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18 Aug, 2024 by Yanique
Paid my retainer and haven’t heard anything since, she never returns calls and the staff is completely incompetent, stay away and go somewhere else. I wasted my time and money. I should have done better research so lesson learned.
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10 Nov, 2022 by Tony redmon, my wife, rose kibuku
My name is Tony and I was in need of being Represented by a very good Immigration Attorney. My Wife and I have been represented previously by several Immigration attorneys that Failed Our Mission with a healthy cost from Our Pockets. Upon meeting, greeting, and consultation with Attorney Annette, as I so Respectfully address Her. The Money that My Wife and I paid to the; Office of Immigration Attorney Annette King-Hammond is well worth the Services and Actions as proofed by Documents that are Approved by the USCIS. See! Attorney Annette writes a book that is a best seller for Each, and, Every Client that Her Firm Represents. She is the Best in My Humble Opinion in the Representation of Her Clients, Bar NoN, I Feel id Better, Thank You very Much Attorney Annette
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30 Jan, 2020 by Roland
My wife Oretha and i obtained the services of
The King-Hammond- Law Center We were very satisfied with the service provided.
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23 Jan, 2024 by Joseph
I cannot recommend Attorney Grace and Kennedy Immigration Firm highly enough. Beginning with our first meeting and through out the entire process, she and her whole team were professional and attentive. She knew what to do every step of the way and delivered a great result.
Excellent service
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18 Jan, 2024 by Sanam
It’s a misery working with Grace Kennedy and her irresponsible team to specifically name Maira.
They messed up important paperwork for me. And handed me over someone else’s paper work with all their details. I was ready to take them to Bar. They wasted over 2 months of my process. Please stay away from them.
When I demanded to speak to Grace in regards to all the mess. I was told to email her. When I did email her she was initially very rude. Had no idea who I was or what paperwork she:/her useless team is working on. When I sent her proofs of someone else’s personal information that they mixed up with my documents, thats when she felt she’s In trouble and started talking straight. I still wish I had taken them to the Bar for this.
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14 Dec, 2023 by Abby
Once they have received your money. they have feel the need not contact you. I would never recommend anyone . worst place.
No costumer service
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21 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
When consulting her she will make it seem that she is on top of things. That her and her office staff are the best choice you could make in a lawyer, but when actually being her Client she won’t even keep you updated on your case , won’t go with you to any of your immigrations interviews or appointments. Will just tell you what to say and tell you to go on the website to make appointments. You will constantly have to call her to know your status. Will always have no new information till you yourself go to immagration and they provide the most recent info. When you call to talk her she is always with a client and will call you back (never calls back) or the security says she’s not in the office and has no clue how to answer or assist your questions and Luzmina still doesn’t call you back. Very very unprofessional lawyer and still when you are the one making appointments, calling her , filling out and sending in paper work or taking the paper work to Atlanta because she doesn’t have a fax to send it to or even provide you with a fax with all this still manages to up charge you and always tell you owe her money when no paperwork is given stating the exact amount. In my case I believe I was my own lawyer who had a little help from a wanna be one with a degree who only cares about money that charged me a lot . She only cares about money and not her clients nor their cases . AGAIN PLEASE DONT HIRE HER !!
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04 Apr, 2017 by Mayra
Ms. Luzmina helped me from the beginning with my DACA process. This is the third time I have applied and, she has helped me each time. First, with the initial case and two renewals. Everything has gone as smooth as she stated it would. I was 15 years old when my parents hired her. I am now in College. I am grateful to this country for the opportunity to be protected under the DACA program and to her for guidance throughout these years.
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01 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
Awful service. She took our money and never did a thing. Very unethical. She never wanted to give us copies of anything we filed. Does not have a copy machine in her office and all the money orders for INS we gave her had to be blank. She also never have us receipts and got very upset when we asked her for them. I don't doubt one bit that she has been writing her own reviews. Google her and you will see other people going through the same thing with her.
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11 Sep, 2024 by Shaakirah landers
18 Aug, 2024 by Nitza
Amna Shirazi was able to get documentation on a cada that was near 20 years old and helped one of my clients get on a path to a permanent residence card. When everyone had said no she said yes. Her and her team went far and beyond to get the work done and did what others said it was imposible to do. She also helped a single mother who had moved and had not completed her Asylum application process to get back on track and be in the process again when my client thought all hope was gone.
