Dr. Tamara Relis

PRO

Dr. Tamara Relis

also known as RelisLaw

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 10 years

Immigration Lawyer at New York, NY
Practice Areas: Immigration, Asylum

43 West 43 Street, Suite 135, New York, NY

Free Consultation

About Dr. Tamara

Biography

Lawyer since 1998. Won top 5% Application Awards, Author, past US Professor, Excellence & Compassion Top-Rated Super Lawyers status to the top 2.5% Immigration Attorney

Practicing law since 1998. 4 Awards, author on human rights & client rights. Excellence & Compassion

Practicing law since 1998. 4 Awards, author on human rights & client rights. Excellence & Compassion

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Immigration 85%

E-2 Investor Visa EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) O-1 Extraordinary Talent Visa Spousal, Child, Parent, sibling sponsorship Visa (Form I-130) Family Visa Waiver Family Removal or Conditions (Form I-751) K-1 Fiance VAWA, U Visa, T Visa, and Asylum

11 years | 2,000 cases

85%
Asylum 15%

The Relislaw Asylum Legal team vigorously pursues every single avenue for each client’s family member to enjoy a safe new beginning in the U.S.

11 years | 100 cases

15%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 15 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2025 2024 2023
...
+ 6

Licenses

Licensed in New York for 10 years

State: New York

Acquired: 2016

Currently Registered

No misconduct found

Location

RelisLaw PLLC

43 West 43 Street, Suite 135, New York, NY, 10036

RelisLaw.com

RelisLaw Florida

66 W Flagler St, Miami, FL, 33130

RelisLaw.com

RelisLaw Texas

440 Louisiana St, #900, Houston, TX, 77002

RelisLaw.com

RelisLaw California

355 S Grand Ave, Suite 2450 PMB 223, Los Angeles, CA, 90071

RelisLaw.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Dr. Tamara online.

Dr. Tamara Relis's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

150 Client Reviews

5 star (148) 4 star (2)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by anonymous | February 16, 2026 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

APPROVED EB2-NIW NATIONAL INTEREST WAIVER

Thank you especially Evelyn for being a great case manager to us and to the other attorneys who helped me work on my case. Evelyn was very attentive, always providing help and also encouragement. It was a big job both the Relis team and myself put in a lot of effort. Thankfully got approved and now I... am looking forward to getting my green card. Thanks to you at Relislaw. Thank you!

Posted by Laura | February 2, 2026 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The best lawyer to help you with your case!

Approved Green Card after 4 months of filing. Evelyn was our case manager. She was totally amazing. She was there for us with any question we had at all times. It was not only legal advice but also helping my anxiety and calming us. Our USCIS interview was 30 minutes. The officer was satisfied with ...the evidence provided. Nothing was missed. Thank you Relislaw. We are glad we took your help.

Posted by Anthony | February 2, 2026 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

5 STARS

Approved case for Green card and family sponsorship. We had a great experience with the members of your team. Thank you for being attentive to us at all times. We are looking forward to traveling together now and for starting our live stress-free in the U.S.!

Posted by Thomas | November 24, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Fantastic Service!

E2 Business Investor Visa Approved Right Away! From the time of you filing my case to my consular interview was 6-8 weeks. Your team created the full summary of my full application that you had prepared. My interview at the Consulate went well. My full evidence was prepared with intricate detail by ...Evelyn on your team, and so all at the consulate were very friendly to me. They said it all looks good. The consular officer was amazed by the extra evidence you told me to prepare. I had maybe 5 minutes of questions then was Approved. Thank you for your very thorough and meticulous help. I had my E2 Visa 3 day later, for 5 years now. I am excited to be starting my U.S. dream company for a beautiful life in the U.S.

Posted by anonymous | November 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Approved

Work Permit arrived 2 weeks after you filed for me. It was half the time that was written online. This was major for me, as I was no longer dependent on my employer. The USCIS interview went so incredibly smoothly. Ana Maria was our case manager. The experience was perfect. They always answered all ...our questions. I felt 100% they cared cared about us. 100% detail oriented. The regular checking in was great. We never felt alone. Ensured we had no questions. I meant a lot. In addition I was given the 10 year green card right after the interview. Thank you Relislaw team for your great help. I am now living a stress-free life and able freely without fear to visit family abroad.

