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In January 1972, immigration attorney Leon Wildes received a call from an old law school friend asking for his help with a deportation case involving a musician and his wife. Although Wildes didn’t recognize the couple, he knew he wanted to help them.
By taking on this life-changing deportation case, Wildes went on to expose corruption in the Nixon administration and forever change the United States immigration process.
And that famous couple that retained Wildes? That was none other than John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
Wildes’ inspiring career shows that immigration law not only provides a foundation to represent individuals with fascinating stories, but it also helps you understand how a person’s immigration status can impact them in various aspects of life.
Here’s how you can follow in Wildes’ footsteps and change lives as an immigration lawyer.
To begin any career as a legal professional, earning a bachelor’s degree, followed by a juris doctor degree, is usually the first step. While in law school, it is beneficial to take courses related to immigration law and policy, such as immigration law, employment law, refugee law, and international human rights. Immigration law classes are not strictly required to practice in this field, but they can enhance your expertise and potentially improve your job prospects.
Potential employers and clients often seek attorneys with exposure to immigration law, particularly hands-on legal experience gained through internships, clerkships, clinics, externships, and pro bono activities. These opportunities offer valuable insight into the workings of immigration law and can help set you apart from other candidates.
Beyond taking specialized classes and acquiring hands-on experience, continuous professional development plays a critical role in the career of immigration lawyers. The legal industry constantly evolves, and staying abreast of the latest changes is essential. There is a wide range of certifications and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses available to enable lawyers to stay current with the dynamic landscape of immigration law.
After earning your law degree and passing the bar exam, the last stage in the process is starting your career. This means that even if you’ve chosen to work independently as a lawyer or join a law firm or government agency, you will need to attract clients. Professional organizations such as American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) can be beneficial, as they organize conferences and events where lawyers and potential clients come together.
In the episodes below, lawyers discuss their work in immigration law and their path to get there.
Javad Khazaeli, a seasoned attorney who held senior positions in the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor, currently uses his skills and experience to assist immigrants and companies dealing with the federal government. In this two-part episode of The Jury is Out, he debunks the myth that Mexican immigrants make up the majority of people are in the United States without status and reveals where you can get unbiased and reliable immigration law news.
Former United Nations Correspondent Andy Semotiuk joins Trisha Rich and Jennifer Byrne of the Chicago Bar Association for a timely conversation about Ukraine and Russia. Although the overseas conflict is devastating, Semotiuk offers encouragement to those who have left the area, saying, “Immigration is all about heroism. It takes guts to pick up and leave not knowing where you’re going.”
On Young Lawyer Rising, Stephanie Baez shares how she landed a job in immigration law after earning her Juris Doctorate from Fordham University. If you’re a recent graduate, this is the perfect episode for you!
At Legal Talk Network, we create podcasts with hardworking legal professionals who tell their stories to help the next generation of lawyers to either mirror their journey or learn from their mistakes. If you want to get a more in-depth understanding of immigration law or other legal specializations, hear firsthand accounts from attorneys around the globe, and educate yourself on all things legal, we invite you to listen to our episodes.
Legal Talk Network is a podcast network for legal professionals with hosts from well-known organizations and brands in legal. Over 20 active podcasts cover important legal news and developments, including access to justice, law school, industry events, legal technology, and the future of law.