What impressed me the most was that Amna would not accept a case or give a paid consult unless she believes she can help the person. Her prices are very reasonable and her knowledge of Immigration law is amazing. Her experience in immigration court ligating cases is ultimately one of the reasons I recommend her to my clients. Last but not least her TEAM is a great team. They are all so knowledgeable and nice and have always answered our questions with utmost respect and kindness, making the process so much easier for everyone. I highly recommend Shirazi Immigration Law Firm
They get the job done!!!!! We are so grateful that she is now working also in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area.
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14 Aug, 2024 by Anthony
I want to give a special thank you to Amna and Belkis for always being available and supportive through my immigration process. The Shirazi team was amazing and great to work with.
Amna and her team were always available when I had doubts or questions. They made the process easy and always explained everything thoroughly. Very professional and transparent. Throughout this process I felt comfortable and trusted with their guidance. My case was a bit complicated, but I always felt I had nothing to worry about due to the wonderful team, work ethic and knowledge they all have. My case was a success. I am grateful and happy. Thank you, Shirazi Immigration Law!
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17 Mar, 2014 by Walt
The most knowledgeable attorney on immigration and employment laws in the country. dedicated, hard-working, presents her case with conviction and strong facts. will work tirelessly on behalf of my organization and represented us with the utmost of skill and professionalism
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26 Aug, 2012 by Anonymous
Tries hard to help and work with you, but is a very busy lawyer which relies heavily on assistant staff, which has hurt her credibility and reliability significantly with me. Is unfortunate, because I do believe she is good, just has too many balls in the air.
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16 Aug, 2019 by Shelly byerd
10 Sep, 2024 by Gwenkeia simmons
I highly recommend this firm for their exceptional legal services and commitment to client care. Meg and Lesley demonstrated a genuine concern for my son's well-being and kept us informed throughout the process. We were extremely satisfied with the exceptional legal services provided by this law firm.
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10 Sep, 2024 by Kahlil mims
I highly recommend this firm for their exceptional legal services and commitment to client care. Meg, and staff demonstrated professionalism and empathy throughout our experience. We were kept informed and addressed any queries in a timely manner via text message.
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26 Feb, 2024 by Chudney richmond
Attorney McKinnon represented me and my company in a real estate matter. Attorney McKinnon was thorough and knowledgeable in the negotiations and kept me updated throughout this matter. More importantly we won and I highly recommend her services!
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13 Apr, 2023 by Andrea moreland
08 Apr, 2023 by Lee li
The male receptionist at the firm was very professional. Answering all of my questions and had a very pleasant disposition.
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27 Mar, 2023 by Robert sumners
11 Jun, 2024 by Sandra
I recommend this law firm, they handled my case. They are very professional, Victor Thanki is a meticulous and a very understanding man. He was very attentive to every request, he made sure to follow up my applications with utmost care, God bless you Vic!
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10 Jun, 2022 by Rich
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11 Nov, 2016 by Tong
Kembra and her staffs are the best in the immigration filed. I'm so glad to find her to help me to handle my case. They are very professional and friendly. I highly recommend everyone to let her help you immigration situation!
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11 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
She included a lot of mistakes in my citizenship application, was hard to reach, and clearly lacked knowledge in immigration law.
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05 Dec, 2014 by Amine
Debby Le's attitude combined with her legal knowledge was most reassuring. Prompt replies with responses to my inquiries. I would definitely recommend her law firm to anyone who needs to navigate through the whirlpool of bureaucracy and red tape of immigration protocols!
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21 Nov, 2014 by Kim
I've known Debby for a very long time and hired her to do my family's trust. She helped calm my parent's nerve about the whole process. She is very detail oriented and trustworthy. I would highly recommend her to anyone needing legal services.
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18 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
Margaret seemed legitimate and even helped my family in the past. However her diminished mental capabilities render her incapable to continue practicing. She completely mis-filed on outdated forms, so we sent in the correct forms, or so we thought. 5 months later after hours to talk to uscis she never sent in corrected forms. Also she disapeared for 2 months when a request for evidence showed up. She said it was due to her brothers death. However when I texted and called pretending to be a new client she answered. So she was screening calls. We got a new lawyer who asked us to get margaret to give the whole file to her. Margaret has now completely lost the whole file. Filing official complaints with bar association right now.
