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The 10 Best Qualities A Good Immigration Lawyer MUST Have.

May 17, 20233 min read

Although an attorney’s resume offers a glimpse into their professional background, it only reveals a portion of their overall story. If you find a good immigration lawyer, it can drastically increase the likelihood of success for your immigration case. Their personal qualities can be critical to getting your United States Visa or Green Card…

1. A Caring Attitude: 

Your lawyer should care about what happens to you. This is very important. Some lawyers may not display a friendly, empathetic attitude.

If you are unsure, take a friend with you to the initial consultation. Reviews from other clients can also help you know if a lawyer is caring or not.

If your case does not go well, your lawyer should not just blame others. This is especially true if you are paying a flat fee for a specific service, or if you are paying by the hour to avoid being deported.

2. Attention to Detail:

A lot of documents are required, and they HAVE to be completed accurately. A small mistake can cause big issues in an immigration case, including long delays. Forms with errors are one of the Top 10 reasons visa applications are denied.

To know if a lawyer pays attention to detail, talk to them about your case during a meeting. Remember, it's good for an immigration lawyer to be extremely precise.

3. A Good Communicator: 

Your lawyer should be able to talk and write clearly and easily. They should be able to explain difficult things in a simple way. If they use too much legal jargon, it might not be helpful. They should also be able to convince others. Excellent communication skills are a must, especially with immigration matters.

It can be helpful if your lawyer speaks your language. But, remember, the most important thing is their legal skill, not the languages they speak.

4. Forward Planning for Problems: 

The immigration process can be complicated, and your lawyer should always think about what could go wrong. They should make plans for dealing with any issues. If your lawyer says your case will be 100% smooth sailing, consider getting a second opinion.

5. Honesty: 

A good lawyer should always tell you the truth. It is important they give you a realistic view of your case, even if it’s “bad news”. Not giving you an accurate account will not help your case.

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6. Experience:

Your attorney should have a good amount of experience in immigration law. The more experience they have, the better they can handle your case. Ask them about their past cases and how they have handled them.

7. A Good Reputation: 

A good lawyer should have a good reputation. You can find this out by looking at client reviews or asking people who have used their services, (word of mouth is how a lot of attorneys grow their client base). Another route is to check with the state bar to make sure your lawyer doesn’t have lots of complaints lodged against them.

8. Be Available: 

Your lawyer should be available to talk to you about your case. They should be able to answer your questions clearly and concisely. If it becomes difficult to get in touch with your lawyer, that could be a problem.

9. Have Patience: 

Immigration cases can take a long time. Your lawyer should be patient and willing to work with you for as long as it takes. You should not be rushed or pushed into making a snap decision.

10. Be Passionate:

Your lawyer should be passionate about the legal services they provide. This means they should care about immigration law and want to help people with their cases.

Remember, finding legal representation is an important decision. Take your time, do your research, and make sure when you hire an immigration attorney, you feel comfortable with your choice. 

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Andrew Driggs, Immigration Attorney, Houston, TX

Andrew Driggs has been an attorney since 1991, his main focus being immigration and nationality laws. He has represented both individuals and every conceivable type of businesses in addressing their immigration needs, such as Wynn Resorts, The Stratosphere Hotel, Webgistix Corp., NextGen Information Services, Petroglyph Games, Nevada Public Utilities Commission, KNIT Achitecture, The Animal Foundation, Westcorp Management Corp. and Irwin Industries, to name just a few. Andrew graduated from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1991, passing the bar exam in September 1991. He has 30 years of experience in large law firms, private companies and as in-house counsel. Due to his wealth of experience, expertise and knowledge, Andrew was selected as a member of the Arizona Law Review. He has also served as Chapter Chair of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and as a member of the national organization’s Board of Governors.

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