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Martin J. Lawler

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

Martin Lawler is recognized as one of America’s leading immigration lawyers. In his 30 years of specializing in immigration law, he has secured temporary visas, permanent residence, naturalization, and passports for thousands of people from around the world.

His book, Professionals: A Matter of Degree, is a leading treatise on employment-based temporary visas and permanent resident status.

Martin Lawler is also considered an authority on investor visas, family-based visas, asylum, and deportation defense.


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  • Awards

    Martin J. Lawler has received many prestigious awards and distinctions including:

    • Listed in Best Lawyers in America
    • Listed in the Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers
    • Northern California Super Lawyer by San Francisco Magazine
    • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) top award
    • Jack Wasserman Memorial Award for excellence in immigration litigation
    • AILA Presidents Award for Mentoring Women in Law
    • AILA Presidents Award for his book, Professionals: A Matter of Degree
    • Plaque from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi for writing an immigration bill
    • Martindale-Hubbell A rating – the leading attorney rating service
    • Who’s Who of Business Lawyers
    • Movie credit: House of D with Robin Williams and David Duchovny
    • Martin led the way for H-1B visas to be awarded to people based on work experience rather than exclusively on the employee’s education. His pioneering work in this area led to the favorable change in the government’s regulations.
    • Martin was the first to win recognition by the Department of State that intellectual property may be used to capitalize a company for E-2 (treaty investor) visas.
  • Publications

    Martin wrote the first law book, Professionals: A Matter of Degree dedicated to H-1B visas. His popular book is now expanded to cover most business visas and is now in its fifth edition.

    In 2007 Martin wrote an op-ed article in the Wall Street Journal, “Would Grandma Make the Cut?” about a proposed new immigration law.

    With Hope M. Frye, he co-authored a second Wall Street Journal article in 2008, “Skills Deficit,” and an article in HR Magazine about H-1B (professional) visas.

    In 2014 Martin co-authored a third Wall Street Journal Article with Margaret Stock, “Saying ‘No Thanks’ to 87,500 High-Skill Workers.”

  • Public Speaking
    In September of 2007, Martin appeared on National Public Radio’s Science Friday program for 40 minutes and spoke about visas for scientists and engineers.