Svetlana L. Kaff

Svetlana L. Kaff

3.8
Rating: 9.8

Licensed for 23 years

Immigration Lawyer at San Francisco, CA
Practice Areas: Immigration

1728 Union Street, Suite 307, San Francisco, CA

About Svetlana

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Immigration 100%

Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law. Fourteen years of successful immigration law practice in the areas of Family, Business, and Asylum and Deportation Defense.

24 years | 1,600 cases

100%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 23 years

State: California

Acquired: 2002

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Svetlana L Kaff

1728 Union Street, Suite 307, San Francisco, CA, 94123

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Svetlana L. Kaff's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.8 /5.0

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.

Showing 1 - 5 of 15 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Albina | January 24, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Would recommend

We recently had the pleasure of working with the team at Svetlana Kaff Office, and we couldn’t be more impressed. Svetlana and Marat are both incredibly professional, responsive, and attentive. They made sure we were kept informed throughout every step of the process, and took the time to explain the... legal details in a way that was both clear and easy to understand. After a long wait for our interview, Svetlana and Marat stayed in constant communication with us, ensuring we felt supported. Svetlana was especially helpful in preparing us for the interview, and together with Marat, they helped me manage my anxiety, always knowing the right words to calm me down when I felt overwhelmed. The documents were meticulously prepared in line with immigration laws and requirements, and when we met with the immigration officer, there were no questions or corrections to be made. We highly recommend Svetlana Kaff Office for anyone seeking immigration services. Their professionalism, care, and expertise are unmatched.

Posted by Marina , Vadim | January 16, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Svetlana is the best attorney!!!

Благодарим Светлану, Марата и команду за профессиональную работу с нашим делом. Благодаря Светлане, мы выиграли суд и получили статус. Светлана - профессионал своего дела и лучший иммиграционный адвокат! Огромная моральная поддержка от неё, компетентность, профессионализм, уверенность и опыт, это важ...но в успешной подготовке дела! Спасибо! Марина и Вадим.

Svetlana Kaff

Replied last February 08, 2024

Spasibo bolshoye vam tozhe, dorogiye Marina i Vadim. Ya vas pozdravlyayu yescho raz i blagodarna vam za rabotu so mnoi i moimi kollegami, i za etot otzyv. Vsego vam samogo nailuchshego! S uvazheniyem, Svetlana Kaff.

Posted by Vadym | February 15, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Great experience! Highly professional work!

I've had the pleasure of working with Svetlana and her team, she is a great person and a highly professional attorney. Knowledgeable in navigating and dealing with immigration law. Very reasonable price. She made our asylum process so easy. Our case was granted. I very much appreciate her work and hi...ghly recommend her as an immigration lawyer.

Posted by ALEXANDER | April 26, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

I got my petition approved with Svetlana!

I am Svetlana's client, and I just got my petition approved at the very first attempt. Before I committed to working with Svetlana, I also considered cheaper lawyers, but after having a consultation with some of them I went back to Svetlana. Just shop around and let different attorneys answer your... questions and suggest strategies for your case, and you will see the difference for yourself. I personally found Svetlana's expertise very profound and her associates very helpful and professional. They did their job, and I attribute the success of my case largely to their work. If you follow their guidance, you'll get where you're heading, and whatever you're charged for that is worth the freedom you'll get in return. To be more specific, I had a situation where Svetlana gave me free legal advice for my friend about a loophole that let my friend qualify for EAD way ahead of time, which happened only because my friend's cheaper lawyer was not aware of this loophole and couldn't help his client himself. So, when someone offers you lower rates, just ask yourself why. You might be stuck with your lawyer for years, so be sure to make the right choice. I'll be eternally grateful to Svetlana and her office for everything they've done for me.

Posted by Vladimir | November 07, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Attorney Dr. Svetlana Kaff and her success has played tremendously positive role in our life.

To find the best of the best attorney for an immigration process and related needs is very important and critical, since this is about your life and your further success and happiness. We are glad that on our life path we met Attorney Dr. Svetlana Kaff – top San Francisco immigration lawyer with uni...quely high record of success of immigration cases. Within the entire process we were very happy to work with Attorney Kaff – very knowledgeable and highly experienced professional, absolutely accurate, extremely friendly, supportive and tactful person. She performed her mission very effectively making sure that all steps were taken on time and in the right way and manner. As the result of Attorney Kaff’s dedicated and efficient work, we successfully completed on-time all documentation, passed all required procedures, got positive decision of the immigration authorities and received documents for permanent residency. That was our huge accomplishment thanks to Attorney Kaff! If you will ever have a need in top-notch professional legal services on all types of your own or your friends’ and families’ immigration needs – we would strongly recommend you to go only with Attorney Dr. Svetlana Kaff. She will play tremendously positive role in your life. Sincerely, Tania and Vlad G San Francisco Bay Area

See All Client Reviews

Svetlana L. Kaff's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Svetlana
Igor Shoiket headshot
Igor Shoiket

Immigration lawyer | Feb 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Peter G Milne headshot
Peter Milne

Immigration lawyer | May 03

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"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."

