Leslie Diaz is an associate attorney at Socheat Chea, a premiere Atlanta immigration firm. Ms. Diaz practices immigration law exclusively, specializing in removal (deportation) defense and federal court and immigration appellate litigation. She has represented clients in Immigration Courts throughout the country to obtain relief from removal. Additionally, she has extensive experience filing appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals and Petitions for Review in several federal Courts of Appeals. She often files lawsuits in federal courts to obtain immigration benefits for her clients, including mandamus cases. Ms. Diaz also regularly appears before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on behalf of aliens filing family- and business-based immigration petitions.
Prior to specializing in removal and deportation representation, Ms. Diaz previously served as a Staff Attorney for the Eleventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. She has also practiced in the areas of criminal and commercial litigation. While in law school, she interned with the Southern Center for Human Rights and the DeKalb County Public Defender’s Office, and participated in the Volunteer Immigration Project in Miami, Florida.
Ms. Diaz is admitted to practice law in the state of Georgia. She is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and served on various AILA liaison committees in Atlanta, including ICE and EOIR committees. Ms. Diaz graduated from Emory University School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree in 2000. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the University of Florida in 1995.
Practice areas
Expertise in family and business immigration, litigation, asylum law, and federal court and appellate practice.
18 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
GA | Active Member in Good Standing | 2000 | 04/17/2022 |
Legal answers | 15 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | Socheat Chea, PC | 2021 - Present |
Attorney | Weinstock Immigration Attorneys | 2014 - 2021 |
Attorney | Siskind Susser Immigration Lawyers | 2010 - 2014 |
Attorney | The Fogle Law FIrm, LLC | 2005 - 2010 |
Staff Attorney | Eleventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals | 2001 - 2005 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
National Lawyers Guild, National Immigration Project | Member | 2011 - Present |
American Immigration Lawyers Association | Member | 2006 - Present |
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Georgia-Alabama chapter) | EOIR Liaison Committee Member | 2011 - 2012 |
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Georgia-Alabama chapter) | ICE Liaison Committee Member | 2010 - 2011 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal | "Calling a Fraud a Fraud: Why Congress Should Not Adopt a Uniform Cap on Homestead Exemptions | 1999 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Emory University | Juris Doctor | 2000 |
University of Florida | Bachelor of Science | 1995 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
AILA Georgia-Alabama Chapter Annual Conference | Mandamus Relief for Agency Delay | 2017 |
AILA Georgia-Alabama Chapter Annual Conference | Burdens of Proof in Immigration Proceedings | 2017 |
AILA Georgia-Alabama Chapter Annual Conference | Fundamentals of Removal Defense | 2016 |
Spring Professionalism Program | Ethics and Professionalism | 2016 |
American Immigration Lawyers Association Georgia-Alabama Chapter Conference | Eleventh Circuit Update and Strategy Session | 2015 |
New Member Mentor Dinner | New Member Mentorship | 2015 |
Family Immigration Law | Relief from Removal and Waivers of Inadmissibility | 2013 |
Georgia-Alabama Chapter Annual Conference | Strategies in Obtaining Reopening, Reconsideration, and Review of Removal Orders | 2013 |
Family Immigration Law | Grounds of Deportability | 2012 |
Immigration Law Fundamentals | Victims of Crime Visas and Asylum Law | 2011 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Diallo v. U.S. Attorney General | Petition for Review Granted |
Montano Cisneros v. U.S. Attorney Gen. | Petition for Review Granted |
Madu v. U.S. Attorney Gen. | Petition for Review Granted |
Contreras-Rodriguez v. U.S. Attorney Gen. | Petition for Review Granted |
Tan v. U.S. Attorney General | Petition for Review Granted |
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Michael Urbina-Pabon, Immigration Attorney on Feb 20, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I've had the opportunity to see Ms. Diaz at work and also collaborate with her on a local AILA CLE presentation. Her knowledge and passion for the profession and her work is superb. I highly recommend Ms. Diaz.
John Miller, Immigration Attorney on Feb 5, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I had the good fortune to work at the same firm with Leslie for about 2 years shortly after law school. Leslie brings a strong work ethic and a thoughtful table-side manner to her practice. Her experience and passion put her near the top of my list when I am asked to refer an immigration attorney in Atlanta.
