We are looking for one. So far, almost half of the people we have found, either don’t have a license, or seem very suspect. (Supposedly practicing for decades, in a different state, and working out of an apartment, etc.)
Posts: 6031 | Location: Republic of Ice Cream, Low Country, SC. | Registered: May 24, 2007
It depends on what they are doing for you. We have a lot of folks here that just file paperwork on your behalf and most of the time they are just glorified notaries.
———————————————— The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad. If we got each other, and that's all we have. I will be your brother, and I'll hold your hand. You should know I'll be there for you!
Click on the DOJ link and click the state your case is in. These have been vetted and normally are free or low cost. I'm sure they'd appreciate some actual paid work.
Posts: 11213 | Location: The Magnolia State | Registered: November 20, 2004
I don’t know the specifics of South Carolina law, but in most states, holding one’s self out as a lawyer when you are not admitted to the bar is a crime. As an example, in Texas it is a 3rd degree felony under 38.122 penal code.
Given that, there are many actual lawyers out there who are incompetent and have no practice to speak of. I have literally gone out on Uber driver disputes where the Uber driver was an attorney who would drive his Uber around and carry an ipad to work on a case in his car if someone called his rolling law office.
***************************** "I don't own the night, I only operate a small franchise" - Author unknown
Posts: 2467 | Location: Texas | Registered: September 27, 2004
Originally posted by car541: Given that, there are many actual lawyers out there who are incompetent ....
Amen, Brother! Although there is evidently a strong taboo within the community against criticizing anyone who is a member of the group, any outsider who must deal with lawyers on a professional basis like LEOs quickly learns how true it is that many of them are incompetent, if not worse.
► 6.4/93.6
Posts: 47951 | Location: 10,150 Feet Above Sea Level in Colorado | Registered: April 04, 2002
When I was doing my immigration paperwork for citizenship I hired a lawyer from a well known law firm in Nashua NH and while they didn’t specialize in immigration they were competent.
They did a fine job and my documents were accepted. However I still needed to enlist the aid of Senator Bob Smith to intercede on my behalf and cut through administrative crap at INS.
A paralegal or random person can advise how to fill out various forms. They should not claim to be lawyers as they’re unlicensed and would be guilty of practicing without a license. Do you need a lawyer? Maybe, maybe not. It depends on the situation. I’d be leery of doing anything with serious consequences, like say deportation, without an actual lawyer who practices immigration law. The trickier the situation the more you need expert advice and experience.
Posts: 4366 | Location: Peoples Republic of Berkeley | Registered: June 12, 2008
Aglifter email me, I have an associate who is an immigration attorney, she is excellent and admitted to the bar in various jurisdictions. I can put you in contact with her.
Posts: 2885 | Location: Boston, Mass | Registered: December 02, 2000
Originally posted by berto: Do you need a lawyer? Maybe, maybe not. It depends on the situation... The trickier the situation the more you need expert advice and experience.
^^^This
It all depends on your situation. It's similar to filing tax returns. You don't need to be a CPA to be a professional tax preparer. Most of the tax preparers at places such as HR Block, Jackson Hewitt, etc do not have anything close to accounting degrees, yet I would trust most of them over most people w/ MBAs. I think most MBAs know just enough about accounting to hire a CPA instead trusting themselves.
A run-of-the-mill immigration case can be daunting. Someone who knows the ins & outs of the red tape & hoops to jump through can be worth the help, even as a paralegal or "glorified notary". As berto wrote, the more complicated your case, the more likely you'll need an attorney who specializes in immigration cases.
Posts: 3334 | Location: Texas | Registered: June 17, 2003
