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10 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
He is an excellent attorney, always quick to respond to my questions, even replying to emails on weekends. He successfully helped me obtain a marriage green card within one year, making him the best attorney I've ever encountered.
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21 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Made many mistakes on my file and almost screwed up my immigration. Put different client's name on my file which is major mistake. I had to check my status myself and inform them to follow through. They told me I still have to wait several months when Government website indicated me to move forward. Who knows how long it had been.... I had to ask them several times to check the status and OBVIOUSLY they did not. I had to send the screen shot myself 2 times and insisted/forced them to check.
Besides, I questioned for expanses they charged me and they wanted to dropped my case when it was the most sensitive time for me.
Do you want to pay for this kind of services ? up to you...
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05 May, 2015 by Anonymous
He is excellent, and always have quick response on my question, even reply email on weekend. Best attorney I ever met.
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10 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
Honestly, he has done nothing for me. I by myself fill in all documents and forms which were needed for immigration. He was the most irresponsible lawyer I have ever seen. He left my case for 8 months till I found that he has done nothing regarding my case. Even now I get a response from USCIS and my case is successfully closed he is not aware of it.
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28 Dec, 2016 by Mina noori
Ray has always exceeded my expectation where it comes to knowledge of immigration law and client services. He is very organized and thorough with my case and makes the process of NIW very easy for me. He can also speak and read Farsi very well which helps handling my case a lot. He is very kind and reasonable with his professional fee.
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15 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
I consulted Mr. Arvand about my many complex questions on naturalization. He quickly set up two appointments with me and discussed my case in great detail. Mr. Arvand is extremely considerate and knowledgable and will analyze your specific case and gives you great advice, going through various scenarios and what would happen in each case.
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21 Jan, 2023 by Anonymous
Horrible lawyer that works for the stat. Only intrested in getting couples divorced.
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11 Oct, 2016 by Erica
Imoh was recommended by my best friend and she was the absolute lawyer for me. She was very patient never once rushed me off the phone, answered all my calls and if she was busy shot me a text and called me back at her earliest convenience. She was up front and very knowledgeable. If she was unsure she would be honest to say then do her research and have an answer for me. She took care of my custody battle and the resolution of the child support agreement. It was not easy but she stayed on top of every detail of the case and fought hard for me and today I have my son. She was also very understanding to my financial situation and worked with me. I was deployed and she made sure I was ok until I got back.
I am very grateful to have met her. She is mild mannered and sweet but very organized and strong in the court room. That mix was perfect for me as I did not need a lawyer to rush me or over talk me and then go to court and we have an issue. Thank you . I highly recommend her.
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11 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
I consulted with Ms Udofia about my international divorce case and she explained things in a way i understood clearly. That helped to alleviate all my anxieties and concerns. She did everything in a professional and caring manner. She made me feel that she really cared not like other lawyers I have dealt with. I would definitely be using her services again if needed and would highly recommend her to friends and family members
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23 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
She seems to agree with everything while discussing the subject. However, in terms of actions, significant procrastinator! This puts the client on a spot creating an embarrassing situation. You can handle this type of behavior once, twice or thrice but not every single time. She may be a procrastinator, but not when she expects to be paid before works starts which gives client no choice but to stick with her. She always likes to say to get your work done tomorrow and tomorrow never comes until the deadline comes.
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15 Dec, 2015 by Gordon
I had an urgent matter concerning my niece who was trying to obtain a Visa for work in the United States. A friend recommended Leda Yu. I was pretty discouraged and was about to call my niece and tell her that I was just tired of calling lawyer after lawyer only to find out that they didn't specialize in H-1B Visas. My Aunt sounded so depressed so I promised her I would call. I called Leda Yu and her calm professional manner gave me hope. She told me that H-1B Visas are her area of expertise and gave me her history that led me to believe her. I put her in contact with my niece. My niece told me that Leda Yu kept her informed every step of the way. My niece called me one day and informed me that she received her Visa and was making travel plans. I have to thank Leda Yu and I could think of no better way than to write this review.
