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Karen L Gilbert

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Avvo Rating10
  • Seattle, WA
  • Licensed for 45 years
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About Karen

Karen Gilbert represents individuals, families, businesses and multi-national corporations in successfully navigating the laws governing US immigration and naturalization. Our clients include individuals and companies world-wide, diplomats, executives and business people seeking intra-company transfers; people claiming asylum, families seeking to re-unite in the US; entrepreneurs and other investors, religious workers, hospitals, health care professionals, high tech workers, scientists, and individuals with exceptional talent and achievements. We assist clients at all stages of the immigration process before the agency and in the Federal Courts, in visa processing at US Consulates and Embassies. We consult in complex citizenship and naturalization cases, and when appropriate, obtain judicial relief. We advise corporations in compliance with the ever restrictive and increasingly enforced laws such as I-9 compliance and employer record-keeping  and LCA requirements under the labor, employment and immigration laws.

 

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Practice areas

Immigration
  1. Immigration: 100%

    Karen Gilbert Law represents individuals, families, businesses & multi-national corporations navagating US immigration & naturalization laws. Clients include individuals and companies world-wide, diplomats, executives and businesses seeking intra-company transfers; asylees, families re-uniting in the US; hospitals, health care professionals, high tech workers, scientists, and exceptional aliens.

Languages spoken

French

Contact

1001 4th Avenue
address map

Law Office of Karen L. Gilbert

1001 4th Avenue
Suite 3200
Seattle, WA, 98154

      Resume

      License
      StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
      WAActive197802/24/2021
      DCInactive 197507/03/2017
      We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
      Avvo Contributions
      Legal answers1
      Legal guides0
      Awards
      Award nameGrantorDate granted
      AV Preeminent 5.0 Peer Rated Ethical Standards & Legal AbilityMartindale-Hubbell2019
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2018
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2017
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2012
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2011
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2010
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2009
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2008
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2007
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2005
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2004
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2003
      Pro Bono AwardSeattle Chapter AILA2003
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2002
      AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2001
      Lifetime Achievement AwardNorthwest Immigrant Rights Project1998
      Work Experience
      TitleCompany nameDuration
      Gilbert Law OfficePrincipal Attorney1981 - Present
      Lecturer and Supervising AttorneyAmerican University School Of Law1976 - 1978
      AttorneyUs Department Of Labor - Solicitor's Office1973 - 1975
      Associations
      Association namePosition nameDuration
      The Pier at LeschiPresident2012 - Present
      American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember1980 - Present
      National Immigration ProjectMemberN/A
      Washington Immigration ProjectBoard of DirectorsN/A
      The PIer at LeschiVice President2005 - 2012
      Northwest Immigrant Rights ProjectVice President Board of Directors1999 - 2000
      Northwest Immigrant Rights ProjectChair Legal Committee1992 - 1996
      Norhtwest Immigrant Rights ProjectBoard of Directors1991 - 2005
      Joint Legal Task Force for Immmigrants and RefugesVolunteer Attorney1984 - 1991
      Education
      School nameDegreeGraduated
      University of Maryland School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1973
      American UniversityBA - Bachelor of Arts1968
      Legal cases
      Case nameOutcome
      Rivera v. Ashcroft, 394 F.3d 1129Won; Rivera was returned to US with US passport at government expense.
      Scales v. INS, 232 F. 3d 1159 (9th Cir. 2000)won: client is a US citizen, not an LPR
      Scales v. INS, 232 F. 3d 1159 (9th Cir. 2000)won: client is a US citizen, not an LPR

      Reviews

      (31)
      5 Star
      		100%
      4 Star
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      3 Star
      		0%
      2 Star
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      1 Star
      		0%
      Review Karen Gilbert

