Find a Lawyer California San Mateo Immigration
Haitham Edward Ballout

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Haitham Edward Ballout

also known as Ballout Law, APC

5.0
190 reviews
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 35 years

Immigration Lawyer at San Mateo, CA
Practice Areas: Immigration, General Practice

410 North San Mateo Drive, San Mateo, CA

Virtual Consultation Available

Call for a consultation (650) 720-5985

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Haitham Edward Ballout's Website
Overview Reviews Experience Activity
Overview Reviews Experience Activity
Call for a consultation (650) 720-5985

About Haitham

Biography

Devoted to client satisfaction! 30-plus years of excellence in immigration & deportation/removal law

Our reputation: straight & honest legal solutions. 30 years of excellence.

Are you looking for a competent, zealous advocate? We can help. We provide superior representation.

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Immigration 90%

No case is too small or too big. We handle cases with confidence and expertise from the admnitrative level all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court - only if it best serves the client's interests.

36 years | 999 cases

90%
General Practice 10%

36 years | 300 cases

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always

Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2025 2022 2021
...
+ 10
Silver Client Champion
AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

Avvo Client's Choice Awards

Client's Choice

The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2025
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2022
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2021
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2020
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2018
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2017
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2016
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2015
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2014
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2013
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2012
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2011
Client's Choice
Client's Choice 2010

Silver Client Champion

Silver Client Champion

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service.

This attorney has received at least 3 client reviews, and has an average score of 4.0 or higher.

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating

An elite group of attorneys who have been rated highly by their peers as having Very High Ethical Standards and an A grade (4.5 or higher).

This is the highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Licenses

Licensed in California for 35 years

State: California

Acquired: 1990

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Ballout Law, APC

410 North San Mateo Drive, San Mateo, CA, 94401

balloutlaw.com
Message Get Directions

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Haitham Edward Ballout's Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (187) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Star rating
5 stars 185 4 stars 1
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 1
Practice Areas
Immigration (151) Lawsuits & Disputes (7) Criminal Defense (4) Appeals (2) Administrative Law (1) Bankruptcy & Debt (1) Business (1) Credit Repair (1) Debt Settlement (1) Divorce & Separation (1) Domestic Violence (1) Family (1) Marriage & Prenuptials (1) Personal Injury (1) Real Estate (1)
What Clients Mention
Case Results (125) Practice Area Knowledge (80) Recommendation (68) Professionalism (64) Advocacy (46) Staff & Support (43) General Knowledge (41) Responsiveness (41) Communication Style (37) Character & Conduct (36) Trustworthiness (31) Compassion (22) Cost of Services (21) Free Consultations (3) Payment Plans (1) Punctuality (1)

Showing 31 - 35 of 80 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by Stephanie | February 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Best Lawyer you will ever Meet!

I am writing a review in order to help others that have probably been through same experiences as my husband and I have been through. My husband and I started by hiring about 6 different lawyers for my husbands immigration case with no success. My hudband and I were giving up hope in Sabta Rosa,CA ar...ea. Friends and family kept recommending several lawyers we would go to them and then get turned away saying they couldn't help us in that our case was too difficult. Mister ball out did the opposite he actually heard what we have to say and actually paid attention to everything and detailed. Mr Balllout actually wanted to hear more and asked several questions about our case, and that is how it actually all started. We never imagined that he would build such a strong case with all the proof that we provided him, and help us after so many years of waiting with no response. We originally filed in 2009 and my husband was informed that he has a permanent bar for 10 years if we continued he would get deported. In conclusion I would like to express my gratitude for Mr Ballout in helping our family stay together in the US. He took our case to the Supreme Court and helped my husband get legal status in the US. Do not give up hope, we took the risk by one phone call for a positive outcome. With appreciation, Stephanie L

Posted by Lachlan | January 10, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Best in class

We engaged Haitham to assist with a Visa conversion from E3 to Greencard. His service was exemplary even under some intense time pressure he was understanding and accommodated our needs. He knows the process intimately and was very helpful in guiding us through it. Aside from being a great lawyer he ...is a top guy who really cares about his clients outcomes. Would highly recommend.

Posted by Sleiman | August 29, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Immigrant visa

My lawyer helped in assessing my situation, help in identifying where and how to apply, help in filling all my applications with a great follow up. Now, I have an immigrant visa through consular processing.

Posted by Maria | May 29, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Professional Laywer

Best lawyer ever went to him to help me with my advance parole I 131 .Travel the country came back . He made me feel very comfortable and did all my paper work gave me his first app. I'm back giving my personal experience highly recommend him and all his staff . The process only took a few months . ...

Posted by Carlos | November 13, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Mr. Ballout's Superstar Team!

