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.
Practice areas
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
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
WA | Active | 1978 | 02/24/2021 |
DC | Inactive | 1975 | 07/03/2017 |
Legal answers | 1 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
AV Preeminent 5.0 Peer Rated Ethical Standards & Legal Ability | Martindale-Hubbell | 2019 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2018 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2017 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2012 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2011 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2010 |
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AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2009 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2008 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2007 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2005 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2004 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2003 |
Pro Bono Award | Seattle Chapter AILA | 2003 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2002 |
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2001 |
Lifetime Achievement Award | Northwest Immigrant Rights Project | 1998 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Gilbert Law Office | Principal Attorney | 1981 - Present |
Lecturer and Supervising Attorney | American University School Of Law | 1976 - 1978 |
Attorney | Us Department Of Labor - Solicitor's Office | 1973 - 1975 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
The Pier at Leschi | President | 2012 - Present |
American Immigration Lawyers Association | Member | 1980 - Present |
National Immigration Project | Member | N/A |
Washington Immigration Project | Board of Directors | N/A |
The PIer at Leschi | Vice President | 2005 - 2012 |
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project | Vice President Board of Directors | 1999 - 2000 |
---|---|---|
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project | Chair Legal Committee | 1992 - 1996 |
Norhtwest Immigrant Rights Project | Board of Directors | 1991 - 2005 |
Joint Legal Task Force for Immmigrants and Refuges | Volunteer Attorney | 1984 - 1991 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Maryland School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1973 |
American University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1968 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Rivera v. Ashcroft, 394 F.3d 1129 | Won; 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 |
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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.