Scope of Lawyer Services

Our services and flat fees are for this matter only and do not include any appeals or litigation. Our services will include consultations as needed; review, preparation and collation of visa petition documents; processing the visa petition and communications with USCIS and consular officials.

If USCIS issues a substantive Request for Evidence (RFE), the legal fee will be $500 per hour for preparation of a response. We will not charge for the withdrawal of a pending application.

If you have any prior criminal arrests and/or convictions (except minor traffic tickets), there is a $1,000 for our time in review the incident(s). If a formal petition for a waiver of inadmissibility is required, an additional fee will be quoted.

Our positive evaluation of the case, our forecast of the case processing time and our fixed fee are all based upon the law and facts presently existing; a material change in law or facts could complicate the case to an extent not presently predictable and decrease the chances of success or entail additional procedures and, therefore, additional fees. You are required to keep us informed of any changes in the basic facts.

Storage of Files

We retain files securely and confidentially during the pendency of the case and for an additional period of seven years following the conclusion of our services. Please note: all case notes and evidentiary documentation as well as biographic information will be stored in a secure DropBox folder. Please ask if you have questions about the manner of storage. At the end of that seven-year period, we reserve the right to confidentially destroy files without additional notice to you. At any time that your file is being retained by our office, you may request a digital copy of part or all of the file. We reserve the right to charge for copies for your case.

Communications Security Risks

By communicating with us via email, there is always a risk that confidential information might be disclosed or intercepted by third parties. If you deem this risk to be unacceptable, we will be amenable to receiving/sending hard copies only and communicating/requesting sensitive information by phone.

Statement of Client's Rights

• You are entitled to be treated with courtesy and consideration at all times by your lawyer and the other lawyers and personnel in your lawyer's office.
• You are entitled to an attorney capable of handling your legal matter competently and diligently, in accordance with the highest standards of the profession. If you are not satisfied with how your matter is being handled, you have the right to withdraw from the attorney client relationship at any time (court approval may be required in some matters and your attorney may have a claim against you for the value of services rendered to you up to the point of discharge).
• You are entitled to your lawyer's independent professional judgment and undivided loyalty uncompromised by conflicts of interest.
• You are entitled to be charged a reasonable fee and to have your lawyer explain at the outset how the fee will be computed and the manner and frequency of billing. You are entitled to request and receive a written itemized bill from your attorney at reasonable intervals. You may refuse to enter into any fee arrangement that you find unsatisfactory.
• You are entitled to have your questions and concerns addressed in a prompt manner and to have your telephone calls returned promptly.
• You are entitled to be kept informed as to the status of your matter and to request and receive copies of papers. You are entitled to sufficient information to allow you to participate meaningfully in the development of your matter.
• You are entitled to have your legitimate objectives respected by your attorney, including whether or not to settle your matter (court approval of a settlement is required in some matters).
• You have the right to privacy in your dealings with your lawyer and to have your secrets and confidences preserved to the extent permitted by law.
• You are entitled to have your attorney conduct himself or herself ethically in accordance with the Code of Professional Responsibility.
• You may not be refused representation on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin or disability.

Fee Disputes

In the event that a dispute arises between us relating to our fees, you may have the right to arbitration of the dispute pursuant to Rule 137 of the rules of the Chief Administrator of the New York Courts, a copy of which will be provided to you upon your request.

Statement of Client’s Responsibilities

Reciprocal trust, courtesy and respect are the hallmarks of the attorney client relationship. Within that relationship, the client looks to the attorney for expertise, education, sound judgment, protection, advocacy and representation. These expectations can be achieved only if the client fulfills the following responsibilities:

• The client is expected to treat the lawyer and the lawyer’s staff with courtesy and consideration.
• The client’s relationship with the lawyer must be one of complete candor and the lawyer must be apprised of all facts or circumstances of the matter being handled by the lawyer even if the client believes that those facts may be detrimental to the client’s cause or unflattering to the client.
• The client must honor the fee arrangement as agreed to with the lawyer, in accordance with law.
• All bills for services rendered which are tendered to the client pursuant to the agreed upon fee arrangement should be paid promptly.
• The client may withdraw from the attorney client relationship, subject to financial commitments under the agreed to fee arrangement, and, in certain circumstances, subject to court approval. If the relationship ends before completion of the agreed services, then the lawyer will retain an amount of the flat fee proportionate to the work then performed and refund the remainder to the client.
• Although the client should expect that his or her correspondence, telephone calls and other communications will be answered within a reasonable time frame, the client should recognize that the lawyer has other clients equally demanding of the lawyer’s time and attention.
• The client should maintain contact with the lawyer, promptly notify the lawyer of any change in telephone number or address and respond promptly to a request by the lawyer for information and cooperation.
• The client must realize that the lawyer need respect only legitimate objectives of the client and that the lawyer will not advocate or propose positions which are unprofessional or contrary to law or the Lawyer’s Code of Professional Responsibility.
• The lawyer may be unable to accept a case if the lawyer has previous professional commitments which will result in inadequate time being available for the proper representation of a new client.
• A lawyer is under no obligation to accept a client if the lawyer determines that the cause of the client is without merit, a conflict of interest would exist or that a suitable working relationship with the client is not likely.

At the conclusion of services, you are responsible for keeping track of your visa status in the United States. This includes, but is not limited to, monitoring your passport expiration date, visa expiration date, ensuring that you are admitted into the United States upon each entry in the correct status and for the correct period of time (i.e., monitoring your I-94 records), and ensuring that you never go out of status. You will also be required to update immigration should you move, by filing an AR-11 online within ten days of moving.

Moreover, you are responsible for reaching out to us should you wish to engage our services on a future immigration-related matter. We recommend reaching out approximately one year before your current visa expires or you become eligible for another immigration benefit.

Fulfillment policy

Delivery - All case submissions and related documents will be delivered electronically and / or physically, via courier, to the appropriate government agencies, such as USCIS. We will also provide the client with copies of all documents for their records.

Return - As we provide services and not physical goods, there is no return policy applicable to our firm. Once services have been rendered and case submissions have been made, there is no option for the client to return or exchange the services provided.

Cancellation - Clients may terminate the attorney-client relationship at any time by notifying our firm in writing. However, please note that any refund of previously paid attorney fees will depend on the stage of the case and the services already rendered.

Refunds - If a client decides to terminate their case prior to its completion, a refund of the unused portion of attorney fees will be provided. The client will receive an itemized list of services provided in relation to the portion of fees that is not refundable if they choose to terminate the relationship prior to case submission. However, please note that once the case has been submitted to USCIS or other government agencies, there will be no refund of fees, attorney fees, or expenses, as services will have already been rendered in full.

Please note that each case is unique, and certain circumstances may require adjustments to our fulfillment policies. Our firm will always strive to provide the best possible service and accommodate our clients' needs within the bounds of the law and professional ethics.