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14 May, 2024 by Kieran sikdar
I am so grateful to have found Susan and her colleagues at Res Nova Law. Over the last two years they have helped me with a patent, trademark, contract documents, and also have provided wonderful general business support. As a first-time business owner, I am eternally grateful to Susan and her team for their guidance that has given me confidence in my path forward. I highly recommend Res Nova Law!
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13 May, 2024 by W bruns
Susan Ford helped me prepare for a small claims case (where I represented my company) for a customer that sued us for nearly $5,000. Before hiring Susan I had checked with two other lawyers but I did not feel confident. Susan helped with both the mediation and the final court hearing. With her knowledge in my brain, I was able to make a clear and coherent explanation of events. The judge decided the case in my favor. I recommend Res Nova for anyone dealing with business issues in Oregon.
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13 May, 2024 by Richard weber
We've worked with Susan Ford for many years and have always had excellent advice and counsel. We've established a number of Trademarks, and Susan has helped defend those trademarks. She has also helped us evolve from a sole proprietorship to a partnership to an LLC and provided all the legal advice and services necessary to get it right. When it comes to legal and business advice, Susan is our "go-to" resource.
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04 Sep, 2024 by Dave elkin
I found NW Legacy Law after an extensive search across many Portland area law firms to handle my estate planning requirements.
Beyond traditional I assets I hold some unique assets that require an openness to these special investments. Rather than stating they were not comfortable including these elements in my plan, NW Legacy Law listened to my needs, and how I wanted them to be involved, what my plan was for them to be included and how they could assist. Their openness and willingness to stretch beyond the ordinary set them apart from the fifteen (15) other firms I requested to consider my estate planning requirements.
If you’re looking for a firm that are open, interested in you and your needs, one that focuses on the client rather than applying a cookie cutter approach within their comfort zone, reach out to them, it was worth my search for a firm that are a cut above the ordinary.
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19 Jun, 2024 by Martin blanco
NE Legacy Law provided great service to my family in estate planning, they listened to our needs very carefully and provided the options for our needs.
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26 Oct, 2023 by Cameron herrington
We had an excellent experience working with Thomas Arthur Hackett and his team to draft our wills, health care directives, and other estate planning. Clear communication, kindness and compassion, and easy-to-navigate systems to get everything done. Highly recommended!
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26 Mar, 2023 by Dila
Jonathan helped me and my husband during the naturalization process. He walked us through each step and answered every question and concerns we had. Everything was easy and quick, we got our citizenship as short as 4 months. Even though I was nervous about the interview he put me at ease. If you have a immigration process l definitely recommend him.
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14 Oct, 2022 by Mitch
When we began the immigration process we were a bit overwhelmed by the many steps and procedures involved. As a result we sought legal advice and began a lawyer search that led us to Jon. We needed someone with a thorough understanding of immigration law, and we hoped for someone passionate about helping people. We found both in Jon and his law firm. He walked us through each step of the process and touched base with us periodically to answer any questions or concerns we had. He was was also always available to offer reassurance when we wondered what might be happening. In the end, everything happened just a Jon assured us it would. Today we received the green card and we’re on our way to citizenship in three years. Jon is a unique blend of honesty, character and a top notch legal skill who genuinely cares for clients. FIVE STAR GUY!
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15 Dec, 2021 by Derek
Jonathan helped reunite me with my son, and worked hard to help me win custody. My family and I appreciate everything he did for us. Wish I could rate higher than 5 stars.
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22 Nov, 2023 by Jose alberto moreno
Primeramente gracias a gonsalez y asociados por ayudarme en mi caso después de tener una deportación en el 2011 ahora ya tengo mi residencia solo me tardo 3 años en terminar mi caso desde principio a fin
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11 Feb, 2020 by Pedro
Exelentes personas muy amables onestas, simpre tratan de ayudar a las personas de la mejor manera como abogados son excelentes.!
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14 Sep, 2019 by Lucila alvarado
Yo lucila le doy gracias a los abogados Gonzales por ayudarme con el proceso de mi papa. Otros abogados marcaron el caso de el, y todos dijieron que no se podia hacer nada. Pero Los abogados aqui pudieron ganar el caso de mi papa en menos de un año. Ahora mi papa esta aqui en Los Estados Unidos disfrutando del sueño americano. Les consejo a todos que no se queden con las manos cruzadas cuando un abogado les dice que no pueden hacer nada con el caso. Hagan su busqueda bien, toquen todas las puertas posible. Eso es lo que yo hize, y ahora estoy viviendo mi vida feliz con mi padre a mi lado.
