Geygan & Geygan, Ltd.

A Cincinnati Immigration Law Firm

What Value Do You Bring

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Businessman holding globe uid 1280294Towards the end of an initial consultation meeting a prospective client asked me, “So what added value do you bring to the case as an immigration attorney?” This was a very nice question for the prospect to ask, so I recapped our discussion to show how we would add substantial value to his family’s case.
Early on in our discussion I pointed out some things they were not doing that could cause the family trouble and some quick alternatives. We identified one aspect of the case that could be a problem and how to solve this problem with resources that they had and why it should be taken care of now and not to delay. None of these solutions involved hiring our office, but each of them would make their live a little better at no additional cost.
I used those examples, along with the fact that we take care of the paperwork, make sure the case is proceeding according to all requirement and stated time frames. We prepare our clients for their interviews and we attend the interview with the clients. Generally speaking we:

1. Develops a winning theory for your petition.

The most important task for an attorney is to develop a winning theory for your petition. Where is your case strongest and what problems does your case have. Every case has problems. The way to win the case is to show how the problems do not keep you from getting your benefit.

2. Outlines and evaluates the necessary evidence.

The key to winning any case is the proper development and presentation of evidence for each and every element. Just like we said above each case has strong point and problems, We need to document the strong point and provide evidence and law to show how you win, even with the problems..

3. Combine factual evidence and the law to show eligibility.

Each case has the unique story. Because each person’s case and facts are different the way the evidence and law must be presented are different for each case. An experience immigration attorney knows the specific requirements that a consulate or immigration official are looking for. The attorney then takes your evidence, the law, and the official’s requirements into consideration when making the strongest case possible. The combination of one and two above.

4. Represents you before the government.

An immigration attorney will represent you before the government if it is the consulate official or the immigration official and explain why you are eligible to be a treaty investor. The immigration attorney will explain the issues that are important to your petition and will prepare you for the interview. Both USCIS and the consulates handle visas and status in their own way, so it is important that you are represented by an immigration attorney is experienced in these matters.

5. Ensures the government paperwork was done properly.

It is not very unusual for the government to make mistakes on the approval paperwork. If this paperwork is not analyzed thoroughly it may have an adverse effect on any subsequent petition. The experienced immigration attorney, knows what to look for to ensure future petitions are not hampered by government mistakes.

It is not as dramatic as a TV show court room, but that is the way our clients like it. We take care of their immigration, so they can take care of each other and their lives.
If you would like to see if we can make your immigration situation simpler, please call my office to set up a time to discuss your situation with me and we will see what we can do for you. If we are not a good fit, I will be happy to recommend several other attorneys you can speak to about your situation.

Barracks lawyers in immigration

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ArrestIdiom Definitions for ‘Barracks lawyer’
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A barracks lawyer is a person who gives opinions on things they are not qualified to speak about.

While I was in the military I had a number of people give me advice on military law that was completely wrong. These people were known as barracks lawyers. The advice was often well meant but that does not change the fact that had I followed that advice I would’ve been in serious trouble. I had also had the duty to take into custody (similar to a civilian arrest) people who had broken military law because they followed the advice of barracks lawyers. The Uniform Code of Military Justice is similar to the Immigration and Naturalization Act, and that they are both federal law and both govern administrative agencies.

There are many people, who will have the best intentions, and try to help you with an immigration case. It does not matter what their intentions are, if they give you bad advice, and you follow it you will get in trouble. It is important when you are filing for a benefit that will affect the rest of your life, that you get the best advice possible. When dealing with an area as complex as immigration law is, you will get better advice from someone who spends the majority of their time practicing immigration law.

If you find yourself in a situation, and you are not sure whether or not you should hire an immigration attorney, chances are you should at least talk to one to understand your options. I have written many other articles on how to choose an immigration attorney and what you should do to prepare for your meeting with the immigration attorney.

If you would like my office to help you with your immigration case, please fill out the form on the bottom of this page, so you can schedule either a face-to-face, via telephone or videoconference meeting with me. After you explain your circumstances, I will give you my best advice on your chances of success with our help and what you should expect the filing fees and attorney fees to be. I will not tell you how to handle the matter yourself, but if you are I feel that we are not a good fit together I will tell you how you can find other immigration attorneys who may be a better fit.

I wish you well in your immigration matters and hope that you improve your chances of success by getting the best advice possible and ignoring the barracks lawyers.

 

Immigration Lawyers

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Approval of Immigrant VisaChoosing a lawyer can be the most important decision an immigrant makes. Before hiring legal counsel, take the time to find out what you’re getting.

