Susan B. Henner
Susan B. Henner, Attorney at Law
34 South Broadway
Suite 711
White Plains, NY 10601
Map
Phone: (914) 358-5200
http://www.whiteplainsimmigrationlawyer.com
Legal Topic
Immigration
Preferred New Clients
Our firm works with client who are employers looking to assist workers to obtain visas and green cards; employees seeking visas, work permits and green cards; and individuals who are seeking to sponsor family members both in the United States and from abroad. We also assist clients and their families who are faced with removal from the United States. Many of our clients are involved in specialty occupations such as Speech Therapists, Engineers, Computer Scientists and the like, and others are artists, actors, musicians, scientists and athletes who are extraordinary in their respective fields.
Sub-Topics
Citizenship or Naturalization
Permanent Resident (Green Card)
Political Asylum & Refugees
Removal or Deportation
Visas
Bar Admissions
NY, Sep 1997
Bar Number: 2801405
Other Court Admissions
Information coming soon.
Association Memberships
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Westchester County Bar Association (Co-Chair, Immigration Section)
Business Council of Westchester
Continuing Education
As the co-chair of the WCBA, we have planned, coordinated and conducted various CLE programs in the field of immigration law, criminal law and immigration, and attorney ethics.
Papers and Publications
I have written for several publications within both the legal and general communities. My articles appear in local newspapers, law reviews, trade publications and other publications.
Example Cases
One recent case involved a local company who found out that many of their workers were illegal and they needed assistance in order to determine how to keep the workers and at the same time to legalize their status. We were able to assist many of the company employees to obtain residency in the United States and they are now able to work for the company legally.
Another case involved a family who had hired a nanny for their children, only to find out that the nanny was illegal. We assisted the family to sponsor the nanny and she is now legally working for the family.
We assisted a man who was incarcerated for a crime he had committed many years ago to obtain relief from deportation under the Convention Against Torture. He is now released from prison and living with his wife and family.
We assisted two women from Poland who were involved in a same-sex relationship in order to obtain political asylum in the United States.
We assisted a man to bring his finance to the United States from Brazil; he later married her and she recently became a citizen of this country.
Education
New York Law School
J.D.
New York
NY
1994
Lung-chu Chen Award for Excellence in the Field of Human Rights; Moor Court Honor Society; Dean's List.
Moot Court Honor Society. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, Winner Third Best Brief Award. International Law Society.
S.U.N.Y. Albany
B.A.
Albany
NY
1991
Dean's List; Secretary, Class of 1991 (2 years); Purple and Gold Community Service Honor Society; Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority, Assistant Vice President.
Political Science Major. History/Spanish Minor.
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
New York
Firm Focus and History
Our firm is focused 100% in the field of immigration law. We provide guidance to companies and employers seeking to sponsor workers for visas and green cards. We also assist individuals to sponsor family members abroad or in the US to apply for residency or visas. Further, we seek to assist persons who are faced with removal and deportation.
The firm was established in 2001. We employ two full-time attorneys and two paralegals. We also have one affiliated criminal attorney and serve Of Counsel for the Law Firm of Falcon & Singer.
Previous Employment Summary
Ms. Henner has over 17 years of experience in the field of immigration law. She has worked for several prestigious immigration law firms in New York and in Washington, DC.
Activities and Awards
Susan currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Westchester County Bar Association, Immigration Law Committee. In 2004, she was awarded the "Rising Stars: Forty Under Forty Award" by the Business Council of Westchester. Ms. Henner has taught and coordinated CLE classes for groups to include the Departmental Disciplinary Committee, First Department; The Westchester County Bar Association; Sterling Education Group; and The Suffolk County Criminal Bar Association.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
It is important for clients to understand the law and to try to abide by the ever-changing laws as best as possible. It is my job to assist my clients in understanding the law and the implications of obeying or not obeying the law. Most of my clients have some basic knowledge about the immigration laws, but due to the ever-changing legal issues, it is important for me to better explain the system for them.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I often review documents prepared by clients for an hourly fee instead of our usual flat fee. However, in most cases it is recommended that the clients are represented by counsel for the immigration process due to the ever-changing nature of the law.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
We are willing to assist in this regard, yet again, it is best for clients to try to obtain representation. The customs and trends at the USCIS change daily and only a representative can warn and protect their clients about the issues that may arise during the immigration process.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I decided to become a lawyer in order to assist others to realize their dreams. There is nothing better than to experience the gratitude of a client when he or she finally gets a green card or becomes a citizen of this country. This is the only type of law I have ever wanted to practice. I am not the person who became a lawyer to earn a big salary or to work at a large firm. I want to help others to come to this country, much in the same way my own family came here so many years ago.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I worked at several firms and ran the corporate legal departments at these firms. This experience makes me able to handle large corporate clients and to generate forms and petitions on a massive basis for any size clients. Further, at one of the firms I worked with, I was forced to work with clients with every type of problem and from every walk of life. For this reason, there is no case that walks through my door that I have not seen before or that I am unable to handle.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I like immigration law as it truly helps people. It is not the same as being, for example, a tax lawyer, who pushes paper all day. I am a very social person who enjoys meeting people from all countries and who enjoys learning about their clients. Many of my clients have become life-long friends.
What do you like best about your career?
I enjoy coming to work each day. Many people hate their jobs; for me, however, what I do does not feel like 'work.'
Tell us about your law firm:
We are a small firm. I meet with each client individually. As we only work in the field of immigration law, we are well-versed in this one area of law and it is our only focus. I personally review each case and set up the strategy for every client.
What are your strengths and style?
I am very direct. I will tell you the truth about your case and what I think the chances of success are. I am also very optimistic. I often take cases that other lawyers do not feel they can win or have had bad results, and I am able to turn these cases around into winning cases for my clients. I am familiar with almost every judge and trial attorney in Immigration Court as I have been practicing for a long time, and I have a very good reputation amongst my peers and the Immigration Judges. The Judges have told me I am an extremely capable attorney, that my cases are always well put together and that I am always well-prepared for trial.
Personal Interests:
My husband is a Military Judge in the reserves and a Criminal Lawyer who works in our office. We have two sons, two cats and a dog.
Office Manager/Assistant
Katherine Doscher, Esq., Diana Palacio (paralegal), and Marilyn Rojas (paralegal)
Office Hours
By appointment only.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Spanish, Hebrew, Portuguese, Italian
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Mostly fixed flat fees.
Hourly Rates
Not Applicable.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes. We offer a one-half hour free initial consultation. We prefer this to be in person whenever possible.
Typical Retainer
We work out payment plans for our clients unable to pay fixed rates up front.
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