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Dr. Tamara Relis
also known as RelisLaw
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About Dr. Tamara
Biography
Dr. Tamara Relis is a Visa and Immigration attorney. Top-Rated Super Lawyers status to the top 2.5% Immigration Attorney. She has been a lawyer since 1998 and has repeatedly won awards for producing strategic applications involving legal research in the top 5% of hundreds of others submitted. She has represented over 100 cases in courts as a trial lawyer (barrister/litigation), and has worked as a US Law Professor of Evidence, Human Rights and Conflict Resolution, as well as a postdoctoral legal fellow at Columbia Law School and London School of Economics.
She is the author of Clients' Perceptions in Litigation and Mediation (Cambridge University Press 2009, 2011), which focuses on how lawyers and the legal system must improve to meet clients' needs, and The Purchase of Human Rights (Oxford University Press, 2017, forthcoming).
At RelisLaw PLLC, we do things differently. Your situation and your needs are our prime focus, to provide you with a most positive experience in the processing of your case. Your case will be vigorously and meticulously pursued through every available avenue to enable you to enjoy the vast array of opportunities USA and North America have to offer.
We assist clients, their businesses and their families located around the world, in all areas relating to visiting, working, performing, doing business, investing, claiming asylum, fighting removal, or immigrating to USA or Canada.
In working with Dr. Tamara Relis and her team, you will receive not only excellence and integrity in the quality of your representation, but highly personalized, compassionate service from a team who are committed to you, your business and your loved ones.
We take on only a limited number of new clients each month to enable us to care for you as part of our family, for your current visa process as well as for all of your legal needs thereafter. You will have a long-lasting relationship with us throughout your journey, with a team that truly cares about you and your life.
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%
11 years | 2,000 cases
Asylum
15%
11 years | 100 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2026 2025 2024
...
+
7
Licenses
Licensed in New York for 10 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2016
No misconduct found
Location
Online Presence
Other places you can find Dr. Tamara online.
Dr. Tamara Relis's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
155 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (155)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (87)
Practice Area Knowledge (47)
Professionalism (46)
Responsiveness (45)
Recommendation (36)
Advocacy (32)
Staff & Support (31)
Communication Style (27)
General Knowledge (27)
Compassion (21)
Character & Conduct (17)
Trustworthiness (13)
Cost of Services (8)
Free Consultations (1)
Punctuality (1)
Showing 41 - 45 of 155 reviews
Posted by Benjy | July 22, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Review
Approved family sponsorship with loved ones overseas in Haiti. Evelyn was my case manager. Experience was great. Everything was good nothing to complain about. I never knew the next steps. so I think it was a good thing to have. At the beginning I tried by myself and I failed. So that's when I came t...
Posted by VIRGINIA | July 22, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Grateful
Complex adjustment of status Green Card, Work Permit and Travel Permit!Thank you for everything. You helped me in the horizon. Thank you. It’s an American dream for me. Thank you! ! Juliana A was my case manager. She was very good. She’s very helpful, very patient! All are good there. Also Ana was go...
Posted by Saori | July 15, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Green card approved
Approval of a previous denial I got from another lawyer I went to earlier. I came to Relislaw & they fixed all the issues. Now I have my approved case with all the approvals for the work permit, the travel permit and the green dard now. It was a complex case. Thank you! My experience was great. I thi...
Posted by Jay | June 26, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
I recommend this immigration lawyer
Work Permit & Travel Permit Approved. Spousal sponsorship. Evelyn was my case manager. Ana was our post case filing manager. Everything has been good in the experience. The whole process takes a lot of time. All good
Posted by Hannah Baer | June 20, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Green Card
Approved Green Cards, now in the U.S.. We now have our green cards. I was on a student F1 visa and how have a green card in hand. The experience was good. I was approved for me and my child on a spousal sponsorship case. it always went smoothly. Juliana M was quick to respond to any of my questions. ...
Dr. Tamara Relis's Lawyer Endorsements
"An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services."
"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."
"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."
"Ms. Relis is a top-notch immigration attorney. A zealous advocate for her clients and highly respected in the legal community."
"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."
"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."
"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."
Ral Obioha
Immigration lawyer
Omar Bachikh
Immigration lawyer
Racquel Cousins
Family lawyer
Bonnie Schinagle
Education lawyer
Tenzin Wangyal
Immigration lawyer
Jason Baxter
Litigation lawyer
Experience
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 AssociationMember
2015 - Present
New York City Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
New York County Bar AssociationMember
1998 - 2015
Law Society of England and WalesMember
1998 - 2015
Bar Council of England and WalesMember
1998 - 2015
Law and Society Association- Human RightsMember
1998 - 2015
Law and Society Association- CRN South AsiaMember
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
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Will an immigrant be in trouble if he comes on a tourist visa with intent to marry and adjust status?
22 Apr 2017
Q&A
Can I use my J1 (Camp counsellor) visa get married and adjust status?
07 Aug 2016
Q&A
What is my A-Number in my K-1 Visa
06 Aug 2016