How to Find a Reputable Immigration Lawyer

Do you feel uneasy handling your immigration case on your own? Do you have a complicated immigration history in America? Have you been charged with or convicted of a more serious crime or offence than a speeding ticket? Or has someone advised you to seek the assistance of an immigration lawyer? These are just a few of the many reasons why you should hire a lawyer to help you navigate the sometimes perplexing U.S. immigration system.

To begin, it's important to understand that an immigration lawyer can assist you in organizing and presenting your case but has no control over the decision of a US government official to approve or deny your application.

Having an immigration lawyer will not change how the government perceives your case. An experienced lawyer will carefully prepare your case to give it the best chance of approval, but the outcome cannot be guaranteed. Only a government official can decide whether to approve or deny your case, and lawyers are not allowed to put pressure on them or engage in any backroom dealings.

Request a referral from friends or other contacts for an immigration lawyer.

Asking for a referral from someone you know and trust is the best place to start your search for a good immigration lawyer. If you already have a lawyer for another matter, that lawyer most likely has a network of other lawyers and can assist you in finding one for your immigration case.

Getting a referral is frequently beneficial because it can provide additional information about another person's experience with the lawyer and what you can expect if you hire that lawyer.

Make contact with a Lawyers' Bar Association.

Many lawyers join bar associations to network with other attorneys, gain access to continuing education and practice resources, and find new clients. Local, state, and national bar associations are all possible. Local and state bar associations may be optional or required for lawyers practising in that area. Most, if not all, national bar associations concentrate on a single practice area.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association, also known as AILA, is the most well-known immigration organization.

Many bar associations offer referral services to assist you in finding the right lawyer for your case. While state and local referral services may only have "immigration" as a matching category, a specialty bar association such as AILA frequently has subcategories to assist you in narrowing your search.

You may require assistance with international adoption, employment sponsorship for a work visa, political asylum, or another matter. The more specific bar association's referral service may save you time in locating the specific expertise you require.

Investigate Immigration Lawyers Online

If you are unable to locate an immigration lawyer through your referral network or bar association efforts, there is always the internet.

Even if you already have an immigration lawyer in mind, conducting an online search can be beneficial. You can check the lawyer's profile to ensure that he or she handles your type of case. If you need assistance with a work visa but the lawyer's profile is devoted to asylum cases, that lawyer may not be right for you.

You could also conduct an online search to verify the lawyer's license is still valid and that the lawyer has never been disciplined for professional misconduct. The supreme court of each state typically makes that information available on a public website.

Be wary of non-lawyers who offer legal services.

When looking for an immigration lawyer, you may come across a "consultant," notary, or notario who offers assistance with US immigration. Be aware that such individuals are not authorized to practice law.

In some countries, a notary or notario is someone who is licensed to practice law and is highly respected. However, in the United States, the primary function of a notary is to witness someone signing a legal document. Unscrupulous actors take advantage of the public's misunderstanding of the distinction between a notary or notario in another country and a notario in the United States. Avoiding them is the best option. See also Hiring a Paralegal or Notary for Immigration Cases: Costs vs. Benefits.

Contact Potential Immigration Lawyers

Once you've narrowed your search to one or two immigration lawyers, the next step is to make contact. Your best bet is to make an introduction by phone or email. Despite the fact that texting is common in today's society, not all lawyers use it, and some law firms have a policy that specifically prohibits texting with clients.

Be brief in your initial call or email and mention how you found the lawyer. "My name is Jane Doe," for example. I require assistance with an asylum application. Do you handle these types of cases?" If you're sending an email, address it to a specific lawyer and send it only to that lawyer. "Dear Lawyer Smith: I need assistance with a work," for example.

Although it may appear simple to send a broadcast email to several lawyers in the hopes that someone will respond, the outcome may not be favourable. Doing so, or simply sending an email with the words "Hello, I need an asylum immigration lawyer," has a number of drawbacks. First, if the email is not addressed to anyone in particular, the lawyer has no idea who the intended recipient was and may not respond.

Second, sending a single email to multiple lawyers at the same time may be interpreted as someone aimlessly pursuing a very sensitive topic, and may serve as a red flag to the lawyer as someone to avoid. Finally, for the reasons stated above, this practice begs the question,

Interview Potential Immigration Attorneys

Once you've made contact with an attorney who appears to be a good fit, schedule a brief phone call to explain the nature of your case and inquire about the lawyer's experience handling similar cases on a regular basis. There should be no charge for this initial five or ten-minute call.

If you proceed, there will be fees, and this is the time to inquire about them. Inquire whether there will be a fee for the initial consultation.

If you and the lawyer mutually agree to proceed, inquire whether the fee will be fixed or based on the hourly rates of the lawyer or legal assistant. In the case of a fixed fee, inquire about what is included and any additional fees that may apply.

You should also inquire about how you will pay the lawyer. Some lawyers require a "retainer," which is a lump sum payment made at the start of the engagement. Others will simply send you an invoice each month or at the end of your case. Some lawyers accept monthly payments from their clients. All of these topics should be discussed at the start of your case to avoid surprises later.

You might need to hire another lawyer in the future.

Even after you've done your research and begun working with a lawyer, you may discover that the lawyer's performance falls short of your needs or expectations. If this occurs, request to speak with the lawyer to see if you can get your case back on track or if there is a valid explanation. (For example, the lawyer could show you data from government websites demonstrating that the delay in your case is normal and not the lawyer's fault.)

Allow the lawyer to meet your needs. If the lawyer fails to do so, you may have to move on. (For more information, see What to Do If You Suspect Your Immigration Attorney Made Mistakes in Your Case.)

You should review your services agreement if you decide to outsource your legal work. You'll almost certainly need to pay for the work done up to that point and make a written request to have your file returned to you or sent to your new lawyer. Also, be prepared for the new lawyer to inquire as to why you left the previous one. Lawyers who accept clients from other lawyers want to ensure that they can meet the client's expectations.

It takes time and effort to find a good immigration lawyer. Start with Nolo's lawyer directory, and don't forget to check out our sister site, Avvo, for bar data and client reviews.