Immigration law can be complex and difficult to understand, and that headache can be exponentially more intense if you have a business. Whether you have a brand new startup or your business has been around for a while, if you’re looking to hire or already have foreign nationals working for you, you should probably consider hiring an immigration lawyer.
While there are indeed advantages to starting your own business, as you probably are aware by now there are also plenty of pitfalls that can ensnare you along the way. This is especially true when it comes to taxes, immigration law, and almost anything else that deals with the government.
If you have international employees working for you, whether stateside or overseas, and you’re considering hiring an immigration attorney, we’ve got some tips to help you find the right attorney for your needs.
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What Is Their Online Presence?
When visiting a prospective immigration attorney’s website, look over client reviews and feedback. If they don’t have a website or have little to no reviews, you may want to consider excluding them from your list of possibilities.
Check Availability
Just as with any legal representation, you need your immigration attorney to be available when needed. When you first reach out to them for an initial consultation, take a quick note of how long it takes before they get back to you.
Additionally, ask about their actual availability during normal office hours. If they are only available on certain days or for a few hours a week, it will limit your ability to receive adequate representation.
To ensure that your organization has the best representation, set priorities and make this one of the first things you use as a measuring tool.
Look for an Immigration Specialist
While it may seem like a great idea to contract with an attorney that covers several areas pertinent to your businesses, that may not be the best idea in this situation. Unlike your supply chain, immigration law is constantly evolving and you need someone that specializes in this area to ensure that you have the best representation.
Fixed Fees
You may eventually need a deportation lawyer for one or more of your employees, or you may need your attorney to clarify new laws and perform other legal duties. As such, you need an immigration lawyer that can give a clear estimate of what the legal fees will be with a list of anticipated charges for almost any given situation.
However…
You should be cautious of attorneys that charge extremely low fees. Always ask them what specific fees cover, as some undertakings take a lot more work than others. You need to know exactly where your money is going and whether you may encounter additional charges down the road in any particular case.
Be Wary of Guarantees & Empty Promises
If they tell you that they can easily win any case you may have, you should quite likely reconsider working with them. While experienced immigration attorneys will be able to anticipate potential issues, no one can win 100% of cases. Look for one that avoids making promises or guarantees, and instead simply considers the facts of each case.
Obtain a Legal Agreement
Make sure that you receive a signed legal agreement. This protects you from those that over-promise and under-deliver. It will also help ensure that your attorney knows what services you require and you know exactly what you are paying for.
If you ever find your company needing one, having an immigration lawyer that you can trust and depend on could be critical. Following the tips shared today can help ensure that you have the right one available when you need them most.