Why Should You Be Represented?

Immigration applications with the government are legal documents, similar to filing court documents for a lawsuit. Don’t be deceived that these applications are “simple” and “just paperwork.” Behind the forms are thousands of pages of law that affect your rights and ability to live and work in the U.S. There is no one-size-fits-all with immigration cases. This area of law is constantly changing.  Because immigration law is constantly changing, you should consult a lawyer that focuses on immigration law, not family, friends over even an attorney that has not been practicing immigration very long.. After all, isn’t your immigration a life-changing matter that deserves the best assistance possible?

How Do You Find A Good Immigration Attorney?

This is where you ask family and friends, if they were happy with their immigration attorney and why.  You can also search on the internet for some ideas.  Once you have the name of one or more attorneys,  It is time to schedule a meeting with the attorney.

How To Have A Good First Meeting

 1.  Schedule an Appointment

Although some attorneys may allow walk-in appointments, most attorneys will be too busy to work you into their schedule.  Even if an attorney can see you immediately, neither you nor the attorney will be prepared for the meeting.  Schedule your appointment in advance.

2.  Prepare a List of Questions

Before your appointment, write down a list of questions you have regarding your immigration situation.  Take your list to the meeting with your attorney – or even better, email it to your attorney in advance of the meeting. Before your appointment, write down a list of questions you have regarding your immigration situation.

3.  Gather Your Case Documents and Bring Them to the Meeting

If this is your first immigration case, you may not have many documents to gather.  However, if you are asking your attorney to review a case that has already been filed, you should copy all of your case documents and bring them to your meeting.  Other documents that your immigration attorney will want to review include:  marriage certificates if your case is based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, any criminal records for you or the person you are sponsoring, and your Notice to Appear if you have been placed in removal proceedings.

4.  Arrive on Time

This one is very important for you.  My office does not keep people waiting for their appointment.  If you are twenty minuets late for a thirty minuet appointment, we will not have much time to go over your case.  Confirm your attorney’s address and driving directions before the day of your appointment.  Leave early.  If you are late, your appointment may be rushed, and you may not have enough time to discuss all of your questions with your attorney.   We provide an email confirmation for every appointment along with detailed driving directions.

5.  Tell The Truth

Your meeting is protected by attorney client privilege, even if you do not hire the attorney.  To be able to give good advice the attorney needs the truth.

What Questions Should You Ask?

Here is a list of questions both about the attorney and your case in particular

  • How long have you been practicing in the specific field of immigration law?
  • What percentage of your practice is devoted to immigration law?
  • Have you previously represented people with cases similar to mine?
  • Do you have a secure case status website so I can access my case information 24 hours a day?
  • What percentage of your clients is satisfied with your services?
  • How do you know?
  • How many continuing education courses in immigration do you attend a year?
  • Do you conduct free educational seminars so I can learn more about immigration cases?
  • Will you discuss my case with me over the telephone without an additional charge?
  • Are you a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association?
  • Please describe the case management system you use to prepare my case, keep up with my case deadlines, and track the status of my case?
  • Do you use the latest technology for easy access to my case information?
  • Will you send me free educational materials about immigration cases?
    What is your communication policy?
  • How well-trained are your paralegals and support staff?
  • What actions will you take immediately and what will follow?
  • What are my chances of a positive outcome?
  • What can I do or what can I give you to improve my chances for success?
  • Can you give me an estimate of how long it will take to resolve my case?
  • Who will be working on my case besides you?
  • What is your rate and what is your best estimate of the total cost?

After 20 years of practicing immigration law, I have “fixed” too many cases were good people got bad advice.  This advise usually came from family and friends, each trying to be helpful.  Save yourself the time, money and aggravation.  For an immigration case, get the help of an immigration attorney.

For your free guide on how to pick an immigration attorney, just click the link below.

download now

 

How to Find and Work with a Good Immigration Lawyer

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If you or a loved one would like to come to the United States, it’s likely in your best interest to work with a good immigration lawyer.  The process is intense, intimidating, stressful, and complicated.  One mistake may prevent you or a loved one from entering and/or living and/or working in the United States. 

Now everytime I write an artical like this one I have people ask me why tell potential clients how they can find an immigration attorney other than you?  The reasons are simple and clear.  First, our office provides a high level of client service, we can only help a limited number of people.  Second we are not the best fit for everyone.  Before we accept a new client they are reviewed for the legal services they request and their compatability with our office.  When we accept a new client we are doing so with the understanding that we will be available for not only this immigration matter, but any future matter as well.  We want to make sure we are a good match for the client.