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11 Dec, 2015 by Gail
Leda Yu was extremely helpful and is a tell like it is Attorney. With her advice and legal support, I was able to make a decision about my H-1b petition that was to my advantage. I could not have asked for better legal service, especially on such short notice.
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06 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
He saved me and my family. Very good at what he does. I highly recommend him, very professional and respects his clients. Thank you!!
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09 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
Absolutely - Zero!!! Stay away from him, if You appreciate your time, money and nerves!!! Никогда не связывайтесь с этим туристом - флегматом сами, - лучше отправьте к нему своего врага!!! Знания, коммуникация, пунктуальность , обязательность, честность, сноровка, красноречие, опрятность ,уверенность отсутствует в этом субъекте - напрочь!!!
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17 Feb, 2023 by Anonymous
A master of his work I can advise everyone Generally a good person……………………………………………………………………………………………
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01 Apr, 2023 by Devid
Richard A Geduldig after 4 years waiting our hearing date he did not show up, and there is NO chance you can reach him except email. We researched it. After 3 years he LOST our court case and he got us in REMOVAL proceeding (DEPORTATION). I don't recommend anyone! Save your money and time...
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27 Jan, 2023 by Arnold
Mr Geduldig took my case when others couldn't help. He doesn't talk too much but he knows exactly what's he's doing. Many thanks for his tireless work!
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28 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
Richard Geduldig lost my court case. Absolutely useless! I lost my time and money.
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16 Sep, 2024 by Gregory rodriguez
Great firm and I highly recommend.
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15 Aug, 2024 by Chris seck
19 Oct, 2021 by Tipp boogie
15 Oct, 2024 by Tiffany li
Vincent is a great lawyer. He is very responsible and cares about his clients. He and his team did a great job to win my case. Highly recommended!
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14 Mar, 2019 by Yong ji liu
13 Oct, 2016 by Apple lover
I would say this is the worst experience we ever come cross. We are sellers, and he represents the buyer, (Thank god he is not our attorney) He was late for TWO HOURS for closing, everyone was on time but him and his title company. No respect for other people's time. Buyer told us that during the contract, his paralegal was rude, and constantly made mistake, oh, they will charge you for everything... Also! He never apologizes for him being late...He did not came prepared... cut us the wrong checks etc...
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15 Jul, 2019 by Ausha
18 Feb, 2019 by Larry castellano
28 Apr, 2018 by Rohit jain
11 Dec, 2023 by Unwan
He is unprofessional . He treated me bad as i come from lower caste as per his religion. He discriminates based on religion and caste. He runs spaces on twitter targeting white people and minorties in indian. I have recording of him saying that he stands with india in current stand down with USA and india is better country than usa in every aspect.
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22 Feb, 2023 by Yevgeniya
Mr. Dahiya has a heart of gold, I have never met a professional who so truly cares for his clients. He went above and beyond to get a fair settlement in my bankruptcy case. Both the judge and the opposing attorney were impressed with the arguments that Mr. Dahiya presented. The opposing lawyer at one point even said "that's a great argument, let me jot that down for the future". He explains his arguments and strategy and keeps you in the loop on everything going on with your case. One of a kind professional!
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18 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
I had a case and consulted with Karam. He came up with a thought of appointing our own trustee as we can. I never know that, and he is brilliant. I ended up not hiring him but offered to pay his time. He declined and said was happy to help. Nice and professional guy and smart.
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17 Apr, 2024 by George urgiles
Una decepción total.. mejor busque otras firmas..
Me cobraron 1500 por nada, personalmente tenía q buscar información ya q ellos solo enviaron 2 forms.. tenía q llamarles 4 veces y esperar más de tres meses para que me digan q no hay reembolso. Yo nunca abandone el caso
No se dejen estafar ya q cobran 500 por media hora según el contrato.. al fin cobraron 1500 por maybe 15 d trabajo
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17 Apr, 2024 by Vero gonzalez
10 Apr, 2024 by Jhosmayra ochoa
02 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
He is a good Lawyer, But as the above reviews stated they are true don't expect a immediate reply from him. No reply to the emails or phone calls or u cant catch him that is only the problem but apart from that he is a knowledgeable lawyer and expensive lawyer.
