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Elif Keles
About Elif
Biography
I have practiced immigration law for over 20 years specializing in deportation defense, federal litigation, asylum, family and employment issues. I have successfully represented hundreds of persons in Immigration Court, before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the various U.S. Court of Appeals and before the Citizenship and Immigration Services.
I have traveled across the United States defending persons who the government sought to deport. I also have successfully represented clients not only in deportation proceedings, but in derivative citizenship, naturalization, family and employment-based immigration matters.
My admissions include the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second, Seventh, Ninth, and Eleventh Circuits. I wrote the appeal briefs in the landmark victory case in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Schneider v. Chertoff, 450 F.3d 944 (9 Cir. 2006). This case successfully challenged the government’s restrictive regulations regarding National Interest Waivers for foreign-born International Medical Graduates.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in New York for 30 years
State: New York
Acquired: 1996
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of E. Keles
600 W 9 St, Suite 1209, Los Angeles, CA, 90015
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Elif Keles's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
27 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Compassion
Posted by Ivan Bernal | September 01, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Expert Legal Help That Made U.S. Citizenship Possible
I cannot thank Elif Keles enough for the life-changing help she gave my family. My brother’s path to obtaining his U.S. citizenship was not simple, and without her guidance, it may not have been possible. Our first attempt at the Hermosillo consulate was unsuccessful—we did not have all the paperwor...
Posted by anonymous | June 19, 2014 | Immigration
Elif Keles is the solution to your immigration issues!
Very professional and competent attorney! Her caring attitude combined with her legal knowledge was most reassuring. Prompt replys with responses to all my inquiries. I would definitely recommend Elif Keles and her lawfirm to all those who are about to jump into the whirlpool of bureacracy and red...
Elif Keles's Lawyer Endorsements
"Elif is an excellent attorney committed to providing the highest quality representation to clients. I endorse this attorney without reservation."
"Excellent Attorney - I fully endorse"
"An excellent and well respected attorney."
"Great Attorney! She has a superior knowledge of US Immigration Laws. In addition, she gets highly praised client reviews and has much support/endorsements from many lawyers. I endorse this lawyer."
"Very determined and dedicated attorney. I endorse this lawyer"
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I strongly endorse Elif Keles. She has all the qualities that make a great immigration attorney - she knows the law, she cares and she is very personable. I recommend working with her."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Elif is the best immigration attorney I know. I highly recommend her."
"Elif is an exceptional lawyer in the community. I've worked with her in the past, and her handle of immigration issues is superb. I thoroughly and wholeheartedly recommend her for any of your immigration needs."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is dedicated and smart, determined to represent her clients professionally, ethically and zealously!"
"I recently worked with Elif on a complex criminal / immigration matter. She was a huge help analyzing the immigration impact of a plea and sentence as well as provided supplemental information requested by the court."
"Ms. Keles effectively blends her knowledge and experience with genuine concern for the interests of her clients in providing exemplary legal services."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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Experience
Honors
2018
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Chambers USA Guide, Chambers & Partners
2012
Chambers USA Guide, Chambers & Partners
2011
Chambers USA Guide, Chambers & Partners
2010
Chambers USA Guide, Chambers & Partners
2009
Chambers USA Guide, Chambers & Partners
2008
Chambers USA Guide, Chambers & Partners
2007
Chambers USA Guide, Chambers & Partners
2006
Chambers USA Guide, Chambers & Partners
1995
Best Oral Advocate, Gabrielli National Family Law Moot Court Competition
Work Experience
1998 - Present
Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Carl Shusterman
Associations
2009 - Present
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
2008 - Present
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
2005 - Present
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
1997 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
1997 - Present
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
1996 - Present
New York State Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Anakor v. Holder
Remanded to the Board of Immigration Appeals
Perera v. Holder 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 2807
The Court remanded the case to the immigration agency to grant the family asylum, or at a minimum withholding of removal.
Singh v. Holder 491 Fed. Appx. 835
Granted and remanded.
Alawwa v. Gonzales
Remanded to the Board of Immigration Appeals
Obis v. INS 1999 U.S. App. LEXIS 9780
Granted
Schneider v. Chertoff
The court affirmed the district court's judgment in part, reversed the judgment in part, and remanded the case with instructions to enter declaratory and injunctive relief for the doctors with respect to three of the challenged regulations.
Education
1995
New York Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1988
Manhattanville College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2013
Deportation Proceedings and Consequences of Convictions upon Non-U.S. Citizens
Immigration
Publications
2013
Shusterman's Immigration Update
What Does Silva-Trevino Mean for Greencard Holders?
2013
Shusterman's Immigration Update
Green Card Granted to Abandoned Spouse
2011
Shusterman's Immigration Update
Immigration Judge Grants I-601 Fraud Waiver
2010
Shusterman's Immigration Update
Reopening Removal Proceedings When Outside the U.S.
2007
Orange County Register
Citizenship hangs Just out of Anaheim man's grasp
2005
Los Angeles Times
U.S. Deportation of Marcos-Era Evacuee Delayed
Languages
Turkish
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
I just have my interview in San Bernardino CA she want me to summit and I601 waiver for false claim citizenship .
14 Mar 2015
Q&A
My husband entered the US and was caught by Border Patrol, I130 has been filed and approved, can he apply for 601-A?
14 Mar 2015
Q&A
Citizenship interview sold tobacco to a minor. Incident happened 2 years ago. Court order 80 hours community service case dismis
13 Mar 2015