Over 18 Years of Experience in Immigration. Free Consultation, Call 202-765-3412
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 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.
Practice areas
I have successfully handled countless cases related to Family and Business Immigration, Citizenship, and Green Card Marriages.
20 years
I specialize in marriage-based immigrant visas or green cards.
20 years
Languages spoken
Japanese, English
Law Off. of Bruce I. Yamashita, PLLC
1025 Connecticut Ave NW Ste 1012
Washington, DC, 20036-5417
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
DC | Good Standing | 1991 | 02/09/2021 |
HI | Inactive | 1989 | 05/13/2022 |
Legal answers | 17 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Trailblazer Award | National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | 2014 |
Alumnus of Year Award | Georgetown Asian Pacific American Law Students Association | 1995 |
Civil Rights Award | Japanese American Citizens League | 1994 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney-at-Law | Law Office of Bruce I Yamashita PLLC Washington D.C. | 1994 - Present |
Attorney | Law Office of Paul H. Toyozaki Honolulu, HI | 1991 - 1994 |
Summer Associate | Yanagida Law Offices Tokyo Japan | 1986 - 1987 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
NAPABA Solo & Small Firm Network | Co-chair | 2019 - Present |
American Immigration Lawyers Association | Member | 2001 - Present |
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association | Member | 2001 - Present |
D.C. Superior Court Trial Lawyers Association | Member | 2000 - Present |
NAPABA Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp | Co-chair | 2018 - 2019 |
Asian Pacifc Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project | Advisory Board | 2015 - 2017 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
University of Hawaii Press | Fighting Tradition | 2003 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Georgetown University School of Foreign Service | M.S.F.S. | 1988 |
Georgetown University Law Center | J.D. | 1988 |
University of Hawaii | B.A. | 1979 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp | Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp | 2019 |
Panel Discussion | Veterans & Diversity in the Legal Profession | 2015 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Assault with Deadly Weapon | Not Guilty |
Possession with Intent to Distribute | Hung Jury |
Green Card: Same Sex Marriage | Petition Granted |
O-1 Visa for Aritst | Granted |
H-1B Work Visa | H-1B Visa Approved |
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Linh Ly, Immigration Attorney on Jun 19, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
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.
Somair Alam, Immigration Attorney on Feb 11, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I'm pleased to endorse Bruce. He is a top-notch immigration lawyer and a zealous advocate for his clients. A highly recommended attorney.
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