7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Immigration Lawyer

It is important to hire a qualified and professional immigration lawyer. Ask your potential attorney these 7 questions before hiring.

Planning on hiring an immigration lawyer? If so, good news: it only takes one meeting to ensure you've found the right person for your needs.

The meeting in question is, of course, the initial consultation. During this consultation, the attorney will evaluate whether your case is actionable. At the same time, you'll be able to figure out whether they're a good fit.

Not sure how to determine whether an attorney is worth your time? See how they respond to the following seven key questions.

1. Are You a Member of the AILA?

First things first: immigration law is a very specialized field. Therefore, you'll want to know that the lawyer representing you is reputable.

How do you confirm that? Simple: ask them if they're a member of the American Immigration Lawyer Association. Membership in AILA proves that a lawyer is keeping up with immigration law and best practices.

AILA can also be a good place to find recommendations for a local lawyer. That said, being an AILA member doesn't guarantee the lawyer's experience. It's simply a quick way to confirm their specialization.

Want to work with an attorney who is not an AILA member? If so, confirm their expertise by asking them some follow-up questions. For instance, ask them about the type of continuing education they take part in.

2. Are You Experienced in Immigration Law?

Beyond their reputation, your lawyer should have a rich experience in the field. That's the only way to guarantee they'll be able to deal with your case.

Even within immigration law, attorneys can specialize in a variety of cases. These can include anything from green cards to deportation proceedings. Some cases tend to be a formality, but others are quite demanding.

One way to confirm a lawyer's experience is to ask them for references. A good lawyer will refer you to their previous cases that resembled yours. You can also check their website for reviews and referrals.

If your case will involve appearances before a local judge, it's best to hire a local lawyer. An experienced local attorney already knows what to expect with local procedures. That will make it easier to overcome obstacles.

3. Do You Have a Disciplinary Record?

Very few lawyers expect to hear this question, but it's still a great one to ask. Their disciplinary record can play a big role in your decision to hire them.

Look at it this way: dishonesty has no place in the court system. If a lawyer was once reprimanded for unscrupulous behavior, they may do it again. If that happens while they're working for you, it can harm your case.

Of course, many disciplined lawyers have learned from their mistakes. When given a chance, they may provide excellent representation. Having a record of misconduct simply means you should do more research on them.

4. What Are My Odds of Success?

Once you present your case to an experienced lawyer, they'll have a good idea of whether they can help. As such, it makes sense to ask them about it.

In general, no lawyer will be able to guarantee a specific outcome. What you're looking for is a realistic idea of your prospects. When you hire an attorney, the least you should expect is honesty and integrity.

Naturally, getting an honest opinion means you need to be honest as well. If there are obstacles like criminal records, let them know about them. Giving your lawyer the right material to work with is essential for success.

5. What's the Best Strategy for My Case?

Before you hire a lawyer, you'll want to know they have a strategy in mind. Again, a single conversation should be enough for them to formulate one.

Ideally, they'll provide a general action plan with a set timeline. They'll also explain which steps you'll need to take on your end. Experienced attorneys will recall similar cases and what it took to get a good outcome.

The purpose of this strategy is to help you avoid potential risks while your case is in progress. For example, the attorney will let you know about the deadlines for collecting the necessary documentation.

6. How Often Will We Be in Contact?

An immigration case can take months—even years—before it's closed. Therefore, it's important to stay up to date and follow its evolution.

For this to be possible, you need to stay in touch with your lawyer. Ask them how often you'll be in contact and when they can start working on the case. That's particularly important for cases like deportation proceedings.

Keep in mind that qualified immigration lawyers can be very busy. Before you hire them, ensure they can give your case the level of attention it deserves. An overwhelmed lawyer is also less likely to keep you in the loop.

Finally, communication is essential for a good client-lawyer relationship. If you're more comfortable speaking in another language, tell the firm about it. They may be able to assign a lawyer fluent in your native language.

7. How Much Will This Cost Me?

There's no way around it: legal help doesn't always come cheap. Even if money's no object, though, you should still ask about the estimated costs.

First, many things go into legal payment plans. These include fixed fees, hourly rates, and permit costs. You may also need to pay for extra expenses such as courier wages or translation copies.

The more demanding your case is, the more your fees will add up. That's another reason why you should ask for a detailed breakdown of your costs. The payment plan should also discuss the dynamics of payment.

Talk With an Immigration Lawyer Today!

The bottom line: hiring an immigration lawyer is far from a simple task. Still, knowing what to look for can make this process go much smoother. Asking the above questions is the perfect way to get started.

Looking for the right immigration attorney to represent you? Our team at Pablo Martinez will answer all your questions and guide you on your options! Fill out this form to schedule a consultation with Pablo G. Martinez Law Firm today.