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06 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Mr. Musil helped me navigate my naturalization process. He made himself available if I had questions with the application. The interview walkthrough he offers was helpful and prepared me for the actual day. Highly Recommend!
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08 Apr, 2022 by Rp
Mr Musil promptly responded to my phone inquiry and was friendly, knowledgeable, and, concise.
Based on this brief interaction, I would have no hesitation in recommending Mario.
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05 Dec, 2020 by Victor
Excellent immigration law attorney! Highly professional, knowledgeable, and fast. Would highly recommend to anyone seeking immigration assistance. Mr. Musil gave us excellent advice and answered all of our questions very quickly. Thank you very much!
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03 Feb, 2022 by Mahmoud
Thanks so much for the great efforts that you spend to make everything smooth and easy. Special thanks to Jaime who is handling everything in a friendly and nice way, and at the same time she is a professional and very responsive all the time. We appreciate all what she is doing to help us.
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26 Feb, 2021 by Guillermo cervantes
Jaime and his team are truly incredible, professionalism and honesty were fundamental for obtaining my green card !!, I recommend Jaime's services 100%
Thanks Jaime !!
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03 May, 2019 by Anonymous
Jaime did a wonderful job for me. Very professional and communicates well. She made my process stress free and smooth. Very good at what she does, really happy I went through her.
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12 Sep, 2017 by Lei liu
I've worked with Shawa Mu for 20 years and in that time I can clearly say that she is efficient, professional, very knowledgable and experienced. The last point is extremely valuable to me as she has provided guidance and knowledge when no other lawyers/consultants have.
For example, we had a case regarding a H1B visa and she knew every single detail to know about H1B visas. She told us what to do, what to expect, and everything worked out exactly as she said it would. During the process I also talked to many other lawyers and consultants and the difference in knowledge was night and day.
I would highly recommend her service.
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04 Sep, 2017 by Tianzhu
We are very lucky to have Shawa helping our green card application (EB-1). We got our green card in May 2017.
Shawa's tremendous experience in immigration is invaluable to the success of our case. She guided us through the whole process, gave us tones of suggestion and help, to make sure everything is expressed efficiently, clearly and accurately. Without Shawa, we would have wasted a lot of time and effort on stuff that was not critical to the success of the application.
Shawa is definitely the best immigration lawyer in my opinion. If you are looking for a immigration lawyer, this is the right place.
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01 Sep, 2017 by Hao
Shawa is great attorney! I am so glad to have her help with my immigration status process. You can definitely put 100% trust on her i should say!
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15 May, 2023 by Karl
With Louis by our side, we have managed to overcome numerous obstacles that were not planned. We always felt empowered and supported throughout this long and challenging process. I am incredibly grateful to have met Louis, as I genuinely believe that we would not have made it this far without his expertise and guidance. His remarkable skills, unwavering commitment, and compassionate nature have transformed what could have been an arduous journey into a manageable and even positive experience.
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21 Apr, 2020 by Ahmed elhossary
Mr Louis has been a lawyer and advocate for me and my dad through our family reunion jorney. I really appreciate his effort and highly respect and recommend him.
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19 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
I've consulted with him several times and I appreciate his patience and how throughly he was with me with filing all the right paperwork! Definetely highly reccomend him *****
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14 Sep, 2017 by Maria arce
Hiring Rachel was the best decision my husband and I did. She is polite, caring and has been super helpful. We are so blessed to have her help us through our process and looking forward to her help for any future help needed. Thanks Rachel your the best.
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13 Sep, 2017 by Jazz
Have had Rachael working on my case for a few years now, she's very patient and takes the time to explain everything that's going on with ur process. Very communicative and always happy to answer my emails and whatever questions I have. Recommend her services for sure.
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07 Sep, 2017 by Fr. odo
Rachel has been our Immigration Attorney for several years now. I have been very pleased with her rates, her availability and her generous service. She has even stop by the Abbey to get documents signed on her way home from the office saving me a trip into the city. VERY CARING and willing to take the case beyond the simple forms. A REAL ADVOCATE!
