Having an immigration attorney by your side when you are moving to a new country is crucial to helping you navigate the legal requirements of the entire process. However, when it’s time to hire an attorney, you may be faced with several options, maybe even too many. Every attorney out there claims to be the best, and knowing who to trust with your immigration matters can be overwhelming since there’s no surefire way to set the best apart from the rest.
Hiring an experienced immigration attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your immigration process. So, how do you find the right professional? Well, besides knowing the law, here are the top seven must-haves for an immigration attorney.
6 Important Immigration Attorney Qualities
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Experience
Experience matters a lot in immigration cases. After all, immigration law is a complex and constantly changing field, so it’s essential to work with an attorney who has years of experience in this field. Such professionals are often better equipped to handle your case as efficiently as possible. They will also be able to anticipate potential challenges and navigate the process effectively.
You can find out how much experience an attorney has with immigration cases by looking through their website. If you can’t find that information on the website, you can contact the lawyer directly to ask about their experience handling immigration cases similar to yours. An experienced attorney will have a record of success and will be able to provide you with references from satisfied clients.
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Empathy
Empathy is perhaps the most essential quality every immigration attorney should have. The sad truth, though, is that some lawyers don’t care about what happens to their clients; they only care about their payment. However, many do care about you and the outcome of your case. Indeed, the immigration process is complex and, sometimes, tiring. This is why having an attorney who understands the challenges and who is emphatic will be a significant advantage for you.
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Effective Communication Skills
Solid communication skills are a must for any immigration attorney. Throughout the process of your immigration, you will need to communicate with your lawyer, and if they are a poor communicator, it will affect your experience. Your immigration attorney should be able to explain complex legal concepts in plain terms that you can easily understand. It won’t do you any good if they keep using legal terms you can’t understand.Â
On the same note, they should always be accessible and ready to answer whatever questions you may have, whether via phone calls or face-to-face. At any point in your immigration case, your attorney should keep you informed about the progress of your case or any crucial deadlines or requirements. You are going to have to make some decisions concerning your case, and you can’t make good decisions if you don’t understand what is happening with your case.
When you first have a consultation, please be sure to pay attention to how the attorney communicates. Do they explain things clearly? Do you know if they answer your questions correctly? You can also contact their past clients to see what they have to say about their communication skills.
- Accessibility
To elaborate more on accessibility, your immigration attorney should be reachable when you have questions, need advice, or seek updates about your case. Given how timelines can be tight in immigration law, it’s not realistic to expect an immediate response every time you call. However, it’s reasonable to expect that your attorney will get back to you within a few days to address your concerns.
When looking to hire an immigration attorney, think about their communication policies. How quickly do they reply to emails or phone calls? Do they have a team to assist when they’re unavailable? Being accessible is vital, especially for time-sensitive immigration issues.
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Attention to Detail
Minor errors in documents and forms are the most common cause of delays in immigration processes. Even if the error can be corrected, it can cause delays in the processing of your application or, even worse, denial. An immigration attorney with a keen eye for detail will thoroughly review every document, double-checking the information and ensuring that every aspect of the case is in order. Remember that even the tiniest oversight can have significant consequences.
One way to gauge the attorney’s attention to detail is to speak with them about your case, which you will have a chance to do during your first consultation.
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Honesty
Honesty is a non-negotiable trait for an immigration attorney. The immigration process may be a challenging period of your life, and you should be able to trust the attorney who’s handling your case. You should be able to count on your attorney to give you his unbiased opinions regarding your immigration matter. They should provide honest and realistic expectations and avoid making promises. The immigration process is full of ups and downs, and if they are constantly giving you overly optimistic advice, then you need to get a second opinion.
First impressions matter; you can get a sense of an attorney’s integrity and honesty during your initial consultation. If you’re not comfortable with their overall impression during the meeting, it’s best to find an attorney you feel entirely comfortable with.
The Coleman Law Group Can Help You
Finding the right immigration attorney to handle your case does not have to be complicated. Could you just look for the seven qualities we have listed? Remember, your choice of lawyer can significantly increase the success of your case, so take the time to find the best.
At Coleman Law Group, you can find the best immigration attorneys to help you with any immigration matters. Whether you’re seeking asylum or facing deportation proceedings, you can expect the best outcome in your immigration cases with us!
