Dyan Williams

Dyan Williams

5.0
Rating: 9.7

Licensed for 20 years

Immigration Lawyer at Minneapolis, MN
Practice Areas: Immigration

80 S. 8th Street, Suite 900, Minneapolis, MN

About Dyan

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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 Minnesota for 20 years

State: Minnesota

Acquired: 2005

Authorized to Practice

No misconduct found

Location

Dyan Williams Law PLLC

80 S. 8th Street, Suite 900, Minneapolis, MN, 55402

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Dyan Williams's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

68 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (68) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 26 - 30 of 32 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by Ievgen | October 12, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

I-212 waiver application approving and request for expedited processing

We made a decision to hire Dyan Williams to represent us with USCIS after a series of phone and Skype interviews with several established immigration attorneys. We felt that her discipline, attention to details, persistency and very clear communication line were the key success factors in having my I...-212 waiver approved after I was previously deported from the U.S. We all were under severe time restraints because I-212 cases normaly take 6 to 12 months, but we only had 3 months to have our case expediously approved. My family (wife and small daughter) was very dependant on the outcome of the case and it was critical to persuade the USCIS to approve my case within this unusually short time frame. I have to admit that I am very impressed with what Dyan was able to accomplish with such a short notice and under extreme time pressure. She went above and beyond in understanding our circumstances and vigorously pursued our case to the eventual approval by the USCIS. My family and I are greatly thankful to the effort and dedication on part of Dyan. We are here in the States now as permanent residents and we feel like it was a miracle that came true. There is no doubt in our minds that hiring Dyan was the best thing we could have done for ourselves in our particular case. Thank you, Dyan!

Posted by Bill | September 08, 2015 | Immigration

Consultation with Dyan

Dyan provided us an outstanding consultation regarding my wife's green card application. We had an extended wait following our interview with the agent and were unsure what to do. She laid out all possible outcomes and our options in each case. Several of the options she described were not known t...o us and were particularly useful to hear. Her consultation was less than 1/3 the price my wife had paid a different attorney for a similar consultation, but provided more actionable information.

Posted by Pauline | August 20, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Trust worthy Lawyer

Dyan was assuring and trustworthy in helping me attain my citizenship! I would recommend her expert skills to anyone pursuing immigration related cases.

Posted by akosua | April 20, 2015 | Immigration

i-130 application

With Dyan Williams as our attorney, my U.S. citizen husband and I obtained an approval of my marriage-based green card application within one month of the filing. We are thankful that a friend referred us to Dyan, rather than go through the immigration process on our own. Because my husband had to d...epart the U.S. for military duty, Dyan worked to get an early interview with USCIS. My husband was also stationed in another state from where I live, which made it more challenging to prove our marriage is bona fide. Although we did not have a joint residential lease or joint utility bills, Dyan guided us on submitting other documents to show we have a real, loving relationship. She described in detail what to expect at the interview and skillfully prepared us for it. My husband and I are convinced that having Dyan as our attorney from start to finish made a huge, positive difference in our case. Hire her if you're looking for a great lawyer who will find creative solutions for unique situations as well as fully address all your questions and concerns. She is the best!

Posted by Hanan | March 17, 2015 | Immigration

My experience with Dyan

Dyan Williams is a highly trusted lawyer who can help you prove your marriage is bona fide and rebut marriage fraud findings by USCIS, even when your case has tough facts. After I was granted my conditional green card, I divorced my U.S. citizen husband because of unresolved marital problems. Because... of the divorce, I had to ask for a waiver of joint filing requirement when I filed the Form I-751 to remove the conditions on my permanent residence. During its review of my I-751, USCIS found that my ex-husband and I did not marry in good faith and that we married solely so I could get immigration benefits. Dyan counseled me on what documents to provide to show my ex-husband and I shared a real marriage, helped me draft my affidavit rebutting the marriage fraud claims, wrote a detailed and persuasive legal brief, and advised me on what to expect at my I-751 interview. Whenever I had concerns or questions, I could always count on Dyan to promptly and fully address them. She provided a calming presence that gave me some peace of mind each time I spoke with her. Following a long review process, USCIS eventually approved my I-751 petition and removed the conditions on my permanent residence. With Dyan's guidance, I was able to keep my green card instead of being removed from the U.S., and I can now apply for citizenship. I highly recommend Dyan to anyone who's looking for an expert in getting marriage-based green cards and rebutting marriage fraud findings.