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09 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
My name is Patricia, and more than anything we want to thank Aretz & Chisholm Immigration, LLC. My husband and I are very satisfied with their services since from the first meeting they inspired confidence in us and put to rest all of our doubts. Always very attentive to our case, they informed us of all of the changes in immigration.
If you have an immigration case, don't hesitate to call Aretz & Chisholm Immigration, LLC. They will treat you pleasantly and with friendliness.
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02 Nov, 2014 by Danielle
After using Rapid Visa to obtain a removal of conditions for my husband (who is from Costa Rica), we received an RFE. We were extremely concerned, so we contracted Grace to help us with the process. It was money well spent! She made sure we put together such a solid portfolio that the USCIS granted my husband permanent residency only 2 weeks after receiving our paperwork. We weren't even called in for an interview. Grace was thorough, approachable and down to earth. Don't cut corners - you'll end up having to pay for it later.
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13 Oct, 2014 by Govany
Overall five stars. She knows her stuff and is dedicated to her work. My case is still ongoing and so far my experience has been great. Highly recomend her.
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10 Apr, 2009 by Anonymous
Paul has been helping us close all kinds of license agreement with our customers located worldwide. In most cases, our customers require extensive modification in our license agreements, and with Paul's help, we can minimize our time, ensure to protect our IP, and yet, he creates a sense of win-win atmosphere with our clients, which is very important since they are a long-term partner for our company. If you are looking for knowledgeable, dependable lawyer for the intellectual property license, I definitely recommend Paul.
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19 Feb, 2009 by Anonymous
Mr. Taylor has been working with our compnay since 1995. He has been involved with our company since its incorporation and has been our general counsel continually ever since. He has provided counsel on any number of issues and is not hesitant to recommend other resourecs when additional expertise is needed. He has helped guide our company through changes in corporate structure and our transition from a manufacturing operation to a sales company. Mr. Taylor's advice has been unerring and he has the ability to explain complex legal matters in terms that are easily understood. Mr. Taylor also has considerable experience working internationally and interfaced exceedingly well with our parent company in Japan. I would recommend him highly.
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17 Feb, 2009 by Anonymous
Very good general business attorney with a unique ability to explain complex legal and business concepts to the Japanese.
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25 Oct, 2018 by Karima
A wonderful woman, with a beautiful personality, very friendly, communicate well with clients, take her time to get things right without any mistakes.
I still go back to her for any advice.
Her work for me was complete and well done. I will definitely recommend her.
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23 Dec, 2015 by Dbr rziko
Diane has never rushed me or treated me like a number or a dollar figure. She always takes her time to listen to what I have to say, how I feel, then easily helps me with paper work or issues I may have. Dianne has been very helpful in contacting people on my behalf and in getting results I need to process my immigration paper work. She is a joy to work with and is personable. She also called me up to see how I have been and if I heard anything from immigration. Diane has never worried about payment for her services or overcharged me for services rendered. She cares more about helping people then fattening her wallet. Diane is someone I would recommend to anyone looking for immigration assistance because she is a dedicated fighter for her client's rights.
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22 Nov, 2015 by Mory
Diane was instrumental from start to finish. She was very knowledgeable in all aspects of all of my unique and challenging situation. She went above and beyond the call of duty! Her fees were very affordable.
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26 Jan, 2020 by Sue aksay
After many many years I became a US citizen today I was sitting by the window and thinking about my life. I came from a country where they do not like Christians especially if they are women they make life very difficult for them. Meeting Nicole was a pure luck for me that she was so helpful and calming and efficient handling my case. I became a pharmacist and I have been working in the service of my community here for many years now. I am very grateful to this opportunity and I am a useful addition to this society. I am very thankful to Nicole helping me during this process. I recommend her with all my heart to anybody especially to women.
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15 Jul, 2014 by Cruz
My family consulted many attorneys before they met Nicole. She has helped people in our family for 10 years +. When it was my turn to find an Attorney I did not hesitate to hire Nicole. She was honest, helpful, she gave me a lot of information. The entire process was very difficult but Nicole and her office were very available and I am very thankful for that.
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23 Apr, 2011 by Obed
Ms Nicole Nelson is an excellent immigration attorney who helped me and my three children obtain legal residence and citizenship status in the USA. She has remained helpful to our family in recovering information we lost beyond the time for which she was paid. I am a college professor and I recommend Ms Nicole Nelson very highly.
