HOUSTON – Houston immigration attorney Hugo Balderas Ibarra, who represents two witnesses in the deadly ICE shooting in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood, is now facing a legal malpractice lawsuit alleging his handling of another immigration case led to a client’s deportation.
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A couple filed the lawsuit against attorney Balderas-Ibarra and his law firm in Somervell County, just outside of Fort Worth on June 2.
The couple is seeking more than $500,000 in damages.
According to the lawsuit, the two claim Balderas-Ibarra failed to meet the required standard of care while handling the husband’s asylum and immigration case. The couple alleges that his negligence caused Perez to be deported to Mexico, where he currently lives.
The lawsuit claims the couple suffered lost income and earning capacity, mental anguish, loss of companionship and loss of household services.
The petition does not identify the specific action or omission that the couple alleges led to Perez’s deportation.
Balderas-Ibarra denies malpractice allegations
In an answer filed June 25, Balderas-Ibarra and his law firm generally denied the allegations and argued that their actions were not the cause of the couple’s alleged damages.
The defendants also raised contributory negligence as an affirmative defense, meaning they may argue the plaintiffs’ own actions contributed to their alleged injuries.
Balderas-Ibarra’s attorneys contend the lawsuit is too vague because it does not explain what he allegedly did while representing the client. They are asking the judge to order the couple to file a more detailed petition.
The defense has also filed a motion seeking to transfer the lawsuit out of Somervell County. The documents reviewed by KPRC 2 do not identify which county the defendants want the case moved to or their reasons for requesting the transfer.
An in-person hearing on the venue request is scheduled for Oct. 14 at 9 a.m. in the 249th District Court.
KPRC 2 reached out to Balderas-Ibarra for comment on the lawsuit and is awaiting a response.
Attorney also faces pending Harris County felony case
The civil lawsuit is the latest legal issue involving Balderas-Ibarra.
He is also facing a felony charge of assault of a family or household member by impeding breathing or circulation in Harris County.
According to charging documents, the case stems from an alleged incident involving a woman Balderas-Ibarra was dating on May 30, 2024.
The woman told investigators that Balderas-Ibarra brought her luggage to an airport after she decided to leave their relationship. She alleged that he threw the luggage to the ground and grabbed her neck as she bent down to retrieve it.
The woman told investigators that Balderas-Ibarra squeezed and twisted her throat, preventing her from breathing for several seconds. According to the affidavit, an officer photographed redness and swelling on her neck.
Balderas-Ibarra was indicted in February. That case remains pending, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
When KPRC 2 previously asked Balderas-Ibarra about the Harris County charge, he provided the following statement:
“I maintain my innocence and believe the focus should continue to be on my clients, rather than shifting focus onto me. Don’t lose focus!”
Previous conviction in Florida
KPRC 2 previously reported that Balderas-Ibarra accepted a plea agreement in Seminole County, Florida, and was adjudicated guilty of misdemeanor battery in July.
Following the disposition of that case, Balderas-Ibarra wrote on Facebook that he prayed “we put this behind us and focus on the real issues.”
Court records also show Balderas-Ibarra was found guilty of domestic assault in Iowa in 2009 and second-degree burglary in 2008.
Probationary law license in Texas
According to the State Bar of Texas, Balderas-Ibarra has practiced under a probationary Texas law license since January 2025.
A State Bar spokesperson previously told KPRC 2 that Balderas-Ibarra has never held a full, unrestricted license to practice law in Texas. He is also licensed to practice in New Mexico.
Texas disciplinary rules allow the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel to seek compulsory discipline when an attorney is convicted of what the rules define as a “serious crime.” It has not been determined whether Balderas-Ibarra’s Florida conviction meets that definition.
Balderas-Ibarra represents two of the witnesses in the deadly ICE shooting on July 7 in Houston’s Magnolia Park neighborhood for the immigration hearings.
The two witnesses are being represented by Gonzalez Olivieri Law Firm for their habeas corpus petition proceedings in federal court.