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04 Jun, 2022 by Scott milne
After speaking with Attorney Edward Hopkins I knew that I could stop calling lawyers. He was able to rapidly access my situation, provided clear and precise advice articulated clearly. Edward exhibited compassion and understanding and helped me understand a path forward. Thank You
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17 Apr, 2021 by Russell orsborn
24 Feb, 2021 by Pj marks
Most knowledgeable and helpful people I know.
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11 Jan, 2025 by Baude galicia
I had the privilege of working with Tom Ward as my DUI lawyer, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. From the moment we first met, he was not only professional but also genuinely compassionate and understanding. Tom took the time to explain every step of the process, ensuring I felt informed and supported throughout. His deep knowledge of DUI law and strategic approach gave me confidence, and he worked tirelessly to achieve the best possible result. Thanks to his expertise and dedication, my case was resolved much more favorably than I anticipated. I highly recommend Tom Ward to anyone in need of an experienced and reliable DUI attorney. He truly goes above and beyond!
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20 Nov, 2024 by Faby price
23 Jul, 2024 by Tu mai
Really really bad service for this company. They are not care and responsible for your case, changed the lawyer at last minute and didn’t reach out or contact to me until the previous date of court date. Wouldn’t recommend this company. If you decide to go with them, it will be your worst decision ever.
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11 Jan, 2025 by Baude galicia
I had the privilege of working with Tom Ward as my DUI lawyer, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. From the moment we first met, he was not only professional but also genuinely compassionate and understanding. Tom took the time to explain every step of the process, ensuring I felt informed and supported throughout. His deep knowledge of DUI law and strategic approach gave me confidence, and he worked tirelessly to achieve the best possible result. Thanks to his expertise and dedication, my case was resolved much more favorably than I anticipated. I highly recommend Tom Ward to anyone in need of an experienced and reliable DUI attorney. He truly goes above and beyond!
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20 Nov, 2024 by Faby price
23 Jul, 2024 by Tu mai
Really really bad service for this company. They are not care and responsible for your case, changed the lawyer at last minute and didn’t reach out or contact to me until the previous date of court date. Wouldn’t recommend this company. If you decide to go with them, it will be your worst decision ever.
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14 Oct, 2024 by Muzeyyen sagir
24 Aug, 2024 by Pierrot babanawo
Excellent attention! I recommend them 100%, Mrs Catherine is very kind, explaining all my doubts in detail and offering his services, they are the right ones to handle your immigration cases! Thank you for your support The Chan Law firm!
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30 May, 2024 by Camila rangel
I really liked the ease of working with The Chan Law Firm and the whole staff team made me feel extremely comfortable. They made the process of my case really easy for me and were very flexible.
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10 Dec, 2024 by Daniel taylor
I can't say enough positive things about my representation from Ogborn Mihn, LLP. Jason Wesoky and his team were amazing to work with in a tough case. Jason was accurate in his predictions, was objective and rational with advice, and a professional guiding voice during challenging times. The team (Julie, Alyssa, and Jason) also did an amazing job communicating where things were at, what to expect next, and reasonable timelines for events to unfold. I always felt highly informed. I would recommend Jason Wesoky and Ogborn Mihn, LLP. They certainly had my interests in mind and went to work to protect me.
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21 Nov, 2024 by Zach thode
Clayton was top notch and found great ways to proceed with helping me in a complex issue.
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02 Aug, 2024 by Ken graham
I had an excellent experience with the Law Office of Nicholas J. Vail, PLLC. I was referred to Nick through colleagues for assistance with creating an operating agreement and understanding the nuances of business ownership types and decision-making processes between business partners. Nick was exceptionally responsive, thoroughly addressing all my questions and providing clear explanations of how to structure my business. He also offered valuable advice on finding a registered agent and detailed the necessary steps for filing. Nick's professionalism and expertise made the entire process smooth and informative. I highly recommend his services for anyone in need of business legal guidance.
