How to Choose the Right Immigration Lawyer for You
I’ll share some tips for finding the right person to help guide you through a scary process.
While it seems like there are more lawyers in the world than the world needs, it’s actually incredibly difficult to find the right lawyer when you need one most. Below, I share some tips for finding the right person to help guide you through your U.S. immigration journey.
Do not call U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services to ask for advice. USCIS is the agency that processes visa applications. Their website has a lot of information on it (including a chatbot named Emma who promises to answer your questions 24/7) but U.S. immigration law is so complex that it’s always best to speak with a professional first before trying to DIY an application. Even calling the USCIS hotline and speaking with an agent will lead to pitfalls—the agents who answer the phone are not immigration officers, but call center representatives who are not trained in the law at all. I have several clients who called USCIS, got incorrect information from an agent, and ended up in very messy situations that we have had to fix.
Ask around! You don’t have to go with the first name you come across. While Google is often the go-to place for life’s questions, there are so many factors that influence who shows up at the top of a Google search: your location, specific words you used to start the search, how much the law firm paid Google, or even simply how long their website has existed. I always recommend asking friends, family and acquaintances for a referral first—even if they can’t recommend anyone they enjoyed working with, maybe they can tell you who to avoid, or at least what the process cost them. Any information is good information!
Search Avvo. If your personal network comes up empty, try Avvo, which is like a Yelp! for lawyers. Clients and fellow attorneys can leave reviews and ratings, and while lawyers can pay to get their listing at the top of the page, Avvo clearly marks which listings are paid, or sponsored. Note: Avvo has not paid me to write this, and I do not pay Avvo, either!
Ask local bar associations if they have a directory of members who are licensed or specialized in a certain area. Some examples of bar associations include the Japanese American Bar Association, Mexican American Bar Association, Video Game Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association, San Diego County Bar Association—there are so many more based on geographic location, ethnic background, or practice area.
Always have a consultation with the lawyer! You always want to talk to the attorney who will be responsible for your case, and not a paralegal or intake specialist. Many immigration lawyers offer a free consultation, but if your matter is quite complicated, you may be asked to schedule a paid consultation. Some key questions to ask yourself after the consultation include:
Did I feel listened to and respected?
Did the lawyer explain a possible solution to my problem?
Are the estimated costs within my budget?
Was there any trouble communicating due to language barrier, technical difficulties, or any other reason?
Overall, trust your gut feeling. If you did not feel comfortable after speaking with the attorney, continue your search for another one that meets your needs. Immigration is oftentimes a long process that requires the sharing of lots of personal and private information, so you ultimately want to select someone you will be friends with for a potentially long time.