Michael Urbina-Pabon, Immigration Attorney on Feb 20, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I've had the opportunity to see Ms. Diaz at work and also collaborate with her on a local AILA CLE presentation. Her knowledge and passion for the profession and her work is superb. I highly recommend Ms. Diaz.
John Miller, Immigration Attorney on Feb 5, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I had the good fortune to work at the same firm with Leslie for about 2 years shortly after law school. Leslie brings a strong work ethic and a thoughtful table-side manner to her practice. Her experience and passion put her near the top of my list when I am asked to refer an immigration attorney in Atlanta.
Corinne Mull, Immigration Attorney on Feb 1, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Leslie and I have worked on a number of cases together. She is extremely knowledgeable about immigration law and its effect on criminal cases. She is hard working and excellent at what she does.
Ramon Alvarado, Immigration Attorney on Jan 30, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Leslie and I have been working on a case for a mutual client. Leslie has been a great help in my handling of our client's criminal case as she has been guiding us on how to avoid the potential perils from the immigration side of things. She has always been extremely responsive to the questions that our client and I have had for her. I hope to continue working with Leslie in the future. I highly endorse this lawyer.
Patricia Luber, Immigration Attorney on May 15, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker
I worked with Leslie for four years in Atlanta, GA. When I first started working she was a senior attorney who I turned to for any immigration question and appellate matter. Leslie always had an answer and would take the time to brainstorm with me to figure out the best solution for the client. She truly cares about her clients and is one of the most compassionate people I know. Leslie has tremendous experience in both immigration litigation and appellate immigration matters. She takes the time to make sure the job is done right. Leslie is known amongst her peers as a knowledgeable attorney and is well-respected. I highly recommend and endorse this lawyer.
Robert Rubin, Immigration Attorney on Dec 3, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. We worked together on a criminal case that had immigration consequences, and Leslie was extremely well-prepared and knowledgeable. I hope we can work together again.
Asheesh Sharma, Immigration Attorney on Jun 5, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse Leslie; I have known her since 2007. Leslie is well respected by her colleagues in the immigration law community and has a strong grasp of immigration laws.
Traci Weiss, Immigration Attorney on Apr 29, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Leslie is smart and talented. I would trust her to handle any immigration issues that I may be presented with.
Tracie Klinke, Immigration Attorney on Apr 29, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Leslie is one of the smartest immigration attorneys I know - she is a true academic who loves learning for the sake of learning. She has a wealth of experience from working both for the government and in private practice. She has a calming personality that makes her clients and colleagues feel at ease.
Lino Rodriguez, Immigration Attorney on Apr 25, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Leslie for a couple of years. Mrs. Diaz is well respected by her colleagues in the immigration law community and undoubtedly has a strong grasp of immigration law.
Althea Prince, Immigration Attorney on Apr 25, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
In the many years I've known Leslie, she has shown herself to be intelligent, committed, and talented. She is an excellent attorney.
Gregory Siskind, Immigration Attorney on Jun 14, 2011
Relationship: Co-worker
Leslie is an excellent lawyer and a solid addition to our Memphis office.
Karen Weinstock, Immigration Attorney on Feb 21, 2011
Relationship: Co-worker
Leslie is a wonderful lawyer who is extremely knowledgable about immigration court and litigation practice, including deportation and removal cases and relief from removal (such as cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, asylum and waivers). She is well known to all the immigration judges and ICE trial attorneys. As a former staff attorney for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, her appelate work including BIA appeals and petitions for review is of great quality, and it contributes to her success on behalf of her clients.
Sarah Owings, Immigration Attorney on Feb 3, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Leslie because I have observed her work in various aspects of immigration litigation for five years and can attest that she is a conscientious and passionate advocate for her clients and well-respected both in the court and in the immigration law community for her work.
George Prothro, Immigration Attorney on Jan 25, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I would happily endorse Leslie Diaz. Leslie brings a wealth of both knowledge and experience to her practice. I have worked with Leslie on a few immigration law cases and found her to be passionate about her performance and the service she provides to her clients. Leslie is an outstanding lawyer.