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25 Jul, 2013 by Susan
George Hutson is a very knowledgeable and helpful lawyer. He was recommended to me by my employer and proved to be excellent. My case was approved without any problems . He was always available to answer any questions while my case was in progress, and is still readily available to speak with me for FREE, if I need his advice. He is very kind and polite, and makes it very easy to speak with him,so I was always able to be truthful about my situation, and not hide any facts that would cause a problem with my case.
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12 Sep, 2012 by Parastoo azari
We know Mr. George Hutson for more than 5 years. Since 6 months ago that we encountered an immigration problem and asked him to help us, he was always cooperative and understanding. His knowledge about the Immigration rules was correct and his advises were on time and suitable that we think without knowing them, we might have come with unwanted problems. he accompanied us in every step and kept in touch with us even when we were out of The States.
We had a very good experience with him and will recommend him for sure.
From here, we like to thank him again for what he did for us.
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24 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
Thiaba is one the best lawyers, after a long struggle on my case with another lawyer, Thiaba took it and handled it very well. I was able to get my green card and I am so thankful. I definitely recommend her.
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15 Mar, 2023 by Anta
I hired Thiaba in 2022 to represent me in my case. l never dealt with an attorney as unprofessional and a liar like this lady. l paid her half of my fee which was $8000 and she did not submit any of my application. l decide to end representation because the level of attitude and disrespect l was getting from her was to another level. This lady had an issue of me requesting a copy of my a 485 application that was on my file from a previous case. she wanted me to send her money to mail me my complete file so that l can make copies for myself and send her back my file because she doesn’t have time to look for any paper for me. And when l told her l was ending representation from her she said l won’t get any of the $4000 l paid her because she work on forms ( l did fill out the forms myself without any of her help ) and was gonna submitted when l decided to end representation. She is doing that to many people. lf hired she will get your money , won’t do any work for you and if you say anything she will threaten you to drop you because you lack evidences. And if you decide to end representation you won’t get any refund
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11 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
l do not recommend her. She is the worst lawyer l work with. She is unprofessional. Does not want to put in any work. Paid her almost half of the fee and she did not introduce my case. Her attitude, oh my God !!! She would threatened you to drop your case whenever she wants. DO NOT USE HER
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10 May, 2022 by Anna koleva
The worst experience with an attorney ever!! Gave us false advice - and then backed out on his words, even though 2 other people, including another attorney, were present on the conversation. We all heard the same thing. Because of his bad advise we lost a buyer, and took bunch of unnecessary actions. All in all, because of him we lost 70k.
Definitely do NOT recommend.
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21 Apr, 2020 by Alexander grasso
01 Aug, 2016 by J.
Awful experience. They give their clients the runaround, never taking responsibility for their numerous mistakes and negligent behavior.
They made a lot of errors in my forms, even forcing me to correct the same errors multiple times. It's my opinion that they're either inept or outright unethical in the way they rely so heavily on undertrained paralegals to handle sensitive immigration forms.
After making those errors, they didn't do anything for an entire year. During that year, I contacted them multiple times, always telling me Soo Nam was in a meeting and wasn't able to take my call. I had to show up unannounced at the building and wait for over an hour just to get the attorney to finally give me a straight answer about my case.
She said she would handle my case personally going forward and that she would make things right, and I believed her. That was my mistake. I had to continue dealing with her less-than-capable staff.
She refused to refund my retainer.
I ended up changing lawyers because I could no longer trust her.
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12 May, 2020 by Anonymous
My company and I hired this law firm to apply Green Card.