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04 May, 2015 by Anonymous
I went to miss Reilly 15 years ago. She help me, I send my family and friends to her she help them, even cases that other lawyer told them not possible, she do the best. She call and send email to government to get the result she need. Therefore you need a lawyer to fight for your if you have deportation order she can help, I know she help people I know, every penny you spend will worth it. At the any of the day you get to stay in this country.
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21 Aug, 2009 by Gabriella
My husband and I were feeling hopeless before consulting Ms. Reilly. She was able to see possibilities where others could not. Her entusiasm and encouragement were the light at the end of the tunnel that we were waiting for. We are grateful and would not hesitate to reccomend her services.
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04 Aug, 2021 by Rogelio hernandez
I really have all my hopes on her lawyer’s and stuff.
am very sorry and disappointed.
On my immigration case.
They didn’t even give me in out date on my case
I pay them to get a police report so that I didn’t have to do it my self.
And when I talk to the layer that Lucy assigned to the task She told me she couldn’t do it because she was in a private investigator.
Nevertheless they will took my money for it.
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15 Mar, 2021 by Lucky ghansar
We have always had a great experience with Ms Lucy Lu and her team. It’s always smooth and easy. Keep up the great work.
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26 Oct, 2018 by Audrey
We are not recommending Ms Lu's service and here is the reason why.
Ms Lu was recommended by one of our friends. We worked with her on our marriage based green card case.
During filing, they got my husband's father name wrong and didn't change it until we mentioned it until the 3rd time.
Since our case had some issue with government and it's not an easy case. The case has been extensive delayed for more than 2 years before our actual interview happened. We asked for her help about checking with USCIS several times, but after following up with USCIS "once". She simply told us to pay more to file a lawsuit with USCIS. However, that was not recommended by the other lawyer since we got some complicated issue involved. Eventually we had to contact USCIS on our own and felt hopeless.
After we finally received our interview notice, she immediately asked us to pay her another fee in one week or she would terminate her service. We asked how she could help with our case twice before paying her and she never responded, so it forced us to find another lawyer for help and represent in interview with us.
This has been a very awkward experience. We were very disappointed and felt like we paid for someone that didn't care about our case at all.
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07 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
This man is so terrible in communication, I read a review talking about his lack of communication and does not have a representative all the previous reviewer said was total true cause I went through the exact the same thing. He can go for weeks and when you call or send him text messages he wont pickup and he will neither return your call nor respond to your messages. After paying him and wasn’t happy with his way of communicating and handling the process I had to hire another lawyer. If I can give a zero review that’s what I would have done. I hope he changes to be more communicative and friendly to his clients
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02 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
I have always applaud and appreciated this counsel for a great job he did for me in the past . I read one review here that was negative and that’s not the Niba I know, This lawyer is everything you need in Atlanta GA.. he went beyond and above to help me , my friend and till today I am grateful . Well focused and knows how, where and what to do. Very intelligent man . Thanks to you Bar Niba
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18 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
Excellent immigration lawyer. Very personable and communicative. He does his job to help and is one step ahead at all times. Quite organized as well.
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10 Aug, 2021 by Naveen
Ravi M has Lot of patience and humble response when talking with Clients.
I discussed various scenarios of my situation and was able to clarify and proceed in career.
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25 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
I checked the prices near four different lawyers and based on the price and talk over phone, I found lawyer Ravi to be reasonable. Since my case is straight forward, I thought why should I spend for lawyers and not file myself. But did not want to take any risk, so approached Mannam firm. They agreed to do expedite in October, 2020 without any extra cost. But after submitting the requested files, the service they provided, immediate call backs amazed me. After my file was ready and initial review by them, they asked me to come to their office for self review. I went at 2pm, I reviewed the files till 6.30pm and made some corrections based on their suggestions. Ravi pointed out discrepancy in one of my experience letter and my labor filed. I said my experience letter is more accurate and my employer might have typed it by mistake. Such is his keen observation. After I reviewed, his assistant reviewed my file and finally he himself reviewed it. When my GC interview was scheduled, he himself called me and scheduled a mockup interview freely and explained all the details of the interview and what files I need to take etc. He said if I need a lawyer to come to the interview, he would charge $500 for both myself and my spouse but also suggested that I wouldn't need it as there is no complexity in my case. Such is his sincerity.
