Legal Ethics: 10 Rules for New Immigration Practitioners

Immigration attorneys often struggle with the demands of practicing in a highly complex area of law in which the stakes are extremely high for their clients. Many different agencies are involved, and attorneys must be fluent with the grounds of inadmissibility and removability, their related waivers, potential eligibility for benefits, potential penalties and forms of relief, and countless regulations, statutes, agency manuals, memoranda, and abstract legal concepts and principles that govern every aspect of immigration practice. In this context, attorneys must advocate for clients whose ability to live, work, remain with their families, or to avoid persecution or harm may lie in the hands of the attorney. 

Questions this course will attempt to address include:

• What are the biggest ethical pitfalls that newer practitioners should be aware of?

• How can attorneys manage their practices in a manner that allows them to focus on their cases without worrying about violating the rules of professional responsibility?

• What are the specific disciplinary rules and processes pertaining to the practice of immigration that address these issues?

This course, led by attorney Matthew Blaisdell, will provide an overview of the various regulatory schemes governing the conduct of immigration lawyers, apply these rules to basic areas of litigation and practice management, provide a background understanding of the ethical issues at play in these conflicts, and will attempt to provide a framework to assist in managing your risk of discipline.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the greatest ethical risks for new immigration lawyers
2. Review the Model Rules that new immigration lawyers should study most closely
3. Consider best practices to minimize your risk
4. Appreciate the gravity of the penalties and procedures that apply to violations