We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
Julie Renee Sparks
About Julie
Biography
Julie Sparks is a board-certified specialist in immigration and nationality law. After more than a decade of practice exclusively in the field of immigration law, she has represented immigrants from more than 70 different countries. She has helped hundreds of individuals and families achieve legal status in the U.S. in cases involving marriage, citizenship, domestic violence, torture, and charges of deportation/removal in immigration court.
A passion for aiding individuals from around the world led Julie to give up a teaching career and pursue a law degree. The seed of this passion was planted when Julie met a Rwandan refugee in the ’90s through her work in a homeless shelter in Waco, Texas. Her love for this area of law remains to this day. Clients and potential clients often tell her that she is the first person to show true concern for their case and the first to help them thoroughly understand the complexities of the legal issues they face.
Julie is a former instructor in immigration law at the Pepperdine School of Law in Malibu, California as well as California State University – Los Angeles. During her years in California, she also founded and managed a non-profit organization through which she supervised numerous law students in their representation of indigent immigrants seeking asylum and other relief. Julie has served as a volunteer attorney for many community organizations at dozens of community events. Prior to the creation of the DACA program, she served as a legal advisor to “Dreamers” in their struggle to pressure the Obama administration to provide relief to undocumented students. As a volunteer Legal Coordinator for the 2003 Immigrant Workers' Freedom Ride, Julie assisted immigrants in joining together in a nationwide protest and call for meaningful immigration reform to protect the rights of undocumented workers in this country.
Julie earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Baylor University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) degree from the University of Houston Law Center. There she was a recipient of the University of Houston Law Center's Public Interest Fellowship. She has served as a pro bono attorney for numerous organizations over the years, including The National Center for Refugee and Immigrant Children, an agency funded in part by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She was the recipient of the 2010 Beacon of Justice Award from the National Legal Aid and Defender Association.
Ms. Sparks is a member of the Texas Bar Association and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Fees and Rates
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
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 withLicenses
Licensed in Texas for 21 years
State: Texas
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Location
J. Sparks Law, PLLC
4402 Merle Drive, Austin, TX, 78745
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Julie Renee Sparks's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
21 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (21)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 6 - 10 of 11 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Kamrul | January 29, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Hiring Julie was the best decision!
My wife and I are very satisfied working with Julie. She was very friendly and spent plenty of time with us from day one to the interview date. Got my Green Card in just 7 months and Julie predicted all the USCIS moves accurately. Will definitely send my friends and other family members to her.
Posted by Jorge | October 09, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Great attorney, better person
I had the privilege of hired Mrs Sparks as our attorney in our inmigration case , she and her staff are the greatest people in the world, now we are permanent residents, when someone other attorneys told me that was no way to get our situation straight, but Julie and Florencia one of her paralegal...
Posted by Caitlin & Mariano | March 09, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Informed, Patient & Kind Lawyer & Staff
My (now) husband and I came to Julie over a year ago in need of immigration advice to move him from Argentina to the US permanently. She offered a free, no strings attached, in-person highly informational & helpful meeting to discuss our options and the governmental processes they would require. She ...
Posted by Teodulfo | November 23, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Green card
I tried for years to fix my status here in U.S with other layers but they didn't give me any hope, until I found Julie she helped me to clear my record with emigration and got me a work permit now I just waiting for my green card to arrive in the mail.. Good service I definitely recommend this layer...
Posted by Nancy | November 10, 2015 | Immigration
Stellar Attorney
Ms. Sparks is a creative and zealous advocate who goes above and beyond for her clients. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of immigration law and is dedicated to its practice - I would recommend her without reservation.
Julie Renee Sparks's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. She is prompt, competent, intelligent and kind. She is an excellent attorney and gets results!"
"I had the absolute privilege of working for Ms. Sparks for over a year. In that time, I witnessed the vast array of legal skills she possessed and her seemingly unending wealth of knowledge concerning her practice. Her recent Board Certification in Immigration Law speaks volumes about her tenacity and dedication to her craft. I endorse this lawyer."
"Julie is an excellent attorney. She is knowledgeable, dedicated to her clients, and persistent. Even with complicated cases, she takes the time to understand the facts and looks for creative solutions to problems, which are different for every individual case."
"Julie is an outstanding attorney. She goes above and beyond to help her clients and give back to the community. I met her through several workshops where we both volunteered ."
"Ms. Sparks is a true professional - extremely knowledgeable and capable, and she cares about her clients on a personal level. It is absolutely a pleasure to work for her!"