I appreciate all their dedication towards me as their client. Finally I felt I got more than what I paid for. Thanks to Ravi Mannam and his associates.
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12 Nov, 2014 by Vijay
I dont know where can i start on describing Ravi Mannam. I have known him for the last 4 years.
Ravi is a very knowledgeable guy who can do wonders if he wants to.
But his number 1 priority is to save his back.
Given any situation/problem that arises, he would first prioritise on
1. Saving his back and being clean (no matter what happens to your case).
He will say "oh i have the knowledge of this problem and the law requires me to blah blah ...so i cant have my attorney license revoked...sorry...i have to go BY THE BOOK."
This means even if your career is screwed or petition is revoked, it doesnt matter to him.
2. If the above is not an issue, then he will look for the employers interest.
3. in the end, he might look for your interest as a applicant. (forgetting the fact that the applicant is the one that is paying for his service).
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you may notice that i may have given more stars in my rating above.
Responsive: 3 stars because he will definitely respond at his earliest convenience and tell you that "look has been screwed becuase of....some legal explanation...and i couldnt have guessed it before"
Knowledgeable: 4 stars because inspite of having such a good hold of immigration law, he will not help you or think about you even once. (its better to work with a less knowledgeable lawyer who screws up out of ignorance or human error. But here is an attorney who knows a lot but still wont save you because he loves his practice)
Kept me informed: 3 stars because he would know the underlying problems in advance and so would be the first one to inform you "look my dear friend, this is XYZ problem because of ABC law and so you are going to get screwed but we can always re-file your case".
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19 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
Where do I begin expressing the grief I experienced with my wife when dealing with your firm? It started in April after the accident, your firm displayed glimpses of promise. In the first couple of weeks, you all got the information about our case in a timely fashion and communicated with us fairly well. While I know it isn't your responsibility to handle the property damage portion of our case, you offered very little advice (like other firms do) to remedy the situation. Thank God we got our vehicle repaired quickly thanks to the Insurance company. The bad part of our experience was, your firm lacks communication skills. Plain and simple. We waited for weeks and months to learn most of the details about our case. The legal assistant (Nicole Starks) NEVER got back to us in a timely manner. She literally went on vacation and didn't let us know what was going on and couldn't care less if we knew. We were left in the dark MOST OF THE TIME, wondering and not knowing. I feel as though this process should have been completed MONTHS AGO. When too much time had gone by, we were given EXCUSES and blame towards a well-known insurance company that is known for being professional and prompt in their dealings. "The insurance company wants more information", we call BS! Based on the lethargic and inept performance of the Founders team, we have no other resolve but to feel that it was a failure on the law firm's part. My wife completed her treatments and the case should have been wrapped up soon after. When I say soon, I do understand that it takes a reasonable amount of time for completion, but ALMOST 90 MORE DAYS??? One word, TERRIBLE. The worst part is that after waiting for all of that time, we received a paltry settlement. Wow. So, to conclude, I wouldn't recommend your firm for anything, not even a dog bite. You should fire your whole staff. Their nonchalant and uncaring attitude is displayed very well. On the phone, we can feel that they really don't give a damn. They have their rehearsed answers ready to extinguish any questions asked of them by clients who NEED A GOOD ATTORNEY and need true answers. Also, "They are on another call, can I have them call you back," is another line we were often given when Nicole Starks didn't want to be bothered or had no answer. If I am ever asked about your firm I will tell them about my horrible experience. And will recommend they go elsewhere.
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04 Oct, 2019 by Melvin
They was very good and efficient. I got a nice settlement back. All my medical bill was taken care of and I have no complaints. They are very good at what they do.
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05 Sep, 2019 by Karen
I had a great experience and they help me with my case and I am very pleased with the results
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03 May, 2023 by Suraji
My husband and I hired this lawyer Mr. Danquah to represent us in immigration proceedings 2022.
1. We paid every dollar we agreed to. Have all receipts.
We called to speak with Mr. Danquah but instead was forced to speak with this ill mannered staff woman.. Who was the most unprofessional, Rude mannered and disrespectful woman I have ever had to listen to accused my me of cursing her and not remembering her name.. my wife was on the phone heard our entire conversation and honestly my Never cursed or showed any disrespect.
