Consultation Process with Immigration Lawyers: What to Prepare?

What is an Immigration Lawyer?

An immigration lawyer is a lawyer who specializes in national statutes, regulations, and legal practices governing immigration into and deportation from a country. It is a separate matter from citizenship and naturalization, even though occasionally, the practices may overlap or blend together. 

What Are Some Common Responsibilities of Immigration Lawyers?

Immigration law covers a multitude of different practice areas. Some typical responsibilities of an immigration lawyer could be providing legal services to people with immigration-ranged problems, policy formation, approving and denying new visa requests or applications, helping shape immigration laws, and partaking in business immigration. The field of work is up to the discretion of each immigration lawyer, and each lawyer may pick a different route. The two most popular fields of work are working in law firms with other paralegals to represent many people or working in the public sector with government agencies and law creations. 

What is a Consultation Process with an Immigration Lawyer Like?

When you’re meeting with an immigration lawyer for the first time, you want to ensure you have all proper documents and information readily available to you and the legal team. Prior to your Free Case Evaluation appointment with Gilliam Law Firm, you should prepare all immigration case-based questions you want to ask the lawyers. This can be both general or specific questions. We believe no one should have to pay for someone to listen to them. You may have to fill out specific intake forms before your consultation or send copies of current immigration documents, if any are available at this time. If you are able to get your documents to your attorney ahead of time, the legal team can review and analyze the documents to provide you with the best possible solutions and answers at the time of your consultation. 

What Are the Pros of Working with an Immigration Lawyer?

Working with an immigrant lawyer will allow you to learn all the different immigration pathways you can take for your case. They are highly trained and skilled professionals who are determined to make your life easier. An experienced immigration attorney will have the necessary experience to know what documentation you need to provide, what options will have the best results for you, and what to expect during this process. 

What Are Some Tips for Being Prepared for Your First Consultation Appointment?

Here are 5 main types to prepare for your first consultation. It’s important to note this list includes, but is not limited to: 

1. Know Your Objectives

Before your consultation, knowing what you want to get out of the meeting is essential. Know your objectives and know what it is you want to succeed or have by the end of the meeting. It’s sometimes helpful to create a list of all of the objectives you want to have covered by the end of the meeting. It can help you and the lawyer stay on schedule during the consultation. If you are interested, you can choose between an online, virtual format for the consultation or in person. If you need more assistance with your case, we recommend making an appointment to visit our offices. If you feel you would like more of a virtual setting, feel free to discuss that when making your consultation appointment. We are here to help you in whatever way best suits your needs. 

2. Bring All of Your Official Immigration Documents You Have

If you submitted your documents before your appointment, you won’t have to worry about this step unless you want to bring duplicates to review during the session. It’s essential to make sure you have every single one of your documents available at that first session so the lawyer can ensure they know and understand all of the details involved in your case. 

3. Write Down All Important Information

During the meeting, you should be taking notes. This means writing down all necessary information like dates, events, or anything that could help you during this time. When speaking with immigration lawyers, it’s important to value their time and your own and take notes; this will help you when you need to reflect on what happened at the first meeting. This can be helpful in case there is an oversight in information. Hopefully, one can catch it before it’s too late.

4. Come With a List of Questions

Before arriving at your consultation, ensure you have a prewritten list of questions pertaining to your case or immigration cases the lawyer has worked with previously. It’s essential to come adequately prepared and ready to receive the most help possible. Working with an experienced immigration attorney can help keep your peace, knowing your best interest is at hand. 

5. Be Open and Honest

Being open and honest with your immigration lawyer will give you the quickest and best experience possible. The process can move swiftly and effectively if the relationship is built upon trust. Your attorney is here to cater to you and wants to give you the attention you deserve. 

We Want to Represent You

We understand the stress of meeting a new immigration attorney for the first time. That’s why Gilliam Law Firm wants the transitional process to be smooth and ease all of your first-time jitters. We are here to represent you and get you back to living the life you deserve, no matter where you are. Listening and connecting to our clients is what strengthens our practice. To learn more about any field of immigration, how to be represented by an immigration lawyer, and how to set up a Free Case Evaluation, contact an experienced immigration attorney at Gilliam Law Firm today by calling 866-641-7517.