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Identifying an Immigration Attorney
International student and scholar advisers occasionally encounter difficult situations in which the best advice to the student or scholar is “consult a qualified immigration attorney.” This may also be the best answer to questions that students and scholars regularly pose to advisers. The decision to suggest that the student or scholar consult an immigration attorney is not always a simple one. Advisers must consider the scope of their duties, the extent of their expertise in topics not directly related to their work, possible conflicts or interest, and even “unauthorized practice of law” statutes and regulations in their state. It is important for them to realize that encouraging someone to seek legal advice is often the best advice and commendable performance of their duties as an advisor.
When advised that they should consult an immigration attorney, many students and scholars will ask for the advisor’s assistance in identifying an attorney with expertise in immigration law. Advisors have a variety of approaches to this request. Some encourage students and scholars to consult one or several attorneys personally known to the advisor or known to have provided good service to students and scholars in the past. Others offer a list of all immigration attorneys in the area or all American Immigration Lawyers Association members in the area. Still others believe that it is best to provide some general sources of information and encourage the student or scholar to carefully search for a qualified attorney.
The links below will provide useful information to advisers considering how to respond to such a request and to students and scholars engaged in the process of finding an attorney.
Additional Resources
When advised that they should consult an immigration attorney, many students and scholars will ask for the advisor’s assistance in identifying an attorney with expertise in immigration law. Advisors have a variety of approaches to this request. Some encourage students and scholars to consult one or several attorneys personally known to the advisor or known to have provided good service to students and scholars in the past. Others offer a list of all immigration attorneys in the area or all American Immigration Lawyers Association members in the area. Still others believe that it is best to provide some general sources of information and encourage the student or scholar to carefully search for a qualified attorney.
The links below will provide useful information to advisers considering how to respond to such a request and to students and scholars engaged in the process of finding an attorney.
- "Working with an Immigration Attorney," contributed by Helene Robertson, Director, Office of International Student and Scholar Services, The Catholic University of America
- "Immigration Attorneys - Recommendations from OIE," contributed by Lisa Krieg, Director, Office of International Education, Carnegie Mellon University
Additional Resources
- "Choosing Immigration Counsel to Represent Universities and Hospitals," offered by Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
- "Finding the Right Immigration Lawyer," offered by Siskind, Susser, and Bland, Immigration Attorneys
- "How to Choose an Immigration Attorney," offered by Miller, Mayer, Attorneys at Law, LLP
- "How Can an Immigration Attorney Help You," offered by the American Immigration Lawyers Association
- "Listing of State Bar Associations," (most provide lawyer referral services), offered by American Bar Association
- NAFSA's Global Partner Immigration Law Firms can be found in the NAFSA Yellow Pages