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20 Feb, 2025 by Jeff mecklenburg
I slid on black ice and had an accident, in which my vehicle was the only thing damaged. The cop hit me (rather unreasonably) with careless driving for this, as there was nothing I could do to avoid the accident. Steven Pisani did an awesome job and was able to get the bogus reckless driving charge reduced to unsafe backing, which is a much lower charge and kept me from paying more in court fees, insurance, and in drivers license points. Thank you for your help!
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16 Jan, 2025 by Janet ye
Ross successfully fought a careless driving ticket for my father. My father has a CDL so this ticket could have ended his livelihood. I interviewed many other attorneys in the area. None of them wanted to fight this case. Ross is the only one who showed tremendous knowledge of the court and ability to win. I'm glad that we trusted him. Thank you!
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02 Jan, 2025 by D d
This lawyer is incompetent and rude. He hung up on me and I ended up getting a better result going to court myself.
Find someone else.
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07 Aug, 2024 by Erodi
I’m rating based on my full years experience with Amelia. While things went great at first- Amelia was very cordial, professional, and empathetic, she saw where I was being mishandled by law enforcement and treated with contempt by them by way of discrimination. She understood that I was being challenged by not only my case, but the bias and prejudice of the courts. She was able to adapt to all of this and got me a great outcome a year ago.
Now I am at the end of the end of this litigious tunnel, and I’ve sought her counsel again to see it through, having filled all of the requirements on my end to do so in the timeframe allotted. I’m not an attorney nor do I portend to know all the ins and outs of the legal system. I don’t know if I need an attorney to represent me to close out my case, but with the system already having a historic prejudice against people like me, I felt it better safe than sorry to be prepared.
This is where it’s all gone sour. I’ve always presented money up front because I don’t expect free counsel. I’ve always just asked how much money Amelia would want to review the same case she represented me on this time last year. If not to represent me, I’d be just as happy to pay to receive her input on what I should expect and what I need to bring to close out my case. That could be as little as 15m-1hr.
My case is due for review in August. This month. I’ve been trying to reach her through her office for months intermittently/ passively, at most 1 email per month, until this past week where I wanted to give it one concerted effort to establish contact. I called the office twice, left two emails, and received the offices answering service once.
We had a 15m consultation scheduled which she no-call no-showed for. Her office assistant thought that was weird and said he left her a message, which also went unanswered. The emails- one to Amelia and one to her assistant, both went unanswered. The answering service said that they’d pass the message along that I was trying to reach her, which also went unanswered.
That was a waste of days of my time I could’ve used trying to find an attorney that was willing to see things through to the end. If Amelia had something against me personally and didn’t want to take the case- the professional thing to do would be to say as much so I’m not spinning wheels on something that isn’t going to budge. Even hearing as much from the paraprofessionals or office staff would have sufficed. My time is valuable, too. Ghosting isn’t a professional behavior. What a sad outcome to end this experience with.
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04 Feb, 2022 by Colo caption
This is not just a Lawyer this is a battle buddy that will fight for you and with you. She is amazing and even consoled me when I cried. She is a great human being that cares about outcomes and thinks of her clients not just the money or status. Much love to Ms. Amelia and her entire staff. Thank you again 😁
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05 Jan, 2022 by -
Amelia Power is hands down the most knowledgeable and empathetic and well spoken attorney I’ve ever worked with. The value of what she did for me in my DUI case was unsurpassable. She knows so much case law and was able to effectively apply it to my unique circumstances. Additionally, If you ever need to appeal a conviction, I would highly recommend hiring Amelia for your case.
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12 Dec, 2024 by Emily vasquez
Dawn Gould was great through my case, which lasted over a year. She is very thorough, compassionate, but will give it to you straight and be sure you know what the law says and what you ought to expect. She will respond professionally and firmly with opposing attorneys and will not allow anyone to push you (or her) around!
