Russell Reid Abrutyn

Russell Reid Abrutyn

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 26 years

Immigration Lawyer at Southfield, MI
Practice Areas: Immigration, Appeals, Asylum, Criminal Defense

248-965-9440, [email protected], 15944 West 12 Mile Road, Southfield, MI

About Russell

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Immigration 68%

26 years

68%
Appeals 15%

Administrative and federal appeals of immigration cases

26 years

15%
Asylum 15%

26 years

15%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 23 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 2002

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Washington for 26 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1999

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Abrutyn Law PLLC

248-965-9440, [email protected], 15944 West 12 Mile Road, Southfield, MI, 48076

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Russell Reid Abrutyn's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

83 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (83) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 22 reviews | Responsiveness

Posted by anonymous | January 19, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Outstanding immigration attorney

Russell is one of the best immigration attorneys in the country. He is very knowledgable and experienced, and will exceed your expectations. I hired him to represent me in a complex immigration matter and later hired him to help my mom get an immigrant visa. Through his expertize, we succeeded in bot...h cases. Russell is always reachable and answers questions promptly. He provided advise, guidance and a way forward regarding our case and constantly kept us updated on the status of our case. Without a doubt, I will highly recommend him to anyone looking to hire an exceptional and experienced immigration attorney,

Posted by Janet | November 25, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Want a great Attorney? Russell is the one.

My husband and I are very grateful for the legal services Attorney Russell offered to us in my immigration case which he successfully handled. He was very professional and always available whenever we needed him. I highly recommend him to anyone that needs an effective immigration attorney.

Posted by Ghada & Dr. Tarek Albitar | August 08, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Attorney Russell Abrutyn, an Outstanding Immigration Attorney – Highly Recommend!

We are beyond grateful for the exceptional legal support we received from Attorney Russell Abrutyn throughout our immigration process. From the very beginning, Russell demonstrated a deep understanding of immigration law, unmatched professionalism, and a sincere commitment to our case. What truly ...sets Russell apart is not just his legal expertise—which is second to none—but his empathy, responsiveness, and clarity. He took the time to walk us through every step of the process, answered all our questions with patience and precision, and ensured we always felt informed and supported. Thanks to his meticulous attention to detail and strategic approach, our case was handled efficiently and successfully. It was clear to us that Russell genuinely cared about our outcome and worked tirelessly to achieve the best possible result. We wholeheartedly endorse Russell Reid Abrutyn to anyone in need of an immigration attorney. Whether your case is straightforward or complex, you can trust that you are in the best hands with him. He is a true advocate, and we are incredibly thankful for all he has done for us. Thank you, Russell, for your outstanding service and unwavering support—you’ve made a life-changing difference for our family.

Posted by anonymous | March 20, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Remarkable Immigration Law Expertise and Skill

If you’re looking for someone that other immigration lawyers concede knows immigration and naturalization law best in Michigan and can argue it better than anyone, Russell is that attorney. While other attorneys were not confident taking our Citizenship case, Russell was very confident. Complications... simply means he has to make a case and argue the law on behalf of his clients which he does extremely well. Also very responsive and empathetic to our concerns. Our 20 year ordeal was put to rest thanks to Russell. We are very grateful to have found him. He is in a class of his own in Immigration and Citizenship law and I highly recommend anyone to hire him.

Posted by Meredith | October 28, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Transformed Our Lives Through Exceptional Legal Guidance

I cannot express enough gratitude for Russell's incredible work handling my husband’s immigration case. My husband had a 20-year-old removal order, and during the litigation of his case, my husband was detained, and removal was being actively pursued by the authorities, making his situation extremely... challenging. Yet, Russell was able to carefully plan and execute the only viable option available to provide him with relief. Despite the case's complexity, Russell demonstrated deep expertise in immigration law and a compassionate commitment to seeing us through every challenge we faced. However, it is Russell’s honesty and integrity that truly set him apart. He never made empty promises and ensured we understood the risks and potential outcomes at each stage. His ethical approach provided us with a realistic picture of the journey ahead, helping us feel informed and prepared every step of the way. Russell’s unwavering transparency and moral commitment gave us peace and reassurance, turning what was once a terrifying and overwhelming situation into a journey we could face with trust and confidence. Russell’s deep understanding of complex and specialized areas of immigration law, often unknown to many attorneys, allows him to uncover rarely considered options. This expertise enables him to present cases in immigration court with multifaceted approaches that maximize the chances of a favorable outcome. In our case, Russell’s strategic approach not only provided us with the best possible chance for success but also prevented the need for a drawn-out battle with immigration, saving us from a prolonged and exhausting back-and-forth. His ability to navigate the intricacies of immigration law led to a more streamlined and effective resolution for us. While our case worked its way through the immigration courts, Russell also assisted us in preparing other immigration petitions that will provide us with additional and possible long-term solutions to secure our future here. From the beginning, it was clear we were in the hands of someone who genuinely cares about his clients and their families. Thanks to Russell’s diligence, dedication, and strategic approach, we finally have hope again and can focus on our future together. Russell and all the members of the firm’s office are responsive, friendly, kind, and knowledgeable. Retaining Russell and working with Abrutyn Law was the absolute best decision we made. If you’re looking for an immigration attorney who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and unfailingly honest in his advocacy, I wholeheartedly recommend Russell. This experience has been life-changing, and we could not have achieved this without him.

