Looking for help on your immigration case?
Wondering how to find the best immigration lawyers?
You may be eager to get help immediately, but not all immigration lawyers are all they claim to be. It’s important to take the time to choose an excellent attorney that is qualified and motivated.
You’ll want to keep a few things in mind during your search to make sure you find a lawyer who is right for you. Below are eight tips to keep in mind for choosing the best immigration lawyers to work with.
1. CHOOSE QUALITY
When trying to find the best immigration lawyers, it is best not to choose blindly and hire the first lawyer you come across. It is also much better to look for a high-quality lawyer that can handle your case like a professional than to choose the low-cost bargain option.
It can be stressful to deal with the high costs but don’t automatically choose the cheaper alternative. The costs can be well worth it in the end if you’re serious about your immigration.
Be sure to properly vet any potential attorneys you want to work with. They need to be able to fully convince you that they can do the job well.
2. LOOK FOR A REFERRAL
When looking for an attorney for your immigration case, it is an excellent idea to dig into your personal network and find out if anyone you know has used an immigration lawyer in the past.
Ask your friends and family. Someone you know may be able to connect you with an acquaintance who has already undergone immigration procedures and knows about a great lawyer you can work with. Word-of-mouth can be a great way to find an immigration lawyer that’s a good fit.
Also, consider using the internet as a resource. Sometimes you can find info, reviews, and complaints on different lawyers online.
3. CONFIRM CREDENTIALS
When you identify a potential attorney for your case, you need to make sure they are the real deal. Find out what their credentials are and where their experience lies. While you can find out some of this information from the lawyer’s website or from them, you can use several other sources to verify attorney credentials.
Contact the local state bar where the lawyer practices and search the database on the website. If you’re looking for an immigration lawyer in Dallas, for example, you’ll want to check with the State Bar of Texas.
Find out if they have had any complaints or malpractice suits in the past, or if there is any other information on their record you need to know about.
You should also search the AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) website if you are looking for an immigration lawyer. They have a database of potential lawyers that practice and teach immigration law. If you choose one of these lawyers, they will likely have the qualifications that you need.
4. INTERVIEW THE BEST IMMIGRATION LAWYERS YOU HAVE SHORTLISTED
Once you have created a list of the best immigration lawyers you could find and narrowed down the choices to who you may want to work with, you need to reach out to them.
Schedule a quick phone call or interview and speak with them to decide if they could be the right choice for you and your needs.
In the interview, ask them about previous cases they have worked on. See if they are experienced with immigration law and have performed similar cases to yours in the past. Find out where their expertise lies and make sure they would be a good fit for you.
5. CHECK FOR REFERENCES
If you’re considering using a lawyer, chances are you will sit down for a consultation to discuss your needs. This is a great time to ask the attorney for references.
An experienced and professional immigration attorney should be able to provide you with references to past cases and a list of clients who have been thrilled with the results. Make sure that any lawyer you consider has a long roster of satisfied and happy past clients.
If you make sure to check for references, you’ll have a much greater chance of being satisfied yourself and you’ll know that your lawyer can deliver results.
6. NEGOTIATE THE FEE
Before you hire a lawyer, it is important that you know exactly what you will be paying for. You should take the time to negotiate the fees ahead of time and know exactly what to expect from your relationship.
Compare the fee schedules of any lawyers you are considering. Find out if they charge an hourly rate or a flat fee.
Finally, make sure to find out about any additional fees you will incur during the process such as postage fees or long distance charges.
7. MAKE SURE YOU’RE COMFORTABLE
In addition to the more technical aspects of looking for the best immigration lawyers, you should also take into your gut instinct into account. If a lawyer doesn’t seem like he would be a good fit for you but his credentials look great on paper, you still may want to turn the other way.
You may also have some personal preferences with what kind of attorney you are comfortable with, and that’s OK too. You may prefer a male or female attorney, for example.
It can also be a huge help to find a lawyer that knows how to speak and write your language well. Having a lawyer who is familiar with your language can really help to facilitate the entire process and make communication a breeze.
Since you will be building an ongoing relationship with your lawyer, you need to make sure you will be as comfortable as possible.
8. USE THE CLOUD
It’s a good idea to look for a lawyer who is comfortable and capable of using the cloud in place of excessive physical paperwork. Paperless signing can make the entire process much easier.
By being able to sign the documents electronically, you will have a much simpler time managing the high amount of paperwork you will be dealing with. It can also save you a lot of money and hassle when it comes to postage.
By having a lawyer who can work with you in the cloud, you’ll make sure you’re managing your stress well and allow the process to go as smoothly as possible.
FINAL THOUGHTS
By considering the steps above, you’ll be able to find a good immigration lawyer that you can trust to work on your case. Make sure to choose a great lawyer who understands your needs.
It can be a lot of work to deal with immigration issues, but it will be worth it in the end.
Looking for the best immigration lawyers in Texas? Interested in learning more? Contact us today.