I don’t plan to ever need her specialties again, but if I do, at least I know where to turn!
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09 Dec, 2024 by Heather stockman
She gave us a lot of information that we would not have known about at all. We felt we at least had a good case after our consultation.
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05 Dec, 2024 by Janelle harris
Contacted the Harris Law Firm regarding my divorce, they offered a 30 minute free consultation, they were very nice, thorough and answered all questions. I'd highly recommend them.
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16 Oct, 2024 by Jason roben
Highly recommend this firm for any and all legal family matters. Multiple attorneys did a great job representing me on various cases. They’re a great asset if you need help. Thanks again!
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01 Oct, 2024 by Sasha zavada
I worked with attorney Heather Landauer and paralegal Brianna Griffey for my family court case. They were always attentive and on top of the issues I was having. Kept me at ease and took my concerns seriously. I was pleased with the knowledge, service, and time I received. I would recommend them to anyone going through a contested family court case.
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24 Sep, 2024 by Caroline dermon
Erika and her team were amazing!! They went above and beyond in every way possible. Erika was always available to answer my questions no matter what time of day it was. She explained the process every step of the way and was a true advocate for my son and I. I knew she always had my back and she made what was possibly one of the most difficult times in my life, as smooth and seamless as possible. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome and it's all because of Erika. She's professional, down to earth, relatable, crazy smart and the best at what she does. She is my knight in shinning armor and I will forever be grateful for everything she did for me!!
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07 Aug, 2024 by Rebecca moss
Such a lifesaver! Use her for all of your legal questions and needs. You are in good hands with her!
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06 May, 2024 by Samantha esparza
01 Mar, 2024 by Pharouk hussein
07 Aug, 2024 by Rebecca moss
Such a lifesaver! Use her for all of your legal questions and needs. You are in good hands with her!
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06 May, 2024 by Samantha esparza
01 Mar, 2024 by Pharouk hussein
09 Jan, 2025 by Kristin s
I was pleasantly surprised that they actually got me more money than anticipated. They are really good negotiators and they really get you the maximum that they can. Just be patient and follow their advice. You won’t be disappointed at the end.
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09 Dec, 2024 by Eli salvador santos gonzalez
El tramite en el que fui ayudado aca fue un exelente servicio . Gracias a la abogada Melina por su ayuda .
Yo recomiendo este despacho de abogados Hernandez & Associates. El tramite en el me asistieron fue obtuve mi ciudadania
.
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16 Nov, 2024 by Jaime vega
Very nice place and the people that works there are nice and treat you with respect and they are very friendly and efficient.
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09 Jan, 2025 by Kristin s
I was pleasantly surprised that they actually got me more money than anticipated. They are really good negotiators and they really get you the maximum that they can. Just be patient and follow their advice. You won’t be disappointed at the end.
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09 Dec, 2024 by Eli salvador santos gonzalez
El tramite en el que fui ayudado aca fue un exelente servicio . Gracias a la abogada Melina por su ayuda .
Yo recomiendo este despacho de abogados Hernandez & Associates. El tramite en el me asistieron fue obtuve mi ciudadania
.
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16 Nov, 2024 by Jaime vega
Very nice place and the people that works there are nice and treat you with respect and they are very friendly and efficient.
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09 Jan, 2025 by Kristin s
I was pleasantly surprised that they actually got me more money than anticipated. They are really good negotiators and they really get you the maximum that they can. Just be patient and follow their advice. You won’t be disappointed at the end.
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09 Dec, 2024 by Eli salvador santos gonzalez
El tramite en el que fui ayudado aca fue un exelente servicio . Gracias a la abogada Melina por su ayuda .
Yo recomiendo este despacho de abogados Hernandez & Associates. El tramite en el me asistieron fue obtuve mi ciudadania
.
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16 Nov, 2024 by Jaime vega
Very nice place and the people that works there are nice and treat you with respect and they are very friendly and efficient.
