COMMUNITY NAVIGATOR TRAINING

MODULE 9: IDENTIFYING LEGAL HELP

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThis presentation is a product of the Committee for Immigration Reform Implementation (CIRI) Regional Coordination subcommittee. This was prepared by Tara Raghuveer of the National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA). Susan Schreiber and Jack Holmgren of Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) supplied the Immigration 101 module, based on CLINIC’s 2-day immigration law training. Mayron Payes and Larry Kleinman of FIRM provided guidance on the Defending AR module. Patrick Taurel of the American Immigration Council (AIC) contributed to the module on Unlawful Practice of Law. Frances Valdez (United We DREAM), Courtney Tudi (World Relief), Eddie Carmona (PICO), George Escobar (CASA de Maryland), Ruth Lopez (ICIRR), Camille Mackler (NYIC), Adrienne DerVartanian (Farmworker Justice), and Kelly Rodriguez (AFL-CIO) all provided additional resources and guidance. This training is based on the NPNA-United Food and Commercial Workers naturalization partnership. 2

www.adminrelief.org

MODULE 9:IDENTIFYING LEGAL

HELP

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WHY DOES THIS MATTER?

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TIPS AND STRATEGIES

1. Get a recommendation

2. Check for credentials

3. Check for past disciplinary actions

4. Identify areas of expertise

5. Stay informed

6. Get a written contract

7. Keep copies

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1. GET A REFERRAL• Referral

• Reputation

• Trusted sources for referrals:

2. CHECK FOR CREDENTIALS

• Ask in which state the person is barred

• Check the attorney’s license

• Check to see if BIA rep is accredited

• Review who can give immigration legal advice

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3. CHECK FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

• Check the Department of Justice database to see if the attorney or BIA rep has been disciplined

• If so, don’t make an appointment with that person

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4. IDENTIFY EXPERTISE

• Ask attorneys what their area of expertise is

• Ask how long they have been practicing

• Ask about their experience working with cases like the one at hand

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5. STAY INFORMED

• Ask LOTS of questions

• Stay involved and informed

• Make sure the attorney or BIA rep looks at the documents

• Keep the full name and contact information of everyone involved

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6. GET A WRITTEN CONTRACT

• Get EVERYTHING in writing

• Ask for a retainer agreement

• Read it over carefully, make sure to understand or ask questions

• Get written agreements for every promise made orally

• Send a letter outlining promises made if someone is refusing services previously promised

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6. KEEP COPIES

• Get a copy of everything the attorney/rep files

• Keep these copies safe!!

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LOCAL RESOURCES

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