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James E. Pittman
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James E. Pittman
Law Office of James E. Pittman
1528 Walnut Street
Suite 950
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215) 772-1818 | Fax: (866) 431-9249
http://www.us-immigration-law.biz/
www.visa-counsel.us
Full Service Immigration Firm
Legal Topic
Immigration
Preferred New Clients
I represent both corporate and individual clients, including: small and medium-sized employers, sponsored employees, family members following to join relatives in the U.S., foreign students, applicants for U.S. citizenship, persons seeking asylum in the U.S. because of persecution in their home country, and individuals facing removal or deportation.
Sub-Categories
Immigration
- Citizenship or Naturalization
- Removal or Deportation
- Employer Work Visas
- Permanent Resident (Green Card)
- Political Asylum & Refugees
- Undocumented Workers
- Visas
- Passports
- Family Petitions
- Employer Petitions
Legal Topic
Government & Environment
Preferred New Clients
Information coming soon.
Sub-Categories
Social Security
- DAC (Disabled Adult Child Benefits)
- DWB (Disabled Widows and Widowers Benefits)
- Individual Disability
Bar Admissions
NJ,
Bar Number: 042302001
Other Court Admissions
New Jersey Supreme Court; New York Court of Appeals.
Association Memberships
- Bar Admissions:
New Jersey
New York
- Memberships:
American Immigration Lawyers Association
National Immigration Project
Philadelphia Business Networking Meet up
JumpUp.com - The Place to Start and Grow Your Business
- Linked-In Groups:
Turkiye
Linked-In Live - Philly Linked-In Live - Philly
Friends of Turkey
Philly Business Network
Continuing Education
Most years, I attend the annual conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which is a three day event during which dozens of continuing legal education classes in the field of immigration law are taught by national experts in this area of the law. Aside from the annual conference, I sometimes attend continuing legal education events sponsored by the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Federal Bar Association.
Example Cases
• PERM Labor Certification
• Permanent residency with labor certification in EB-2 advanced degree professional category
• Permanent residency with labor certification in EB-3 professional worker/skilled worker/other worker categories
• Permanent residency without labor certification in following categories:
-Extraordinary Ability.
-National Interest Waiver.
-Outstanding Researchers or Professors.
• Non-immigrant visas
Business visas: H-1B, E-2, E-3, L, B-1, O
• Family immigration:
-Marriage Cases with Adjustment of Status or Consular Processing.
-Fiance/fiancee visa.
• Self petitioning (VAWA) case for abused immigrant spouse
• Naturalization as a US citizen including military naturalization
• Asylum (based on political opinion, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, female genital mutilation)
• Special Immigrant Iraqi translators for US Armed Forces.
• Deportation defense in Immigration Court
• Bond Hearings
• Appeals to Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Northeastern University School of Law
City:
Boston
State:
MA
Year:
1999
Honors:
Northeastern Law School does not rank its students.
Degree:
M.A.
School:
Temple University
City:
Philadelphia
State:
PA
Year:
1996
Honors:
Graduated cum laude.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Chemistry.
Degree:
B.A. Dual degree
School:
Temple University
City:
Philadelphia
State:
PA
Year:
1992
Honors:
Dean's list, graduated cum laude.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Double Major: Psychology and Chemistry.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
New Jersey and New York.
Firm Focus and History
My practice is focused entirely on U.S. immigration and nationality law.
I opened this solo practice in March 2005.
Previous Employment Summary
During law school, I was a "co-op student," and a legal intern at Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation and Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP. After graduation I worked as an attorney for Synnestvedt & Lechner, LLP, and Klauber & Jackson, LLP.
Activities and Awards
In 2005, I performed two weeks of pro-bono work at the South Texas Pro-Bono Asylum Representation Project (Pro-BAR), located in Harlingen, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I am very much in favor of self-education by clients; a basic understanding on the part of the applicant of what the benefit is that they are seeking and how it is obtained can be beneficial and enhance cooperation with an attorney. However, one must understand U.S. immigration law is complex and professional representation by a competent immigration attorney, who will diligently research legal isses, is often necessary. The immigration law contains many detailed exceptions and complex provisions. Mistakes (on forms) frequently made by applicants who file without an attorney, or an interview that goes badly because an applicant was not prepared and did not have an attorney present at the interview, can have a lasting negative effect on one's chances of being granted permanent residency or U.S. citizenship.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I cannot review immigration documents that the client intends to file on his or her own.