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23 Sep, 2017 by Colin
I consulted William Newby for a second opinion concerning a personal injury case, and was impressed with the honest and ethical advice provided. Mr. Newby explained how the representation I was getting currently was sufficient but also provided an analysis of potential negative developments and how to proceed in each case, explaining thoroughly and understandably along the way. Mr. Newby's fee structure was fair and clear. The conversations we had did not feel rushed, nor like a sales pitch, nor demeaning. Mr. Newby clearly has a legal mind and stays a few steps ahead of a situation. I came away with a clear understanding of my situation and was fully satisfied with the consultation.
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18 Sep, 2017 by Muawya
I hired William to help me deal with a cellphone traffic ticket violations. William explained to me what are my options and the implications of each. William reached to the court couple of times, and helped me eventually to take care of the issue.
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17 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
First Ill start by saying english is my second language and legal dictionary never been in my english studies. After saying that I would like to tell how William is patient and so smart in explaining legal issues in easy terms without changing the original meaning. He always explained to me all the pros and cons for any action he would take after having discussions of the matter. I cosulted him for an accident I did before, many immigration issues. And lately he is the lawyer of my dad who is visiting the states and got hit by a car in CA. He got a 24/7 arabic translator in case the clients are more comfortable to speak in arabic. If you need a human, fair, smart lawyer William is the one.
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12 Aug, 2015 by Kenya
Courtney is very professional. Right of the bat I got a good vibe from her. The more she talked I quickly felt like I could trust her. She is very knowledgeable is her field of study. After she reviewed my case, even when she didn't know she consulted with other colleagues. She never lie or promised anything. & luckily for me her advise was the key to my successful case. I had consulted with at least five other attorney's who;one wouldn't take my case and two told me very different incorrect information that could have damaged my status negatively. Blessed to have found her in time.
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30 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
My son was very pleased with Courtney's knowledge, being able to answer his question without hesitation or doing extensive research. His meeting with Homeland Security went very well and they were very impressed with Courtney and the way my sons file was presented. She will be his lawyer when he files for citizenship. Way to go Courtney!!
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12 Jan, 2018 by Christine
We worked with Baolin Chen both on a green card and citizenship issue. He is efficient, helpful, fair and honest.
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22 Dec, 2016 by Richard yang
We are very happy to find and work with Baolin Chen with our complex green card process using a small firm sponsorship.
Not only is he down to earth friendly, has lots of immigration experience with higher successful rate, but also he is available whenever we needed and willing to work with us with all the questions and immigration Request For Evidence (RFEs) notices.
In addition, we also use his firm, Chen, Mu & Associates, with our H-1B and H-4 needs prior to our green cards application.
All thanks to him and his staff, we just got our green cards last week. They are like our magic Santa bringing us the Best Christmas Gift Ever!
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05 Mar, 2020 by Pedro r.
it's been a while since i hired Mr Smith to work in my case, it was nice to see how hard he works, every detail counts for him, and he earn every penny he charge you, He is very honest person, it was a pleasure to had him representing me, still my attorney. A+++++
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09 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
I had a unique and difficult case of derivative inheritance of US citizenship. To make a long story short, I couldn't find anyone in Oregon or California who had any experience in this area. Mr Hornik came highly recommended by a relative. After 4 months since my first consultation with him, I am now holding a US passport. I can't thank him enough, including his assistant, Jackie. My family and I are forever grateful for his legal services.
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24 May, 2012 by Ana
Mr. Rollin just won a case for me and stopped the deportation proceedings. It was a very difficult time for me and my family, and Mr. Rollin was the only lawyer who was willing to listen and try every option available out there for my case. My family and I are so thankful to Mr. Rollin for his honesty, understanding and trying his best to resolve my case favorably.
Without a hesitation, I would refer Mr. Rollin to all my friends and family if they ever need an immigration lawyer. Thank you very much for all your hard work!
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18 Jun, 2009 by Anonymous
We had foolishly gone to an inexperienced attorney for my wife's immigration needs and were given bad advice, wrong advice, and were in shock by what the first atty had told us. I did a great deal of research and made a lot of phone calls and the one name on every one's short list of who's who in Oregon Immigration attorneys was Mr. Mei with Davis Wright and Tremaine. They were right he took his time and explained everything, answered every question and his staff was the best and most professional I have dealt with. Pay the extra money and hire a man who knows his stuff...it's money well spent.
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31 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
Sherilyn Waxler helped us with our case through the entire process, and saw us through to a successful resolution (permanent residency). She was kind, professional, reassuring and helped us quickly gather everything we needed to apply.