2. We hired a lawyer Mr. Danqua not his wife or fiancée , obviously this woman (wife or fiancée) staff member calls all the shots..
Mr Danquah did not even have the decency to speak with us.. His staff woman spoke for him and would not allow him to even talk! We even offered to come to the office and settle this and was told by his staff woman do not..
Fortunately for us they have relinquished representing us and I am grateful! We wanted a lawyer to intelligently represent us not some one afraid to do justice in their own law firm!!
Please if you are looking for a real responsible Lawyer please continue to look This lawyer May have the license but clearly whoever this woman staff person Ms. LS is running the law practice..Unprofessionally, disrespectful, rude!!
My brother’s, Sisters, friends, mothers, fathers please. Do not deal with this man Mr. Danqua and his so called wife or fiancée for immigration issues because they will take your money and leave you in the middle of nowhere.
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16 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
10/10 would recommend great lawyer and knows what he’s doing! All his workers are also great and friendly!
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25 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
Thieving disgusting fraud!! Stay away from them, wrong information all they care about is money! Thieves
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01 Sep, 2016 by Syreeta
I hired Attorney Bandoh in 2014 to resolve a family matter involving children. Her staff was friendly, pleasant, and extremely informative. She advised me of my options and kept me in the loop alone the way. I really didn't have to call her much because her and her staff called me whenever there was a concern or if follow up was needed. My experience with this attorney was pleasant and I would refer her to friends and family.
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02 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Very unprofessional and rude! She wouldn't return calls, keep me informed, present evidence, nor ask for what I wanted. She yelled at me and walked off when I was trying to talk with her. She sat and talked more with the person I was suing than with me. Plus, she filed the wrong paperwork for my situation. I had to fire her and represent myself.
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10 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
I called Kimberly Bandoh because she was part of my company's legal benefit plan. I couldn't believe how rude and unprofessional she is from the start. I never even got to discuss what I needed help with. I just hung up 2 minutes into conversation.
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23 May, 2012 by Anonymous
I do not recommend this lawyer for I-601 waiver cases. Do not go to him for this. The ratings I gave were solely based on our experience with his knowledge with the I-601 waiver. Otherwise he is a good lawyer in everything leading up to the actual waiver. You could probably use him for anything his office offers and get a good outcome. We have in the past. However I strongly discourage you to hire him for the I-601 he is not up to date with what USCIS is wanting to see in the waivers. His staff is amazing I can say, really helpful and supportive.
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24 Mar, 2010 by Anonymous
In my experience, hiring this lawyer gets you plenty of contact with his support staff - who are not lawyers. Over multiple pieces of work it became apparent that Jim might have too many competing demands to be able to give much direct attention to each of his clients. If you are looking for the value and benefit of an expert's time you may find it more easily elsewhere.
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26 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
She lost every document that we had Notarized and then turned around and tried to say that it never happened and I didn't get copies.So it's my word against hers and I paid her yet.She never produced what I paid for.
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29 Dec, 2023 by Davidbrowning
What else is there to say?
She didn't go to court.
Then, she had the BALLS, to call me and say it was my fault.
F U C K HER.
And she still has ALL OF THE RETAINER.
That means she's also a fuc king thief.
This B I T C H needs to get her a ss disbarred.
David Browning
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29 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
I live in Wisconsin, and needed a private attorney in Atlanta, because my Son died there, I sent her over the amount she asked for, and she has never closed out my case, or refunded my money, or ever contacted me again, I have an appointment with a professional from the bar association, I've save all my texts, and calls, just everything, in going to sue for emotional distress, taking a clients money, and several other issues wit her and whom ever she works for, she is a fraudulent Attorney!
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04 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
After almost 11 years of using this attorney we are no closer to having legal status than when we first started He is very arrogant and over priced he has wasted our time and charged us a lot of money for nothing do not use him you will regret it.
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29 May, 2018 by Anna c.
He completely destroyed my husbands chance of ever becoming even a greencard holder in the United States. He only wanted money and never had the intentions to actually help us out. My husband had prior relations with an employee of Mr.Nerio, and we should have known better than to even trust this office. We have 4 kids, and everyday we have to worry about my husband being taken away from our family.
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25 Jul, 2016 by Karla garcia
He gaveme an specific time for my case...wrong and he gave me wrong instructions on my case and also says am the bad one because i catch his mistakes and not be happy about it...and sayed that he won't deal with me, very disappointed with his office and after you pay him good look trying to talk to him and he will talk you out this but i got proofs of everything i sayed.
