Raphael Matthew Scheetz

Raphael Matthew Scheetz

also known as Ray Scheetz

5.0
Rating: 7.9

Licensed for 32 years

Immigration Lawyer at Cedar Rapids, IA
Practice Areas: Immigration, Federal Crime, Criminal Defense ... +3 more

425 2nd St SE Ste 1010, Cedar Rapids, IA

About Raphael

Biography

Practice Areas

6

Practice Areas

Federal Crime 30%

33 years | 400 cases

30%
Immigration 30%

33 years | 600 cases

30%
Business 10%

33 years | 50 cases

10%
Criminal Defense 10%

33 years | 100 cases

10%
DUI and DWI 10%

33 years | 100 cases

10%
Litigation 10%

33 years | 100 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in California for < 1 year

State: California

Acquired: 2025

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Iowa for 32 years

State: Iowa

Acquired: 1993

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Wisconsin for 31 years

State: Wisconsin

Acquired: 1995

Resigned

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of Raphael M. Scheetz

425 2nd St SE Ste 1010, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52401-1818

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Raphael Matthew Scheetz's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

22 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (22) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Free Consultations

Posted by Jon | January 28, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Education

Title IX Sexual Assault Allegation

Ray Scheetz is an extremely competent, caring and experienced attorney serving the greater corridor area. I was in my senior year of college when I reached out to Ray. It was just after finding out from the schools administration about a false allegation of sexual assault the allegedly occurred d...urning the first few weeks of my freshman year. I was scared, confused, and worried. Unlike in court, to “win” an allegation of sexual assault the complainant only needs to prove that it’s “more likely than not” (50% and a feather) a violation occurred (not beyond a reasonable doubt). At my school, out of the 16 reports in 2017, 14 had resulted in expulsion for the respondent. The odds were not in my favor. I called over ten different attorney offices throughout the state, and none had any experience with Title IX (the governing document for universities across the country that lays out the guidelines for handling allegations on campus). Ray immediately made time in his schedule to see me the next day. After our free consultation, Ray helped me through every step of the process. He was available for coaching and counseling throughout the entire process of the investigation, insuring that our response to all of the questions would not lead to any legal consequences for me after the fact. As a college student without a lot of money, Ray was able to be very transparent with his billing and budgeting throughout the entire process. Ray coached me through how to properly respond to interview questions, and helped me write all of my statements and responses to the complainant's statements. The process took over four months, and I was found not responsible for the false allegation. Without a doubt, Ray has a wide range of knowledge pertaining to many fields of law. I could not have gotten through my senior year without his help - in fact I am certain that without his help I would have been kicked out of school for something I had not done. Thank you Ray. I look forward to retaining you for my future legal needs should they arise.

Posted by Dan | June 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Successfully immigration process (green card) with Mr. Scheetz as our attorney.

In June 1016, I hired Mr. Scheetz as immigration layer for my wife case. We started with a brief and free interview, when we shared the basics about our case. We conclude to work together in our case. During the first appointment, we shared all the requested information. It was a two hours meeting ...and, at the end, we had all the applications ready to be submitted to USCIS. We really appreciate to Mr. Sheetz the way that he explained the requirements, very easy to understand. On July 5th, USCIS received our applications and send us the receipts. Following a process without RFE, my wife received her work and travel permit in September 2016. Because of some personal matters, my wife traveled 2 times outside US. Mr Scheetz promptly answered to our e-mails and gave us the right advises, in a very complicated situation. The trips happened twice, in December 2016 and April 2017, each time we came back in US without any problems, We had the interview on May 8th. We has a 2 hours appointment with Mr. Scheetz, who explain us the interview process and how to conduct the answers from the immigration officer. Also, he suggested to have an interpreter, which was a very important decision in our case. The interview when very well and, at the end of the day, we had the green card process approved. Overall, Mr. Sheetz helped us to have a very clear and straightforward green card process! Thank you!

Posted by Prabakaran | April 04, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Immigration GC process

We hired Ray after the initial consultation for family (parents) based immigration process. He listened to our situation and provided a solution quickly at our first meeting and asked us to submit a list of documents needed for the process. We provided all documents during our next meeting. He comple...ted all forms I 130, I 485, I 131 & I 765 and he submitted them without any time delay. He also suggested us to get some additional documents that may be required by USCIS. As we have to get them from overseas, it took us couple of weeks to get those additional documents. As suggested by Ray, USCIS requested for those additional documents for further processing. As we had the documents needed we submitted them without much of time delay. USCIS accepted documents and completed the process and issued green cards in 120 days. we are so happy and would recommend Ray to anyone who is looking for an immigration attorney.

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Raphael Matthew Scheetz's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Raphael
Michael K. Lahammer headshot
Michael Lahammer

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Very experienced and thorough defense attorney who takes care of his clients. Has a great reputation."

Thomas P. Frerichs headshot
Thomas Frerichs

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ray is an incredible advocate. Anybody who has him on their side has the best in the business."

View All Endorsements

No Endorsement Data Available Yet
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  7.9 (Very Good)

Honors

2019

Recognized, Lawyers of Distinction

2017

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

1989

Honor roll, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa

Work Experience

1994 - Present

Founder, Law Office of Raphael M. Scheetz

1992 - 1993

Law Clerk, law firm of Abrahams, Kaslow & Cassman in Omaha, Nebraska

1988 - 1988

Intern, United States Department Of Justice In Washington, D.C.

Associations

2010 - Present

Historical Society of the Federal Court for the Northern District of Iowa

Vice President

1995 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

1994 - Present

Iowa State Bar Association

Member

1994 - Present

Linn County Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

United States v. Douglas Bouchey

Won

United States v. Brent Beebe

Excellent result

See More Legal Cases

Education

1993

Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska

JD - Juris Doctor

1989

Luther College in Decorah, Iowa

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Local news Immigration Law

2016

Languages

English

Russian

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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  • 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