We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
Svetlana L. Kaff
About Svetlana
Biography
A Board Certified Immigration and Nationalilty Law Attorney, licensed in California, representing Corporations, Individuals, Law Firms, governments and other institutions from Europe and all other parts of the world, and from all 50 of the United States in matters related to the United States Immigration & Nationality Law in the areas of Employment Based Immigration, Family Immigration, Investments & Asylum and Deportation Defense, including Immigration Court proceedings and further appeals.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Immigration
100%
24 years | 1,600 cases
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 California for 23 years
State: California
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Location
Svetlana L Kaff
1728 Union Street, Suite 307, San Francisco, CA, 94123
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Svetlana L. Kaff's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
45 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (45)
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
Professionalism (34)
Case Results (27)
Trustworthiness (23)
Recommendation (22)
Character & Conduct (21)
Cost of Services (18)
Practice Area Knowledge (15)
Advocacy (13)
Responsiveness (13)
Communication Style (10)
General Knowledge (10)
Compassion (7)
Staff & Support (7)
Free Consultations (2)
Punctuality (2)
Showing 1 - 5 of 45 reviews
Posted by anonymous | September 10, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
chooses another lawyer
Horrible lawyer. I paid her a total of $15,000 and she was impossible to contact after that. After that she closed her lawyer license and left me without a defense at the court hearing.
Posted by anonymous | August 20, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Asylum
Do not hire
I had a very disappointing experience with Svetlana Kaff and her office. I first hired her in 2016 for an asylum case and never received any updates or interview notices in 9 years. In 2024, after marrying a U.S. citizen, I paid additional fees to pursue a green card through marriage. I submitted all...
Posted by anonymous | August 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This lawyer does not have a license.
This lawyer suspended his license and stopped fulfilling his obligations to clients.
Posted by Max | July 30, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Great job
We hired Svetlana for our immigration case in 2022. 3 years of work. Worth every penny. Positive outcome. People who leave bad reviews simply have no experience with other attorneys and set unrealistic expectations. No attorney will talk to you every day for hours when immigration cases take years. I...
Posted by anonymous | July 23, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Ethics & Professional Responsibility
Shame on Svetlana for deceiving so many people!
Svetlana deceived many of her clients by collecting money for both primary and additional services, then abruptly suspended her license and did NOT refund anyone for the unfulfilled services. There are already around 200 of us who have suffered from her lies. Svetlana submitted blank forms and, inste...
Svetlana L. Kaff's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Svetlana is an excellent and experienced immigration lawyer. I refer all immigration matters to her and unhesitatingly endorse her as an expert in this field."
"Svetlana Kaff is a brilliant attorney who has a passion for the practice of law. I respect her as a fearsome advocate and hope that she is never my opponent."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Attorney Svetlana Kaff for her valuable contribution to immigration laws practice assisting clients with her demonstrated legal knowledge and efficiency."
"Svetlana is an excellent attorney, which I know from working with her. She is highly experienced, organized, knowledgeable, and a zealous advocate! I have since referred her to my friends and friends of friends and they were happy I did."
"I endorse this lawyer. Svetlana is very knowledgeable, competent, thorough and really goes out of her way to take care of her clients."
"Svetlana is an excellent immigration attorney and a zealous advocate for her clients. I recommend that you call her if you have any questions about any facet of immigration law."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is very experienced and knowledgeable!"
"I endorse this lawyer. Very knowledgeable attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community"
"13 years of practicing immigration law is very experienced. Her knowledge of both the law and procedure is excellent and evident in her pro bono contributions here. Read her client reviews and you will want to hire her. Her peer endorsements are also outstanding. Do yourself a favor and schedule a consultation with her."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Attorney Svetlana Kaff. Her answers on Avvo indicate that she is a dedicated and knowledgeable advocate in the area of immigration law."
"Ms. Kaff is a highly trusted member of the legal community, her contribution is greatly appreciated and valued."
"I endorse this lawyer. Very knowledgeable and respectable member of community."
"I endorse Ms. Kaff. She demonstrates an impressive knowledge of the law based on his accurate legal answers on Avvo. She is an asset to the legal field and respected by colleagues."