See All Client Reviews

Dyan Williams's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Dyan
Ross Brenton Russell headshot
Ross Russell

Unknown lawyer | Apr 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dyan is an impressive and exceptional immigration attorney. She goes above and beyond to serve her clients. I endorse this lawyer."

Oleg Gherasimov headshot
Oleg Gherasimov

Immigration lawyer | Jan 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Williams is a fine, knowledgeable and effective attorney. She is an asset to the legal community. I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Alexander McVicker headshot
Michael McVicker

Immigration lawyer | Nov 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I am pleased to endorse Ms. Williams as immigration attoreny. The quality of her outstanding, thorough, highly detailed, and very informative responses to a wide variety of questions in this forum demonstrates a thorough and impressive proficiency in the complex and challenging area of immigration law. It is clear to me, as a fellow immigration lawyer with over 19 years of experience, that Ms. Williams approaches the practice of immigration law with the type of dedication that truly benefits her clients."

Graham Blair Ojala-Barbour headshot
Graham Ojala-Barbour

Immigration lawyer | Jul 20

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Dyan is a great attorney. She is an expert at helping people prove the validity of a real marriage when the government is alleging marriage fraud, and at helping people to become citizens in complex naturalization cases. She is a very good writer and has worked on many successful appeals. I would not hesitate to refer a friend or client to Dyan. I endorse this lawyer."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Apr 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

View All Endorsements
Graham Blair Ojala-Barbour headshot
Graham Ojala-Barbour

Immigration lawyer

John William Dewalt headshot
John Dewalt

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.7 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Clients' Choice Award 2025, Avvo

2016

Clients' Choice Award 2016, Avvo

2015

Clients' Choice Award 2015, Avvo

2014

Clients' Choice Award 2014, Avvo

Associations

2006 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member

2020 - 2022

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member - National Lawyer Wellbeing Committee

2019 - 2021

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member - National Legal Ethics Committee

2016 - 2019

American Immigration Lawyers Association (Minnesota/Dakotas chapter)

Co-Chair - Legal Ethics & Professional Responsibility Committee

2009 - 2012

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers

Member - Board of Directors

Sample of Legal Cases

Ginters v. Frazier, 614 F.3d 822 (8th Cir. 2010)

reverse and remand to the district court for further review

Ndonyi v. Mukasey, 541 F.3d 702 (7th Cir. 2008)

petition granted

Khrystotodorov v. Mukasey, 551 F.3d 775 (8th Cir. 2008)

petition denied

Abdelwahab v. Frazier, 578 F.3d 817 (8th Cir. 2009)

affirmed district court's decision

Sugule v. Frazier, 639 F.3d 406 (8th Cir. 2011)

sustained appeal; reversed the judgment of the district court

See More Legal Cases

Education

N/A

William Mitchell College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

N/A

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

BA - Bachelor of Arts

N/A

University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management

MA - Master of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2023

2023 AILA Annual Conference on Immigration Law

The Art of Time Management

2021

2021 AILA Annual Conference on Immigration Law

Responding to and Avoiding Ethics and Bar Complaints

2020

Minnesota CLE: A Lawyer's Guide to Alzheimer's and Dementia Ethical Issues for Attorneys: How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Competency, Conflicts, and More

2020

2020 Upper Midwest Immigration Law Conference

Ethics in Light of Sineneng-Smith Case

2019

Minnesota CLE, Tired at Work? The Legal and Practical Ramifications of Sleep Deficiency It’s Your Professional Responsibility to Sleep Well

2019

Minnesota CLE Live Webcast Finding Your Rhythm: When to Do What

2019

2018

Paralegals Guide

Focus & Flow: Dealing With Overwhelm, Distractions & Interruptions in Your Busy Law Office, Minnesota CLE, A Solo/Small Firm Paralegal’s Guide to Success, September 21, 2018

2017

2017

American Immigration Lawyers Association, Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter CLE

Zeal Meets Zen: How Mindfulness Promotes Competence & Diligence in Law Practice

2017

2017 Upper Midwest Immigration Law Conference

The Trump Factor: Tackling Ethical Pitfalls and Stress in Unchartered Immigration Territory

