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Matthew L. Kolken

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Avvo Rating10
  • Buffalo, NY
  • Licensed for 24 years
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Matthew L. Kolken
Matthew L. Kolken
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About Matthew

Kolken & Kolken is a full-service U.S. immigration law firm handling cases in all 50 States.

Matthew L. Kolken has served as an elected Director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association's (AILA) Board of Governors.  He is a trial lawyer with experience in all aspects of United States Immigration Law, and has been an AILA member since 1997.

Mr. Kolken has received the highest AV peer rating by Martindale-Hubbell, has been named a "Super Lawyer" in Upstate New York by Super Lawyers magazine, was listed by Business First of Buffalo as being among the “Legal Elite of Western New York," and has received a "Superb" rating and "Client's Choice" award on Avvo.com. The New York Law Journal has recognized him as a "Lawyer Who Leads by Example" for his work providing pro bono legal services to unaccompanied refugee children.

Mr. Kolken has appeared nationally on FOX News, MSNBC and CNN, and his legal analysis has been solicited by the Washington Post's Fact Check of the immigration statements of Secretary Hillary Clinton, Presidential candidate Donald Trump, and the immigration status of First Lady Melania Trump's parents.  His opinions on immigration issues have been published in Forbes Magazine, Bloomberg, Business Insider, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and FOX News among others. He has been an invited speaker at AILA's annual conference on grounds of removability, and is the author of the Deportation and Removal Blog on ILW.com, where he is a member of the advisory board of the Immigration Daily, an online immigration news periodical with more than 35,000 readers.  He is also a prominent immigration reform activist having been ranked as the most influential person on Twitter in the area of Immigration Law.  You may follow him at @mkolken.

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Practice areas

Criminal defenseAsylumImmigration
  1. Immigration: 90%

  2. Asylum: 5%

  3. Criminal defense: 5%

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

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Contact

Kolken & Kolken

135 Delaware Avenue
Suite 101
Buffalo, NY, 14202

Website
http://www.kolkenandkolken.com/ 

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
NYDue to Register within 30 Days of Birthday199705/25/2021
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers116
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Best Lawyer - Immigration LawBest Lawyers in America2019
Client's ChoiceAvvo2018
Legal EliteBuffalo Law Journal2018
The Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement AwardMarquis Who's Who in American Law2018
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers Magazine2018
Top Rated Lawyer in Immigration LawMartindale-Hubbell2017
Champion of Justice - Immigration LawErie County Bar Association2017
Legal EliteBuffalo Business First2017
Client's ChoiceAvvo2017
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers Magazine2017
Clients' ChoiceAvvo.com2016
Top Rated Immigration LawyerSuper Lawyers Magazine2016
Peter J. Murrett Pro Bono AwardAmerican Immigration Lawyers Association (Upstate New York Chapter)2015
Legal EliteBuffalo Business First2015
Lawyers who Lead by ExampleNew York Law Journal2015
Clients' ChoiceAvvo.com2015
Super LawyerSuper Lawyers Magazine2015
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2015
Clients' ChoiceAvvo.com2014
Pro Bono ChampionAmerican Immigration Lawyers Association2014
Pro Bono GuardianAmerican Immigration Lawyers Association2013
IMMINation of Immigrators2013
Legal EliteBuffalo Business First2013
Clients' ChoiceAvvo.com2013
Super LawyerNew York Super Lawyers2013
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Immigration LawyerKolken & Kolken1996 - Present
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember1997 - Present
Bar Association of Erie CountyMember1997 - Present
New York State Bar AssociationMember1997 - Present
Federal Bar AssociationMember2015 - 2016
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
The GuardianDefense contractors shouldn't be in the childcare business. Must that be said?2018
Fox News CorpWhy Isn’t President Obama Protecting Refugee Children With A Stroke Of His Pen?2014
Fox News CorpPresident Obama’s Immigration Wait And See Looks To Maximize Political Impact2014
Fox News CorpOn Immigration Reform, President Obama Is Betting On The Guys In The Black Hats2014
Fox News CorpA Special Path To Citizenship Is Not Necessary2014
American Immigration, LLC (ILW.com)Caught Between a Deportation Impasse and a Hard Place2014
American Immigration, LLC (ILW.com)Rep. Gutierrez Advises Individuals to Visit His Office for Immigration Advice2014
Fox News LatinoThe Legacy of the DREAM 92013
ForbesPresident Obama: Deporter-In-Chief2012
LA TimesObama immigration plan: Advocates offer mixed reactions2012
The Christian Science MonitorAllowed to stay, Miami student becomes face of Obama immigration policy2012
The Cato InstituteSaying the Law Is the Law Isn’t Enough2012
The Huffington PostAmericans Married To Immigrants Push For Reform2011
Christian Science MonitorAre Obama deportations truly aimed at 'criminals'?2011
The Daily BeastImmigration Lawyers Say Enforcement of Deportation Memo Falls Short2011
ABC NewsA Military Wife's Rock and Hard Place2007
CBS NewsMissing Soldier's Wife Faces Deportation2007
USA TodayGreen card for missing soldier's wife2007
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Western Michigan University - Thomas M. Cooley Law SchoolJD - Juris Doctor1996
University of the PacificBA - Bachelor of Arts1993
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Removal For ExpertsRemoval Ground and Defenses2013
ILW.com Seminar SeriesComprehensive Immigration Reform2013
Hard Line Talk RadioImmigration Reform2013
AILA Media TrainingEthics and Professionalism Questions When Dealing with the Media2013
AILA Education Department SeminarSeeking Remedies from ICE Post-removal Order2013
Huffington Post LiveMore Immigrants, Please2012
AILA's Annual ConferenceGrounds of Inadmissibility2009
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Deportation Prevented for Missing Soldier's Undocumented WifeDeportation prevented, Green Card issued.