This is at quite a contrast to other lawyers, and we saw several over the years. Nearly all of the other lawyers either gave us faulty or incomplete information or tried to scare us into doing extra work that was not necessary to make a good case. Sherilyn stuck completely to the facts and to the process and what to expect, and always gave straight answers to difficult questions.
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17 Feb, 2014 by Lewis
Liza did a fantastic job for me at one half the costs that other attorneys charge because she has a small office and no secretary and no partners. She passes these savings on to her clients. I liked her most for her generosity and knowledge. She is a very genuine person . She is out to help anyone she believes needs help. thank you Liza. lewis carlton
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29 May, 2013 by Ahmed
I had no hope to stay in the usa no more.i got married to my wife to who I really love but every lawyer said that I have to go back to my country and apply from there.finally I found this excellent guy who knows what he is doing.only thing surprized me that he never thinks.he always ready to gomi definitely recommend him to everyone.thanks jonathan
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05 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
Gretel and her paralegals have delivered outstanding service to me and my family over many years. They are easy to approach, very detailed in their work.
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27 May, 2016 by Kelsey perez lopez
Chris was amazing! My husband and I worked with Chris for 3.5 years on getting my husband his permanent residency. He was extremely professional and put us at ease the entire time. His high level of expertise helped us avoid pitfalls and kept us up to date with changes in immigration law that were in our favor. He's amazing and would recommend him to anyone looking for a high quality immigration attorney.
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03 Sep, 2024 by Jesse white
Ted Lew has been a professional, punctual, and reliable workers compensation attorney. After receiving a ton of letters from SAIF that I didn’t understand, I sought out legal assistance. The Oregon state Barr referred me to Ted. He has made it his mission to provide thorough explanations throughout the entire process thus far. While my case is still ongoing, I am satisfied with the assistance provided by Ted and his assistant Lily.
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29 Jul, 2024 by Heather boron
30 May, 2024 by Joshua long-ellis
When I got into a car accident, Aaron Price was quick, reliable, and very professional with my claim. He kept me updated on everything that was going on so I always knew where we were in the process and was never lost. He had good communication and worked hard to get me the best settlement he could. If you need an attorney to represent you in a car accident or personal injury, I recommend using Aaron Price at Welch Bruun and Green
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19 Apr, 2024 by Heather casebolt
I retained Scott Roberts through my EAP program at work to assist me with a protection order. I only have positive things to say regarding his representation. He is professional, detail oriented, compassionate, has good listening skills and is available when you need to speak to him. I feel very fortunate to have had him represent me! I had a positive outcome and he took care of everything in a timely fashion.
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13 Mar, 2024 by Namita bhargava
Jonathan has been amazing to work with. He knows how to diplomatically handle tough situations. He looks out for his clients and works in their best interest. I highly recommend him!!
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17 Feb, 2024 by Bethany prouty
I hired Scott in an emergent situation back in December of 2022. He got right to work in helping me keep my kids safe. Scott is professional, thorough and logical; always showing up for the best interest of his client. I am very thankful for the time and effort Scott put into my case.
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21 Feb, 2024 by Cristian cuello
22 Jan, 2024 by Roblox_estefania ramirez
09 Dec, 2023 by Aloha travelina
Nicholas Costa is a great lawyer. Eight years ago he fought and won me my green card and as life's luck would have it I have every faith in trusting in his services again. He is such an altruistic person and has a good sense of judgement/ knowledgeable licenced in both Hawai'i and Oregon
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21 Feb, 2024 by Cristian cuello
22 Jan, 2024 by Roblox_estefania ramirez
09 Dec, 2023 by Aloha travelina
Nicholas Costa is a great lawyer. Eight years ago he fought and won me my green card and as life's luck would have it I have every faith in trusting in his services again. He is such an altruistic person and has a good sense of judgement/ knowledgeable licenced in both Hawai'i and Oregon
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21 Feb, 2024 by Cristian cuello
22 Jan, 2024 by Roblox_estefania ramirez
09 Dec, 2023 by Aloha travelina
Nicholas Costa is a great lawyer. Eight years ago he fought and won me my green card and as life's luck would have it I have every faith in trusting in his services again. He is such an altruistic person and has a good sense of judgement/ knowledgeable licenced in both Hawai'i and Oregon
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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.
