When choosing an immigration lawyer there are several things you must remember before you start your search. The first of these is to set your budget to something you can afford. A lawyer with high fees is by no means a more qualified lawyer so there is no point in breaking the bank to get to your end goal. Set yourself a budget and stick to it rigorously.
Choosing an immigration lawyer is much like buying a car without a test drive, you can see what the overall package is but you will have no idea of how it really works. In all fairness most lawyers are hard to understand at the best of times but that is why we pay them to do what we cannot.
A good place to start is by referral from a friend or coworker that has gone through a similar situation. This is by no means a sure fire method to success in your case but it will give you an indication that the immigration lawyer has some experience. Take some time to see how a lawyer goes about his work before signing a contract with them, making sure you get along could help your case be a success.
If you do not have a contact that has used the services you are looking for then try contacting your local Lawyers association, in the U.S. for example the local BAR office will be glad to pass on the details of a qualified Immigration Lawyer in your area. The phone book is also a good starting point. Choose a lawyer’s office that specializes in immigration as it is the experience in the field that will yield the greatest results.
In some cases lawyers may have a set fee for an immigration case, others will charge by the amount of time it takes to process your individual case. There is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing a lawyer, your best bet is to go with your instinct.
