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Rachel Self is the founding member of Rachel M. Self, P.C. She represents individuals in criminal and immigration matters, specializing in criminal trial work, family immigration, citizenship, deportation defense, and post-conviction relief. She has regularly appeared as a legal analyst for various news networks and has been featured in multiple documentary productions and interviews.
After 49 migrants were abducted and flown to Martha’s Vineyard in the fall of 2022, she was instrumental in organizing support for them from local agencies. She also assisted in coordinating the criminal investigations of all the victims with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Department resulting in U visa certifications for all 49 victims. Her efforts garnered national recognition, including features on 60 Minutes, the Washington Post, New York Times, Trevor Noah’s Turning Point Documentary Martha’s Vineyard vs. DeSantis, and Honorable Mention as Bostonian of the Year 2022 in the Boston Globe Magazine. She recently contributed to Fareed Zakaria’s Immigration Breakdown, a CNN documentary about immigration.
Rachel has been selected by Boston Magazine and Super Lawyers as a top immigration attorney from 2009-2025 and has recently been honored for the twelfth year in a row by The National Trial Lawyers: Top Trial Lawyers. She was also recognized as a Best Lawyer in America in the field of immigration law by her peers for 2024-2025. She is the recipient of the Boston Bar Association’s President’s Award and the American Immigration Lawyer’s Association’s President’s Commendation for her “fast acting and courageous work providing resources and assistance in times of need”.
Rachel is regularly asked to teach and speak on both criminal and immigration issues. She has taught advanced immigration and crimmigration seminars for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Massachusetts Bar Association, Flaschner Judicial Institute, and the New Hampshire Judicial Education Program. She has also taught at New England Law Boston. She is rated “Superb,” the highest possible ranking, by Avvo, a national attorney rating service and was awarded with the Client’s Choice award for 2013-2025. Rachel is fluent in Spanish and has a broad base of knowledge in international and cross-cultural issues.
In her spare time, Rachel loves spending time traveling and cooking.
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Practice Areas
We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
State: Massachusetts
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Fax
6 Beacon Street, Suite 825, Boston, MA, 02108
attorneyself.com
Showing 1 - 5 of 128 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | January 22, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Attorney Self is an amazing attorney with deep knowledge of the US immigration system. She came to our meetings prepared and ready to answer any questions we may have had. She also made herself available whenever needed to discuss our case and to answer any questions.
Posted by Susan | December 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney
When I found myself, for the first time ever, facing serious legal charges in Boston Massachusetts, I contacted Rachel Self and 4 other well reviewed attorneys. Living on the opposite coast and with ZERO contacts in Boston from whom to get referrals, I resorted to online sources with profiles and re...
Posted by anonymous | October 2, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Eight years ago, I began a very complex immigration journey with Rachel by my side, including removal proceedings and two denials. Her unwavering support has carried me through every step. She combines genuine care with exceptional attention to detail, guiding me through complex processes with clarit...
Posted by Tara | September 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Upon meeting Rachel, when we first started our immigration journey, we knew that she would be the right fit for our family as we navigated through this process. Rachel was/is very professional, but also makes you feel comfortable. She answers any questions big or small and never makes you feel like y...
Posted by Carlos | July 24, 2025 | Hired Attorney
I wanted to express my sincere gratitude for your exceptional work on my immigration case. I initially started this process without legal representation, believing it would be straightforward. However, when an unexpected complication arose with immigration, I knew I needed to hire a lawyer. After tho...
"Rachel is an exceptional lawyer and human being. Rachel is not only very smart but also compassionate. She does not hesitate to take charge of a situation. For instance, when Governor DeSantis sent immigrants on a plane to Martha's Vineyard, Rachel stepped up and took charge, organizing legal efforts. She is one of the few attorneys I'd trust referring a client to."
"Attorney Self does and excellent job defending her clients in criminal defense cases. Over the years, i have seen Attorney Self achieve great results for her clients. I endorse her for criminal defense matters."
"Simply said, Rachel is a great criminal defense lawyer."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. Rachel is extremely knowledgeable, tenacious and incredibly hard working. You would be very lucky to have her in your corner."
"Rachel is an excellent lawyer and even better person. I endorse this lawyer."
"Rachel M. Self is a remarkably effective trial attorney. Her contributions to the fields of Immigration and Criminal Defense are surpassed only by her commitment to her clients. I endorse this lawyer."
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"I endorse this lawyer.very well respected advocate in the legal community"
"I have listened to Attorney Self speak at various events and she is an extremely knowledgeable and well versed attorney. I strongly endorse her."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Rachel and I have worked together on immigration matters in the past involving issues in both New Hampshire and Massachusetts. She knows how to work under pressure and still interact with clients, judges and other lawyers with professionalism and care. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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"Rachel Self co-counseled with me on many matters. Her responsiveness, creativity, and work product is of the highest caliber. Rachel is truly an exceptional lawyer."
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Child support lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Litigation lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Immigration lawyer
Contracts and agreements lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2025
Best Lawyer in Immigration Law, Best Attorneys in America
2025
Super Lawyer in Immigration Law, SuperLawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Best Lawyer in Immigration Law, Best Lawyers in America
2024
Super Lawyer in Immigration Law, SuperLawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer in Immigration Law, SuperLawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Honorable Mention Bostonian of the Year, Boston Globe
2022
Super Lawyer in Immigration Law, SuperLawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer in Immigration Law, SuperLawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer in Immigration Law, SuperLawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
SuperLawyer in Immigration Law, SuperLawyers
2017
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017
Rising Star in Immigration Law, SuperLawyers
2017
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2016
Rising Star in Immigration Law, SuperLawyers
2016
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2016
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2015
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
2015
Rising Star in Immigration Law, SuperLawyers
2015
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 40 under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association
2014
Rising Star in Immigration Law, Massachusetts Super Lawyers
2014
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association
2013
Top 40 under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association
2013
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2013
Rising Star in Immigration Law, Massachusetts Super Lawyers
2012
Rising Star in Immigration Law, Massachusetts Super Lawyers
2012
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2012
Top 40 under 40, National Trial Lawyers Association
2011
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2011
Rising Star in Immigration Law, Massachusetts Super Lawyers
2010
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2010
Rising Star in Immigration Law, Massachusetts Super Lawyers
2009
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2009
Rising Star in Immigration Law, Massachusetts Super Lawyers
2005 - Present
Owner, Rachel M. Self, P.C.
2006 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2005 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers Association
2005 - Present
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
2005 - Present
Massachusetts Bar Association
2005 - Present
American Bar Association
Victory for KL
Victory for HO
Victory for Mr. G.
Victory for Mr. O.
Victory for Mr. M.
Case Dismissed
Not Guilty
Case dismissed
Not Guilty All Counts
Not Guilty
New Trial Ordered
Not Guilty
Victory for Mr. Lemus
Victory for Mr. Rivera, Motion Granted.
Not Guilty
Victory for Ms. Hernandez
Victory for Ms. Belcaid
N/A
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2020
Immigration Court Practice
2019
2018
2017
2016
2016
2015
2015
2014
2014
2013
How to Do A Closing Argument
2013
2013
Introduction to the Law
2012
Removal Proceedings
2011
Immigration Basics
2011
Immigration Consequences of Criminal Conduct
2011
Advanced Immigration Litigation Practice
2011
From Cuffs to Court - What Happens when ICE Detains Your Client? - Presenter
2010
Immigration Basics
2010
Advanced Issues in Litigation
Spanish
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Can i travel while my asylum application is pending? i have to see judge for individual hearing in five months
19 Feb 2010
Will an arrest record affect immigration status.
16 Feb 2010