The reason for this is that in immigration law, attorneys who prepare forms are bound to identify themselves on the form and sign it as a certification that the answers are truthful and based on all information of which the attorney has knowledge. Advising a person who prepares a form by themselves and who has not retained the lawyer to handle the case that the form has been done correctly and are suitable for filing could be construed as violating this law.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I would be willing to coach in a few situations. For example, clients who have never had previous immigration problems and who wish to be prepared by an attorney prior to an adjustment of status interview, but who will attend the interview by themselves I wouldn't mind coaching. Nevertheless, I believe it is much more preferable to have a competent attorney present at interviews with immigration officers.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I have always been fascinated by how society works. Some questions which have always intrigued me include: How does society makes its rules? Who decides what is fair? How is power wielded in society and for whose benefit? How do we move the reality of society closer to our ideals?
The law is many things: it is a means for keeping order, and a mechanism by which people achieve their aims. Law is the matrix which gives a society its character. But, in it simplest expression, law is about power.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My passion for social justice, my experiences living in and traveling in other countries, and my intellectual passion for the law all make me a better lawyer.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I have always been an avid traveler, been good at learning languages, and had a great curiosity about various countries, cultures, and religions. I've always followed news events as they break around the world, which used to be called "foreign affairs," but in today's interdependent world is simply "the news."
What do you like best about your career?
Some of the best things about my career are:
The joy I get from uniting families with their loved ones.
The satisfaction that comes from seeing people who have done well at their jobs and played by the rules become permanent residents and U.S. citizen and knowing that they are going to contribute their talents to our country.
The pride of seeing foreign-born men and women in the armed forces become U.S. citizens in the shortest time possible as part of their reward for their service.
The peace that comes from knowing that I helped those who have been unjustly persecuted find refuge.
The thrill of victory when a client in removal proceedings is granted relief by the immigration judge, knowing that I, together with the client, succeeded in convincing the court that the client deserved to stay in the United States.
Tell us about your law firm:
At the present time, I am a solo practitioner. I do not employ any assistants, so all of my clients deal directly with me. However, I am looking forward to hiring a legal assistant as soon as I believe the time is right.
What are your strengths and style?
I emphasize careful and detailed fact gathering at the consultation, diligent and comprehensive research of all legal issues presented by the case, and keeping communication with the client open, clear, and ongoing throughout the progress of the case. I understand that the present climate in the U.S. immigration system is a challenging one, characterized by increased enforcement, and that solving the client's problems requires a persistent and creative approach. Accordingly, I attach a priority to remaining up to date about legislative and administrative changes. I strive to be on the cutting edge in using office technology and the internet to practice immigration law.
Personal Interests:
My interests include working out, politics, and taking long walks. Throughout my student years and in the early part of my career I was an avid traveler. Countries I have visited include: Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Azerbaijan, China, Guatemala, and Honduras, not to mention having traveled extensively within the United States.
Fax
(866) 431-9249
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday
10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
I speak Turkish and I can also read some French.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I discuss the fees and other costs with the prospective client during the initial consultation. My office bills most immigration matters, including all permanent residency cases, labor certification, and visa petition cases, on a flat fee basis. For family or employment-based cases which are done in stages, part of the fee will be due when signing the attorney-client agreement and the remainder will be due in one or more installments as the case progresses.
Removal proceedings, including asylum cases or removal cases based on past criminal charges, are billed on an hourly basis. The reason why hourly billing is used instead of a flat fee in these cases is that the time and effort as well as office expenses required for such cases depends in large part on government agency action, which can be unpredictable.
A combination of flat fee and hourly billing is used at this office for corporate immigration work which is of a recurring nature.
Hourly Rates
Variable.
Free Initial Consultation?
I am pleased to spend a few minutes talking about that basic facts of the case. A full consultation at my office lasts up to 45 minutes and costs $100. A full consultation is appropriate for discussions involving employment-based permanent residency, asylum, criminal immigration matters, and most other types of immigration cases. For persons having straightforward family immigration matters where there is no negative immigration history and no case already pending, the full 45 minute consultation might not be necessary. I advise potential clients when they call whether they need a full consultation or not.
Typical Retainer
The retainer varies depending on the type of case. For family or employment-based cases, which are done in stages, part of the fee will be due when signing the attorney-client agreement and the remainder will be due in one or more installments as the case progresses.
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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.
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