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About Jeff
Biography
I am an immigration attorney assisting clients with their immigration issues throughout the U.S. My training and experience working with the Department of State and USCIS at U.S. Embassies overseas allows me to review and evaluate a case from all angles. I am honored and pleased to be among the less than 3% of immigration attorneys in California Certified by the Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Immigration Law.
I draw upon over twenty years of experience in working with companies and immigrants to help them reach their U.S. immigration goals in compliance with the law. Our Firm is solely devoted to immigration law.
My practice areas are comprehensive employment, family, waiver, and investment-based immigration. I represent clients before USCIS and in Immigration Courts throughout the U.S., and before the State Department at U.S. Embassies worldwide. I have been called a “versatile, immigration problem solver” and a “dedicated advocate” by my clients. I have presented sucessful arguments before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO).
Prior to founding the firm, I was a Partner at a large Pasadena, CA immigration law firm. My U.S. government experience includes serving with the U.S. State Department as a Foreign Service Officer in Washington D.C. and at the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan. I also worked with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and was a Law Clerk for the Federal Trade Commission, Northeast Region (NYC) and the Department of Justice (Honolulu).
I was admitted to the California Bar in 2004 and am also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. I am an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Orange County and Los Angeles County Bar Associations. I frequently speak on immigration issues throughout Southern California and my weekly column appears in the Asian Journal.
Our Law Firm's Practice Areas:
Employment/corporate immigration: NIV Status/Visas (H-1B, L-1, E), IV petitions (EB-1/2/3), PERM applications, complex RFE and audit responses, motions to reopen/reconsider.
Family-Based immigration: Adjustment of Status applications, consular processing, conditional residence petitions, naturalization applications, representation before the EOIR in Immigration Court, before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and Administrative Appeals Office (AAO).
Immigration Waivers: Waivers of Inadmissibility (I-601) based on: Crimes, Unlawful Presence (I-601/I-601A) and Prior Deportation. The Waivers we handle are either filed before USCIS for AOS or overseas with immigrant visa applications.
Board Certified Specialist in U.S. Immigration Law. Former State Department Embassy Officer.
Board Certified Specialist in U.S. Immigration Law. Former State Department Embassy Officer.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Immigration
100%
23 years
Fees and Rates
Awards
2016 2015 2014
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1
2016 2015 2014
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1
Licenses
Licensed in California for 21 years
State: California
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Location
Khurgel Immigration Law Firm
(949) 509-6515
Fax
4000 MacArthur Blvd. Ste. 600 (East Tower), Newport Beach, CA, 92660
khurgel.com/Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Jeff online.
Jeff L. Khurgel's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
68 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 11 - 15 of 21 reviews | Recommendation
Posted by anonymous | November 23, 2014 | Immigration
Looking for an Excellent Immigration Lawyer? Look No Further! Jeff is the Best There Is!
Jeff is an excellent immigration lawyer. We are glad we found him right on time! Our straightforward cases were made into rather complicated ones since our previous lawyer screwed us over. We consulted with different lawyers and all of them said that our original applications are going to be denied. ...
Posted by Vivian | May 12, 2014 | Immigration
Mr. Khurgel is the best immigration attorney I have ever known
I am glad that I choose Mr.Khurgel to help me with my I-765 application for a work permit. I get approved. He is knowledgeable and always responsive. He really wants to help his clients. I definitely turn to Mr. Khurgel if I need legal assistance on immigration issue in the future.
Posted by Meghan | April 28, 2014 | Family
Finally, an honest and ethical immigration attorney.
Sad to say, I have had the displeasure of working with 3 or 4 very poor quality attorneys over the past years. They had hidden fees and didn't do good work on my family's case. The first time I met Mr. Khurgel, I was impressed by his frankness and appreciative of the time he took to explain our case....
Posted by Lilly | April 16, 2014 | Immigration
He helped my husband with his waiver in 2008 so we came back for my granddaughter's case
Attorney Khurgel did an amazing job on my husband's hardship waiver back in 08, while a partner at Reeves and Associates. I gladly referred him to my son for my granddaughter's case this year, and her immigration visa has just been issued by the consulate in Hong Kong.
Posted by Omar | November 25, 2013 | Immigration
Great client service and a Great Result.
Had a horrible previous immigration lawyer that completely ruined my case and ended up costing my wife and me a lot of money. The first I could tell that Attorney Jeff was different was that he gave me his personal cell phone number and told me that I could call him personally with questions. Much d...
Jeff L. Khurgel's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse Mr. Khurgel with pleasure. Jeff's answers on Avvo demonstrate his legal expertise, skill and the fact that he genuinely cares about his clients. An excellent attorney!"
"Jeff is known for hard work and commitment to his clients. He combines the experience and professionalism you would expect from a large firm with individualized, personal service."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Khurgel is one of the finest Immigration attorneys in his state, I highly recommend his legal services."
"I had the pleasure to work with Jeff on a matter and I was very impressed with his level of professionalism. He seems to be a very dedicated attorney who genuinely cares for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"This lawyer is highly recommended in the community. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is very experienced and knowledgeable!"
