For many people, immigrating to the United States is an important step toward achieving the American dream. Others may be immigrating to escape persecution or war in their home country. It is important to understand, However, that not all immigration lawyers are created equal and that some might not be in your best interest. Before you start working with an immigration lawyer, consider these five tips for choosing the right lawyer for you.
1) Be Honest About Your Case
There are many different types of immigration cases, and some present significant challenges. Make sure to be honest with your attorney about your situation; it’s important to work with someone who knows exactly what they’re getting into (and probably has experience handling similar cases). You should also be completely upfront about any and all personal or financial issues—don’t hold anything back. You should find out early on if a lawyer isn’t right for you rather than finding out halfway that you can no longer work together because of a common problem. An honest, straightforward approach will help ensure that you hire an immigration lawyer Los Angeles trusts, while building a solid relationship will make it easier to address any issues as they arise.
2) Do They Have The Experience To Handle Your Case?
Look for attorneys who have a track record of success with similar cases. Don’t hire an immigration lawyer who only handles international adoptions if you’re moving from South America to Los Angeles. Instead, find someone whose background is similar to yours. That’s not to say you shouldn’t choose somebody with a different background than yours. But make sure they know what they’re doing before going ahead and putting your case into their hands.
3) Are They Well Known In The Community?
Chances are, you’ve heard of your local immigration attorneys and know where they work. The best place to start is by asking friends, family members or colleagues if they have a lawyer that they can recommend. In addition to word-of-mouth recommendations, consider whether or not any immigration lawyers appear on expert lists (both non-profit and private) that rank professional lawyers based on their experience, track record and overall reputation. One resource to use when conducting a search online is FindLaw . This site allows you to enter information about your situation. And it will generate a list of qualified immigration attorneys that fit your criteria—including those who practice near you!
4) Has This Attorney Been Cited By Their Clients For Excellence?
Hiring an immigration lawyer is one of those situations where you’re spending a lot of money and paying someone to take care of your immigration status. Hiring based on price can be dangerous. In fact, some may try to take advantage of you. Because they know you don’t speak English very well and may not understand immigration law or what it takes to navigate it. This means that there are others out there who also think the lawyer did a great job.
5) If You’re Not Happy, Can They Guarantee A Better Outcome?
In a legal case, it’s important to trust your attorney. If you’re not satisfied with how things are going, talk up and ask what can be done. You may end up with a different attorney or a different approach to your case; either way, that’s probably better than hoping for things to get better on their own. You should be wary of lawyers who seem more concerned with securing your business than taking responsibility.
