Reviews

I was so happy with the service I received from this law firm. Between Bernie who was always available to take my calls and Caroline’s considered responses to my emails, I went through a smooth process in achieving my visa. All of their staff is thorough and ensure that the strongest visa application is submitted to avoid any delays. I will definitely be going back to them for my renewal.

The lawyer could care less about cases and clients he will tell you about how much he plans to help you before you hire him, then once you hire him he takes you to someone else and tells you they will be helping you from now on, anything you need speak to my daughter - I.e don't call me. After shelling out thousands on a lawyer who proposed to help you, they then tell you they won't be dealing with you. Typical cash hungry lawyer who only cares about making sales. Once you write the cheque they don't want to know anymore. Responsiveness is 1 but should be minus ten! Have to chase them- really bad choice. I read another bad review about them after I signed but hoped it wasn't true. Turns out it was!

Finding considerate, affordable and fair lawyers is always a challenging task and that is why I had to write this review for Mr. Bernard Sidman. Actually, this is my first review because I am so happy with his services that I hope it will also help others in a similar situation. I decided to come to this country three years ago with my seven-year-old daughter to pursue my dream of acting. One of my friends' suggested that I contact Mr. Sidman to work on my visa application, and as we applied, to my surprise I was denied entry, even though my file was more than good. And because he believed in my case and I already had the entire paperwork ready, Mr. Sidman applied one more time without charging me an additional processing fee. Within a week, I received a letter notifying me that my O- 1 visa was approved and that I could legally work in the U.S. As a result, six months ago, as my O- 1 visa was expiring, naturally I contacted Mr. Sidman to head my case and apply for the Green Card and O- 1 extension in case I was denied Green Card. Because I needed to have the freedom to travel on short notice, I consulted with Mr. Sidman to apply for the premium processing; however, we decided that it would be best to apply with the regular processing time as this also increased my chance of getting the positive answer. It's important that I also mention that throughout this very stressful period, Mr. Sidman was always available to speak to me, answer my questions and concerns and he always did his best to raise my confidence that everything would be all right. Sure enough, in exactly three months, I received my Green Card in the mail. While I was so ecstatic to receive the great news about my Green Card, Mr. Sidman also informed me that he is giving me back the fee for applying for the O- 1 extension because it was unnecessary. I really hope that this review will help others in choosing a lawyer when it comes to any issues related to the immigration and work visas. He will not only give you positive results, but he will also make the whole process more bearable. He truly cares and protects all of his clients so that these very stressful times are not half as bad.

Finding considerate, affordable and fair lawyers is always a challenging task and that is why I had to write this review for Mr. Bernard Sidman. Actually, this is my first review because I am so happy with his services that I hope it will also help others in a similar situation. I decided to come to this country three years ago with my seven-year-old daughter to pursue my dream of acting. One of my friends' suggested that I contact Mr. Sidman to work on my visa application, and as we applied, to my surprise I was denied entry, even though my file was more than good. And because he believed in my case and I already had the entire paperwork ready, Mr. Sidman applied one more time without charging me an additional processing fee. Within a week, I received a letter notifying me that my O- 1 visa was approved and that I could legally work in the U.S. As a result, six months ago, as my O- 1 visa was expiring, naturally I contacted Mr. Sidman to head my case and apply for the Green Card and O- 1 extension in case I was denied Green Card. Because I needed to have the freedom to travel on short notice, I consulted with Mr. Sidman to apply for the premium processing; however, we decided that it would be best to apply with the regular processing time as this also increased my chance of getting the positive answer. It's important that I also mention that throughout this very stressful period, Mr. Sidman was always available to speak to me, answer my questions and concerns and he always did his best to raise my confidence that everything would be all right. Sure enough, in exactly three months, I received my Green Card in the mail. While I was so ecstatic to receive the great news about my Green Card, Mr. Sidman also informed me that he is giving me back the fee for applying for the O- 1 extension because it was unnecessary. I really hope that this review will help others in choosing a lawyer when it comes to any issues related to the immigration and work visas. He will not only give you positive results, but he will also make the whole process more bearable. He truly cares and protects all of his clients so that these very stressful times are not half as bad.

I have had the pleasure of working with Bernard Sidman and his team on several occasions. I managed obtain two H1B visas and a green card through him. One of my employees let me go unexpectedly while I had the H1B, and Bernard was swift in giving me good advice and fliing the second H1B with my new employer in a timely manner so I could stay in the country. The prospect of uprooting my life and having to get on a plane and return to the UK was not something I wanted to entertain. He was supportive and compassionate. Bernard is factual and straight to the point. Sandra and Angela who are part of his team are quick to pass messages on and they always have gotten back to me promptly. I have and will continue to recommend Bernard and his team to anyone. He has lots of experience and knows the law. His fees are reasonable and I managed to get my green card in 7 months, No forms were ever returned for lack of information like I have had before. Bernard Sideman's firm are thorough and I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone who wishes to negotiate the mindfield of immigration to the USA.

Sidman failed to gain a Green Card for me on two occasions. Sidman also failed to mail me J1 application documents for my London trip to the US Embassy – to this day, he has never sent them to me. Intentionally withholding documents from a client is illegal. Without these, a US Embassy interview would be void & a waste of travel time & money ($1000 & 5000miles). He also charged me $5000 for the J1 visa application where I later found out the average rate is $1200. My father had to mail these documents to me from the UK yet I was immediately rejected by the Embassy regardless. I was overqualified & Sidman should have known this. I retained a new, competent lawyer who, with just one education document requested, submitted this through Sua Sponte Motion and my green card was successful within 3 weeks. This was a single, one page critical qualification document that Sidman failed to request from me to submit. He ignored my repeat suggestions to include this information. He had submitted similar evidence about the same qualifications prior, to the INS, so knew full well of the qualification’s merits. My new lawyer contacted Sidman so I could recoup legal fees – Sidman never responded. He stated in writing Sidman had shown ‘intention or reckless violation above and beyond negligence and also said Sidman could be ‘subject to a 212(e) bar for 2 years, bordering on fraud. Any reasonable immigration attorney would advise the client of such a monumental change in their original immigration plan.’ Four well established lawyers also agreed that Sidman was repeatedly negligent. From this, I filed Arbitration against Sidman with the Los Angeles County Bar Association and I won. The Arbitrator confirmed that Sidman failed to provide a full retainer agreement on THREE jobs hired to do (2 Green Cards & J1 visa). Sidman admitted, in Arbitration under oath, he had never heard of a Sua Sponte Motion. Sidman had to reimburse me substantial legal fees as a result of Arbitration yet has failed to obey the law and not paid up by the deadline demanded, even though I’ve notified him and his office twice.