By choosing an attorney who belongs to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), you are ensuring that you are receiving competent, ethical, and lawful immigration services by Lawyers and or Foreign Legal Consultants. Why is this? An AILA Lawyer has usually gone through a minimum of 9 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) classes within the last 12 months, which means they have the knowledge, experience and commitment to providing you the best legal representation. In addition AILA members are all licensed by the State Bar Association, or Foreign Bar Equivalent. In other words, being a member of the AILA is a great indicator of a lawyer’s knowledge, experience and commitment.
Advance the protection of the public by promoting consumer protection and authorized representation.
Unlike legal assistants and paralegals, an immigration lawyer has completed several years of education in law school before being licensed. This means that a certified immigration lawyer is bound to maintain very specific ethical standards, and even if they fail to do so, you could address the issue to your local bar association and they will handle the situation.
Why bring this up? Because AILA does not recommend paralegals, Immigration Consultants or legal assistants, and only attorneys that carry professional liability insurance are recommended by this organization. Although you shouldn’t choose an immigration lawyer merely because of his membership in this association, these are some of the reasons why you should opt for an AILA lawyer:
- AILA lawyers are always up to date on U.S. Immigration Law.
- AILA lawyers often represent asylum seekers on a pro bono basis.
- AILA lawyers are in good standing with the State Bar Association.
- AILA lawyers specialize in immigration cases.
- AILA lawyers have earned a number of Continuing Legal Education credits within the last year.