Below are some reasons not to hire them :-
1. Very late response to your query
2. My employer approached them to apply for my green 2 years prior to date.
3. They do not follow up with HR personnel assigned to this project
4. They instruct employee not to ask them the status of their work.
5. If the employee followed up they get very upset for asking them the status
6. The employer has to be behind them to ask what paperwork needs to be submitted.
7. They are suppose to be immigration specialists, but they do not provide any timely guidance.
Because of their negligence, and only their negligence and prolonged delay in their process, I am out of my H1-B status.
Please do not hire them if you are looking for timely guidance and filing of your case.
I hope the management takes this feedback seriously and help talented and well educated people who are really in need in a more efficient way.
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07 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired this lawyer way back in the 90's he was completely oblivious of immigration procedures the documents needed to properly file a case I realy doubt his knowledge and you are better off handling your case yourself as this guy has no idea of what he is doing.
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30 Jun, 2015 by Sml
Anilbhai Jethmalani is a very responsible & trustworthy lawyer. He is accurate, confident and extremely helpful. His expert advice and experience rally played a big factor for our organization to overcome the most difficult cases. We are very fortunate to have him with our organization
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26 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
I hires her for my inmigration case. She is experienced but her staff completely inexperienced, no one wants to work with her, I can count 15 people in 2 year left her job. Due to inexperienced and less number of staff most of the cases takes forever even my case they prepare one night before my USCIS appointment. She takes full fee before submission of documents so clinet cant do anything if they would not satisfy from her service. They have one common email, most of the time she wont response because email checked my her staff and her husband, in case someone has emergency the only way to call her staff and they will fix an appointment to talk her but she won't reply throug email. No confidentiality, they Have small office so every client knows other’s client case stauts. Her husband make up lot of things and ask money whenever he gets chance and aslo she got that habit. My case was so simple but because of her less interest and her laziness me and my friends got delayed to approve the case. Now we have hired another attorney we pay them in instalment and she response us in 24status. I hope she will improve her service.
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11 Jul, 2018 by Shuvo
She is a very good lawyer but also very expensive. Also she charge for consultation fee which is a lot of money. Charging people a lot money is not good. You can hire her but also look at your pocket.
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24 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
We highly recommend Elizabeth M. Barna, Esq. She is very professional, trustworthy and I believe one of the most knowledgable Immigration Law attorneys in NY!
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05 Sep, 2019 by Ravi
This lawyer was asking for unnecessary documents to file my H1B RFE response. My colleague is also a contractor and USCIS also requested client letters from all End clients. Although he did not provided them but his RFE was approved and mine was rejected but the lawyer is insisting that those client letters were required.
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16 Feb, 2018 by Raghu
Kamal did a commendable job in presenting my H1B visa case with appropriate documentation to substantiate my petition.
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27 Apr, 2022 by Giacomo
A lot of attorneys told me that with my investment I would not be able to get an E2. Maria Costanza helped me with the entire process. She walked me through every step and today me and the family are in the US with an E2 that many lawyers said would be impossible.
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29 May, 2019 by Sherman
If you are the sponsor in an Immigration case, I would recommend finding another attorney. We hired her because she was cheap. Just remember that you get what you pay for. When the paperwork for the I-485 was done and submitted for our review, there were a lot of errors. Not just simple error, but things like the wrong city and state where we both were born. Getting her to return our calls or emails was hit or miss. She would say to call her because that was better than email, yet sometimes she still wouldn't return our calls. Unfortunately, my wife decided to end the marriage before the interview and let the country. When that happened, slowly Attorney Barducci started working to make it easier for my wife to return to the US later if she decided she wanted to return or remarry another American. At first the attorney would make statements like there is no guarantee that my ex would be able to re-enter the country or remarry. At first I thought that was a strange thing to say.
Also, Things that I , as the sponsor, told Barducci in confidence she told my ex and wrote to me that that the engagement letter is between my wife and her and not me and her so her and I don't have attorney client privilege. Also I did't want a letter sent to the immigration field office canceling the appointment, yet Barducci stated that she would do what was in my wife's best interest and that she was going to send the letter even though I as the sponsor was against it. The reason for this review is to let sponsors know that if you're paying for this service, this attorney will not have your best interest in mind and she will take sides if things go wrong. Yes, in the beginning, it's easy to think that your marriage is perfect, but do you want to take a chance if things go bad? I don't know if this played a role or not, but my soon to be ex-wife is Italian also.
