Attorney finds need for investigations firm through criminal defense practice

At just 32 years old, Belén Meyers has her own law practice, two small children and a husband. Even as she balances her work life and her home life, she is thinking ahead.

Born and raised in Mud Lake ― about 45 miles from Idaho Falls ― Meyers comes from a family of immigrants, with her mother’s side from Mexico and her father’s side from Guatemala. She grew up in a community built around farming and ranching, where crime was hardly a thought.

“Everyone knows everyone,” she said. “It’s a great community. It’s like you can leave $500 on your dashboard and it won’t get stolen. We would never lock our doors.”

After graduating from Concordia University, School of Law in Boise in 2020 and marrying a law enforcement officer, Meyers became a criminal defense attorney.

Her work with clients led her to realize a passion for uncovering the full story of the events that led to her clients’ arrests and ensuring justice is served. That passion inspired her to launch Belén Meyers Law and more recently, Séptima Intelligence, a firm that not only aids in criminal defense but offers investigative services as well.

As she continues building both Belén Meyers Law and Séptima Intelligence, she is already planning to expand operations into Idaho Falls and Sun Valley.

The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Idaho Business Review (IBR): How long have you had your practice?
Belén Meyers (BM): Since December 2023, but I officially opened in January 2024. The reason I put it that way is because I never planned on starting my own law firm. I just had a baby in October 2023 when a client referral came to me. I told them, “I’m on maternity leave,” but they started crying, saying they’d heard so many good things about me and that they really wanted an attorney who spoke Spanish and was empathetic. Usually, I always take referrals. I thought, “Everything happens for a reason.” I’m a believer in God, and maybe God put me in that moment for a reason. Well sure enough, there was a reason—and that’s why I started my law firm.

IBR: In the time that you’ve been in business, how many clients have you taken on?
BM: It has grown steadily. I was initially bombarded with referrals—without doing any marketing at all—and things took off so quickly that I had to file for an LLC almost immediately. Since opening my firm, I’ve had the privilege of helping more than 100 clients.

IBR: With Spanish-speaking clientele, did you grow up speaking Spanish? How important is it to provide that representation?
BM: Spanish was my first language. I was actually in ESL—English as a second language—and didn’t learn English until first grade. I’m a native speaker, which I think is becoming less common. Unfortunately, many families with Latin roots aren’t passing the language down. I think being bilingual is an incredible asset—you can connect with more people and reach broader audiences.

About half of my clients are Spanish-speaking. What really sets me apart is that when clients come to me, I’m the one speaking Spanish—it’s not a paralegal or interpreter. Those roles are important, but a lot can get lost in translation. When someone comes to me facing criminal charges, often on the worst day of their life, being able to speak with them directly in their own language helps them feel understood and safe.

IBR: Are you a sole practitioner?
BM: Right now, it’s just me. I’ll be opening my own building in January 2026 in Nampa. I noticed a lot of my clients live in Canyon County and work in agriculture—Monday through Friday, 8 to 5. It’s difficult for them to come to Meridian, so I’m often meeting them at coffee shops in Canyon County. I thought, “Why not move closer to them?” I’ll keep an Ada County office too, since it’s a convenient meeting spot for clients here.

IBR: Did your criminal defense cases inspire you to launch the investigations firm?
BM: Absolutely. The first case I mentioned was a client charged with shooting at three people in a WinCo parking lot with additional weapons and gang enhancements. Very serious charges.

When I visited him in jail, he told me he was innocent. I said, “But they have a video.” He cried and said, “I don’t know how that’s possible, but I promise I’m innocent.” I believed him.

The video did appear to show him raising his arm with something in his hand. I had just had my baby and was breastfeeding at 3 a.m., reviewing the discovery over and over. I bought software to zoom in and reviewed the video frame by frame. That’s when I saw it — two people’s hands went up, not one. He wasn’t the only shooter. What he did was reckless — he discharged a gun within city limits—but it wasn’t what he was charged with.

I met the prosecutor on a weekend, showed her the evidence, and she agreed. My client was released, the felonies dismissed, and he pled to a misdemeanor.

That case made me realize I have to do my own investigations. When clients’ stories don’t match the evidence, I put on my investigator hat. That’s why I started Séptima Intelligence. Now I employ former law enforcement officers and detectives who truly believe in justice.

IBR: Your investigators all have investigative backgrounds, then?
BM: Absolutely. They’re all former law enforcement officers and detectives from specialized units.

IBR: You’re not just justice-minded — you’re entrepreneurial as well.
BM: Ever since I was a child, I’ve had that spirit. I’m the eldest of five, and I always tried to make a business out of something. As soon as I turned 14, I got a job at the local café. On weekends, I’d set up a little “store” with my siblings and cousins — selling painted rocks or silly crafts. Somehow, I’d end up with $20 at the end of the weekend.

IBR: Does that entrepreneurial spirit guide your work today?
BM: Definitely. I’ve always wanted to work for myself—not for the money, but for the freedom to do what I believe is right. I don’t want a boss telling me, “Stop investigating, we already got paid.” Even when I lose money on cases, I don’t care. My family came here as immigrants, and I’ve faced adversities I refuse to let define me. Instead, I want them to refine me — so I can use my experiences to help others. That’s why I invest so much in my clients.