"Attorney Kaff has provided insightful answers to some of the most difficult situations I've seen posted on AVVO so far. She also has a very impressive record of service in state, national and international legal organizations."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Kaff is a knowledgeable lawyer and her representation is recommended,"
Alexander Ivakhnenko
Immigration lawyer
Oly Filatova
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Carl Shusterman
Immigration lawyer
Kevin Dixler
Immigration lawyer
Gordana Schifanelli
Immigration lawyer
Sarah McElwaney
Immigration lawyer
Alfonso Caprara
Immigration lawyer
Francis Cowhig
Criminal defense lawyer
John Dickson
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Maria Marty
Immigration lawyer
Stuart Gilgannon
Immigration lawyer
Gunda Brost
Immigration lawyer
Daniel Corno
Immigration lawyer
Martins Imudia
Immigration lawyer
Charles Reese
Criminal defense lawyer
Jeffrey Kilmark
Immigration lawyer
Obadan Iziokhai
Immigration lawyer
Aggie Hoffman
Immigration lawyer
Judd Nemiro
Divorce and separation lawyer
Tatyana Edwards
Immigration lawyer
Experience
Honors
2016
Legal Specialist in Immigration & Nationality Law, California Board of Legal Specialization
2016
Featured Attorney, Lawyers of Distinction
2015
Featured Attorney, Lawyers of Distinction
2015
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2015
Featured Attorney/Lawyer of Distinction, Lawyers of Distinction
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Best Russian Speaking Immigration Attorney, Bay Area Russian Community
2011
Certificate of Appreciation, Southern Poverty Law Center
2011
Important Contributor, Wall of Tolerence in Montgomery, Alabama - Fight Against Intolerance
2006
Best Lawyer, Best Lawyers
2001
Dean's List, GGU School of Law
2000
Who is Who Lawyers, Who is Who
2000
CALI Award for Excellence in Criminal Procedure, GGU School of Law
2000
Dean's List, GGU School of Law
1999
CALI Award for Excellence in Constitutional Law, GGU School of Law
1999
Dean's List, GGU School of Law
1999
CALI Award for Excellence in Torts, GGU School of Law
1998
Achievement Award for Academic Excellence, San Francisco State University
1998
Honoree, Beta Gamma Sigma
1998
AM-JUR Award for Excellence in Civil Procedure, GGU School of Law
1994
President's Award, FIDM
Work Experience
2002 - Present
Senior Immigration Attorney, Law Offices of Svetlana L. Kaff, P.C.
2014 - 2014
Contract Attorney, V&E
2013 - 2014
Contract Attorney, WSGR
2003 - 2006
Immigrant Rights Commissioner, San Francisco Board of Supervisors
2002 - 2002
Judicial Law Clerk, San Francisco Immigration Court
2002 - 2004
Immigration Attorney, Jewish Family & Children's Services
1993 - 1998
Financial Assistant, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network
Associations
2015 - Present
Lawyers of DistinctionFeatured Attorney
2014 - Present
Martindale-HubbellMember
2004 - Present
United Humanitarian MissionChief Information Officer
2010 - 2011
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationAdvisory Counsel Member
2008 - 2010
HadassahBoard Member
2008 - 2010
San Francisco Bar AssociationArbitrator
2004 - 2007
RabotaBoard Member
2003 - 2006
San Francisco Immigrant Rights CommissionImmigrant Rights Commissioner
Sample of Legal Cases
Asylum
Granted
Aylum
Granted at Asylum office level
Asylum from Ukraine
Part reversed and part remanded by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Education
2014
Odessa Institute of Technology and Computer Systems
BS in Civil Engineering
2002
Golden Gate Univ SOL
JD - Juris Doctor
1998
San Francisco State Univer
BS - Bachelor of Science
1994
FIDM
AA
Speaking Engagements
2014
US History and Culture
Immigration In The Lives of Teenagers
2014
Russian Attorneys Training on Law Firm Management
Small to Mid-size Law Firm Management in the US
2010
Rabota Legal Forum
Hot topics in Immigration Law
2010
GGU School of Law Moot Court
Appellate Judge
2008
Hadassah Attorney's Counsel Luncheon
Ethical Issues in the Legal Profession
Publications
2014
2008
JewishJournal.com
Speaker Pelosi, Speaker Itzik talk tough on Iran at Hadassah conclave
2005
San Francisco Citizenship Drive a Success
San Francisco Chronicle
Languages
Russian
Ukrainian
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I apply travel document overseas country my asylum decision pending?
02 Jun 2021
Q&A
How do we deal with I-864 Part 6 if our joint sponsor filed her taxes jointly with her husband?
02 Jun 2021
Q&A
Green card renewal?
02 Jun 2021