Lawyer fees

[annasherwood 0]

we had a telephone consultation with Laurel Scott tonight, and she sounds terrific! I've been reading that people have been very pleased with her, but i want to ask a vulgar question: she quoted us a price of $5000 for preparation of our waiver---is that about average for lawyer services? do you get what you pay for (in other words do you get cheap service if you pay cheap money?)? and has anyone outside the US used Laurel; was it difficult having a lawyer so far away?

thanks for any input people might have!

anna

[kitkat1 5]

we had a telephone consultation with Laurel Scott tonight, and she sounds terrific! I've been reading that people have been very pleased with her, but i want to ask a vulgar question: she quoted us a price of $5000 for preparation of our waiver---is that about average for lawyer services? do you get what you pay for (in other words do you get cheap service if you pay cheap money?)? and has anyone outside the US used Laurel; was it difficult having a lawyer so far away?

thanks for any input people might have!

anna

Anna, Laurel has a great reputation as an expert on waivers. She has good relationships with several of the Directors of DHS and provides accurate, reliable information. I think you could certainly find someone willing to prepare your waiver for less money -- but it's unlikely they would have the same kind of experience and knowledge that she does. I do know that she works with people all over since immigration law is federal. You might want to ask on immigrate2us for other referrals - there are at least one or two other people who come very highly recommended and perhaps you could do a few more consults and compare prices? Good luck.

[dj1206 0]

we had a telephone consultation with Laurel Scott tonight, and she sounds terrific! I've been reading that people have been very pleased with her, but i want to ask a vulgar question: she quoted us a price of $5000 for preparation of our waiver---is that about average for lawyer services? do you get what you pay for (in other words do you get cheap service if you pay cheap money?)? and has anyone outside the US used Laurel; was it difficult having a lawyer so far away?

thanks for any input people might have!

anna

I don't know about the others here on VJ, but I think VJ is a GREAT help that is free of charge. If the main guides don't help you, ask a question in the forums like you have done. Most lawyers are not looking out for you and your interests. They spend little to no time actually on your case. The assembly and preparation of your paperwork is more than likely handled by an underpaid paralegal. The lawyer may have to sign the paid preparer thing on the last page of the I-129F or whatever form you are submitting, but that's probably about the extent of what the lawyer will do for you themselves. In my opinion, you could easily save yourself thousands of dollars just by asking questions on the forums here. We're not lawyers, but we are going through the same process you are going through, so we know what we've done and can possibly help you on your journey.

[kitkat1 5]

I don't know about the others here on VJ, but I think VJ is a GREAT help that is free of charge. If the main guides don't help you, ask a question in the forums like you have done. Most lawyers are not looking out for you and your interests. They spend little to no time actually on your case. The assembly and preparation of your paperwork is more than likely handled by an underpaid paralegal. The lawyer may have to sign the paid preparer thing on the last page of the I-129F or whatever form you are submitting, but that's probably about the extent of what the lawyer will do for you themselves. In my opinion, you could easily save yourself thousands of dollars just by asking questions on the forums here. We're not lawyers, but we are going through the same process you are going through, so we know what we've done and can possibly help you on your journey.

This is generally totally true. But this case is a complicated one requiring a waiver and hardship letter. Laurel Scott runs her own office and has 2 part time assistants. She does all of the work herself and is an expert on waivers. I'm not in any way associated with her, although I did do a consult with her and it was the best money I spent - I was able to write my own hardship letter with her guidance and expertise. But if my situation was complicated, I would definitely not risk it and go with a lawyer who specializes in these kinds of cases - it's much, much more than filling out a form.

