Immigration attorneys aren’t created equal. Some lawyers are just better than others.
Where it concerns matters of immigration, you want to make sure that you’re working with the best immigration lawyer that your money can afford you. Such an immigration lawyer will be expert, experienced, and has a successful track record to prove their efficiency.
In a city full of scores of attorneys all claiming to be the premier option, how do you go about finding and choosing the right immigration lawyer Stockton CA?
1. Ask colleagues and friends for referrals
One of the first steps to finding a good immigration lawyer in Stockton, CA, is to ask friends and family for references, especially those who have had successful applications. There is no denying the fact that people will only recommend people whom they have had positive interactions with. Additionally, word-of-mouth recommendation allows you a chance to ask the referee, some real questions on what it will be like working with the referred lawyer.
2. Do your homework on each law firm
When you get a couple of leads from your network for potential lawyers and firms to follow-up with, make sure you do your homework on each firm. How long have they been in business? Are there any pending issues with the law firm? How long have the partners been lawyers for? What kind of experience do they have? Have they ever tackled cases similar to your own? This background check allows you an opportunity to rule out lawyers who might be difficult to work with in the future.
3. Don’t choose an attorney based on price
There is a proverb that says, ‘You get what you pay for.’ On the flip side, expensive doesn’t always mean the best service, but chances are you are going to get pretty decent help. Don’t select an attorney based on their price alone. There are tons more to consider when looking for a lawyer, such as their experience, qualifications, track record, and how they do business. Spend time reading online reviews of different law firms to get an overview of what people believe their services were worth. Don’t be afraid to negotiate the price and ask if you can have a payment plan established.
4. Choose a lawyer who speaks your language
There is nothing as strenuous as trying to understand the U.S. immigration process in a foreign language. Opt for an attorney with whom you can comfortably talk to. Choose a law firm that has multilingual professionals. In this way, you’re guaranteed that you’ll get the help you need and can ask questions about things you don’t understand and receive answers in a language you understand.
5. Choose an attorney you connect with
Immigration cases can take months or even years to process. During that time, you’ll be in frequent contact with your attorney. As such, they should be someone you connect with and can establish a good rapport with. Get to know your attorney and let them get to know you as well so that they can help you out with your papers.