An immigration attorney is a lot like any other lawyer with one main difference: they handle cases with different sets of laws. So what makes a good one? It’s crucial to find an attorney who has the experience and is knowledgeable about the law and its application. If you are looking for immigration assistance, you should look for personality traits in your attorney and things you should avoid if some characteristics show themselves. Other things that make a good immigration attorney are reputation, education, credentials, and the ability to care and listen.
What will An Immigration Attorney Do for Me?
An immigration attorney should explain the process and your options in clear language you can understand. They need to know “the rules” inside and out and have access to experts such as doctors or professors who can provide affidavits (statements made under oath) if necessary. A good attorney will also be able to tell you if your case falls within those guidelines or exceptions, so you don’t waste time or money.
How to Tell if the Immigration Attorney is Any Good?
A lawyer’s success rate, education, credentials, and experience all factor into what makes them good at their job. There is no reason to go with someone who isn’t qualified. It’s crucial to find out if the attorney has an actual track record or is just boasting about their skills. There are plenty of websites where you can look up an attorney and see any complaints made against them as well as awards they may have won for things like honesty and hard work. It is also a good idea to talk with people who have gone through the process themselves and find an immigration lawyer that way.
What Type of Cases The Immigration Attorney Handles
Immigration lawyers handle cases regarding visas and citizenship and any other case that deals with people moving into the country on a temporary or permanent basis. They can assist those detained by ICE and those who may have been separated. Other cases the attorney may take on are where the client is fixing to get deported.
Finding Out About Credentials and Education
Experience is the most significant factor, but qualifications and education play a part. You can find out how experienced an attorney is by checking their track record. However, you will need to ask them directly to see if they went to school and where. This information should be easily accessible and require nothing more than a simple phone call or email asking for it. A good lawyer should give you this information freely. Many have it hanging on their wall in the office. If you happen to be face to face with the attorney, take note of the surroundings.
Looking for Professionalism
Professionalism is all about doing what’s suitable for the client, even in difficult times. This means working hard for your money and following through on promises, as well as being straightforward and honest. A professional has good communication skills, is organized and reliable, and doesn’t have a problem telling you when they don’t know something or can’t help you.
Avoiding Unprofessional Attorneys
On the other side of things, an unprofessional attorney will show up late for meetings or mess up deadlines repeatedly. They may not return phone calls in a timely fashion (or at all) and tend to be dishonest with their clients or take things personally when it has nothing to do with them. Unprofessional attorneys are also known for wasting time and money by dragging out cases that should have been settled long ago. This routine costs everyone more than just working quickly in the first place. These are the attorneys to avoid.
How to Find a Good Immigration Lawyer
The best way to find an immigration attorney is by word of mouth. If you know someone who has recently immigrated, ask them if they have any recommendations for you. This way, you can get the best information straight from the source. If that isn’t possible for you, your next step should be searching online. You will want to look at attorneys’ websites and see what experience and background they have. This information should all be easily accessible and shouldn’t require anything more than a simple phone call or email asking for it. Once again, good lawyers provide this readily.
Finally, once you have a list of names, you can look at their track record. You should look up any complaints that were made against them and see what kind of awards they’ve won for things like honesty and hard work. The Better Business Bureau is another excellent place to look for a good immigration lawyer. They have all the reviews you can trust and help you make the best decision possible.