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02 Jul, 2024 by User23456
We so regret to hired her, She never been helpful our case and made many mistake during to application process
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22 May, 2020 by Anonymous
Brandi was my lawyer(provided by my company) for applying for my Green card. One of the first step was to file the PERM and for which we needed to get a prevailing wage request done. This process should have taken a couple of weeks to a month. We created the application based on her advice but it was rejected multiple times, eventually took more than 2.5 years to get the prevailing wage request application processed. Each time the application was rejected, she would drag the process out for a couple of months, she would advice randomly changing couple of lines in the application before resubmitting again like it was a game of chance. This process was repeated 5 times before it was eventually accepted. This delay impacted my chances of getting a green card sooner.
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07 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
If you want a lawyer who has no patience to listen to your case, and is extremely rude, please go ahead and hire Mr Kapoor. My families dealings with him have left so much to be desired, but most of all they are frustrating because Mr Kapoor is an extremely discourteous and rude individual. There are times, when he hung up in the middle of call because he did not want to explain himself twice. His responses are extremely slow and words are chosen with total brevity. You would think that paying for a service should entail some amount of patience, but that is definitely not the case here. I wouldnt choose him again ever, even if he offered his service for free.
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29 Oct, 2011 by Anonymous
The worse attorney and firm I ever had to deal with! They do not advocate for their clients. I had to do all of the leg work for my case. I had a court apperances and no one from the office came to represent me in court unlike other attorneys for their clients.They do not return phone calls in a timely fashion, They are always unavailable for meetings. I simply advise anyone not to use this firm.
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What an Immigration Lawyer Can Do for You
An immigration lawyer specializes in helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate the complex immigration process. These lawyers provide legal guidance on various immigration matters, such as obtaining visas, gaining permanent residency (green cards), applying for citizenship, and defending clients in deportation or removal proceedings. Immigration lawyers also assist with employment-based immigration, asylum applications, and resolving issues related to visas or immigration status.
Whether you're trying to immigrate to the U.S., facing deportation, or sponsoring an employee or family member for a visa, an immigration lawyer can help you understand your legal options and navigate the often complicated legal system.
When Should I Hire an Immigration Lawyer?
Hiring an immigration lawyer is beneficial in many situations where you are dealing with U.S. immigration laws, whether for personal or business reasons. Common reasons to hire an immigration lawyer include:
- Visa applications: If you need assistance applying for a visa, whether it's a work visa (H-1B), student visa (F-1), or tourist visa (B-1/B-2), a lawyer can help ensure the application is properly completed and submitted.
- Green card applications: If you're seeking permanent residency, an immigration lawyer can guide you through the process, whether through family sponsorship, employment, or the Diversity Visa (lottery) program.
- Deportation or removal defense: If you’re facing deportation or removal from the U.S., a lawyer can defend your case in immigration court and seek to prevent removal.
- Asylum applications: If you’re seeking asylum due to persecution or fear of persecution in your home country, a lawyer can help you prepare a strong case and file for asylum.
- Family reunification: If you're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident looking to bring family members to the U.S., a lawyer can assist with the family sponsorship process.
- Citizenship and naturalization: If you're ready to apply for U.S. citizenship, a lawyer can help you navigate the naturalization process and ensure you meet all the requirements.
- Business immigration: If you're an employer seeking to hire foreign workers, a lawyer can assist with employment-based visas, labor certification, and compliance with immigration regulations.
- Special immigration categories: Immigration lawyers also handle complex cases, such as visas for victims of human trafficking (T visa), crime victims (U visa), or those seeking Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Hiring an immigration lawyer early in the process can help you avoid delays, errors, and possible denials due to incomplete or incorrect applications.
What Does an Immigration Lawyer Do?
An immigration lawyer provides a wide range of services to help clients with their immigration needs, whether personal or business-related. Their tasks often include:
- Assisting with visa applications: Helping clients fill out and submit visa applications, ensuring all documentation is complete and accurate.
- Filing for green cards and permanent residency: Guiding clients through the process of applying for a green card, including family-based, employment-based, or other forms of residency.
- Defending against deportation or removal: Representing clients in immigration court who are facing deportation and working to prevent removal from the U.S.
