finding a lawyer

[milomito]

Hubby insists on using a lawyer, which is okay for peace of mind, *as long as the lawyer is a good one!* Right?

I'm panicking about wasting time (not to mention money!) interviewing lawyers when we should get the ball rolling, so I want to make sure I look for / ask the right questions.

Ideas on what to look for, ask about when meeting a lawyer first time?

Can I ask how many HSL / I601's he/she has processed, and her/his approval rate?

Thanks in advance for your help!

-MiLomito

[Pinkpig]

Hubby insists on using a lawyer, which is okay for peace of mind, *as long as the lawyer is a good one!* Right?

I'm panicking about wasting time (not to mention money!) interviewing lawyers when we should get the ball rolling, so I want to make sure I look for / ask the right questions.

Ideas on what to look for, ask about when meeting a lawyer first time?

Can I ask how many HSL / I601's he/she has processed, and her/his approval rate?

Thanks in advance for your help!

-MiLomito

How many filed?

How many approved?

How many through Lima Peru?

What do they think your chances for an approval are?

Will you always be able to communicate directly with the lawyer or will you communicate through the secretary/paralegal?

How quickly do they return phone calls/emails?

What exactly does their fee include?

What other charges will you have above the initial fee?

[Adriane]

Two lawyers are frequently recommeneded on this site- Laurel Scott and Heather Poole. Scott is based in Houston and Poole is based in California, I believe. Remember that you do not need to be in the same state as your attorney because immigration law is federal. Many people have successful relationships with attorneys solely over the phone & via email.

Be very, very careful about which attorney you choose- we chose a high-profile downtown penthouse attorney who cost us a fortune and gave us TERRIBLE advice. Others have had worse experiences- thing that have actually prolonged their separation or hurt their chances at I-601 approval.

Ask anything you like. Ask for approval rates- ask how many waivers they have sent through Peru- ask for references if possible.

Good luck!

[Pinkpig]

http://immigrate2us.net/forum/showthread.php?t=889

this is the thread for member recommended immigration attorneys.

If anyone else would like their lawyer added just PM me the information and I will add them to the list.

I have to agree with Adriane ask anything you like...

This will be a very stressful time in your life and if you hire an attorney you should have complete confidence in that individual.

[Aussie-Amero]

Hey Milo Mito...
You are in some of the best hands in the I- 601 community with the advice offerred by Pink Pig above. I also got information regarding what to ask a lawyer, when quizzing them about their services... from another member here previously. Pink Pig covers it pretty much anyways..but these were the questions we asked every lawyer we interviewed

• Are you a member of AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association)
• How much experience do you have with waivers? Specifically, the I-601.
• What is your approval rate for these (I-601) waivers? Specifically, through LIMA PERU?
(this is quite importanto question as the more sucessful waivers the lawyer has filed through Peru, the more specific experience they will bring to your case I believe)
• How much will this cost me, start to finish? Is it a flat fee (no surprise costs)
• What can you do, that I can't do? Why should I hire you?

From my experience, paying more money DOES NOT equate to a better lawyer. Even though immigration lawyer is federal, I believe it helps if your lawyer has some experience with filing in the country you will file in... however if you can't find a lawyer with experience filing Peru I-601 (this will probably be quiten difficult to find)...then go for a lawyer with alot of
I-601 experience in general and who has filed waivers sucessfully in central and south america. Also lawyers recommended by people here on this site are definately worth checking out as many of us on this site ended up here because we have had previous experiences with legal misinformation and incompetent lawyers.
Good Luck Milo
cheers

Pete
(hey ya P Pink ..what's up ...hope life is treating you with honey)