PRO

Licensed for 21 years

Immigration Lawyer at Boston, MA
Practice Areas: Immigration, Criminal Defense

Virtual Consultation Available

About Rachel

Biography

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.

Located in downtown Boston, I specialize in criminal defense and immigration law.

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 50%

Arraignment and bail hearings Post conviction relief Narcotics Violations Money Laundering Theft Sexual Assault Domestic Violence Assault & Battery Alien Smuggling Illegal re-entry after deportation Juvenile Criminal Defense Driving under the influence

50%

Immigration 50%

The firm specializes in all aspects of immigration law and dedicates itself to honest and communicative representation while providing you with all possible resolutions for your immigration problem.

50%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Contact for Details

Awards

2025 2024 2022

...

+ 11

Licenses

Licensed in Massachusetts for 21 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 2004

Active

No misconduct found

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Location

Rachel M. Self, P.C.

(617) 742-0194

Fax

6 Beacon Street, Suite 825, Boston, MA, 02108

attorneyself.com

Get Directions

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Gallery

Rachel M. Self's Reviews

Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.

5.0 /5.0

131 Client Reviews

Avvo

5.0

(130)

Lawyers.com

5.0

(1 )

See client reviews from Lawyers.com

Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Punctuality

Posted by anonymous | September 29, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Professional, Detail Oriented, Compassionate, and Knowledgeable

I am a permanent resident and I hired Rachel for my wife's green card application. I had a complicated case due to a misunderstood criminal case for which I am on a pretrial probation. She was very attentive, compassionate, and detail oriented when I explained her my situation. She is very knowledgea...ble and knows the law very well. After listening to my situation she explained me that it would not be a problem and my wife's application will be approved despite of the complications in the case. She did a very thorough job preparing the application and made sure that it was perfect. Today we appeared for the interview (3 months after submitting the application), Rachel went in with my wife, and the officer approved our case in only 5 minutes! Rachel was very professional, punctual, and compassionate throughout her communication with us. I will surely be hiring her next year for my naturalization application! I am very impressed with Rachel and would highly recommend her for immigration as well as criminal matter. She knows the law very well and knows how to steer you through a difficult case.

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Posted by Majlinda | September 24, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Top-Notch Immigration Lawyer

I found atty Rachel Self here on avvo.com.I was looking for a top-notch immigration lawyer.I was denied twice and I needed someone who was really strong to win my case.Since the first time i met Rachel,i could tell that she is very knowledgeable , she is very compassionate,and has your back every ste...p of the way ,.,,,and is a difficult one.Rachel was realistic,my case was difficult ,but not impossible.She worked so hard and the day of my interview she was there to support me ,defend me and make sure that i get the best of the situation.And i did.My case was approved ,i won ,she won for me.Rachel changed my life and the life of my family,I don't even know how to start being normal ,having rights,planning future,work,,,i am still numb.It is unbelievable,For all of you out there ,that are in the same situation ,i was till last week,no legal status,go to Rachel,tell the truth and breath.Leave it to her.She will do it all,she will call,she will work with you ,because she cares.I never seen any of my previous lawyers tearing for me,,,i saw tears on her eyes for ME.I bless her,she is a Godsend.She will change your life too!

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Posted by Gil | September 13, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Fighter and Angel The BEST

A year and two months ago I started a nightmare. I was arrested and put in jail. I was really worried because in the moment, I didn’t see a way out of it. The charges were very serious and they were in three different courts. I was in jail, so my wife called attorney Rachel Self. She gave me a ...lot of hope. I trusted her from the first moment. She came to jail and met with me and explained to me everything. It was very hard, and took arguments in a lot of different courts, but she fought and she she helped me get bail and then helped me with the rest of my cases. The things I liked most about her were her responsibility and her honesty. I also liked that she was always reminding me that I had court the next day. She was always on time to the hearings and I never had a problem with her not showing up. She really feels and works hard for her clients; she is really attentive to every client she has. She cares and also really knows the law. She never gave up. I always never doubted her caring and skill. In a year and two months, my record is now clean. All the cases were dismissed (Two in superior court and three in district court). I am very happy that she took my case. I wish her a lot of success in the future. She is an excellent attorney. I recommend her to everyone who might need help in their case. I consider her a good friend and an excellent and honest attorney who is very professional. If you ever find yourself in what may seem like an impossible situation, call Rachel.

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Posted by Judy | November 16, 2011 | Criminal Defense

wonderful attorney!

