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Silvia Raviola
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Silvia Raviola
Silvia Raviola, Attorney at Law
95 South Market Street
Suite 300
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 995-3266 | Fax: (408) 995-3277
http://www.sraviola-law.com
Over 13 years experience exclusively in immigration.
Legal Topic
Immigration
Preferred New Clients
I accept all cases except for deportation, removal, and detention.
Sub-Categories
Immigration
- Citizenship or Naturalization
- Employer Work Visas
- Permanent Resident (Green Card)
- Political Asylum & Refugees
- Undocumented Workers
- Visas
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1992
Bar Number: 158221
Other Court Admissions
I am admitted to the California Supreme Court, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
Association Memberships
California State Bar Association
Continuing Education
As required by the State Bar for 13 1/2 years of practice, I mostly complete coursework in immigration and nationality law, as offered by the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Example Cases
I handle immigration cases.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor's Degree
School:
Monterey Institute of International Studies
City:
Monterey
State:
CA
Year:
1986
Honors:
Summa Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
International Policy Studies
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
Golden Gate University
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1991
Honors:
Awarded Law School Specialization in International Law
Focus and Accomplishments:
International Law; Studied Comparative International Law in London, Budapest, and Vienna.
Degree:
Master's Degree
School:
Monterey Institute of International Studies
City:
Monterey
State:
CA
Year:
1987
Focus and Accomplishments:
International Policy Studies, with an emphasis on Cross-Cultural Communications.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I have experienced the immigration process first-hand, having immigrated from Italy in 1982. I have practiced exclusively in the area of immigration law since 1993, and focus on Family Immigration, Business Immigration, Citizenship and Asylum.
Previous Employment Summary
I have been an immigration attorney in San Jose, California since 1993. Prior to opening my law practice, I worked with the Italian company Olivetti in Cupertino, California and with the law firm of Dobson & Pinci in Milan, Italy.
Activities and Awards
I am the Honorary Vice Consul of Italy in San Jose, California and a member of the California Consular Corps. I have been recognized in Santa Clara County for my public service and assistance to the Italian government and have received commendations from the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, the City of San Jose, and the State of California Assembly.
Awards
I received a law school specialization award in International Law in December 1991, a certificate of International Business and Commercial Law from McGeorge School of Law in 1990, and a certificate in East/West Commerce and Law in 1990.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
Most immigration forms are set up so that clients can prepare them without legal assistance. However, I always recommend a consultation with an attorney experienced in the field, to guide the self-filing client and catch any potential problems/issues before the client files something that could be damaging to his/her case.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Yes, I can review forms that have been self-prepared.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I can offer a consultation on the legal issues important to the client, so that the client can then represent him/herself.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I went through the experience of immigrating to the United States, and I later became a United States citizen; I wanted to help others do so successfully.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Before law school, I was the coordinator of a student exchange program for university students from Europe. I helped them with everything from finding a job to helping them get social security and driver's licenses, to finding them a home with a local family. I also helped them get cars and arrange for medical care. In essence, I learned how to help young people whose native language was not English, who had a variety of needs.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
In addition to being an immigrant myself, my background is very diverse. My father was Italian, my mother is French, and my grandmother was Hungarian. My husband's family comes from Croatia. My international background and fluency in Italian, Spanish, and French are all very helpful, as is my background in cross-cultural communications and
political science.
What do you like best about your career?
My favorite part of being an immigration attorney is meeting people from different backgrounds, understanding their culture, where they are from, and helping them with their dreams of immigrating and bringing their families to the United States.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner. I have a paralegal who helps me with form preparation, copying, filing, etc., but I try to do most of the client contact myself. I like to think it adds a personal touch when the client can call and speak to me instead of a paralegal, or meet with me instead of a junior attorney. I give consultations in Spanish or Italian when the clients are native Spanish or Italian speakers, to make them feel more comfortable. My spoken French is not good enough for legal consultations, but I can read documents in French and do research in French, which has come in handy for some of my asylum clients from North Africa.
What are your strengths and style?
My strengths are my many years learning about foreign cultures, my fluency in foreign languages, and my having lived and studied in a country other than the United States. Also, having gone through the immigrant process, from a non-immigrant work visa with my father, to permanent residence, to naturalization, helps me to understand the process as well as the feelings and fears that prospective immigrants have.
I don't stand on formality. My clients call me by first name, and I try to put myself on an equal level to my clients. I don't speak down to my clients; I am their advocate, not their superior. With some clients who don't feel comfortable using my first name (mostly the Filipinos) I follow their lead. If they want to call me attorney Raviola, that's fine with me.
Personal Interests:
I love to travel internationally, I have a house in Italy and close family in France and Italy, and often take my family to Europe for vacation. I speak three foreign languages and love to visit museums and historical places. I love the opera and symphony, but also am an avid sports fan.
Office Manager/Assistant
Mary Jones
Fax
(408) 995-3277
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
Se Habla Español; Si Parla Italiano.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Most immigration services are based on predetermined flat fees. These are discussed at the initial consultation.
Hourly Rates
In cases where a flat fee cannot be applied, or for document review situations, my hourly rate is $200.
Free Initial Consultation?
My initial consultation fee is $150 for up to one hour of time.
Typical Retainer
I usually request half of the total flat fee at the time the contract is signed, but I can be flexible when the situation warrants a lower initial payment.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