See All Client Reviews

Dr. Tamara Relis's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Dr. Tamara
Rahul Aggarwal headshot
Rahul Aggarwal

Unknown lawyer | Mar 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services."

Ral E.N. Obioha headshot
Ral Obioha

Immigration lawyer | Nov 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Tamara is extremely knowledgeable in immigration law! She takes her time with every case and/or client to provide the very best counsel! If you want a lawyer who invests her best time and effort in your case, Tamara is who! I certainly endorse this lawyer."

Racquel Alicia Cousins headshot
Racquel Cousins

Immigration lawyer | Jul 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Dr. Relis is an extremely courteous colleague. She is well known in the community. She works hard for her clients and provides excellent service."

Somair Syed Alam headshot
Somair Alam

Immigration lawyer | Feb 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Relis is a top-notch immigration attorney. A zealous advocate for her clients and highly respected in the legal community."

Aseel Al-Ramahi headshot
Aseel Al-Ramahi

Immigration lawyer | Oct 08

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Tamara Relis is the right kind of attorney - An attorney that cares about her clients and focuses thoroughly on their cases and their needs. She is detail-oriented as well as conscientious. I recommend Dr Relis for any client that is looking for a smooth, happy and successful relationship with an attorney."

Jason Mitchell Baxter headshot
Jason Baxter

Immigration lawyer | Oct 07

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer.'. Tamara Relis is a very hard working attorney who will not rest until she has completed the work necessary for a case... When I asked her to cover a case for me she did an excellent job and I would recommend her for any type of work that you need. I have worked with many attorneys during my career and I don't know anyone who spends as much time preparing as Tamara. Anyone who hires Tamara Relis should feel confident that they are getting their money's worth."

Bonnie W. Schinagle headshot
Bonnie Schinagle

Asylum lawyer | Jul 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Legal scholarship requires an special attention to detail. Dr. Rellis is a noted legal scholar and is an established authority in the fields of asylum and immigration law. I highly recommend her. Bonnie Spiro Schinagle, Esq."

View All Endorsements
Ral E.N. Obioha headshot
Ral Obioha

Immigration lawyer

Omar M. Bachikh headshot
Omar Bachikh

Immigration lawyer

Racquel Alicia Cousins headshot
Racquel Cousins

Family lawyer

Bonnie W. Schinagle headshot
Bonnie Schinagle

Education lawyer

Tenzin Wangyal headshot
Tenzin Wangyal

Immigration lawyer

Jason Mitchell Baxter headshot
Jason Baxter

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2023

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2022

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2021

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2021

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Rising Stars, SuperLawyers

2020

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2019

Rising Stars, SuperLawyers

2019

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2016

Work in International Human Rights, Movement of People, British Academy Award

2006

Career Development Award, Research Council Fund

2006

Postdoctoral Legal Research Award for Human Rights Work, British Academy

2005

Award for Work on Clients' Rights and Problems in Legal Systems, Economic Research Council Award

2004

Provosts Office Seed Fund Award, Columbia University Law School, New York

2003

Law Teaching Prize, London School of Economics, Law Dept.

Work Experience

2016 - Present

Owner, RelisLaw PLLC

2015 - Present

Research Fellow, London School of Economics

2002 - Present

Trial Lawyer, Licensed Practice for the Bar Counsel

1998 - Present

Attorney, Solicitor, Licensed To Practice In England & Wales

2012 - 2013

Visiting Researcher, New York University School Of Law

2009 - 2013

Visiting Research Fellow, London School of Economics, Law Dept

2009 - 2014

Asst. Professor of Law, Touro Law Center, New York

2006 - 2009

British Academy Postdoctoral Research Fellow, London School of Economics, Law Department

2005 - 2015

Legal Research Fellow, London School of Economics, Law Dept

2005 - 2009

Postdoctoral Legal Fellow, Columbia University Law School

2005 - 2006

ESRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow, London School of Economics, Law Department

