Bruce I. Yamashita

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.