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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 38 reviews | Responsiveness
Posted by Susan | December 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Expertise, knowledge of the legal ecosystem (people and processes), superb communication, all delivered with compassion
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 Omar | June 26, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Brilliant, Friendly & Meticulous - Highly Recommend Rachel
Do yourself a favor and work with Rachel. I recently obtained US citizenship, and Rachel has been so helpful all along the way. Besides being a delight to work with, she is brilliant and highly knowledgeable about immigration laws and system. I was impressed to see my citizenship application filed in...
Posted by Pierre | September 16, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
US Citizenship Application
Rachel Self was instrumental throughout the process of my naturalization (to become a US citizen). She was responsive throughout, very detailed, making sure that every item that could potentially present a problem was addressed. I found Rachel very pleasant to work with and very professional (even th...
Posted by Ravi | May 16, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Best in the city
As we were waiting for an interview at JFK building in Boston couple of other lawyer walked passed us and said She is the best in the City. She is very knowledgeable, helpful and always there when we needed her. She explained the whole process from the beginning and after that it was very smooth ride...
Posted by Mikala | May 03, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
The most knowledgeable and compassionate lawyer you will ever work with
Rachel is a fantastic lawyer. I have no doubt that whatever immigration need you have, she knows exactly what you need to do and how to do it. But that's not why you should work with her. We interviewed dozens of lawyers before we found Rachel. We did not have a straightforward case and we sat in off...
"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."
"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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Divorce and separation lawyer
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Criminal defense lawyer
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Criminal defense lawyer
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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