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31 Jan, 2025 by Mariana acosta
I would highly recommend Miguel Martinez and his law firm, James Chiu has been such a blessing for my husband and i, he explained everything so well and always a phone call away with an answer to every question I had. We couldn’t thank him enough for all his help and support, my family and i will use them again without a doubt.
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21 Jan, 2025 by Cayd meier
Awesome legal advice. I highly recommend.
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17 Jan, 2025 by Chonito gaeta
Estoy contento con el servicio del personal de la oficina y con el proceso de mi caso.
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13 Jul, 2024 by Amber deegan
Mr. Kevin McGreevy and Polly treated our family with the utmost care and respect! They achieved a victory for us that seemed close to impossible. Kevin is an attorney of true integrity and our family will forever be blessed because of his commitment to justice! We can't thank you enough, with deep gratitude!
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13 Apr, 2024 by Mathew johnson
12 Oct, 2023 by Kelly brewer
I had an amazing attorney, Josh Landy. He was so attentive to my needs. He and his staff gave me the hope I needed during a tough time. I would recommend Ridley, McGreevy & Winocur to everyone. Without them I would not have gotten the closure I needed. I would give them 10 stars if I could. In your time of need you can count on them. Thank you to everyone at the firm, I will cherish every moment!
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07 Aug, 2024 by Rebecca moss
Such a lifesaver! Use her for all of your legal questions and needs. You are in good hands with her!
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06 May, 2024 by Samantha esparza
01 Mar, 2024 by Pharouk hussein
23 Mar, 2021 by Lorena vedoy and abner kim.
Rania and her team are the best attorney to contact if you want honesty and results. my husband and me have been renewing our work permits with them for so long that i trust them with my eyes closed. they make us feel welcomed and safe with our paper work and we have never never had issues I recommend them 100 % no question about it! thank you Martina for your hard work. looking forward future process in my immigration path with you guys.
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05 Oct, 2019 by Erica
Rania is a very good lawyer.She is kind,soft talking always treats me like family.she is very knowledgeable with the immigration law.She is my role model and the best because we cried together and laughed big together.She is my angel.
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21 Sep, 2018 by Patricia
Attorney Rania Gazawi represented me all the way from scratch and I was able to get the desired results. She and her paralegal Martina are so patient and thoughtful. They were there for me 24/7.
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24 Dec, 2024 by Andrew off
So, I normally do not write reviews, especially for deeply personal services such as they provide, however my experience with these people was so poor I felt it particularly important to share.
If you are interested in the details I will provide them below, but I want to sum it up first as most of us do not read entire reviews. I hired these people on Monday Dec 16thand fired them 7 days later. There were two reasons: 1) Communication was worse than poor and 2) the assigned lawyer put more effort into arguing with me than he did in preparing the document I instructed him to write. They were given a chance to correct both mistakes and instead gave me a full refund of the retainer without even so much as an apology. I was left completely stunned by their utter lack of commitment, conviction, and even basic knowledge of the law. This man, and this firm should be completely embarrassed by this.
The full story:
I conducted interviews with multiple firms, this company was my second choice. I was clear during my interviews exactly what the situation was, what my expectations were and what my goals were. Every firm I spoke with all said the same thing “absolutely no problem “. I was told on on Wednesday the 11th during the interview with this firm that lawyer a would be a good fit. I paid the retainer on the following Monday and was immediately told that lawyer a was no longer available. I was assigned to lawyer b, who I immediately made an appointment with. This was Monday afternoon.
On Tuesday Mr. B called me 1.25 hours early, where we had (what I thought to be) a productive conversation. He said he would pull what he needed from public records and get back to me with the documents as well as a “strategy” within a couple of days.