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20 Dec, 2016 by Anonymous
He has done both estate and trust work for my family, as well as real estate work. His services were excellent. He is also very well known in the community for his charitable work.
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17 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
There is no reason to have to put up with an attorney that is sooo rude! I was part of a lawsuit that he handled. There was absolutely no reason for him to be so short. He was not helpful or informative.
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05 Sep, 2023 by Ching
Highly recommended. Both Sandy and Melissa worked efficiently with our immigration file. Both of them are professional and cooperative, and have expertise in immigration-related cases. Especially, Melissa extended her very functional support and provided necessary guidance throughout the process. We are grateful for having such expert and cooperative attorneys for our immigration support.
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25 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
Very rude. Aggressively responded to my questions. Not professional. Not recommended.
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26 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
I have used Megan for my green card application. Although she is very knowledgeable, I did not have the greatest experience based on her keeping me in the loop on specific deadlines, and following pre-established timelines.
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27 Sep, 2022 by Paul rory
We used James Walsh for our property purchase & he went way above and beyond throughout the entire process. James took all of our calls & answered questions making sure that we knew all the details. I recommend James to anyone needing any assistance with purchasing & property needs.
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06 Apr, 2022 by Toma dedaj
Great legal services performed by Mr. Walsh and his firm. I recommend him to all of my friends who are buying homes or for their estate planning needs.
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25 May, 2020 by Robert scarano
15 Apr, 2024 by Pragati pandey
27 Feb, 2024 by Megaouedraogo
Do not even get close to this law office. They got my case took almost 9 years case finally settled and I got ripped off by the crooked william schwitzer himself and melissa santana. I have found someone in the same situation as me and we coming after them and Dr. avanesov. I have reach out to the New York Times, waiting for an appointment to expose this law office and their frauds. William schwitzer is liar, a rip off, never cares about his clients but the settlement money.
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10 Jan, 2024 by Edison diaz fernande
19 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
I retained Arthur for a family Estate matter. His sound legal advice, coupled with his good suggestions as to how to deal with a contentious beneficiary, resulted in the outcome that I had hoped.
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20 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
Had one very short intro call regarding a Federal tax audit. Explained that I had prepared taxes via TurboTax and was asked why I wasn't reaching out to TurboTax for support instead. Tried explaining but call was ended abruptly by the lawyer. This was....a brief and painful little exchange. I would never choose to work with this individual.
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11 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
We recieved a letter from Consumer Law attorneys which suggested I was behind on mortgage payments and I was in foreclosure. After checking with my mortgage holder, it was determined that I had been sent a false document suggesting I was in foreclosure. This company is obviously preying upon individuals who believe that they are in dire straights financially. This company should be investigated by a state attorney general, in order to prevent moe victimization. Shame on you! I also have not hired or consulted them. They wouldnt connect me to Arther A Luger esq. , whom I highly doubt is an actual lawyer.
Please dont fall victim to this scam.
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15 Aug, 2024 by David
Harvey turned what I expected to be a daunting process into a seamless journey. From the first consultation, it was clear that his deep expertise and years of experience were unmatched. He handled my case with exceptional skill, anticipating challenges before they arose and navigating every hurdle with ease. Harvey demonstrated an impressive ability to simplify complex legal concepts, ensuring I fully understood every step of the process. He was more than just a lawyer—he was a true advocate, dedicated to my success. I couldn't have asked for a better ally in this process. Highly recommend!
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13 Jan, 2022 by Neil
I needed some advice for an ESTA Visa Waiver question. Caryl Kawalsky Uzelac was recommended to me by a friend. Big mistake. I had used a different lawyer before (Graham Prichard) who was awesome, but he was unfortunately busy at the time, so I needed urgent advice.