2003 - 2004

Attorney Trial Lawyer, Plowden Buildings Chamber, Temple, London & Clerksroom

1996 - 1996

Pro Bono Work, Mary Ward Legal Center

1996 - 1998

Attorney, GSC Solicitors

Associations

2015 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member

2015 - Present

New York City Bar Association

Member

2015 - Present

New York County Bar Association

Member

1998 - 2015

Law Society of England and Wales

Member

1998 - 2015

Bar Council of England and Wales

Member

1998 - 2015

Law and Society Association- Human Rights

Member

1998 - 2015

Law and Society Association- CRN South Asia

Member

Education

2009

Columbia University Law School, New York

Postdoctoral Legal Fellow

2006

University of Law

Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice

2005

London School of Economics and Political Science, Law Department

PhD - Doctorate in Law

1998

London School of Economics and Political Science, Law Department

LL.M - Master of Laws

1995

University of London

LL.B - Bachelor of Laws

Speaking Engagements

2017

University of Montreal

Accounting for the Permeation of Human Rights in the Himalayas

2016

Seeking Certainty, Making Truth' Law & Social Sciences Conference

Thinking with Evidence

2016

Law & Society Conference New Orleans

Legal Pluralism: Culture and Religion, ‘Indian Courts, Panchayats and Tibetan Justice Ideals: Comparing Conceptions of Harm, Human Rights and Non-State Laws in the Himalayas

2016

Conference of South Asia

Accounting for Human Rights Abuse in South Asia

2016

American Law and Society Conference Human Rights and Movement of People

2015

Mediate Scotland Conference

Keynote Speaker

2015

Manipal University Center of Philosophy and the Indian Council for Social Science Research

International Conference on Non-State Legal Practices in India

2015

Law and Society Conference Seattle

The Unifying Benefits of Studies in Legal Pluralism: A View from Actors in the Indian Subcontinent, Legal Pluralism and Its Contribution to the Global South/North Paradigm Panel

2013

Constitutional Democracy

Law, Justice, Democracy and the Clash of Cultures

2011

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

The Future of Court Alternative Dispute Resolution

2010

United Nations Development Programme

State and Non-State Justice Systems

2010

Rutgers Law School, New York

Clients' and Lawyers' Perceptions in Litigation and Mediation

2010

Cornell Law School

Human Rights and Violence Against Women

2009

Fordham Law School, New York

Culture and Disputing Processes

2008

McGill University

‘Human Rights Abuse Paradigms: Discontinuities in Local Desires and International Law’

2006

Yale Law School, United Nations Development Programme Conference

Access to Justice: Law, Policy and Institutions

2006

Yale Law School & UNDP

Access to Justice: Law, Policy, Institutions

Publications

2017

Oxford University Press THE PURCHASE OF HUMAN RIGHTS: STANDARDS AND LEGAL PLURALISM IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH

2016

Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law The Unifying Benefits of Studies in Legal Pluralism

2012

United Nations Development Programme Press CEDAW Permeation in Mahila Panchayats and Nari Adalats’ in EXPERIENCE IN ACCESS TO JUSTICE: ENGAGING WITH NON-STATE JUSTICE SYSTEMS & CONDUCTING ACCESS TO JUSTICE ASSESSMENTS

2011

Human Rights Quarterly Human Rights and Southern Realities

2011

Cambridge University Press PERCEPTIONS IN LITIGATION AND MEDIATION: LAWYERS, DEFENDANTS, PLAINTIFFS AND GENDERED PARTIES

2007

Harvard Negotiation Law Review Consequences Of Power

2007

Pittsburgh Law Review “It’s Not About The Money!”: A Theory On Misconceptions Of Plaintiffs’ Litigation Aims

2004

JAPAN ASSOCIATION OF THE SOCIOLOGY OF LAW (JASL) UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO Lawyers and Clients: Disparate Conceptions of Dispute Resolution in Litigation-Linked Mediation

2004

Kyoto University Law School Publication Disparate Lay and Legal Actor Perceptions of the Meaning and Function of Mediation (translated to Japanese)

2002

Studies in Law, Politics and Society Civil Litigation from Litigants’ Perspectives: What We Know and What We Don’t Know About the Litigation Experience of Individual Litigants

Languages

English

French

Spanish

Activity

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