[DA BOMB 1]

I don't know about the others here on VJ, but I think VJ is a GREAT help that is free of charge. If the main guides don't help you, ask a question in the forums like you have done. Most lawyers are not looking out for you and your interests. They spend little to no time actually on your case. The assembly and preparation of your paperwork is more than likely handled by an underpaid paralegal. The lawyer may have to sign the paid preparer thing on the last page of the I-129F or whatever form you are submitting, but that's probably about the extent of what the lawyer will do for you themselves. In my opinion, you could easily save yourself thousands of dollars just by asking questions on the forums here. We're not lawyers, but we are going through the same process you are going through, so we know what we've done and can possibly help you on your journey.

This is generally totally true. But this case is a complicated one requiring a waiver and hardship letter. Laurel Scott runs her own office and has 2 part time assistants. She does all of the work herself and is an expert on waivers. I'm not in any way associated with her, although I did do a consult with her and it was the best money I spent - I was able to write my own hardship letter with her guidance and expertise. But if my situation was complicated, I would definitely not risk it and go with a lawyer who specializes in these kinds of cases - it's much, much more than filling out a form.

Thats true. There's really only so much a person can do on their own then they really have to turn to a lawyer. I feel confidant enough to do my own waiver but I've run into a couple of questions that I cant google and that this board cant provide answers to. I forgot that I could possibly consult with her...just to get these questions out of the way. Namely the fact that the courts arent speicific in their findings of my fiance's drug possession which can make or break our waiver. I will have to travel to Scotland to wring some necks so I know I've tried everything to get the answers I need. If they have no info. I will have them state that in a letter. Its a pain and has me worried about the embassy's assumptions when the time comes to file a waiver.

[new orleans bound 0]

we had a telephone consultation with Laurel Scott tonight, and she sounds terrific! I've been reading that people have been very pleased with her, but i want to ask a vulgar question: she quoted us a price of $5000 for preparation of our waiver---is that about average for lawyer services? do you get what you pay for (in other words do you get cheap service if you pay cheap money?)? and has anyone outside the US used Laurel; was it difficult having a lawyer so far away?

thanks for any input people might have!

anna

If I had known about Laurel Scott before I started this process I'd have used her. My husband and I have paid close to $12,000 for our current lawyer. And we really dislike them, as the firm has delayed our case by at least a year and we continue to have problems with them. If you have a complicated case/waiver I'd suggest going with Ms. Scott. I'm sure there are other good lawyers out there but it appears that Ms.Scott is the waiver expert.

[Boiler 45,403]

I have never seen a bad word about her, which is slightly unusual as you would have thought everybody has at least one bad day.

At Lawyer rates it is somewhere between 20 and 30 hours?

When you see how much Lawyers charge for a straightforward case, most of which is done by their paralegal, it does not seem unreasonable.

[garyandkris 0]

I hired Laurel Scott to write an amendment brief for my husband's K-3 interview. This was after I had a consultation with her via email. She's been very patient with my nearly endless questions and worries. If we end up having to file a waiver, I will ask her to prepare it for us or to recommend an immigration lawyer in my area who specializes in waivers.

I haven't heard a bad word said about her either, and I've been trawling the net for over six months looking for information on waivers. My only worry is that she's going to get too busy to take on everyone who wants to hire her.

[dwar49 0]

I strongly recommend retaining a lawyer for your I-601 waiver. I didnt and was denied even though i proved extreme hardship on an overstay case. I have since retained Laurel and she has filed the motion to reconsider for us. Her rates are slightly higher than others i talked to but with Lawyers like anything else you get what you pay for. Laurel is great and very prompt with her work. I have no complaints with her what so ever, and after reading the brief she put together on our motion it was worth every penny i spent as i could never have given the law cases she sited to support our case.

I am sure there are other good lawyers and after talking to others i know there alot of bad ones out there.

Again definitly use a lawyer and I personally feel Laurel is worth every penny. Even though we havent gotten our final answer yet, i have no doubt that no matter what happens she did right by us.

[helzie 0]

I hired Laurel Scott to write an amendment brief for my husband's K-3 interview. This was after I had a consultation with her via email. She's been very patient with my nearly endless questions and worries. If we end up having to file a waiver, I will ask her to prepare it for us or to recommend an immigration lawyer in my area who specializes in waivers.

