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Bruce I Yamashita, ESQ
Mr. Yamashita is the principal of the Law Office of Bruce I. Yamashita, PLLC, and practices Immigration & Nationality Law. Born and raised in Hawaii, he came to Washington D.C. to complete a joint degree program: master’s in international affairs from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Before that, during college at the University of Hawaii, he spent a year abroad at International Christian University (ICU) in Japan. After graduating from college, he returned to Tokyo for an additional four years where he had a variety of experiences: teaching English, working at an import/export company; serving as the chief editor for a community newspaper; and working as a disc jockey for a national radio station. Mr. Yamashita is also a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves.
An experienced litigator, Mr. Yamashita represented indigent criminal defendants for 20 years at D.C. Superior Court. Every four years, a committee of judges selected him to be a part of the U.S. Panel, an association of dedicated attorneys certified to represent indigent defendants. From misdemeanors to felonies, he was committed to protecting the constitution: the right of all to a fair and speedy trial. Moreover, as many of his clients were non-citizens, he worked diligently to avoid or reduce any potential immigration consequences due to their contact with the criminal justice system. His priority: competent and compassionate representation. Mr. Yamashita now focuses solely on Immigration and Nationality law.
Mr. Yamashita is licensed in Hawaii and the District of Columbia. He is a member of the D.C. Superior Court Trial Lawyers Association, National Institute of Trial Advocacy, American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. He is the recipient of the Japanese American Citizens League Civil Rights Award, and the Georgetown University Law Center Asian Pacific American Students Association Alumnus of the Year Award. More recently, in 2014, he received the Trailblazer Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. He has been the subject of a PBS Hawaii documentary, A Most Unlikely Hero. His book, Fighting Tradition: A Marine’s Journey to Justice, is published by the University of Hawaii Press. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting, power walking, travel and mindfulness meditation.
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Practice Area
24 years
Free Consultation
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Chat withState: District of Columbia
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
State: Hawaii
Acquired: 1989
No misconduct found
1025 Connecticut Ave NW Ste 1012, Washington, DC, 20036-5417
57 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 57 reviews
Posted by anonymous | October 03, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Exceptional Immigration Attorney and Person
Navigating the immigration process for my mom’s green card felt daunting at first, but from our very first phone call, I knew Bruce was the right person to guide us. His confident demeanor immediately put me at ease, and he helped me see that the process was manageable with the right support. Thr...
Posted by Prajwal | July 21, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Knowledgeable and Experienced
Bruce is a good listener—meticulous and knowledgeable. His explanations were detail-oriented, making it easy to gather all the necessary evidence and paperwork. I highly recommend Bruce for all your immigration-related matters. He helped me secure a Green Card after I had been in this country for alm...
Posted by Ralph and Wendy | June 26, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Bruce is THE BEST!!!!!
My wife and I are so thankful that we trusted and hired Bruce Yamashita to guide us through the process of getting a fiancé visa and ultimately a green card for my wife. He made the process as easy as possible and was available every time we called during the two and one half year process! He spent h...
Posted by Mustafa | December 18, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Honest and proactive , disciplined lawyer !
I worked with Bruce Yamashita. Bruce helped me get a permanent resident Green Card with his confident and reliable steps. He acted professionally and always kept our communication good. He provided a smooth service with a flat price application without any question marks in our minds. I am grateful f...
Posted by Ernest | November 06, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
The best!!!
I had the pleasure of working with lawyer Bruce for my immigration case, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with his experience. From the start, He was professional, thorough, and always available to answer my questions.He guided me through every step of the process, ensuring I understood everything c...
"Attorney Yamashita is an expert in immigration law and an outstanding advocate for his clients. Many lawyers are good at the nuts and bolts practice of law but few really care about their clients to the point of treating them like family rather than simply numbers or case files. Attorney Yamashita is masterful at both the practice of law and the art of really caring and looking out for his clients. Clients deal directly with him (not some invisible assistant) and are always kept informed of any case updates. His personable and compassionate approach leaves his clients knowing that he is truly looking out for them as individuals and not just another case. I strongly recommend Bruce Yamashita to anyone looking for a great immigration lawyer who will go the extra mile on behalf of his clients. You won't find a better one."
"I endorse this lawyer. Bruce is an excellent lawyer who knows the ins and outs of immigration law. He's my go-to person for immigration law questions. He's also very friendly, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to."
"I'm pleased to endorse Bruce. He is a top-notch immigration lawyer and a zealous advocate for his clients. A highly recommended attorney."
Criminal defense lawyer
Family lawyer
2014
Trailblazer Award, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
1995
Alumnus of Year Award, Georgetown Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
1994
Civil Rights Award, Japanese American Citizens League
1994 - Present
Attorney-at-Law, Law Office of Bruce I Yamashita PLLC Washington D.C.
1991 - 1994
Attorney, Law Office of Paul H. Toyozaki Honolulu, HI
1986 - 1987
Summer Associate, Yanagida Law Offices Tokyo Japan
2019 - Present
NAPABA Solo & Small Firm NetworkCo-chair
2001 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
2001 - Present
National Asian Pacific American Bar AssociationMember
2000 - Present
D.C. Superior Court Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2018 - 2019
NAPABA Solo & Small Firm Boot CampCo-chair
2015 - 2017
Asian Pacifc Islander Domestic Violence Resource ProjectAdvisory Board
Granted Political Asylum
H-1B Visa Approved
Case Dismissed
Green Card Approved
Not Guilty
Not Guilty
Hung Jury
Petition Granted
Granted
1988
J.D.
1988
M.S.F.S.
1979
B.A.
2019
Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp
2015
Veterans & Diversity in the Legal Profession
2003
Japanese
English
Legal Answers
Can switch my J1 visa to a B2 visa?
06 Jan 2022
Immigration- marriage base green card?
23 Jul 2021
Is a G4 dependent visa still valid after the G4 principal becomes a citizen? if not, by when do they have to leave the country?
22 May 2021