David Swaim

PRO

David Swaim

also known as J. David Swaim Jr.

4.8
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 39 years

Immigration Lawyer at Dallas, TX
Practice Areas: Immigration

12770 Coit Road, Suite 700, Dallas, TX

Virtual Consultation Available

About David

Biography

The most experienced and successful immigration law firm in North Texas. Board-Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law. Recipient of AVVO Client Choice Award 2014-2020. We are in the office and accepting virtual consultations - call to set up a consultation.

Trust in Over 40 Years of Success in Immigration Law. There is not a case I haven’t seen or won!

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Immigration 100%

David Swaim & Associates, formerly Tidwell, Swaim & Associates, has specialized in immigration law since 1978. We have helped employers, investors and families with comprehensive solutions for all their immigration needs.

46 years | 45,000 cases

100%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer

Licenses

Licensed in Texas for 39 years

State: Texas

Acquired: 1986

Eligible to Practice in Texas

No misconduct found

Location

Tidwell, Swaim & Farquhar P.C.

12770 Coit Road, Suite 700, Dallas, TX, 75251

immigration-pros.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find David online.

David Swaim's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

139 Client Reviews

Posted by anonymous | January 23, 2026 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Exceptional Service and Successful Outcome

I had an excellent experience working with Mr. Swaim, Mr. Farquhar, Vanessa and their immigration law firm. From start to finish, their team were professional, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout my entire case. They took the time to explain the process clearly, answered all my questions, and en...sured that everything was handled thoroughly and accurately. I am very pleased with the level of service and professionalism they provided, and I am grateful for their help in successfully attaining my U.S. citizenship. I highly recommend their firm to anyone seeking reliable and trustworthy immigration legal services.

Posted by Eric | November 10, 2025 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Trusted Immigration Lawyer

I’m truly grateful for the outstanding help our immigration lawyer provided to me and my son throughout our green card application (I-485) process. From the very beginning, they were professional, patient, and always available to answer our questions. They guided us step by step — from preparing a...ll the documents to making sure every detail was correct and complete. What I appreciated most was their genuine care and dedication. They made what could have been a stressful process smooth and worry-free. Because of their expertise and support, our green card applications were approved without any issues. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a trustworthy and knowledgeable immigration attorney. Thank you again for helping make this big dream come true for me and my son!

Posted by Shilu | October 30, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Just 6 Months!

I met Mr.Swaim in March, his team submitted my paperwork on April, and today [Oct30th], I am driving to his office to pick my GreenCard! Less than 6months and this joyful morning! Ah! Vanessa, she has been amazing!!!! As a professor at TexasUniversity, I was awed and inspired by Mr.Swaim's calculated... economized words-but with depth of meaning...which shows his years of experience knowing EXACTLY what to be done and how one could be helped! Vanessa truly is an example of professionalism and precision in all her work to the best result! THANKYOU!!!!

Posted by Sandra Pineda | August 21, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Great experience thank you my case it was completely

I can only say thank God and thank Attorney David Swain and his team of associates. My husband was the one who chose their services, and many factors helped in my case, but obviously guided by the hand of experts, and above all, experts with humanity who are not looking to take advantage of anyone; t...hey are dedicated to doing their job well. I could say many more things, but I don’t want to be too lengthy. I can only say that my husband and I had a great experience with Attorney Swain and Vanessa Newell, who was attentive to all our questions and also speaks Spanish, so I highly recommend them. Their services are very affordable and reasonable in terms of costs. I hope everyone resolves their immigration situations, and what better than in the hands of experts and professionals. Thank you.

Posted by Edward | August 4, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

3 Times Is a Charm

I had used this attorney through work, spousal and family visa services over a 13 year period. They are thorough, reliable and easy to communicate with. I highly recommend David, thank Vanessa and the rest of the team.

See All Client Reviews

David Swaim's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse David
Stephanie Reyes headshot
Stephanie Reyes

Immigration lawyer | Nov 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Swaim provides a much-needed service on Avvo and donates time to individuals who are in need of immediate legal answers."

Marina N. Alexandrovich headshot
Marina Alexandrovich

Immigration lawyer | Sep 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse David Swaim. I know this attorney from avvo forum and he impressed me with his knowledge of law and sound approach to the issues that are discussed in the Immigration and Asylum sections."