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is though, through and talented member of our legal community. I am proud to endorse Mr. Khurgel."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Jeff is a great mentor for newer attorneys, like myself. He's always willing to lend his expert advice. I endorse this lawyer."
"I not only endorse this lawyer. I give this lawyer 5 stars!"
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"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Jeff Kurghel provides accurate, valuable, and thoughtful legal advice. His knowledge and contributions to the legal community are stellar."
"A truly excellent attorney well respected 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."
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Experience
Honors
2016
Certified Specialist - Immigration & Nationality Law, State Bar of California
2015
Recognition, International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers
2014
Recognition, International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers
2014
Top Lawyer, OC Metro Magazine
2013
Meritorious Honor Award, United States Department of State
2013
2013 Client's Choice Award -- Immigration, Avvo
2013
2013 Top Contributor - Immigration, Avvo
2012
Meritorious Honor Award, United States Department of State
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Owner and Managing Attorney, Khurgel Immigration Law Firm
2011 - 2013
Foreign Service Officer (Consular), U.S. Department Of State
2006 - 2011
Attorney, Partner, Reeves & Associates, APLC
2005 - 2006
Consular Specialist, USCIS -- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
2001 - 2001
Law Clerk, U.S. Department Of Justice
2001 - 2001
Law Clerk, U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Associations
2009 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers Association (National)Member
2009 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers Association (Southern California chapter)Member
2008 - Present
United States District Court for the Central District of CaliforniaAttorney Member
2008 - Present
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth CircuitAttorney Member
2004 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2013 - 2013
West Court Bar AssociationCo-chair
2011 - 2013
American Foreign Service AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
I-601(A) Provisional Waiver Approved
Approved
BIA remands an appeal of I130 visa petition denial
BIA remands an appeal of I130 visa petition denial
Successor-in-interest I-140 Approval
I-140 approved after RFE response
Good Faith Marriage Waiver
Success
Employment-based Immigration
Success
Employment-based Immigration
Success
Education
2002
Pepperdine University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2002
Pepperdine University School of Law
Certification in Dispute Resolution
1999
California State University, Long Beach
BA - Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude
Speaking Engagements
2015
Institute for Supply Management
U.S. Immigration Tips and Pointers for HR Personnel
2013
KUCI's Ask a Leader Radio Show
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Immigration Reform
2013
Irvine Club
Comprehensive Immigration Reform post-Shutdown
2013
Advanced Topics for Immigration Practitioners Webinar
Waved in as Admission Under 245(a) per Areguillin and Quilantan
2013
Advanced Topics for Immigration Practitioners Webinar
Dual Representation Pitfalls for Lawyers
2010
The Immigration Experts, Season One -- Television Show
I-751 Removal of Conditions and Waiver of Joint Spouse Filing Requirement
2010
The Immigration Experts, Season One -- Television Show
Immigrant Visas at Embassies and Consulates
2005
USCIS Rome District Meeting
USCIS Processing of I-407s, I-130s and Refugees at the Embassy in Moscow
2005
Naturalization Today
Naturalization -- Residence and GMC
2004
Naturalization Today
Pro Bono Naturalization Seminar
2002
ADR Society Meeting
ADR in Religious Conflicts
2001
ADR Society Meeting
ADR in Cross-cultural Conflicts
Publications
2013
Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
U.S. Department of State Country Report on Human Rights Practices (2012)
2013
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
U.S. Department of State Annual Report to Congress on International Religious Freedom (2012)
2013
Asian Journal and www.khurgel.com
Sweethearts vs. U.S. Immigration Law
2013
Asian Journal and www.khurgel.com
10 Things to Know About Your Immigration Court Hearing
2013
AVVO Legal Guides
The Disappearing Employer: What if my Petitioning Company is Sold?
2013
2013
AVVO Legal Guides
Supreme Court Provides Relief for Same-sex bi-national Couples
2011
Asian Journal
Immigration Benefits for Same Sex Partners
2011
2009
Moldova.org
Immigration Consequences of Marriage Fraud
2009
2008
Asian Journal
What Every non-citizen Should Know Before Traveling
Languages
English
Spanish
Russian
Japanese
Korean
Mandarin
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Jeff earned significant contribution points in 2016.
Legal Answers
Q&A
Will my F4 VISA process affect my F1 VISA ? Should I continue for F1 as waiting for the F4 VISA may go past semester deadlines?
11 May 2016
Q&A
N-400 denial ("CIMT") because only an uncertified copy of a 5+ year old drug possession docket was submitted. Next steps?
05 May 2016
Q&A
Will the H1B filing fee be returned if the petition was picked in the lottery but denied in process for whatever reason?
03 May 2016
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
The Disappearing Employer: What if my Petitioning Company is Sold?
07 Aug 2013
Legal Guide
As of August 1, F-2A Immigration Classification for Spouses and Children of Lawful Residents is Open
25 Jul 2013
Legal Guide
Supreme Court Provides Relief for Same-sex bi-national Couples
25 Jul 2013