Caryl was US$500 for an initial consultation, which she gave me about a 15 minute phone call. Incidentally, this was double Graham's initial fee. I was potentially going to overstay my ESTA because my flights home to Australia were cancelled by the airlines due to COVID border restrictions in Australia. I thought it might be best to leave the US to e.g. Europe for a few weeks then come back to the US then fly home to Australia when Australian borders opened. She suggested I apply for satisfactory departure which would give me an extra 30 days.
When I received advice from the border control, they stated stated that "the 30 day satisfactory departure for COVID is not allowed any more for any country". Caryl should have known this, or at least checked it, and not advised me to apply for satisfactory departure. I believe this her professional obligation to me, which she failed. I then told her of the situation, and she never called back as promised. I overstayed my ESTA visa waiver and now am ineligible for a visa waiver in the future.
I asked her to refund my money because her advice was incorrect and required me to then book flights to Canada, then England, then Australia, but she declined and still claims she gave me good advice.
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06 Jan, 2020 by Anonymous
We hired Harvey Shapiro for our different immigration matters and he was very professional and advised us very well about what to do in our case. I would recommend him since he has a lot of experiences,expertise,responds quickly to messages and he is friendly to other persons who are looking for immigration advices.
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18 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
Varda was great both in the office and out of it. Even when she was on vacation, she was extremely helpful in getting my green card. She has helped me attain the American Dream.
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02 Apr, 2017 by Bryan
I hired this lawyer to get me my green card. She did not complete the paperwork on time. So I hired another lawyer, who promptly completed the paperwork. If I'd waited for her I'd never be done. Stay away and hire somebody accountable and professional. She charged me an unreasonable amount of money to transfer my paperwork to the next lawyer. Took unfair advantage, I had no choice but pay her ransom.
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27 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Varda was instrumental in getting me my green card. I highly recommend her. She truly cares about her clients.
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11 Sep, 2024 by Dimitrij g
This is the empire state building. I didnt see any Fidelity's office. Please update
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11 Jun, 2023 by Gustavo redondo
Empire State, hermosa vista desde la terraza
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27 Aug, 2022 by Ayodele akinkuolie
11 Sep, 2024 by Dimitrij g
This is the empire state building. I didnt see any Fidelity's office. Please update
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11 Jun, 2023 by Gustavo redondo
Empire State, hermosa vista desde la terraza
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27 Aug, 2022 by Ayodele akinkuolie
10 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
Consulted the lawyer on a property related issue, his quick grasp of issue, his ability to identify the weak points of the case was incredible. Hire him, specially if you have a weak case.
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27 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Lost a lot of time and money and eventually did not have any trust that he could get the work done. Went with a different immigration lawyer and he not only got it done on time but the service and communication was night and day.
Very difficult communicator. Poor staff support. Not recommended.
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11 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
No Knowledge on immigration matters. No process. No staff or associates to support/cross check the paper work. Manages his firm single handedly. Uses a yahoo email account instead of a company account. Gave good amount of business for Green Card processing . Except for one approval rest all audits and also possible denials . He doesn't know what Notice Of Filing means. He thinks its optional and not mandatory. Calling himself as an immigration attorney when he doesn't even know the pre-requisites of filing a PERM. Would not recommend him to anyone. Do it at your own peril.Lost lots of money and wasted a hell lot of time.A BIG RESOUNDING NO. If anyone disputes my claims I have the evidence to prove this.
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11 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
I reached out for help with an immigration case and paid for an initial consultation that was a complete waste of money. Honestly, I got less information than I would have from a basic Google search. During the consultation, the paralegal mentioned their approval rates for an extraordinary ability visa were only 5% for expedited applications and 20% for standard processing. These numbers aren’t great, and it feels like they try to keep that hidden.
The paralegal was completely unprepared and couldn’t answer almost any of my questions. I’d strongly advise people to avoid her. There are much more experienced lawyers out there who charge half as much for consultations.
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07 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
her company uses unreliable sourse for internet paymement like amo.to. They charge payment without your alignment
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21 Aug, 2024 by Ryno pb
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
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.
