced law for five years, specializing in international family law and taxation. She later pursued an LLM in Canadian Common Law from York University in Toronto and an LLM in Cross-Border Taxation from the University of Miami. Following her studies, she worked in international taxation, gaining deep knowledge of global tax compliance and regulatory frameworks.

As an immigrant herself, Upasana deeply connects with the immigrant community and understands the challenges they face. She has passed the New York Bar and is currently awaiting her New York law license. “Having navigated the immigration process myself, I understand the complexities and emotions involved. My personal journey allows me to relate to my clients on a deeper level and advocate for them with both legal expertise and empathy.”

Upasana is passionate about her work and dedicated to helping individuals through the legal system. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new places, engaging with diverse cultures, and spending quality time with family and friends. Upasana is originally from New Dheli. She is fluent in English, Hindi, and Punjabi.