Certified in Immigration Law in North Carolina

Under 27 NCAC 01D Section .2601 the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization designated immigration law as a field of law for which certification of specialists is permitted.

At Lawyer Legion, we recognize the important role that board certification specialty programs play when the public begins their search for an attorney.

Use our directory to find a qualified immigration law attorney in North Carolina. Our directory also allows you to narrow your search to find an attorney board certified in immigration law.

Definition of Immigration Law

For purposes of the board certification program the term "immigration law" is defined as the practice of law dealing with "obtaining and retaining permission to enter and remain in the United States including, but not limited to, such matters as visas, changes of status, deportation and exclusion, naturalization, appearances before courts and governmental agencies, and protection of constitutional rights."

Attorneys in North Carolina who earn the designation are entitled to use the term "Board Certified Specialist in Immigration Law."

Standards for Board Certification in Immigration Law

Attorney who apply for board certification in the specialty field of immigration law must meet certain standards including a showing of substantial involvement through a certain amount of time spent in the specialty area.

A certain portion of that substantial involvement can be met through service as a law professor concentrating in the teaching of immigration law.

Substantial involvement could also involve a showing that the attorney has participated in certain categories of activities including:

• Family Immigration defined as the "representation of clients before the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and the State Department in the filing of petitions and applications."
• Employment Related Immigration defined as the "representation of employers and/or aliens before at least one of the following: the N.C. Employment Security Commission, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, U.S. Department of State or U.S. Information Agency."
• Naturalization defined as the "representation of clients before the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and judicial courts in naturalization matters."
• Administrative Hearings and Appeals defined as the "representation of clients before Immigration Judges in deportation, exclusion, bond redetermination, and other administrative matters; and the representation of clients in appeals taken before the:
• Board of Immigration Appeals,
• Administrative Appeals Unit,
• Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals,
• Regional Commissioners,
• Commissioner,
• Attorney General,
• Department of State Board of Appellate Review, and
• Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (OCAHO)."
• Administrative Proceedings and Review in Judicial Courts defined as the "representation of clients in judicial matters such as applications for habeas corpus, mandamus and declaratory judgments; criminal matters involving the immigration law; petitions for review in judicial courts; and ancillary proceedings in judicial courts."
• Asylum and Refugee Status Matters
• Employer Verification, Sanctions, Document Fraud, Bond and Custody, Rescission, Registry, and Fine Proceedings Matters

Other Requirements to Earn Specialty Certification

The attorney in North Carolina seeking board certification in immigration law must also show completion of certain number and type of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits in immigration law and related areas such as trial advocacy, evidence, taxation, federal administrative procedure, employment law, family law, and criminal law and procedure.

The attorney must submit to peer review by other lawyers or judges familiar with the attorney's practice and qualifications in immigration law cases. Finally, the attorney must submit to a written examination testing the attorney's knowledge in immigration law matters.

The original period of certification in immigration law will last for five years. The attorney must then apply for continued certification by showing a certain number and type of continuing legal education (CLE) credits, peer review, and a continued showing of substantial involvement.

Finding an Immigration Attorney in North Carolina

North Carolina's board certification program plays an important role in helping the public find the best attorney for their particular case. At Lawyer Legion, we understand the importance of these programs.

Our directory helps the public find an immigration law attorney for cases throughout North Carolina including Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Durham, Fayetteville, Cary, Wilmington, and High Point.

This article was last updated on Friday, November 22, 2019.