2015

CLE, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers

5 Business Mistakes that Solos and Small Law Firms Make (and the Ethical Solutions They're Afraid to Try)

2015

AILA MN/Dakotas Chapter Ethics CLE/Panel Discussion

Managing Client Expectations (before and after representation begins)

2014

Mediation Center CLE

The Mindful Mediator: How to Stay Neutral in Conflict Resolution

2012

William Mitchell College of Law - Alumni CLE Series

Immigration in the Workplace

2012

William Mitchell College of Law - Alumni CLE Series

Failures, Screw-ups and Unknowns (and why they can be good for you)

2012

Hennepin County Bar Association CLE

This Time It's About Us: Risk Management for Lawyers

2012

Hennepin County Bar Association CLE

Opening Up to Difficulties & Disappointment: How to Get Unstruck and Recover from Setback

2012

CLE, University of St. Thomas - School of Law

Managing Stress and Avoiding Burnout

2012

CLE, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers

Embracing Change: Overcoming Resistance & Getting Unstuck

2011

Minnesota Legal Services Coalition, Statewide Virtual Conference

The Engaged Lawyer: Paying Attention & Thriving in the Midst of Chaos and Uncertainty

2011

Minnesota CLE webcast

The Practice of Being: Mastering Stress and Finding Meaning as a Lawyer

2011

Minnesota CLE

The Principles of Recovery and the Practice of Law

2010

New Lawyer Experience - Minnesota State Bar Association

Maintaining the Work-Life Balance: How Busy Lawyers Stay Sane

2010

National Bar Related Insurance Companies (NABRICO) Annual Conference

Stress Mastery - Mindfulness for Lawyers

2010

Board Certified Civil Trial Law Specialists, 6th Annual Member Rewards Seminar

Stress Mastery - Mindfulness for Lawyers

Publications

2021

2021

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog 2019 Public Charge Rule Gets Tossed; 1999 Rule is Back

2021

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog B-1 Visitor Visa: Traveling to the U.S. for Business

2021

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog I-601 Waiver + Immigrant Visa = A True Success Story

2020

2020

2019

2019

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog Saying thanks and celebrating 5th year anniversary

2018

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog Trump’s Four Pillars for Immigration Reform

2018

2018

Dyan Williams Law - Legal Ethics Blog Attorney Burnout: The High Cost of Overwork

2017

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog Potential Solutions for Visa Refusal or Visa Denial

2017

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog Common Reasons for Visa Refusal or Visa Denial

2017

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog B-1 Visitor Visa: Traveling to the U.S. for Business

2017

2017

2017

2017

2017

Dyan Williams Law - Legal Ethics Blog Deadlines & Daily Habits: How Time Blocking Works

2017

Dyan Williams Law - Legal Ethics Blog Deadlines & Daily Habits: Why Time Blocking Works

2016

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog I-601 waiver or I-601A waiver for unlawful presence?

2016

2016

Dyan Williams Law - Legal Ethics Blog 5 Must-Knows When Responding to an Ethics Complaint

2016

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog Immigrant Visa Process: Delays and Setbacks

2016

Dyan Williams Law - Legal Ethics Blog 5 Must-Dos When Responding to an Ethics Complaint

2016

2016

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog The Trump Factor on Immigration: To Fear or Not to Fear?

2015

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog Applying for DACA? Here are the pros and cons

2015

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog H-1B Filing Season Begins April 1

2015

2015

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog 5 Things to Do to Get Your Marriage-Based Green Card

2015

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog From K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa to Green Card

2015

2015

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog K-3 Nonimmigrant Visa for Spouse: Pros and Cons

2015

2015

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog The Joys and Benefits of Becoming a U.S. Citizen

2015

Dyan Williams Law - Legal Ethics Blog Responding to Requests for Client Files: Do's and Don'ts

2015

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog When do you need an I-212 Waiver (and how do you get it)?

2015

2015

2015

Dyan Williams Law - Legal Ethics Blog 5 Must-Do's When Responding to an Ethics Complaint

2015

2014

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog Fraud, Lies & USCIS: Pitfalls in Naturalization

2014

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog Priority Date: Current, Retrogressed, or Doesn't Matter?

2014

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog 5 ways Obama's executive actions benefit immigrants

2014

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog 5 myths about Obama's executive actions on immigration

2014

2014

Dyan Williams Law - Immigration Blog What to expect at your marriage-based green card interview

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