See All Client Reviews

Russell Reid Abrutyn's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Russell
Marina N. Alexandrovich headshot
Marina Alexandrovich

Immigration lawyer | Feb 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse attorney Abrutyan for the powerful legal precedent Prudize v. U.S. Atty. Gen. on the BIA's jurisdiction to reopen despite the so called "departure bar." This precedent is a significant change in law in the pro-immigrant direction."

Barry L Frager headshot
Barry Frager

Immigration lawyer | Nov 21

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. He is a thoughtful & talented layer. His help on an Immigration Court matter was critical to our success. He earns his 5 stars with hard work and diligence."

Sunil C Patel headshot
Sunil Patel

Immigration lawyer | May 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Elizabeth Vennum headshot
Elizabeth Vennum

Immigration lawyer | May 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I consulted Mr. Abrutyn for his expert opinion on a complex immigration matter. He has in-depth knowledge and is quick to see solutions and possibilities."

Nadia Galash headshot
Nadia Galash

Immigration lawyer | Apr 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Russell. He is very knowledgeable in immigration and nationality law and shares his knowledge abundantly with other immigration attorneys."

Hovanes Margarian headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Unknown lawyer | Mar 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Ahmad Mohamad Yakzan headshot
Ahmad Yakzan

Immigration lawyer | Feb 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Azin Arbab headshot
Azin Arbab

Immigration lawyer | Dec 20

Relationship: Other

"I endorse Mr. Abrutyn. He demonstrates an impressive knowledge of the law based on his accurate legal answers on Avvo. He is an asset to the legal field and respected by colleagues."

Sean Cleary headshot
Sean Cleary

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."

Victor Ifeanyi Okeke headshot
Victor Okeke

Immigration lawyer | Nov 13

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Absolutely one of the very best. I endorse this lawyer."

Caridad Pastor headshot
Caridad Pastor

Immigration lawyer | Mar 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Abrutyn is an amazing lawyer. He is smart and very dedicated to the cause of immigrants."

Bradley Lawrence Whitney Thomson headshot
Bradley Thomson

Immigration lawyer | Jun 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Hugh Carlin headshot
Michael Carlin

Immigration lawyer | Feb 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Russell Abrutyn is, quite simply, one of the best immigration lawyers around. Mr. Abrutyn has received national awards for his legal advocacy and for his mentoring of other lawyers. He is extremely knowledgeable regarding many important issues in immigration law, and he is also extremely generous with his mentoring of other lawyers (including myself). I give Mr. Abrutyn my highest endorsement."

Elisheva G Mosko headshot
Elisheva Mosko

Immigration lawyer | Feb 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Abrutyn is one of the most well versed and knowledgeable immigration attorneys I know. I highly endorse him!"

View All Endorsements
Rod N. Armande headshot
Rod Armande

Immigration lawyer

Barry L Frager headshot
Barry Frager

Immigration lawyer

Elisheva G Mosko headshot
Elisheva Mosko

Immigration lawyer

Michael Hugh Carlin headshot
Michael Carlin

Immigration lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2020

Excellence in Advancing the Practice of Immigration Law, AILA

2019

President's Commendation, AILA

2018

President's Commendation, AILA

2015

President's Commendation, AILA

2011

Sam Williamson Mentor Award, AILA

2010

Jack Wasserman Excellence in Litigation, AILA

Work Experience

2016 - Present

Founder, Abrutyn Law PLLC

2002 - 2016

Attorney, Marshal E. Hyman & Associates

Associations

2001 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Shuti v. Lynch

Removal order vacated

Pruidze v. Holder

Overturned post-departure bar on motions to reopen

Zhang v. Mukasey

Overturned BIA precedent on date of admission for removability purposes

Badwan v. Gonzales

Reversed denial of continuance

Matovski v. Gonzales

Reversed BIA precedent on I-140 portability

Pickering v. Gonzales

Reversed BIA precedent of vacatur of convictions

State v. DeSantiago

Reversed conviction

State v. Martinez

reversed conviction

State v. Mendoza-Lopez

reversed conviction

See More Legal Cases

Education

1999

University of Michigan Law School

J.D.

1996

University of Michigan

B.A.

Speaking Engagements

2015

AILA Annual Conferences 2010-2015

Various topics

2012

New York Annual Conference

Unlawful Presence

2012

FBA Immigration Law Section Pardons and post-conviction relief

2012

FBA Immigration Law Section Immigration Remedies in Federal Court

2012

AILA Annual Conference Abandonment of LPR status

2011

AILA Annual Conference Advanced detention/bond issues

2010

Primer on Immigration Law

Primer on Immigration Law

2010

AILA Annual conference Cross-circuit conflicts

2009

Webinar

212(a)(6)

2009

Criminal and Immigration

Detention Issues

N/A

FBA Immigration Conference, 2012-2016

Various topics

Publications

2018

Michigan Bar Journal Removal Proceedings

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution