Fred D. Kull Attorney & Counselor

Looking for a lawyer to help you with your US immigration case or any kind of case?

Confused or uncertain whether you want to do it yourself?

I can help.

US Immigration laws (and most laws now) are very complex, and it is easy to make a mistake that could result in not getting what you want or even never getting what you want.

Of course you can do it yourself.

I could rebuild the engine on my old car by watching Youtube videos and reviewing articles on engine repair – all for free. Should I? Should you?

Why should I use a lawyer/what can they do for me?

Experience. They have done it before and can see the strengths and weaknesses of your case before you begin. They know the law or how to find it and the way the law is interpreted by immigration officials. They know the procedures – how to file, where to file, how much it costs to file. The know how to prove a case. What evidence you must present to convince an immigration official that you are entitled to the benefit that you are seeking. They can determine – better than you- what factors might cause your case to be denied or worse.
Did you know that you can be permanently barred from entering the US? Do you know that you can be criminally prosecuted for committing fraud to get someone a green card? Do you know that you must continually reside in the US if you want to keep your hard -earned green card? The list goes on and on.

Competence. A good lawyer will tell you whether you can get the benefit you seek or whether you cannot. I good lawyer can save you time – sometimes years- in getting your case resolved.

Compassionate. A lawyer is your advocate. S/he has a duty to represent you in a competent and zealous manner. S/he will present your best possible case.
The government will recognize your lawyer and provide him or her with copies of all notices and correspondence and they will allow him/her to represent you in immigration proceedings.

What a lawyer cannot and should not do.

A lawyer cannot approve your case. That must be done by the government. A lawyer should never guarantee that they can get your case approved because they do not make the decision.
I lawyer cannot expedite your case unless you have extraordinary circumstances (then they can be invaluable).
A lawyer cannot lie for you or prepare false documents. If s/he offers to do that, you had better run away.

How do I find a good lawyer?

The best way is to contact a lawyer directly, explain your situation and ask if and how they can help you. Listen carefully to what they say. Are they interested in helping you? Has the lawyer handled your type of case before? If so, how many? Have they been successful? Can they explain the law in a clear manner so that you can understand it? Do you trust them? Do you like them? Only you can decide.

Can’t afford a lawyer?

Depending on your type of case, whether you can afford a lawyer may be an indication of whether you should even start a case. Most immigration cases require you to have proof of sufficient income to succeed, whether it be a family or business -based case.
Some lawyers will review your case and give you good advice but they will limit their representation to the consultation and not appear formally with the government. Although this cannot be done in all cases, it can save you a lot of money if you feel confident in handling your own case.

Summary. The decision to hire a lawyer is like every decision in life. There are positive and negative consequences. It is up to you to weigh the benefit vs the cost and make a reasonable decision. Do you want to rebuild your car engine yourself or hire an expert who has done it before?