My wife and I started my visa process on our own in 2013. We filled out all of the paperwork, paid the fees and tried to patiently wait for the next steps. After 2 years, I received information for my interview but, I had to fly back to my home country. The interviewer wanted to research more inform...ation so they scheduled a second interview 5 weeks later. My application was denied but I was given a pardon. We had to prove a hardship for my wife to live in the U.S. without me, she is an American citizen. At that point we knew this was more than we cold do on our own. A family friend recommended Mr. Ballout. My wife made an appointment and met with him and Mairead. They were very familiar with the process we experienced already and knew what was needed to fill out the pardon paperwork to get approved and bring me home. My wife and I immediately had full confidence in the entire office staff. We worked very closely with Mr. Ballout's office and other specialists that were recommended. Eventually we filed what looked like a 3 inch stack of forms, declarations, and other paperwork to support our case. Then we waited and waited. 8 months later my waiver was approved. I then thought this nightmare was over. Nope. It was submitted into an administrative review. We were discouraged. But Mr. Ballout and his team provided constant support, encouragement and wouldn't let us give up or even consider another option. 3 months later I received my visa and had my airline ticket home. Shortly afterward my Green Card came in the mail. After 3 1/2 years the nightmare was now over. Going to Mr. Ballout's office and meeting this superstar team was one of the first things I wanted to do once I got home. Even when I went to the office, they took time out of their very busy day to talk to me and my wife and shared our joy and happiness. Mr. Ballout told me there are no limits living in America. I appreciate and enjoy everyday living here. If I could offer one piece of immigration advice, go talk to Mr. Ballout and Mairead before you start filing any papers. There is no judgment and only kindness and support from the beginning of the process to the very end. We would not be where we are now without them. Thank you for giving me a new life!

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Haitham Edward Ballout's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Haitham
Edward C Chung headshot
Edward Chung

Immigration lawyer | Aug 26

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Haitham Ballout is an attorney that I would turn to for sound legal advise on any legal matter. He is an honorable man a seasoned attorney and has a profound courtroom presence. Moreover, he is dedicated to the practice of law and the clientele he serves."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Personal injury lawyer | May 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Haitham. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Patricia Renee Rodriguez headshot
Patricia Rodriguez

Immigration lawyer | May 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Paul J. Molinaro headshot
Paul Molinaro

Immigration lawyer | Sep 14

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Andrew Rolf Bohan headshot
Andrew Bohan

Immigration lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"First and foremost, Mr. Ballout is very trustworthy. I've known him for 25 years and have observed his consistently high-quality work over the years, including several matters for my family."

Louis Allen Liberty headshot
Louis Liberty

Immigration lawyer | Apr 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer as a friend and colleague. Haitham is uniquely qualified as an immigration lawyer."

Nancy Kay Mcdonald headshot
Nancy Mcdonald

Immigration lawyer | Aug 23

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. I have represented several clients who are in trouble with immigration due to a pending criminal case and I always refer them to this office. They are responsive, helpful and always honest with the client as to what actually can be accomplished."

View All Endorsements
Edward C Chung headshot
Edward Chung

Litigation lawyer

Nancy Kay Mcdonald headshot
Nancy Mcdonald

Criminal defense lawyer

Stanley Dale Radtke headshot
Stanley Radtke

Immigration lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2022

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2021

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2021

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2019

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2018

Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers

2017

Distinguished, Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2016

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2015

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2014

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2013

Top 100 Lawyers, American Society of Legal Advocates

2013

BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2013

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2012

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2011

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2010

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2010

SuperLawyer, SuperLawyer

2010

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

2009

Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

1998

Significant Contribution Award, American Immigration Lawyers Association

1988

Dean's List, Golden Gate University

Work Experience

1992 - Present

Principal Attorney, Ballout Law, APC

Associations

2023 - Present

10th Circuit

Admitted

2003 - Present

U.S. Supreme Court

Member

1997 - Present

San Mateo County Bar Association

Member

1995 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member

1990 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

1990 - Present

9th Circuit

Sample of Legal Cases

En Banc 9th Circuit published case of Maldonado vs. Holder (my client against the US Attorney General)

Won this en banc case after the Court reversed a line of cases dating back to 2004.

Soenaryo vs. Michael B. Mukasey, U.S. Attorney General

Certiorari Denied

Kayyal vs. Keisler, Acting U.S. Attorney General

Certiorari Denied

Baballah vs. Aschcroft, 367 F.3d 1067

Won this precedent-setting case

In Re Air Crash Near Peggy’s Cove. Nova Scotia, on September 2, 1998

Settled during Court Mandated Conference

See More Legal Cases

Education

1989

Cambridge University

Study Abroad Program

1989

Golden Gate University, School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1989

University of Siena, Italy

Summer Program

1982

California State University, San Jose State University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2019

College of San Mateo

Current changes in immigration law

Publications

2011

Super Lawyers Voice of Calm

Languages

Spanish

French

Arabic

Italian

Vietnamese

Mandarin

Activity

4

Legal Answers

Legal Answers

Q&A

Am I eligible for a work permit and safe from being deported under President Obama's latest announcement regarding dream act?

16 Jun 2012
Q&A

Can i get my driver license with i-797c?

14 May 2012
See More Legal Answers
Avvo Rating

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