David Eli Larson headshot
David Larson

Immigration lawyer | Aug 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Swaim is a long time member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). His clients have enjoyed a high rate of success with their immigration cases."

Edward D Young III headshot
Edward Young

Immigration lawyer | Sep 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He is an excellent immigration attorney. He gives accurate answers with which I frequently agree. He also gives prompt responses."

Rahul Aggarwal headshot
Rahul Aggarwal

Immigration lawyer | Mar 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this attorney, who provides so generously to the AVVO community and gives sound legal advice."

Channika Shalini Desilva headshot
Channika Desilva

Immigration lawyer | Mar 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Swaim is undoubtedly a top notch attorney who has skillfully mastered his primary area of practice over the course of his professional experience. His sharp critical thinking and flawless work ethic are perhaps the key qualities which ensured the success of a remarkable number of his cases. I endorse this lawyer and encourage anyone who needs superior legal representation to opt for his services."

Robert Werner von Dohlen headshot
Robert von Dohlen

Unknown lawyer | Feb 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Excellent Immigration attorney!"

Hovanes Margarian headshot
Hovanes Margarian

Unknown lawyer | Dec 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Gina M. Famularo headshot
Gina Famularo

Immigration lawyer | Jul 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

John M O'Brien headshot
John O'Brien

Immigration lawyer | Jun 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."

Alexander M. Ivakhnenko headshot
Alexander Ivakhnenko

Immigration lawyer | Mar 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Counsel David Swaim for his demonstrated legal expertise and internal wisdom selecting the most legally appropriate solutions to the matters he reviews."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Jan 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

View All Endorsements
Tim M. Clancy headshot
Tim Clancy

Criminal defense lawyer

J. Craig Jett headshot
J. Jett

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Legal Leaders, Thomas Reuters

2016

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2016

Board Certified - Immigration and Nationality Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

2016

"Legal Leaders"/Front page Bio, Dallas Morning News/Martindale Hubbell

2010

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2009

Top Attorney, Texas Monthly Magazine

2009

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2008

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

Work Experience

1991 - Present

Managing Partner, Tidwell Swaim & Associates

Associations

2013 - Present

Society for Human Resource Management

Member

1991 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member

1986 - Present

State Bar of Texas

Member

2008 - 2016

Global HR Professional Emphasis Group

Founding Chairman

2006 - 2008

Bent Tree Country Club

Board of Directors

2005 - 2013

DFW International

Board of Directors

Sample of Legal Cases

Denied Asylum

Family received their green cards

Federal Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals (1989)

Helped establish the rule in Federal Court that the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution

Denial of Naturalization Applicant

Naturalization was approved

L-1A status

Client was granted permanent residence

Denial of an I-140 petition under the EB-1(1) Extraordinary Ability category. (2017)

Overturned

See More Legal Cases

Education

1985

Southern Methodist University, Dedman School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1981

University of Arkansas - Little Rock

BA Political Science

Speaking Engagements

2020

Texas Christian University

Finding Your Way Through Immigration Law

2019

West Texas A&M University

Finding Your Way Through Immigration Law

2019

UT Austin School of Engineering

Finding Your Way Through Immigration Law

2019

University of Texas at El Paso

Finding Your Way Through Immigration Law

2019

University of Texas at Dallas

Finding Your Way Through Immigration Law

2019

Texas Christian University

Finding Your Way Through Immigration Law

2019

Texas Christian University

Finding Your Way Through Immigration Law

2019

Texas A&M

Finding Your Way Through Immigration Law

2019

Texas A&M

Finding Your Way Through Immigration Law

2019

Baylor University

Finding Your Way Through Immigration Law

2015

University of Texas at Dallas

University Seminar

2015

Texas Tech University

University Seminar

2015

Texas Christian University

University Seminar

2015

Texas A&M

University Seminar

2014

University of Texas

University of Texas Seminar

2014

University of North Texas

University Seminar

2013

Junvenile Delinquency Boot Camp & Advanced Topics

Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity

N/A

Major Texas Universities and surrounding states for more than 20 years

Immigration Process for F-1 Students After Graduation

Languages

Spanish

Cantonese

Chinese, Hakka

Taiwanese

Mandarin

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