Belen was recently named “2020 Litigator of the Year” by the American Institute of Trial Lawyers.  Belen has focused her career as a Phoenix criminal defense attorney and was never a prosecutor. She advocates fiercely for her clients and is an excellent negotiator while maintaining her ethical and respectable approach. She collaborates with civil and immigration attorneys, whenever necessary, to develop the best outcome for her clients. Belen also knows how to develop the best defense possible and recruits psychologists, forensic experts, psychiatrists, accident reconstructionists, ballistics experts, fire experts, videographers, toxicologists, criminalists, and many other doctors. She also possesses a Masters in Education with a focus on elementary education, which she used while teaching for 8 years. She has extensive knowledge of special needs, learning disabilities, accommodations, 504 plans and IEPs. This knowledge allows Belen to provide a well-rounded representation to all her clients.