"Without question, Julie is one of the best immigration attorneys you will encounter, period. Of course, she is very knowledgeable about immigration law, but what sets her apart is the fact that she is just incredibly sharp, which is a surprisingly rare quality to find in an attorney. She can analyze a problem quickly, and figure out the best approach to resolving it, and she can explain it in plain language. I'll also add that she is a very skilled writer. Aside from all of that, she is dedicated to her clients. I've witnessed her go above and beyond for them, time and again. Many of her clients have gone on to become close friends. But ultimately what really makes Julie special is that she is a good person, and good people are hard to find. She's personable, a master at her craft, and I can't recommend her enough."
"I have known Julie since childhood. She is a dedicated, focused attorney with a passion for pursuing justice in the immigration system."
"I worked for Julie Sparks when she practiced in Los Angeles. I have seen first hand how much she cares about each and every one of her clients and how hard she fights for them. She is incredibly knowledgeable in the complicated field of Immigration law. Julie taught me how to be a true advocate for our clients and how a highly ethical lawyer practices law."
"There are precious few people who can think as profoundly, work as diligently, and care as sincerely as Julie Sparks. I have personally seen her grapple with the most complex cases and emerge with the elusive and effective solution. Her powerful advocacy in court is matched by the wise counsel she gives her clients, and she has an extensive knowledge of the law's intricacies. I know that she has touched many lives, both through the clients whose families she has preserved and through the many young attorneys she has mentored. Immigration law is truly a calling for Ms. Sparks. She has the intellect to confront the difficulties of this field and the compassion to sustain her clients through the uncertainties and ordeals of the process."
"I endorse this lawyer. Julie is very dedicated to her clients and really cares for their best interest. She is very knowledgeable about Immigration Law and has practiced in many Immigration Courts throughout the United States."
"I endorse this lawyer. Julie is a brilliant attorney. I have referred many satisfied clients to her. She is diligent, hard working and obtains outstanding results for her clients. Julie will do what it takes to assure the best possible results for her clients."
"Julie is dedicated to, and passionate about, immigration law and is an exceptional advocate. I've seen time and time again how her compassion has earned her client's trust and her acumen, their respect. I recommend her without hesitation."
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of her clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
"I was fortunate to have met Julie a while back. Now, I'm even more fortunate to add such an accomplished and well regarded partner to the practice. While her track record of success speaks for itself, it's her concern for her clients and tireless efforts on their behalf that sets her apart. She is truly a one of a kind person and lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Julie is an exceptional lawyer. More importantly, her integrity is beyond reproach. I would refer my most valued client to her without so much as a second thought."
Maria Cobarrubias
Immigration lawyer
Jeremiah Walters
Criminal defense lawyer
Aubrey Morgan
Family lawyer
Ryan Huie
Criminal defense lawyer
Kate Soulsby
Family lawyer
Danish Shahbaz
Immigration lawyer
Cynthia Lucas
Immigration lawyer
Danuta Villarreal
Immigration lawyer
Jeffrey Jung
Immigration lawyer
Mark Morales
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2010
Beacon of Justice Award, National Legal Aid and Defender Association
Work Experience
2019 - Present
Owner, J. Sparks Law, PLLC
2014 - 2019
Partner, Morales & Sparks, PC
2012 - 2014
Asylum Clinic Instructor, Pepperdine School of Law
2011 - 2014
Founder and Executive Director, Vail Center for Immigrant Rights
2009 - 2012
Immigration Law Instructor, California State University - LA
2008 - 2012
Pro Bono Attorney Coordinator, NALEO
2004 - 2005
Associate Attorney, Jenkens & Gilchrist
2004 - 2010
Pro Bono Attorney, National Center for Refugee and Immigrant Children
2004 - 2014
Attorney, Sparks Law Firm, A Professional Corporation
Associations
2015 - Present
Texas Board of Legal Specialization
2008 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers Association
2004 - Present
Texas Bar Association
2008 - 2012
Southern California AILA ChapterPro Bono Liaison
2007 - 2010
Los Angeles County Bar Association
2007 - 2008
Southern California AILA ChapterICE Liaison
Sample of Legal Cases
Return after deportation
Visa granted
Removal of conditions on residency
Permanent residency granted
Asylum from Mexico
Asylee status granted for all
Asylum from Honduras
Asylum granted
Robbery and U visa
U visa granted and later green card as well
Family Immigration
Client obtained US Visa
Abuse of husband in marriage
VAWA granted
Green card/DWI
Green card application approved
Deportation Defense
Prevented Deportation
Deportation/Removal Defense
Permanent residency granted
Education
2004
University of Houston Law Center
Doctor of Jurisprudence/Juris Doctor (J.D.)
1997
Baylor University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2015
AILA National Fundamentals Conference
Asylum
2013
DACA Presentation
Deferred Action
Publications
2008
Immigration Law Today
Pro Bono Profile
Languages
Spanish
English
Activity
Legal Answers