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Robert Thomas Carpenter
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About Robert
Biography
Mr. Carpenter has represented individuals and various organizations before the Department of Homeland Security and the Departments of Labor and State. His thirty (30+) years of immigration experience includes representing professional athletes, Coaches and Managers (Major League Baseball and National Hockey League) in acquiring permanent residency. He frequently defends foreign nationals in removal proceedings, focusing on asylum, withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture Relief, cancellation of removal and adjustment of status applications in front of the Executive Office of Immigration Review and the Board of Immigration Appeals, as well as challenging US CIS denials in federal court. His work includes litigating dozens of federal court cases involving undue delays and unfair applications of the law by the government, and prevailed in the precedent-setting decision of Ming Wei Chen v. Sessions, 864 F.3d 536 (7th Cir. 2017). He's litigated with frequency in the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth, Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Circuits. He has also prevented the US government from executing removal orders where changed country conditions exist, meriting reopening for fear-based claims. He is a member of multiple Federal District Courts and United States Courts of Appeals, and is a long-time Member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, whose fellow members he often mentors. Mr. Carpenter spent significant time in 2021 assisting with Afghan evacuees on a pro bono basis. He believes in the super hero power of family and keeping families together. He is passionate about protecting human rights for all people, and assuring the rule of law is followed by all courts in the United States.
We are experienced, effective immigration attorneys practicing with an emphasis on removal defense, appellate work on removal orders, federal suits for visa denials (APA actions), & family-based petitions. We also provide consulting and brief writing services to other immigration lawyers and firms.
We believe families belong together, and in the promise of America. We've practiced Immigration & Nationality Law at the highest levels, often making new law in front of the Board of Immigration Appeals, the US Federal District Courts and the US Courts of Appeals.
Asylum often requires litigation. We will construct your affirmative asylum case with the same meticulous care we bring to the table for defensive asylum, withholding of removal and CAT claims in front of the immigration courts with defensive applications.
Our immigration system is unjust. We are not hesitant to utilize our federal courts to ensure our clients aren't the recipient of bias, bullying or wrong applications of the law, most often with Mandamus Petitions and APA Actions for the government not following its own regulations and directives.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Immigration
80%
33 years | 3,000 cases
Asylum
15%
27 years | 400 cases
Litigation
5%
33 years | 500 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2021 2020 2019
...
+
1
Licenses
Licensed in Illinois for 33 years
State: Illinois
Acquired: 1992
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Robert online.
Robert Thomas Carpenter's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
49 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (31)
Practice Area Knowledge (27)
Professionalism (27)
Recommendation (27)
Communication Style (21)
Responsiveness (17)
Staff & Support (15)
Character & Conduct (13)
General Knowledge (9)
Advocacy (7)
Compassion (7)
Trustworthiness (7)
Cost of Services (3)
Punctuality (3)
Payment Plans (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Rosa | August 14, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Best lawyer.
I highly recommend Mr. Carpenter, the best lawyer in Chicago, for any Emigración legal needs. His expertise, clear explanations, and patient guidance throughout the entire process were invaluable. Trust him and his team; you won't be disappointed.
Posted by Md Shamsul Arefin | November 03, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Best Immigration Attorney
Mr. Robert and his team is one of the best immigration attorneys I have ever seen in my life. He and his team are professional, knowledgeable and have excellent communication skills. I am so thankful to him and his team.
Posted by Jenn | October 20, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Amazing Lawyer! 100% the Best!
Robert is professional, knowledgeable and has excellent communication skills. Him and his team answered any questions I had promptly and they stayed on top of my case. Robert was with me every step of the way, and I am so thankful to him and his team for making a difficult and scary process as easy a...
Posted by anonymous | January 06, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Highly Recommend!!!
We highly recommend Robert Carpenter! Robert was recommended by a friend who credited Robert for guiding a family member through a very difficult immigration case. We had a very difficult husband/wife immigration situation that was made even more difficult when our first attorney had already made ...
Posted by Irlanda | March 05, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
The Best Immigration Lawyer In The City Of Chicago
Robert Carpenter is extremely knowledgeable of the law and very professional . He listens to you and treats you with the up most respect. After years of searching and going to multiple lawyers who claimed to but unable able to help. Just when we had given up and lost hope. I found Robert Carpenter wh...
Robert Thomas Carpenter's Lawyer Endorsements
"Robert Carpenter is an excellent attorney. He is meticulous and thoughtful in his work and always up to date on the latest developments in the fluid world of immigration law. Among other things, Robert is my 'go to' when I represent a criminal defendant for whom a conviction could have collateral immigration consequences. I fully endorse Rob Carpenter."