      Path to Citizenship

      Posted by

      Karen Gilbert made possible what I had thought impossible for the past 20 years. I had fallen out of status in the 1990s. I had entered the US legally through a J1 Visa, but had not return to my home country for reasons beyond war. With Karen's assistance, I was able to start a path to citizenship in 2015. Over a span of 5 years, she provided counsel, emotional support, and hope. My spouse and I are forever grateful for her thoughtfulness, diligence, and legal expertise. She gave me hope, direction and opportunity to achieve my dream. I am now a naturalized US Citizen.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Best Immigration Lawyer

      Posted by

      Karen has helped me thru' my initial H1 transfers to getting my green card and finally to get my citizenship. She was very quick and responsive and always updated with what was happening in the immigration world and would always guide me thru' this. I have over the years worked with many attorney's but Karen in my books is the best.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Amazing lawyer

      Posted by

      Karen helped me with my adjustment of status case. We faced many hurdles throughout our time working together but with her meticulous and thorough research and time she was able to help me get my adjustment of status and attain permanent residence status. One of the setbacks faced was my visa had expired but with both of our heads working together we were able to get my visa reinstated which allowed my i130 case to move forward. She was able to establish a solid case for me with my complex case with all factors involved and get me permanent resident status. Karen is very professional and truly cares about her clients.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Wonderful lawyer

      Posted by

      Karen was immensely helpful during my I-485 adjustment of status process. She was always very professional and I was so appreciative of her advice, both during the preparation and the interview. I find that any immigration process can be quite nerve wracking but Karen made me feel much more at ease and she greatly added to my preparation. I would highly recommend her services.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Outstanding lawyer

      Posted by

      I-751 with a divorce waiver was approved without requiring an interview. Karen is very dedicated to her work and genuinely care about her clients. She explained everything to me very clearly and I always feel that I’m in good hands. She always respond to phone calls and emails promptly. If you’re looking for an exceptional immigration lawyer, look no further. I highly recommend her!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Lawyer par excellence and an amazing human being

      Posted by

      My wife applied for a green card for me on spouse basis and for the purpose we hired an immigration lawyer from Wenatchee as none of us knew anything about the procedure. But sadly, the lawyer we hired wasn’t capable enough and even in our interview she sat like a silent spectator while me and my wife were being grilled. Finally, after a year long ordeal, our application was rejected and this was when a friend referred us to KAREN GILBERT. And everything changed after that. Karen had answer to every question we asked. She prepared our case diligently and made sure that everything was in order. We were called for interview and as we had a horrible experience first time, we were really scared. And then Karen arrived. Her sheer presence calmed down our anxious nerves. Interview was totally a different experience this time around. In ten minutes or so we were done and my green card was approved. Karen got it done. She is just brilliant in her craft. She delivers what she promises or she won’t promise nothing at all. In her our family has got a friend for rest of our life.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Excellent laywer

      Posted by

      Karen is an outstanding lawyer. She is very persuasive and very, very organized. She is also a good listener; she made me feel confident that she will do her utmost, and I felt so good knowing I had her on my side in my particular case. Karen was able to help me with my green card application when another lawyer took advantage and did not give me a good legal advice. She always answered questions, emails and phone calls promptly. I now have my green card and I am very pleased with the support that Karen gave. I highly recommend Karen, Excellent lawyer !
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Best Immigration Lawyer

      Posted by

      Karen is a wonderful immigration lawyer. She is profoundly knowledgeable and is deeply committed to her clients. She successfully helped my husband and I apply for his immigrant visa application. She provided lots of personalized attention and coached us through the process of collecting the complex amount of evidence and information we had to provide with our application. She is an inspiration for her commitment to immigrant rights and the rights of families to be together no matter where they are from. I highly recommend her!!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Amazing, five stars!

      Posted by

      I have personally had a few lawyers in my life and Karen is by far the best. She goes absolutely above and beyond to be realistic but also just genuinely compassionate, with a personal sense of duty for the wellbeing of her clients. My wife and I contacted her via reference through a distant acquaintance and when we got confused about next steps, we requested her on retainer. She's the only lawyer I've ever known to answer questions even when she's not on retainer just because I got lost on something. She could have charged me to call her or refused the call, but she didn't. This is why we will always keep her for our immigration needs, always. She just cares! My wife and I both absolutely appreciate her services, we can't stress it enough: She goes above and beyond!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Hiring Karen Gilbert was the best decision I've ever made!!

