Immigration matters are almost always complicated. That's because of the many laws and rules involved with practically every type of immigration issue, whether you need a green card to stay in the US permanently or a visa for a temporary visit. Sometimes you need the help of a lawyer, but where do you start? Here are some things that will help you find the right immigration lawyer for you.

Find One, or Two or Three

The first step is to find the names of a few attorneys. In the beginning it's always a good idea to talk to more than one attorney. This way you can comparison shop to find one that you like and trust. Here's where to look:

• Lawyers.com is a great place to start. A few short clicks will get you a list of immigration attorneys in your area complete with telephone numbers, background information and more
• Contact the local bar association in your area. Many bar associations have referral programs to connect clients with local attorneys
• The American Bar Association has tools and information to help you find an attorney, as does the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), a legal association for immigration lawyers only
• Talk to your family, friends and co-workers. Someone you know may have hired an attorney to help with an immigration issue and he can tell what he liked or disliked about the attorney
• Check your local telephone book for immigration lawyers
• If you don't think you can afford an attorney, there may be a program in your area that offers free or low-cost immigration legal help

Research

Once you have the names of a few attorneys, it's time to find out as much as you can about them. Here's where to look and some things to look for:

• If you used Lawyers.com, you already have a lot information at your finger tips. Read the information given by the attorney explaining what he does for a living, and visit the attorney's web site to learn even more
• Run internet searches on the attorneys' names. You may find news articles about them, legal cases they've handled, or legal articles or blogs they've written. This type of information can tell you a lot about the attorneys' experience and reputations
• Make some phone calls if you can't find enough information online. Most attorneys gladly take the time to talk to potential new clients and answer any general questions, like how long he's been a lawyer, how much immigration work he does, etc. Ask if the attorney or law firm has a brochure or literature that can be mailed to you
• Check with your state's bar association and your local bar association to see if the attorneys on your list have ever been disciplined and if they're licensed to practice law in your state. If you discover a problem, scratch the names from your list, or feel free to ask the attorneys themselves about it if and when you meet with them
• In some states, attorneys may be certified by the state bar association as specialists or experts in immigration law. This usually means they have advanced training and experience. It doesn't necessarily mean they're the best in the field, but it's a good indication the lawyer knows his business
• If you call an attorney for more information, ask if she's an AILA member. It's a good indication that the attorney focuses on immigration law and works hard to keep up with the many changes in immigration law
• Look for a lawyer with experience in your type of immigration case. Immigration lawyers sometimes limit their practice to certain areas, like deportation and removal cases or employment-related visas, for example. Look for one who matches your type of case
• If you need help understanding English, you may want to consider looking for a lawyer who speaks and/or writes your native language or has someone on staff or in the law firm who does
• Consider the costs. Depending on your case, an attorney may charge you an hourly fee where you pay a certain amount for each hour she works on your case. Some attorneys may charge a flat fee - a pre-set price to work on your case from beginning to end. As you research the attorneys on your list, look for information about how they typically charge their clients and consider which fee arrangement best fits your budget

After your research is complete, narrow your list to three or four attorneys and start making phone calls to set up meetings to talk about your case face-to-face. If you did your homework, you should be well on your way to finding the right attorney to handle your case.

Questions for Your Attorney

• What kind of experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
• Are you fluent in my native language, or are any of your staff members?
• Can you provide services at all levels of my immigration case?

Related Resources on Lawyers.com^sm

- Contact an Immigration Law Lawyer in your area for specific legal advice, and read about Selecting a Lawyer
- Need a form? Access hundreds of Personal Legal Forms covering a broad range of legal needs
- Read Preparing to Meet with a US Immigration Lawyer and Immigration Reform: What Can the States Do?, or access more Immigration Law articles and information
- Legal Dictionary
- Visit the Legal Forums for discussions on Immigration Law topics

Related Web Links

- US Citizenship and Immigration Services