"Having known him for 20 years, I can say Rob Carpenter is a lawyer's lawyer. He is a consummate immigration law professional with many years of deep experience assisting clients achieve their immigration law goals, ranging from straight forward matters to the most challenging cases. He is knowledgeable and creative, and just as important, he cares about his clients. With Rob on their side, an immigration law client is in great hands."
"Rob Carpenter is easily one of the most trustworthy, intelligent, and conscientious lawyers I have had the pleasure of knowing. He is a very zealous advocate for his clients. His knowledge of American immigration law is very deep and very broad. And his commitment to his clients is an inspiration to other lawyers. I used to work for him, and the experience made me a much better lawyer than I was before he hired me. To top it off, he's a very nice guy whom clients feel very comfortable with."
"Rob is a tried and true great attorney. He is well respected in his field and is very trustworthy. I would not hesitate to recommend him and have many times. He knows immigration law inside and out and is experienced, patient and thoughtful with his clients."
"Robert Carpenter is an excellent attorney with years of experience. He has handled some of the most difficult cases in this area of law. He treats each of his clients with the utmost respect and their cases like the case was for someone in his family."
Anne Buckleitner
Litigation lawyer
Justin Burton
Immigration lawyer
William Quiceno
Immigration lawyer
Omar Abuzir
Immigration lawyer
Richard Hanus
Immigration lawyer
Damon Cheronis
Criminal defense lawyer
Brian Sather
Immigration lawyer
Jack Epstein
Criminal defense lawyer
Michael Petro
Criminal defense lawyer
Patricia Capt
General practice lawyer
Justin Randolph
Immigration lawyer
Uchenna Asonye
Immigration lawyer
Experience
Honors
2023
Notable Attorney, High Legal Ability, Martindale-Hubbell®
2021
Notable, Martindale-Hubbell
2020
Notable, Martindale-Hubbell
2019
Notable, Martindale-Hubbell
2018
Notable, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
Notable, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
Notable, Martindale-Hubbell
2009
High Legal Ability and Ethical Standards Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
2005
Certificate of Appreciation for Pro Bono Efforts, Hearltland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights
2000
Named as a Leading Attorney for Immigration & Nationality law, Leading Attorneys - IL
Work Experience
1994 - Present
Partner, Carpenter & Capt, Chartered
1992 - 1994
Associate, Benjamin & Shapiro, Ltd.
1991 - 1992
Law Clerk/Research Attorney, Lindner, Speers & Reuland
Associations
2022 - Present
US Court of Appeals for the Ninth CircuitBar Member
2014 - Present
US Court of Appeals for Second CircuitBar Member
2013 - Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of MichiganBar Member
2010 - Present
Illinois State Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
United States District Court for the Western District of MichiganTrial Bar
2007 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth CircuitBar Member
2007 - Present
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth CircuitBar Member
2002 - Present
Association of Trial Lawyers of AmericaMember
2001 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh CircuitBar Member
1998 - Present
United States District Court for the Northern District of IllinoisTrial Bar
1998 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
2010 - 2014
The Pokagon FundBoard Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Matter of M.R./___Zoo
H-1B1 granted
Chen v. Sessions, 864 F.3d 536 (7th Cir. 2017)
Appeal won, permanent residency granted at remanded hearing.
Matter of A, AAO Decision
Appeal granted, permanent residency obtained
Matter of JL
Permanent residency granted
In the Matter of JV
Appeal granted, and case reopened
ES v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al. 2020 NDIL
Permanent residency granted
DB v. Eric Holder
Settled/Unlawful Removal Stopped
Matter of V
Appeal sustained and remaneded to Immigration Judge
Education
1992
DePaul University College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1989
University of Florida
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2012
AILA Chicago Chapter Seminar
Unlawful Voting - Recent Seventh Circuit Decisions
2012
2012 AILA Midwest Regional Conference
FDNS - Information CIS has about Your Client
2010
American Immigration Lawyers Association Midwest Conference
Brief Writing in Front of U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals
2009
AILA Chicago CLE
Mandamus Relief in Federal Court
2007
AILA Chicago Chapter CLE
Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)
2006
DePaul University College of Law
New Affidavit of Support Requirements
Languages
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can a Japanese citizen who is visiting the US for 90 days leave for Canada or Mexico and return quickly to the US for another 90
07 May 2011
Q&A
N400 interview should i be worried?
28 Mar 2011