      Posted by

      I had sought legal advise from a nonprofit Immigration Service, being told that it would be very difficult if not impossible for me to get my US legal residence granted, based on my particular case. I went to see Karen, she believed it could be possible, and through her experience, knowledge, and expert guidance through the whole process, I am now a legal resident of the United States of America. I could not be more grateful to Karen, I owe her my life, and I say this from the bottom of my heart. Thank you!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney
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      Attorney endorsements

      (11)
      Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

      Devin Theriot-Orr, Immigration Attorney on Jun 23, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I have known Karen to be a passionate advocate for her clients for many years. She is smart, creative, and compassionate, and would be a excellent advocate for your case.

      Siovhan Sheridan, Immigration Attorney on Jun 5, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Karen is one of the most experienced lawyers in Seattle. She has been doing this for years, and she is very thorough in her representation of clients. I endorse her work.

      Gregory Boos, Immigration Attorney on Jun 2, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Karen is an experienced practitioner of immigration law who can handle any case that comes her way. She uses her experience, her intelligence and her tenacity to bring home victories where others might fail.

      W. Railton, Immigration Attorney on May 28, 2014
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I’ve had opportunity to discuss a number of difficult immigration law matters with Karen over the years. Karen is a tenacious advocate for her clients. Karen knows how to navigate the various bureaucracies that can create delays for persons, and bring about positive outcomes. She is also personable and a joy to work with.

      Margaret O'Donnell, Immigration Attorney on May 27, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Karen is passionate about providing the highest quality legal representation to each client. Many attorneys, including myself, turn to Karen for advice about strategy and direction in our cases, since she has won cases at every level of immigration practice, including the Department of State and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. She will do what it takes to present the best possible case for each client, and to advise clients thoroughly about possible outcomes. She is well-known and respected by the immigration bar, by government attorneys, and by judges. Her clients return to her and send other clients to her since she has not only a high success rate, but also practices with compassion and integrity.

      Rosemarie LeMoine, Immigration Attorney on May 27, 2014
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Karen Gilbert is the gold standard when it comes to immigration law. I met her when I just started practicing law, and she told me then how important it was to read everything you could on your area of practice; to stay up to date with current laws and cases interpreting those laws. Over the years, I have referred many clients to Karen, and have always heard rave reviews about her excellent representation, about how she knows the law, about how hard she works--and best of all, about how the client feels they're in good hands with Karen. She knows immigration law and is a superb lawyer.

      Karl Weiss, Immigration Attorney on May 23, 2014
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I have worked with Karen on a number of immigration cases for our business clients. She has a significant amount of experience navigating the complexities related to inbound workers and associated visas.

      Ester Greenfield, Immigration Attorney on Oct 16, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Karen has been a colleague for many years. She is knowledgeable, hardworking, dedicated to her clients, and professional. She is skilled in all areas of immigration law, including business and family immigration law and citizenship. Karen also has extensive experience handling immigration litigation in the federal courts. I am comfortable referring immigration matters to Karen because I am confident that she will handle the matter skillfully and professionally.

      Kathleen Weber, Immigration Attorney on Sep 27, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Karen on several immigration cases and I admire her vast amount of immigration knowledge and high ethical standards. Karen and I consult on complex issues relating to visas, waivers, consular processing, citizenship/naturalization, and litigation. Karen is dedicated to representing her clients’ best interests enthusiastically and ethically, while charging reasonable fees.

      Bennet Kelley, Immigration Attorney on Nov 23, 2012
      Relationship: Supervised lawyer

      I endorse this lawyer.

      Jennifer Lee, Immigration Attorney on Sep 1, 2011
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      Karen and I recently worked together on an O-1 visa extraordinary ability petition and she was very knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.