At nearly 4:30 on Friday afternoon (after I complained that he had not reached out) Mr. B sent me an email where he lectured me about positioning, then he stated he was not able to pull the document he needed. In my response email I pointed out what he was arguing was not even relevant to the situation, then I asked him why he waited to ask for the document. I also pointed out that not only does the law entitles me to exactly what I’m asking for, but every lawyer I asked including his boss disagrees with his opinion of the situation. I gave Mr. B 4 hours to do what he was hired to do, with a deadline of noon on Monday the 23rd. I also called his boss and leaving a voicemail requesting to speak with her Monday morning.
Monday Dec 23 at 2 pm I called the boss, got voicemail again and told her it might be time to start talking about a refund. I then sent Mr. B, the boss and the paralegal an email saying time was up and I had seen no effort at all. I asked why I shouldn’t fire him.
I never received any response from Mr. B, his paralegal or the boss. I did however get an email from someone to process the refund less then one hour after the email sent to Mr. B. Had the money back before the end of the day on Monday.
Please do not hire these people. Mr. B was the second choice of my second choice, and I’m so thankful he showed me his incompetence before he even reached out to opposing counsel. The utter stupidity and incompetence was overwhelming to say the least. I feel so sorry for anyone who is foolish enough to hire them. The only good thing is they didn’t charge me for the 30 minute phone call or that poorly thought-out email, most likely in hopes that I wouldn’t share my story
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15 Nov, 2024 by Ryan mchugh
I used them for a family matter and things went just fine, then we wanted to utilize their services for estate planning. We met with our attorney, she ended up leaving and we were never notified. She billed our retainer for thousands prior to leaving and not only we were never notified they just sent emails requesting to replenish our retainer. Six months later someone finally calls and I explain the situation and simply ask to be made whole so we can continue the work that never started. They refused, for 4 months I was passed around between paralegals until finally requesting a refund of the remaining retainer. No invoices were provided, no work and nothing to show for the money spent. I have 4 attorney offices in retainer for other needs and never have I had such a bad experience. Find a boutique firm with a reputable track record.
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19 Aug, 2024 by Karina english-huerta
I hired Attorney Matt Patton in July of 2023 to help me with my divorce. From the very first moment I met Matt, he was not only professional and knowledgeable, but he made me feel supported, empowered, understood, and at ease. What should have taken a few months to process took over a year because of things outside both of our control. Matt was there for me every step of the way and felt my frustrations as his own. He did everything in his power to get this handled for me quickly and efficiently.
Throughout, Matt was communicative, kind, and represented me with integrity and grit. One of the more notable parts of Matt’s representation of me was whenever we had mediations or hearings in front of the Court, he stood up for me in ways that I have never been able to do for myself. To have a lawyer like that in my corner meant more to me than words can describe. I can honestly say that I would not have been able to make it through this process without him.
Matt was able to get me everything I asked for and more. For the high level of representation I received, and for the care he gave to me and my case from the beginning to the end (especially in such an emotionally charged and delicate situation), Matt was worth every penny I spent to hire him as my lawyer. I could not give him a higher recommendation.
Thank you, Matt, from the bottom of my heart, and thank you to your amazing Paralegal, Amanda, for making this process as least painful and as smooth as possible given the circumstances. You guys are truly the best!
-Karina
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16 Oct, 2021 by Santiago
Esta persona solo me robo el dinero me pidió anticipo y después de eso solo atrasaba mi caso después ya no contesto mis mensajes solo es una estafadora.
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13 Oct, 2016 by Joshua
My experience with Eliana was phenomenal, her sincerity & genuine concern about the case was greatly appreciated. Very professional process & a very satisfied client was the outcome.
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13 Oct, 2016 by Donald
Eliana is an excellent father's rights advocate. Her representation of my son and granddaughter resulted in the best outcome we could have hoped for. She is a true professional and a credit to her vocation. Highly recommend her for father's rights.
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12 Apr, 2024 by Moni coupel
The most amazing and caring people are Herr. Have hired them multiple times and referred many others who have had great experiences as well.
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09 Apr, 2019 by World travel mgt deanna ballard
This is a great law firm. Very Ethical and very thorough with every client they have.