I First hired Rachel when she was reffered to me by attorney Harvey Kaplan, I went to him with my husband's criminal/immigration case and he said he thought rachel would be a good attorney for my husbands case. Rachel quickly sceduled a consultation and i went in to see her, i explained to her that m...y husband had been detained at logan airport while coming back from the D.R. she reviewed the paper work they had given me the day that they detained him and explianed to me in full detail why they detained him and what the next steps were. She was honest and well knowledged, she didn't try to convince me to hire her, as a matter of fact she clearly told me that if she thought my husband had no chance that she would not even take my case, and her honesty and trustworthiness showed more when she told me that she could not guarantee the outcome( i was of course sadden because you want to here only positive, but relieved that she wasn't making empty promises like some lawyers do). I quickly hired her with no regrets, her prices are extremely reasonable and she began working on my husbands case right away, as a matter of fact she had taken the day off because it was her birthday and she came in to the office to meet with me and then went directly to the jail were my husband was detained to meet with him as well( oh and she speaks spanish which was a plus because my husband barley speaks english). Rachel was very good at keeping me informed with everything that was going on and everything she was doing for my husbands case. When i first meet with her she had told me to prepare myself because it could take a few months, which was heart breaking because my husband was a madatory hold, rachel told me that i could call her at anytime with any questions even if i thought they were silly...that made me feel comfortable and showed me that she cares for her clients.The day after i hired her she called me with an update regarding my husbands case she wasnt able to file the paperwork with the court because do to a storm the lights were out so she had to wait for the court to reopen, she really didn't have to call me but that just shows that she is responsible and caring, everytime she called she would ask how I was feeling. As soon as the paperork was filed she mailed me a copy as well as my husband, and shortly after we had a court date, rachel was working on having a criminal case my husband had on his record vacated, because my husband had not been properly represented at the time of the criminal case which caused him to get a conviction that gave immigration grounds for deporatation,so my husband was in jail waiting to see a judge regarding removal, but thanks to rachel who worked quickly and effectivley to have the case heard a little over a week after i hired her she had the criminal charges vacated.This lawyer was a God send.Rachel then worked diligently to have papers filed for a bond hearing, she told me we should have a date within three days...but to my surpirise a few hours later my husband called they had released him, when i called reachel with the news, she told me that she was making lots of phone calls to try and have him relesed but she wasn't sure if it was going to happen so she didn't want to get my hopes up...but thanks to her hard word and dedication to her clients my husband was out in 21 days which would have been quicker if i knew about rachel sooner...15 days after i hired her a mandatory hold was now free! Thank God for Rachel,to me she is trustworthy, responds to all calls, has exceptional knowledge,is very eell prepared and she absolutley kept me well informed up to the last minute...even now that my husbands case is over we are going to meet with her just to go over everything..she is an excelent attorney and i would recomend her any day. I definatley would hire rachel again..although i hope i never have to.

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Posted by Lizette | October 09, 2011 | Immigration

Would Highly Reccomend

Rachel was invaluable in helping my husband and I through the process of obtaining his green card. She is very clear about what she needs from you, impeccably prepared for meetings and always greets you with a smile. She made a process which, on paper, seemed impossible to understand but her vast e...xperience with cases similar to ours made us feel like we were always in safe hands. She was most helpful during our in-person interview by keeping us well-informed as to what type of questions we might be asked and making us feel assured in the strength of our case. In short, she was a pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend her to anyone.

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Rachel M. Self's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Rachel

Melanie Shapiro

Immigration lawyer | Jul 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Jeffrey Miller

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Daniel Kron

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Simply said, Rachel is a great criminal defense lawyer."

Jennifer Marcus

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Christopher Coughlin

Immigration lawyer | Oct 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Rachel is an excellent lawyer and even better person. I endorse this lawyer."

Seena Pidani

Criminal defense lawyer | Oct 22

Relationship: Worked for 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."

Claudia Lagos

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Stefanie Fisher

Immigration lawyer | May 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

J. Denise Carter

Immigration lawyer | Apr 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer.very well respected advocate in the legal community"

Paul Hannaford

Immigration lawyer | Apr 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in 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."