Reviews

(95)
5 Star
99%
4 Star
1%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Review Matthew Kolken

Excellent Excellent Lawyer/person

Posted by

Mr. Kolken is very dedicated and very intelligent in his field. Despite all the difficulties and challenges in my case Mr. Kolken was able to save my Green Card. Not Only the green card but he saved my family from separation by saving my Green card. I highly recommend Mr. Kolken. Keep fighting hard and keep saving the familes. You are a real hero. Thank you once again.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

A Blessing...

Posted by

I can't say enough good things about Matthew Kolken. As a former client with a very complicated case, I can tell you that Matt is a brilliant immigration attorney. He is attentive and compassionate. I felt that he listened to me, and always had a thoughful response to my questions and concerns. In spite of his busy schedule, he has responded to my requests to meet and even took the time to speak with my extended family members to address their questions. He knows how to translate and communicate complicated legal information into plain English. He knows the law and legal system well and uses all his well-honed skills to craft a strategy for success. I respect Matt and his judgement, he knew precisely when to act in my case and his instincts were correct. I highly recommend him.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

TN Lawyer Visa Application

Posted by

I retained both Matt Kolken and Rob Mietlicki for my TN Visa Application. I am a lawyer in Toronto who accepted her dream job in New York. I was having difficulty navigating the immigration process on my own and their firm came well recommended by my legal colleagues. I was respected and consulted throughout the process. It was seamless. I could not be happier and got the exact result I wanted. Thank you!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Highly recommended

Posted by

I had the opportunity to hire Mr Matthew. Him and his team are helpful, cordial and professional. They handled all my paperwork with meticulous urgency. They never hesitated answering any of my questions or concerns and were always available just a phone call away. Mr Matthew is well versed and extremely knowledgeable about current affairs surrounding immigration laws. He is without a doubt the best. I would recommend him across the board with flying colors.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Very Intelligent Lower

Posted by

My wife was facing a deportation challenged by ICE claiming she lied (Fraud) we saw 4 lowers for consultation untill we found Mr Kolken and his team he explained everything and how to fight this case On May 10 2021 he won the case and he was able to get her paper back He is very smart, Professional and trustworthy May God bless him Highly recommended
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Best Lawyer ever

Posted by

I arrived in the US and my life was in danger and Mr. Kolken took my case and defend it in the court. I have been treated well and not only as client. Mr. Kolken is really a good person who listen to people first and try to put himself in a shoes of people. with his support, me and mine are safe and protected in the United States. May GOD bless Mr. Kolken and his office. I am strongly recommend him to everybody as he is not only a Lawyer but someone who can feel the pain. May GOD bless the United States of America
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Amazing lawyer!

Posted by

Mr. Kolken and his team helped us win our case! From the time we hired him as our lawyer until now, he has provided exceptional services. He informed us about all the documents we need to provide, answered to our questions promptly, prepared the documents, reviewed the package with us and made sure all the information was correct. He has represented us at the interview and also fought for our case to be approved when we received the Request for Evidence Notice. All the documentation I have provided (334 pages) has been carefully reviewed and the response for the RFE has been sent in a timely manner. Not even a week after the office submitted the response for the RFE we received the news from USCIS stating that my case has been approved! I have no regrets for hiering mr. Kolken as my lawyer and would highly recommend him to anyone especially in tumultuous times like this! Hiering a lawyer has been one of the best decisions I have ever made! Thank you for your services, we wouldn't have been able to do it without you!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Highly knowledgeable

Posted by

Im very grateful to Mr Mathew Kolken from Kolken & Kolken for helping me out when i was frustrated from my previous laywers . It was a matter of death and life for me when i contacted mr kolken . During my first few meetings with Mr kolken i was very afraid to speak infront of him because Mr kolken have very sharp personality and he is very good in his skill and knowledge he explained everything in detail and kept huge amount of patience in me , i highly recomended kolken And Kolken . Thank you Mr kolken and his team from my heart and soul . Thank you Ben & Rob.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Lawyer with a Mission