 

How to Find a Qualified Immigration Attorney Nutshelled

 

It’s important to work with an attorney who focuses his or her legal practice on immigration law.  To find a good immigration attorney:

 

  1. Ask friends, family, neighbors, and community members for a personal referral.
  2. Ask the local bar association or professional advisors (such as general practice attorneys, estate planning attorneys, CPAs, or financial advisors) for referrals.
  3. Google (or use your favorite search engine) and search “How to Find a Good Immigration Attorney”. 
  4. Chat with each potential attorney and hire whomever you feel most comfortable with. 

 

How to Work with Your Immigration Attorney

 

Here are some hints that will help your attorney get the job done right and in a timely manner.

 

  1. Provide all documentation requested as soon as possible.
  2. Disclose all relevant information and, if in doubt, error on the side of disclosure.
  3. Be completely honest with your attorney, remembering that your attorney will keep everything you tell him or her confidential.
  4. Follow your attorney’s direction.  If your attorney asks you to do something, be sure to do it and do it in a timely manner. 
  5. Let your attorney know if your contact information or any information included on your immigration forms and applications changes.  
  6.  Read up on your immigration matters so you understand your attorney’s direction and know what questions to ask. 
  7. Jot down your questions and concerns, so when you discuss the matter with the attorney you will get all of your questions answered. 

 

 

Get Good Immigration Legal Advice

 

If you (or a loved one) are looking for a qualified immigration attorney, you are welcome to contact our office and schedule an in person meeting, or if you live outside the Cincinnati area a telephone meeting.

 

Immigration is a very specialized area of law; be sure your attorney focuses his or her practice on immigration and helping people like you.  We focus our practice on immigration law and helping people visit, live in, go to school, and work in the United States.  We especially love bringing families together and helping foreign nationals start a new life, even become U.S. citizens.  You can reach us at 513-793-6555 or Thomasjr@geygan.com.  Your next step is to contact us. 

Need H-1B (Foreign National) Workers?

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If you’re a U.S. company like many others who cannot comfortably fill high-tech, scientific, educational, telecom, and engineering positions with American workers, you may be thinking of turning to foreign national workers to fill these hard-to-fill positions.

Your Company is Not Alone

Microsoft, IBM, and other companies hire foreign national workers because they can’t find American workers to fill the positions in a timely manner.  This is true even in the difficult 2012 economy.

Other companies hiring foreign national workers include Infosys Technologies, Deloitte Consulting, Fujitsu Laboratories OF America, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Patni Americas, CVS Pharmacy, Qualcomm, Larsen Toubro Infotech, Intel, Wipro, Goldman Sachs, Oracle, Barclays Capital, Google, Yahoo, Hewlett Packard, Ernst and Young, National Institutes Of Health, HHS, Amazon.com, Apple, Morgan Stanley.  Of course, there are thousands more companies as well.

Consult with a Qualified Immigration Attorney for H-1B Visas

An immigration lawyer can help your company get the qualified workers it needs.  H-1B visas are issued to foreign national workers who are needed to work in the U.S.

Up to 85,000 H-1B visas are granted each fiscal year

H-1B Visa Benefits

The H-1B visas allow your workers to enter, live in, work, and reenter the United States.

Your worker can bring her spouse and children, under the age of 21, with her.

  • These dependents are issued an H-4 visa, which does not have all the benefits of the H-1B visa.
  • Bottom line is that dependents cannot work in the U.S. without their own H-1B visa or some other authorization.

H-1B Visa Renewal

The initial H-1B visa is issued for 3 years.

  • It’s commonly extended for another 3 years, upon request (6 years total.)
  • Only in rare circumstances is an H-1B visa extended beyond 6 years.
  • Defense department employees may be able to get a 10-year H-1B visa.

If you need the foreign national employee beyond the usual 6 year limit:

  • Your employee could apply for a green card.
  • Your employee could leave the U.S. for one year and then reapply for another H-1B visa, which would have a fresh start date.

Where to Get Help Bringing a Foreign National Worker to the U.S.

If you want to bring a foreign national worker to the U.S. to work in your company, consult with a qualified immigration attorney, who will help you get your employee one of the coveted H-1B visas.  We focus our practice on immigration law and you can reach us at 513-793-6555 or Thomasjr@geygan.com.  Your next step is to contact us now.

 

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Geygan & Geygan, Ltd.

8050 Hosbrook Road, Suite 107
Cincinnati, Ohio 45236
Tel 513-791-1673
Fax 513-791-1683
info@geygan.com

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