Patricia Renee Rodriguez headshot
Patricia Rodriguez

Immigration lawyer | May 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Alexander M. Ivakhnenko headshot
Alexander Ivakhnenko

Immigration lawyer | Nov 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Attorney Svetlana Kaff for her valuable contribution to immigration laws practice assisting clients with her demonstrated legal knowledge and efficiency."

Darya Landa headshot
Darya Landa

Immigration lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Other

"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."

Irene S. Gold headshot
Irene Gold

Immigration lawyer | Mar 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Svetlana is very knowledgeable, competent, thorough and really goes out of her way to take care of her clients."

Somair Syed Alam headshot
Somair Alam

Immigration lawyer | Feb 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Ross Brenton Russell headshot
Ross Russell

Unknown lawyer | Apr 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. She is very experienced and knowledgeable!"

Ekaterina L Powell headshot
Ekaterina Powell

Unknown lawyer | Jun 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Very knowledgeable attorney."

Roland Yin-Chia Ho headshot
Roland Ho

Immigration lawyer | Mar 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jill L Rogers headshot
Jill Rogers

Unknown lawyer | Feb 25

Relationship: Other

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community"

Peter John Marek headshot
Peter Marek

Immigration lawyer | Feb 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in 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."

Anita Gurnani headshot
Anita Gurnani

Immigration lawyer | Jan 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Douglas MacMillan Borthwick headshot
Douglas Borthwick

Immigration lawyer | Jan 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Hugh Carlin headshot
Michael Carlin

Immigration lawyer | Jan 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Attorney Svetlana Kaff. Her answers on Avvo indicate that she is a dedicated and knowledgeable advocate in the area of immigration law."

Mengjun Qiu headshot
Mengjun Qiu

Immigration lawyer | Jan 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Kaff is a highly trusted member of the legal community, her contribution is greatly appreciated and valued."

Jagbir Singh Terkiana headshot
Jagbir Terkiana

Unknown lawyer | Dec 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Very knowledgeable and respectable member of community."

Nicole Whitaker headshot
Nicole Whitaker

Immigration lawyer | Dec 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in 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."

Alfonso Caprara headshot
Alfonso Caprara

Immigration lawyer | Dec 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"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."

Allen Shabani headshot
Allen Shabani

Immigration lawyer | Dec 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Kaff is a knowledgeable lawyer and her representation is recommended,"

View All Endorsements
Alexander M. Ivakhnenko headshot
Alexander Ivakhnenko

Immigration lawyer

Oly Roma Filatova headshot
Oly Filatova

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Carl Michael Shusterman headshot
Carl Shusterman

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Kevin Dixler

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Sarah McElwaney

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Alfonso Caprara

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Francis Cowhig

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John Dickson

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Maria J. Marty headshot
Maria Marty

Immigration lawyer

Stuart D.P. Gilgannon headshot
Stuart Gilgannon

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Gunda Johanna Brost headshot
Gunda Brost

Immigration lawyer

Daniel Jason Corno headshot
Daniel Corno

Immigration lawyer

Martins I. Imudia headshot
Martins Imudia

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Charles Lee Reese V headshot
Charles Reese

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Jeffrey A Kilmark headshot
Jeffrey Kilmark

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Tatyana A Edwards headshot
Tatyana Edwards

Immigration lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.8 (Superb)

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 Distinction

Featured Attorney

2014 - Present

Martindale-Hubbell

Member

2004 - Present

United Humanitarian Mission

Chief Information Officer

2010 - 2011

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Advisory Counsel Member

2008 - 2010

Hadassah

Board Member

2008 - 2010

San Francisco Bar Association

Arbitrator

2004 - 2007

Rabota

Board Member

2003 - 2006

San Francisco Immigrant Rights Commission

Immigrant 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

See More Legal Cases

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

Languages

Russian

Ukrainian

Activity

Avvo Rating

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What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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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