I haven't heard a bad word said about her either, and I've been trawling the net for over six months looking for information on waivers. My only worry is that she's going to get too busy to take on everyone who wants to hire her.

What is an amendment brief?

[garyandkris 0]

[

What is an amendment brief?

It's a two page brief arguing why my husband is not inadmissible and doesn't require a waiver. It's not an "official" document in the sense that it isn't required or requested by the embassy. Gary will take it to his interview to help bolster his case. It is by no means a guarantee that his visa will be approved without a waiver, but it will help our attempt to prove that it should be.

[Bobbie 1]

[

What is an amendment brief?

It's a two page brief arguing why my husband is not inadmissible and doesn't require a waiver. It's not an "official" document in the sense that it isn't required or requested by the embassy. Gary will take it to his interview to help bolster his case. It is by no means a guarantee that his visa will be approved without a waiver, but it will help our attempt to prove that it should be.

If I am not asking too much, what is the reason he is admissable and doesnt require the waiver. IS this brief the sort of thing all of us who are working on waivers should provide at the interview as the first line of defense.

Thank you for any information.

Bobbie

[garyandkris 0]

If I am not asking too much, what is the reason he is admissable and doesnt require the waiver. IS this brief the sort of thing all of us who are working on waivers should provide at the interview as the first line of defense.

Thank you for any information.

Bobbie

Supposedly he is covered by what is called the "petty offense" clause for CiMTs because the maximum possible sentence for his conviction is three months and he only received a small fine with no jail time or parole. There is also some doubt as to whether or not his crime constitutes a CiMT in the first place, but that judgment can only be made by the CO at the time of interview.

If you think your case may fall under one of the exception clauses or if there is some doubt as to if your crime is a CiMT, it might be worthwhile to prepare some sort of brief or have a lawyer prepare one for you. If the lawyer doesn't think an amendment will help you, it probably won't, but I figure it can't hurt.

[Bobbie 1]

If I am not asking too much, what is the reason he is admissable and doesnt require the waiver. IS this brief the sort of thing all of us who are working on waivers should provide at the interview as the first line of defense.

Thank you for any information.

Bobbie

Supposedly he is covered by what is called the "petty offense" clause for CiMTs because the maximum possible sentence for his conviction is three months and he only received a small fine with no jail time or parole. There is also some doubt as to whether or not his crime constitutes a CiMT in the first place, but that judgment can only be made by the CO at the time of interview.

If you think your case may fall under one of the exception clauses or if there is some doubt as to if your crime is a CiMT, it might be worthwhile to prepare some sort of brief or have a lawyer prepare one for you. If the lawyer doesn't think an amendment will help you, it probably won't, but I figure it can't hurt.

That is great information, thank you for posting it.

Bobbie

[Bobbie 1]

If I am not asking too much, what is the reason he is admissable and doesnt require the waiver. IS this brief the sort of thing all of us who are working on waivers should provide at the interview as the first line of defense.

Thank you for any information.

Bobbie

Supposedly he is covered by what is called the "petty offense" clause for CiMTs because the maximum possible sentence for his conviction is three months and he only received a small fine with no jail time or parole. There is also some doubt as to whether or not his crime constitutes a CiMT in the first place, but that judgment can only be made by the CO at the time of interview.

If you think your case may fall under one of the exception clauses or if there is some doubt as to if your crime is a CiMT, it might be worthwhile to prepare some sort of brief or have a lawyer prepare one for you. If the lawyer doesn't think an amendment will help you, it probably won't, but I figure it can't hurt.

That is great information, thank you for posting it.

Bobbie

Additionally, if anyone has seen a 2 page brief or know of someone who submitted it with the application under the petty offense rule..it would be good to know how that went for them, if they wrote the brief if there was a format they followed...all the info.

BObbie