- Preparing asylum cases: Assisting clients in applying for asylum based on fear of persecution in their home country due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
- Handling citizenship applications: Helping lawful permanent residents apply for naturalization and ensuring they meet all the legal requirements for U.S. citizenship.
- Employment-based immigration: Assisting employers with the process of sponsoring foreign workers for temporary or permanent visas, including H-1B, L-1, and EB-1 through EB-5 visas.
- Representation in immigration interviews: Preparing clients for immigration interviews and attending interviews at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices.
- Appealing denied applications: If a visa, green card, or citizenship application is denied, a lawyer can file appeals or motions to reopen or reconsider the case.
How Are Immigration Lawyers Paid?
Immigration lawyers generally charge for their services based on the type of immigration case and the complexity of the legal work involved. Common payment structures include:
- Flat fee: Many immigration lawyers charge a flat fee for specific services, such as preparing a visa application, green card petition, or citizenship application. Flat fees help clients know upfront what the legal costs will be for a particular service.
- Hourly rate: For more complex cases, such as deportation defense or appeals, some lawyers charge by the hour. Hourly rates vary depending on the lawyer's experience and the complexity of the case.
- Retainer: For ongoing immigration matters, some clients may need to pay a retainer, which is an upfront payment billed against as the lawyer works on the case.
- Pro bono or sliding scale: Some immigration lawyers or nonprofit organizations may offer free or low-cost services for clients with limited financial means, particularly in asylum or humanitarian cases.
It’s essential to discuss the fee structure with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand the costs and payment arrangements.
How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an immigration lawyer varies based on the type of legal service required, the lawyer's experience, and the complexity of the case. General cost estimates include:
- Visa applications: For help with visa applications (e.g., H-1B, L-1, F-1), legal fees may range from $2,000 to $7,500, depending on the complexity and the type of visa.
- Green card applications: Fees for family-based or employment-based green card applications typically range from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the case.
- Deportation defense: For defending clients in removal proceedings, costs can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case and how long the case takes.
- Asylum cases: Asylum applications may range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on whether the case is defensive (in removal proceedings) or affirmative (not in removal proceedings).
- Citizenship applications: Legal fees for filing a naturalization application usually range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the client’s immigration history.
- Business immigration services: Fees for assisting businesses with employment-based visas (such as H-1B or EB-5 visas) often range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more.
Always ask for a clear breakdown of costs and fee arrangements before proceeding with legal services.
Top Questions to Ask an Immigration Lawyer
Before hiring an immigration lawyer, it's essential to ask questions to ensure they have the experience and expertise to handle your case effectively. Important questions to ask include:
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What experience do you have with immigration cases like mine?
Ensure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it’s family-based immigration, employment visas, or asylum. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges a flat fee, hourly rate, or retainer, and ask for a detailed estimate of the total cost. -
What is the likelihood of success in my case?
Ask for an honest assessment of your case and the potential outcomes, including any challenges you might face. -
How long will the process take?
Immigration cases can take time, so ask how long it may take to process your application or resolve your legal issue. -
Will you handle my case personally?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may handle parts of your case. Make sure you know who will be working on your case directly. -
What documents do I need to provide?
Ask the lawyer about the documentation required to support your case, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or employment contracts.
How to Check the Credibility of an Immigration Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable immigration lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and track record:
- Check their state bar status: Confirm with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no disciplinary actions against them.
- Look for specific immigration law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in immigration law and have experience handling cases like yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and success rate.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can speak to their ability to handle immigration cases.
- Check for industry affiliations: Membership in organizations like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) can indicate the lawyer’s expertise and commitment to immigration law.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most out of your first consultation with an immigration lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Passport and immigration documents: Bring your passport, visa, and any documents related to your current immigration status.
- Family documents: If you're applying for a family-based visa or green card, bring marriage certificates, birth certificates, and proof of family relationships.
- Employment information: For employment-based visas, provide your employment contract, offer letter, or other documentation of your job.
- Criminal records (if applicable): If you have any criminal history, bring copies of court records and other relevant documents.
- Timeline of events: Provide a clear timeline of any prior immigration applications, visas, or issues with immigration authorities.
- List of questions: Prepare any questions you have about your immigration case, the process, costs, and the likelihood of success.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer understand your case more effectively and get the best possible legal advice on how to proceed.
