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About Elaine
Biography
I have MOVED TO THE UNITED KINGDOM! Ergo, I have closed my law practice after over a decade. I have really enjoyed working with all of you, and helping you. I wish all of you, attorneys and clients, the best as I begin my new adventure. My law practice was based on... I am very selective accepting cases. Most of my cases are referrals, but some touch my heart and I take those cases too. I am always thrilled to help people to be able to join other family members in this country, or to obtain citizenship. It is an honor and a privilege. I truly care about my clients. It is my job to help people, and they are depending on me to guide them in navigating their way through a system that can be full of confusing signs, roadblocks, and stop signs.
I prefer to prepare petitions thoroughly based on my strategy to use a good offense. Why? I like to close a file the first time around-- if possible. If a case has already been presented, and evidence is missing, it can be the best strategy to file a new petition with additional evidence that can't be introduced on appeal of the earlier denied petition.
The rules are there, and I advise clients to follow them. Many potential clients believe that the rules don't apply to them. The rules apply to everyone, even though the enforcement, processing, and outcomes vary-- and truly seem "unfair" when the immigrant or USC/LPR petitioner believes he/she is on the short end of the stick. However, the facts, jurisdiction, laws, evidence, and so many variables come into play-- and a lawyer can advise, assist, prepare, and present, but cannot be a fortune-teller on the outcome. The process can seem long, but it can be an eternity if done incorrectly the first time. So, the long way is the short way!
Document EVERYTHING! Photocopy and keep copies of everything. Be ready to produce documents if asked-- even if you've already done so-- with a smile. It's easier to close a file by providing the KEY to the lock, than trying to smash open the box (that's a metaphor!)
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Immigration
100%
29 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 80-160 per hour
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in District of Columbia for 27 years
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Licensed in Minnesota for 27 years
State: Minnesota
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
Licensed in New Mexico for 42 years
State: New Mexico
Acquired: 1984
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Elaine Carol Schneider
701 Fourth Ave South #500, Minneapolis, MN, 55415
Law Offices of Elaine Carol Schneider
701 Fourth Av S #500, Minneapolis, MN, 55415
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Elaine Carol Schneider's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
17 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 9 of 9 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Alex | October 01, 2009 | Immigration
Great attorney
Elaine helped me with family based adjustment of status. I can say, that she exceeded my expectations! When I was looking for an attorney, I read so many stories from other people that it is actually hard to find a good reliable immigration lawyer, that so many lawyers are hard to be in touch with ...
Posted by anonymous | March 23, 2009 | Immigration
100% confident and trustworthy attorney. Recomended without any doubts of her ability.
Be honest with this attorney...this attorney will protect and fight for your rights...I have dealt with many attorneys in my life and Elaine Schneider is an attorney who represents what an attorney should be. I recomend her to all immigrants esspecially immigrants who want to immigrate to the U.S fro...
Posted by anonymous | December 17, 2008 | Immigration
Excellent Lawyer
Elaine Schneider is a great lawyer. she takes your case to heart and works hard to gather all documentation needed. She is smart and dependable and always involves her clients in the case details and hkeeps them informed of all risks/progress etc... You can rest assured your case is in good hands if ...
Posted by anonymous | November 24, 2008 | Immigration
A-1 Service
Elaine handled everything in my immigration process with the minimum of stress to me. She was courteous, professional and obviously on top of everything. She kept me fully informed of all the twists and turns throughout the whole business and I felt that I was more than a mere client to her. She i...
Elaine Carol Schneider's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer without any hesitation. We belong to Dakota-Minnesota Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association and I have been communicating with Elaine by e-mail exchanges. She has been more than willing to provide valuable advice and relevant legal citations, when I sought inputs from my colleagues for a few new immigration related issues came up in my practice. She seems to be very thorough, considerate, and extremely knowledgeable. I would recommend Elaine to anybody who needs immigration related legal assistance."
"Elaine is a conscientious, intelligent, hard working attorney."
"Elaine Schneider and I are both members of American Immigration Lawyers Association and over the years we have corresponded by email on various problems we have seen in our immigration cases. Elaine’s experience and knowledge have aided in my practice and have also helped my clients in securing successful conclusions to the issues they face. I would recommend Elaine to any potential client as an able, professional and skilled attorney whose ability to creatively strategize a client’s case will assist them in successfully navigating the rough waters of immigration law. I think that any client would be very happy with Elaine as their lawyer."
Steven Thal
Immigration lawyer
Experience
Honors
2003
Volunteer Attorney of the Year, Park Avenue Walk-in Legal Clinic
1999
Pro Bono (Volunteer) Attorney of the Year (Individual Category), Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
Work Experience
1999 - Present
Attorney, Elaine C. Schneider Law Office, P.A.
1997 - 1998
Volunteer (Pro Bono) Attorney, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
1983 - 1997
Research Attorney, Westlaw
Associations
1999 - 2008
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Minnesota/Dakotas chapter)Member
1998 - 2008
Minnesota Bar Associationmember
1998 - 2008
Bar Association of D.C.member
1998 - 2008
Hennepin County Bar AssociationMember
1985 - 1986
New Orleans Bar AssociationMember
1985 - 1986
Spokane County Bar AssociationMember
1984 - 1985
New Mexico State BarEthics Advisory Committee Member
Sample of Legal Cases
In re: Eri Gemeda Dube
Per Curiam. Motion to Reopen Granted, Remanded.
Education
1982
William Mitchell College of Law
Juris Doctor
1979
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Bachelor of Arts - Phi Beta Kappa
Speaking Engagements
2000
Somalis and the Law Conference
Time Differences in Adjustment of Status and Naturalization
Publications
2001
William Mitchell Law Review
Challenging an Incredibility Finding on Appeal: An Incredibility Paradigm
1985
State of New Mexico (Judicial Grant)
Distinguishing Habeas Corpus and 42 USC 1983 Actions by Prisoners in New Mexico
1985
Westlaw
Advanced CALR Legal Research - Query Formulation
Languages
French
English
Italian
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
How many years of tax return is required to sponsor my spouse?
12 Feb 2019
Q&A
Misdemeanor (Theft - Shoplifting for under $100) for Foreign National. Outcome - Stay of Adjudication. impact on visa renewal?
11 Feb 2019
Q&A
I am a daca recipient, I will be traveling to Hawaii in a few weeks , I was wondering if I can stay in military base ?
23 Jan 2019