(This article will be published in the quarterly publication by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) in the next few months. In due course, a link to the publication will be posted).
I fell into U.S. immigration law by chance, having practiced criminal law in London, England for a few years before my own relocation to the U.S. forced me to rethink my career. In fact, I was certain that I did NOT want to practice immigration law. I harbored the misconception that this area of the law would not be intellectually stimulating, that I would be stuck filling out forms and arguing identical fact patterns for the rest of my life. However, I soon realized that I could not have been more wrong! This is a complicated, fast evolving, fascinating area of the law, with a varied clientele that may include vulnerable and distressed battered women as well as highly educated professionals and the institutions that employ them. Moreover, a relatively rapid turn-around time provides quick gratification in many cases.
Despite these advantages, I quickly also realized that my practice would heavily depend on the assistance I receive from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). In my criminal practice I had relied on the guidance and assistance of colleagues in my own office. I was not aware that a law association could offer so much practical, substantive and personal support.
Let me give some examples:
While I cannot speak of AILA chapters beyond my own first-hand experience here in Washington State, I have found that my own chapter includes a phenomenal group of immigration attorneys. A high level of professionalism and a remarkable depth of knowledge ensure that the Washington Listserv is a life-saver for many of us. While the majority of my colleagues are forthcoming in answering questions, and all are extremely collegial, more experienced attorneys have proved particularly generous with their time on email as well as in person to guide newer attorneys like me.
In fact, the AILA website provides a national list of such mentors. The site allows you to choose the relevant area of law and email a random kind person for guidance. I have emailed many, many people with questions, and I am tremendously grateful for the time they have taken to respond and guide me on quite complicated issues. For one of my more challenging cases, involving a client charged with immigration fraud, one of the mentors I emailed helped me formulate my strategy for the case. And I won!
The AILA Infonet Message Board is another essential resource. As a newer attorney, this is where I go first whenever I am researching an issue that is new to me, as it seems very likely that someone will have already addressed almost every legal question that arises in my practice. The Message Board confirms this theory. Invariably, I find answers, as well as leads to answer the inevitable follow-up questions. And while browsing I learn a great deal about related issues as well.
I find other AILA resources immensely valuable too. I have a great collection of AILA publications. There are books on almost every practice area. There are webinars and conferences all year round for which you can earn CLE credits. I find the annual conferences are particularly good for networking. For problem cases, AILA Liaisons can really make a difference in the outcome. Finally, I also subscribe to their AILALink services. In my opinion, AILALink is great value for the plethora of resources it offers.
For all new immigration attorneys out there, I recommend joining AILA as soon as possible. The benefits are immeasurable. I know you will be just as grateful as I am for the fellowship and assistance of so many smart, skilled attorneys and for access to the association’s indispensable resources.