A good immigration attorney will be honest, efficient, specialized, and licensed. You can verify these important qualifications by asking good questions. We’ll cover the appropriate steps you should take to find out whether or not you should consider hiring a specific attorney.
Find Out If the Immigration Attorney Has a Bar License
First, you need to find out if your attorney has actually been to law school and is licensed to practice law and give legal advice. Before hiring an attorney, you can search for them online at the Idaho Bar Association. Other states have their own lists. Immigration attorneys can typically practice immigration law in all 50 states, even though other types of attorneys are limited to practicing to certain states depending on their licensing.
Be careful of fake immigration attorneys. Some individuals may pretend to be an attorney; however, they are not regulated by a state bar. We frequently meet people who have dealt with fake immigration attorneys because the person claiming to be an attorney handled the immigration matter poorly.
You may find people who call themselves “Notarios.” These people will claim to be able to help you with your legal matter and they will give you legal advice. However, the legal advice they give is usually inaccurate and will lead to errors and mistakes in your immigration petition. Notarios commit fraud as they are not supposed to give legal advice because only licensed attorneys are properly qualified regarding legal matters. You can find out more about Notario fraud online with the American Bar Association.
We have been able to successfully fix many mistakes that come from hiring a fake attorney or representative. However, we cannot fix all of them. Choose your attorney wisely so you can be assured that your immigration matter will be handled successfully.
Find Out If the Immigration Attorney Is a Member of AILA
Good and reputable immigration attorneys are almost always a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, or the AILA. Attorneys who take on very few immigration cases typically aren’t members of AILA. An attorney who doesn’t consistently take on immigration matters is much more likely to make mistakes because they aren’t as informed regarding unique circumstances or USCIS updates. We’ve met with clients who have gotten bad advice from other attorneys.
Oftentimes we are able to fix the mistakes previous attorneys have made. Unfortunately, however, there are some instances where we cannot fix the mistakes due to the previous attorney’s negligence.
Find Out How Long It Takes for the Attorney To File Your Case
If an attorney you hire is very slow to process your case, then you may want to reconsider which immigration lawyer you hire. Of course, the immigration attorney will need your help to process your files correctly. There will be legal documents, such as birth certificates, passports, and tax documents, that the attorney will need from you. If you can give the appropriate documents to the attorney in a timely manner, then your case will be even quicker. However if you have your personal documents prepared and the attorney is still taking a long time to submit your application or petition, then that attorney is not very efficient at handling your immigration case.
It's important to note that each immigration process is different, so an employment visa and a family-based Green Card will not take the same amount of time to file and process. However, you can find out how long it may take for the attorney and their team to conduct the necessary research, fill out the necessary forms, and gather the appropriate evidence. Ask several attorneys about how quickly they can handle a specific case and see which timeline will work best for you.
After the attorney files your case, it is up to the government to process the case, which can take a long time depending on the specific immigration matter. However, your attorney can be efficient about filing your forms, so you don’t have to wait even longer for your updated legal status.
Check Their Reviews
Search the immigration attorney on Google and other platforms. It is usually a good sign if current and past clients are generally happy with the service they received. Additionally, attorneys who have only a few reviews may be inexperienced. Look for immigration attorneys that have a large number of positive reviews as this indicates customer satisfaction and quality service.
The Law Office of Timothy Jones
Attorney Tim Jones is a reputable lawyer who has practiced law for over a decade and solely focuses on immigration matters. This means that he is always up to date with the latest immigration updates from USCIS and he knows how to best handle your matter.
We Are Reputable
Attorney Jones is a licensed immigration attorney. If you consult with us, you can ask for his bar license and ask him about how he might handle your immigration matter. Additionally, you can find him online with the Idaho State Bar attorney roster. He can practice immigration law throughout the United States, so even if you live in another state, he can help you with your immigration matter.
He is also a member of AILA. Through AILA, he has access to some of the very best resources available to immigration attorneys.
Additionally, each member of our team is professional, friendly, and willing to help you with your immigration matter. The team is efficient at coordinating schedules, gathering documents, and communicating with clients and translators as needed. Learn more about Attorney Jones' team by visiting our About Us page.
We Are Efficient
Here at the Law Office of Timothy Jones, we can process your case efficiently. For example, with initial Green Card Adjust of Status cases, we can usually get those filed to USCIS in a few weeks if you get the documents we need in a timely manner. Other immigration attorneys can take several months, even if you get the information quickly.
Other types of cases may take longer due to the specific steps and processes we have to go through; however, you can ask Attorney Jones during your consultation how long your specific matter may take and he will give you a good estimate. This helps you know what to expect so you don’t have to worry about your legal status.
We Are Affordable
Our fees for our immigration services are competitive. Many attorneys charge by the hour for their services, but Attorney Jones typically charges a flat rate so you know how much the attorney fees will be upfront.
He is also considerate of your financial situation by creating payment plans so you can have a little more ease of mind and flexibility with your finances. We understand that everyone’s financial situations may differ, and Tim is willing to discuss the best options that will work for both parties.
Contact Us Today!
If you have already hired another attorney for your immigration matter, you can still reach out to us for a second opinion. If you aren’t sure that your current attorney is operating in your best interests, then Attorney Jones would be happy to consult with you regarding your best options.
If you have an immigration matter you would like to discuss, schedule a consultation with Attorney Tim Jones so we can get started on your case!