Posted by

Matthew L Kolken of Kolken & Kolken is very knowledgeable about his craft. He is straightforward, professional, assertive and very passionate about what he does. He likes to win, a quality every client needs. At first, he may appear a bit overconfident but careful observation discloses that what you see is his passion oozing out. He believes that “no man is an island” and so he seems well-connected with his community. My predicament started in the early months of 2019 when I was arrested at my home by ICE and spent a month in detention. I met Matthew while in detention where I was facing deportation. Prior to Matthew, I had attained legal counsel services over the years by immigration lawyers whose advise did not have favorable outcomes - my money was taken knowing that the process they were recommending were not congruent to the immigration laws. Matthew’s honesty in the meeting was convincing enough for me to allow him to represent me at the hearing. The immigration judge granted the petition for removing conditions, hence stopping my deportation.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Immigration Lawyer

Posted by

Matthew was such a great lawyer. He stuck with me throughout the last couple years and gathered so much information to the point where my final case was done within seconds. I was granted my green card and all of our hard work paid off. It was a pleasure to work with him!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
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Attorney endorsements

(23)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Carl Shusterman, Immigration Attorney on Mar 7, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Matt Kolken is a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney. He stands up for the rights of immigrants and is unafraid to challenge the Federal Government when they wrongly deny an immigration benefit to one of his clients. I strongly endorse him.

Charles Kuck, Immigration Attorney on Mar 7, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Matt Kolken has distinguished himself as a tenacious, eloquent and clear thinking attorney who is unafraid to take on the federal government in the most difficult of immigration matters. He is a fierce defender of our constitution and exactly the type of lawyer you will need at your side when ICE wants to deport you. I am proud to call him a colleague and a friend.

Elliot Rahimi, Immigration Attorney on Dec 12, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Molly Full

I endorse this lawyer.

Sunil Patel, Immigration Attorney on May 26, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Matthew Borowski, Immigration Attorney on Aug 22, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I proudly endorse Mr. Kolken for his excellent work fighting for the rights of immigrants. I respect him for all the hard work he puts into giving back to the community, from taking on pro bono matters to standing up and crying foul when immigration authorities exercise their powers in unjust ways. Mr. Kolken is an asset to the immigration bar in Buffalo.

Sean Cleary, Immigration Attorney on Apr 24, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant and highly respected attorney in the legal community.

John Fotopoulos, Immigration Attorney on Oct 16, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Brad Micklin, Administrative law Attorney on Sep 2, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Matthew Lindsay Kolken is an experienced attorney whose participation and comments in Avvo show his commitment to serving clients as well as his level of experience. He is an excellent attorney that I recommend wholeheartedly.

Susan Bond, Immigration Attorney on Jul 16, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Matthew is very well respected by the legal community, is an excellent immigration attorney and contributes a great deal to our practice area both as an outstanding member of the bar and a mentor.

Tatiana Kadetskaya

Excellent lawyer. Very well respected.

Joshua Lippes, Immigration Attorney on May 29, 2013
Relationship: Friend

I have known Matt for many years, he has always conducted himself as a knowledgeable professional. I refer all my clients with immigration matters to him. I endorse Matthew Kolken.

Neil Lewis, Immigration Attorney on Mar 21, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Matthew Kolken is leader among immigration lawyers. His grasp of the law and regulations is incredible.

Susan Pai, Immigration Attorney on Mar 21, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Attorney Kolken is a passionate advocate for his clients and has a national reputation for excellence. He is at the forefront of cutting edge immigration issues.

Ana Schwartz, Immigration Attorney on Mar 21, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Extremely knowledgeable, hard working, and effective immigration attorney.

Carl Shusterman, Immigration Attorney on Mar 7, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Matt Kolken is a knowledgeable and experienced immigration attorney. He stands up for the rights of immigrants and is unafraid to challenge the Federal Government when they wrongly deny an immigration benefit to one of his clients. I strongly endorse him.

Charles Kuck, Immigration Attorney on Mar 7, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Matt Kolken has distinguished himself as a tenacious, eloquent and clear thinking attorney who is unafraid to take on the federal government in the most difficult of immigration matters. He is a fierce defender of our constitution and exactly the type of lawyer you will need at your side when ICE wants to deport you. I am proud to call him a colleague and a friend.

Pieter Weinrieb, Immigration Attorney on Mar 6, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Wendy Whitt, Immigration Attorney on Jan 18, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Matthew is a sharp, hardworking and caring attorney. He is a zealous advocate for his clients and the immigration law professional as a whole.

Scott Pollock, Immigration Attorney on Jan 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Meredith Brown, Immigration Attorney on Jan 10, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. It is hard to find attys who really go to bat for their clients, but Matthew is one of those lawyers.

Laurel Scott, Immigration Attorney on Jan 10, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Matt is personable and professional at the same time, in addition to being highly comptent on immigration matters. He is respected in the community and is asked to speak at conference and write in professional publications. Matt's passion for immigrants' rights is well known.

Recent Posts

Matthew Kolken on Deportation And Removal