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07 Feb, 2019 by Margaret deluca
Apparently out of business or extended hiatus. They do not return emails or phone calls after initial consultation. It's shame, because they seemed to be the perfect fit for our issues.
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16 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Lisa York handled both my H1-B applications (the original and the renewal), as well as my Green Card application, very competently. At each stage, she gave me clear and timely instructions on the process, provided realistic time frames for completion, and helped me set up a payment plan for her fees. Thanks to her, I'm now a tenured faculty member at a college in the USA.
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24 Jul, 2015 by Wei
I hire Lisa York to handle my NIW and EB1A immigration petitions because a friend recommended and suggesting that she would write all the documents as I was very busy at the time.
Well, I pretty much had to write all the documents. She just copy and paste into some templates. I had to rewrite those documents.
I received RFE when she was on vacation. It apparently did bother her at all because she already made the money. She simply let another person (Maya M... I still do not know if Maya is an attorney or paralegal) to handle the RFE. I provided as much as possible and as soon as possible to Maya. It took Maya and Lisa till the deadline to submit the RFE materials without let me proof it. There are fatal flaws in there and I couldn't point it out before they send to Immigration Office. The result is not surprise: a denial letter.
Guess what, after I pointed out the mistakes they made, they want me to pay them another ~$2000 to do a Motion to Open. I had to fire her and do it myself. I used the same materials to do the MTO. 6 months later, my case was approved.
I would not recommend Lisa and her colleague Maya to anybody.
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01 Aug, 2017 by Thomas
Amanda was appointed by the court to represent me. She failed at even the most basic tasks. One of her motions was so filled with spelling errors that it was barely understandable. She was very disorganized, it took more than 5 meetings for her to remember to bring one key document which made things take forever. Two weeks before trial, after her having 8 months to prepare and an investigator to assist her, she revealed that she was so unprepared for court that I would have to suffer 6 more months of anxiety about the case while she continued to prepare. I wound up taking a plea deal for something I didn't do just to be able to get on with my life. Don't waste your time, hire a real lawyer instead.
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23 May, 2017 by Max
she helped me through the trial process of a d.u.i. with great skill and profesinalisim.
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28 Dec, 2022 by Allison shillingford
19 Nov, 2021 by Stacy clark
Their phone receptionist is rude.
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23 Oct, 2024 by Rajith ashokararasa
03 Jan, 2024 by Mr .emanuel williams
Great placs
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28 Apr, 2023 by Belinda robinson
Thank you Elizabeth for your time and effort in helping me with my divorce case. From beginning to end you were very kind and helped me with the submission of the correct paperwork. I highly recommend you and your firm!
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23 Oct, 2024 by Rajith ashokararasa
03 Jan, 2024 by Mr .emanuel williams
Great placs
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28 Apr, 2023 by Belinda robinson
Thank you Elizabeth for your time and effort in helping me with my divorce case. From beginning to end you were very kind and helped me with the submission of the correct paperwork. I highly recommend you and your firm!
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20 Nov, 2015 by Nathan
I hired Marie Lowe in February 2013, so I could obtain a K1 visa for my fiancee in Cambodia. Unfortunately, I only vised my fiancee once before filing for the petition. I learned later that I lacked adequate evidence to present a strong case to the consulete. This was never explained to me by Marie Lowes. Upon learning of my fiancee's interview date...it was time to do a "mock" interview to prepare. It was five minutes of preparing my future wife for the interview of her life. obviously, the visa was not granted. I would advise anyone looking for a immigration lawyer to seek out someone else! Exspecially if you are getting a Marriage or Fiancee visa. Ms. Lowe stated. "I do not remember the last time I had a visa denied", after the visa was not granted. Really...she does not remember? It just happend. I really wish I would have done more research, before I hired Marie Lowe. If I had, my Fiancee would be here with me right now. Now I am back to square one!!
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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:
-
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.
