Juan Franco, Esq.

When you are navigating a family law matter, having a knowledgeable and compassionate advocate by your side can make a meaningful difference. Juan Franco is a Senior Associate Attorney with Stange Law Firm, proudly serving clients from the firm’s Columbia, Missouri office. He brings a strong background in international law, human rights, and legal analysis to his work, offering clients steady guidance and clear communication throughout their cases.Juan earned his Doctor of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) from American University Washington College of Law, where he focused heavily on international human rights, transitional justice, and humanitarian law. He completed his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Cali, Colombia, where he excelled in international moot court competitions, earning multiple first-place awards. He is licensed to practice law in Colombia and Missouri.Before joining the Columbia, Missouri divorce and family lawyers at Stange Law Firm, Juan built an extensive career serving government agencies, international organizations, and legal institutions in high stakes matters. Most recently, he worked with the U.S. Department of State/Nakupuna Companies as a Team Lead and Analyst for the Afghan Special Visa Unit. In this role, he supervised a team of analysts processing visa applications for Afghan nationals seeking resettlement, managed onboarding and training programs, and ensured compliance and accuracy in federal processes. His leadership earned him a Certificate of Appreciation recognizing his contributions to the program. Prior to that, Juan served as an Anticorruption Visa Advisor with the U.S. Department of State/USGI Inc., where he worked on 7031(c) anticorruption sanctions involving high-level foreign officials and drafted detailed analysis to support sanctions decisions. He collaborated closely with U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies on case development and was recognized by the Assistant Secretary of State for his role in one of the most impactful cases to date.Juan also spent several years as a Senior Staff Attorney with the American Bar Association, where he managed litigation strategy, coordinated cross-border investigations, and supported human rights organizations, government institutions, and pro bono counsel throughout the Western Hemisphere. Earlier in his career, he gained litigation and research experience through fellowships and legal roles with Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and American University Washington College of Law, where he contributed to international human rights cases and assisted with amicus briefs before both domestic and international tribunals.Fluent in both English and Spanish, Juan approaches each family law matter with care, diligence, and a commitment to empowering his clients. Whether assisting with divorce, custody disputes, or other domestic relations issues, he strives to provide clients with steady support and knowledgeable representation every step of the way.