Questions to Ask A Prospective Immigration Attorney to Make Sure You’re a Good Match

Questions to Ask A Prospective Immigration Attorney to Make Sure You’re a Good Match

When it’s time to hire an attorney, it can be hard to know where to start. When it comes to hiring an immigration attorney, a complicated and specialized area of the law, it can be overwhelming. You may have recommendations from business acquaintances, family, and friends, but how do you know if an attorney is a good fit for you? In this article, we discuss what you should ask a prospective attorney to decide if you are a good professional match.

1. How much immigration experience do you have?

For an immigration case, it may not be a good idea to hire a general practitioner. Immigration law is complicated, nuanced, and constantly changing. You want an attorney who is well versed in navigating the immigration system and one who won’t make mistakes. It is also a good idea to see if your prospective attorney is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

2. Are you a solo practitioner or part of a firm?

With a solo practitioner, you will know exactly who is handling your case from the first day to the last. But a solo practitioner may not have a backup attorney if they become ill or incapacitated at an inopportune time for your case. A firm can offer backup and more resources, so there are advantages and disadvantages to both depending on your personal preference.

3. What is your experience with cases like mine?

Whether you need individual representation, or you are seeking an attorney to help with your business immigration needs, it’s a good idea to find out how experienced the attorney is with cases like yours.

4. How can I reach you?

It is crucial to know that your attorney will be accessible when you have questions. Do you want or need a weekly update? Are you more hands off, preferring that the attorney handle everything and just let you know that it’s been done? It is a good idea to know that your attorney’s communication style matches your own. If you prefer to efficiently communicate via email but your attorney likes to discuss things in person, you may not be a good long-term fit.

5. If I hire you, what happens next?

Make sure any attorney you are going to hire has a plan of attack and can clearly and coherently explain the process for your immigration case, how long it might take, and potential road blocks along the way.

6. What is your fee and what am I paying for?

Along with knowing what comes next, you also need to know how much your monetary investment in this process will be. Does the attorney charge a flat fee or charge an hourly rate? You’ll want to know what to expect before you retain someone.

Your immigration attorney is important to your case. Whether you need an immigration attorney for your business or one to handle a personal matter, make sure the person you hire will work well with you.