Courtney Linnehan

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Randall Drew

Immigration lawyer | Nov 19

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Michael Tumposky

Criminal defense lawyer | Aug 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

William Roa

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Haven

Unknown lawyer | May 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

R. Scott Oswald

Immigration lawyer | Feb 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Leonard Milligan

Immigration lawyer | Feb 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

Michael Bace

Immigration lawyer | Feb 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

Keith Durden

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

Vikas Dhar

Criminal defense lawyer | Jul 31

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

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Holly Smith

Child support lawyer

Christopher Coughlin

Criminal defense lawyer

Seena Pidani

Litigation lawyer

Michael Haven

Divorce and separation lawyer

Michael Tumposky

Criminal defense lawyer

R. Scott Oswald

Immigration lawyer

Michael Bace

Contracts and agreements lawyer

Leonard Milligan

Criminal defense lawyer

Keith Durden

Criminal defense lawyer

Steven Kim

Criminal defense lawyer

Dmitry Lev

Criminal defense lawyer

William Roa

Criminal defense lawyer

Myong Joun

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating: 10.0 (Superb)

Honors

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

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Work Experience

2005 - Present

Owner, Rachel M. Self, P.C.

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Associations

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

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Sample of Legal Cases

Motion for New Trial for KL

Victory for KL

Commonwealth v HO

Victory for HO

Commonwealth v. EG

Victory for Mr. G.

Commonwealth v. MO

Victory for Mr. O.

Commonwealth v. HM

Victory for Mr. M.

Commonwealth v. DB

Case Dismissed

Commonwealth v. JM

Not Guilty

Commonwealth v. ML

Case dismissed

Commonwealth v. JC

Not Guilty All Counts

Commonwealth v. RV

Not Guilty

Commonwealth v. Gina Kindell

New Trial Ordered

Commonwealth v. MP

Not Guilty

DHS v. Lemus

Victory for Mr. Lemus

Commonwealth v. Elliot Rivera

Victory for Mr. Rivera, Motion Granted.

Commonwealth v. Jorge Grullon

Not Guilty

DHS v. Hernandez

Victory for Ms. Hernandez

Souad Belcaid v. Michael Mukasey, et al.

Victory for Ms. Belcaid

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Education

N/A

Suffolk University Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

N/A

Bentley College

BA - Bachelor of Arts

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Speaking Engagements

2020

Immigration Basics Plus

Immigration Court Practice

2019

The Latest in Crimmigration Shifting Sands - Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity

2018

Crimmingration 101 Crimmigration 101

2017

Crimmigration 101 Navigating the Murky Waters Where Criminal Law and Immigration Consequences Intersect

2016

Crimmigration 101 Crimmigration Breaking News

2016

Crimmigration 101 AILA's Crimmigration

2015

What Every Practitioner Needs to Know Categorical Approach to Crimes in Immigration Proceedings

2015

Immigration Basics Plus Immigration Court Practice

2014

How to get Citizenship without Getting Deported Pitfalls for the Unwary

2014

Crimmigration 101 Crimmigration

2013

Zealous Advocacy in the District Courts

How to Do A Closing Argument

2013

Immigration Basics Plus Immigration Court Practice

2013

Immigration 101

Introduction to the Law

2012

Immigration Basics

Removal Proceedings

2011

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.

Immigration Basics

2011

Judicial Conference

Immigration Consequences of Criminal Conduct

2011

AILA New England Immigration Law Conference

Advanced Immigration Litigation Practice

2011

AILA New England Chapter

From Cuffs to Court - What Happens when ICE Detains Your Client? - Presenter

2010

Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc.

Immigration Basics

2010

AILA New England Immigration Law Conference

Advanced Issues in Litigation

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Languages

Spanish

English

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Activity

Legal Answers

Legal Guides

Legal Answers

Q&A

Can i travel while my asylum application is pending? i have to see judge for individual hearing in five months

19 Feb 2010

Q&A

Will an arrest record affect immigration status.

16 Feb 2010

See More Legal Answers

Legal Guides

Legal Guide

How to Obtain your Criminal Record in Massachusetts

20 Feb 2010

Rachel M. Self

About Rachel

Biography

Located in downtown Boston, I specialize in criminal defense and immigration law.

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Awards

Licenses

Licensed in Massachusetts for 21 years

Location

Rachel M. Self, P.C.

Gallery

Rachel M. Self's Reviews

Overall Rating This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.

Rachel M. Self's Lawyer Endorsements

Experience

Honors

Work Experience

Associations

Sample of Legal Cases

Education

Speaking Engagements

Languages

Activity

Legal Answers

Legal Guides

Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.