Berkeley's vibrant immigrant community faces unique challenges when seeking legal representation—from university researchers pursuing O-1 visas to entrepreneurs building the next tech startup. Finding the right immigration attorney means balancing legal expertise, accessibility, and the modern efficiency that busy professionals demand. Whether you're an individual seeking a green card or a business sponsoring foreign talent, Berkeley residents deserve immigration services that combine personalized attention with technology-enabled convenience.
While Berkeley's local firms require office visits during limited business hours, Alma delivers comprehensive immigration legal services through a secure online platform accessible to Berkeley residents 24/7. Specializing primarily in employment-based immigration, Alma combines top-tier attorneys with cutting-edge technology to achieve a 99%+ approval rate that traditional practices struggle to match.
Alma's technology-first approach transforms the typically opaque immigration process into a transparent, trackable journey. Unlike Berkeley firms requiring in-person consultations during standard business hours, Alma provides unlimited attorney access through their platform while maintaining industry-leading success rates. The proprietary workflow system guides clients through complex applications with built-in trackers, proactive alerts, and audit-ready records—eliminating the communication gaps common when juggling multiple traditional law firm interactions.
Berkeley's tech professionals and STEM workers particularly benefit from Alma's specialization in O-1 extraordinary ability visas and EB-1A petitions. For certain petitions, USCIS Premium Processing provides decisions within 15 calendar days. The platform's automated document collection and real-time case tracking eliminate the back-and-forth emails that delay traditional filings, while dedicated paralegals ensure every petition meets USCIS standards.
For Berkeley's innovative companies, Alma's business immigration platform manages everything from 5 to 5,000+ cases with scalable workflows. The system integrates with HRIS platforms like Workday and BambooHR, providing real-time dashboards and spend projections that traditional firms can't match. Startups benefit from special pricing through partnerships with Y Combinator and other accelerators.
Cost: Transparent flat fees from $500 (H-1B lottery) to $10,000 (EB-1/EB-2 NIW); includes platform access, unlimited consultations, and administrative support
Availability: Serves all Berkeley residents through secure online platform; cases handled by attorneys specializing in immigration law
Contact: Start with a free consultation or explore visa options through their comprehensive content center
Operating from 2140 Shattuck Avenue since 1999, Wiley & Jobson brings over two decades of immigration experience to Berkeley's downtown corridor. Both founding attorneys hold Super Lawyers recognition—Joye Wiley (2008-2010, 2012-2020, 2023) and Cara Jobson (2012-2025)—focusing primarily on employment-based immigration and humanitarian cases.
What Makes Them Stand Out:
The firm's expertise in marriage and fiancé visas (K-1), LGBT immigration, and provisional waivers (I-601A) addresses needs beyond typical employment-based practice. Their experience with mandamus actions for immigration delays provides options when USCIS processing stalls unexpectedly. Multilingual support in Spanish and Portuguese serves Berkeley's diverse community.
The firm's positive client reviews reflect strong satisfaction, though the traditional office model may feel less convenient for busy professionals accustomed to digital-first interactions. Those seeking employment-based green cards or deportation defense will find experienced counsel here.
Address: 2140 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 408-409, Berkeley, CA 94704
Christine Stouffer's practice at 2000 Hearst Avenue maintains 100% focus on immigration law, with Rising Star Eva Loney (2024-2025 Super Lawyers) strengthening the team. The firm emphasizes personalized attention for employment-based immigration, naturalization, and humanitarian cases including asylum, VAWA, and U-visas.
What Makes Them Stand Out:
Stouffer Law's LGBTQIA+ immigration expertise addresses a specialized need in Berkeley's progressive community. The multilingual team (Spanish, Portuguese, and others) expands accessibility, while Attorney Stouffer's experience since 2006 provides depth in removal defense cases.
Practice Limitations:
Positive client reviews reflect strong relationships, particularly for humanitarian and employment-based matters. Employment-based petitioners seeking H-1B or O-1 expertise will find knowledgeable representation.
Address: 2000 Hearst Avenue, Suite 401, Berkeley, CA 94709
Solo practitioner Gopal Shah operates from 2150 Shattuck Avenue, offering a boutique practice approach with 11 years of experience. The firm's 4.9/5 rating across 74 reviews suggests consistent client satisfaction across work visas, employment-based green cards, and naturalization matters.
What Makes Them Stand Out:
Shah's practice reportedly uses "latest legal technologies," suggesting more modern workflows than typical solo practitioners. The boutique model offers competitive rates while handling H-1B, L-1, and O-1 work visas alongside employment-based immigration—a broader scope than many Berkeley practices.
Practical Considerations:
For those preferring personalized attention from a single attorney throughout their case, Shah's practice offers an alternative to larger firm structures.
Address: 2150 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 704, Berkeley, CA 94704
This nonprofit organization at 2614 Dwight Way serves 12,000+ people yearly with a reported 98% success rate specifically for asylum cases. For individuals seeking humanitarian immigration assistance on limited budgets, East Bay Sanctuary provides free or low-cost services that private practices cannot match.
What Makes Them Stand Out:
The organization's focus on asylum, DACA renewals, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and Temporary Protected Status fills crucial gaps in Berkeley's legal landscape. Multilingual staff (English, Spanish, Mam, and others upon request) serves clients from 70+ countries, while additional support includes public benefits, housing assistance, and medical care access.
Access Limitations:
Those facing asylum situations or needing DACA renewal assistance will find dedicated expertise here. Employment-based visa seekers should consider private counsel.
Address: 2614 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA 94720
Operating from 1900 Addison Street, this DOJ-certified nonprofit specializes in LGBTQIA+ immigration with a 5.0/5 rating across 42 reviews. Attorney Ari Jones holds Super Lawyers Rising Star recognition, focusing on asylum applications and persecution cases based on sexuality, gender identity, or HIV status.
What Makes Them Stand Out:
Oasis fills a unique niche in Berkeley's immigration landscape with dedicated LGBTQIA+ expertise. The nonprofit model offers nominal fees serving low-income groups, while multilingual services (English, Spanish, Portuguese) expand accessibility. Beyond asylum, the organization supports residency (green card) applications, naturalization, family petitions for LGBTQ+ immigrants, and VAWA-related relief.
Service Scope:
For LGBTQIA+ individuals facing persecution-based immigration challenges, Oasis provides specialized expertise difficult to find elsewhere in Berkeley.
Address: 1900 Addison Street, Suite 100, Berkeley, CA 94704
With 27+ years of experience, Attorney Sam Ouya Maina (CA Bar #176135) operates from 2140 Shattuck Avenue focusing on humanitarian immigration including U-Visas, VAWA petitions, political asylum, and deportation defense. The practice's 4.8/5 rating reflects client appreciation for its compassionate approach.
What Makes Them Stand Out:
Maina's nearly three decades of experience provides depth in complex removal defense and humanitarian cases. Payment plans increase accessibility for clients with limited resources, while multilingual staff serves Berkeley's diverse immigrant population.
Practical Considerations:
Individuals facing deportation proceedings or pursuing humanitarian relief will find experienced counsel, though employment-based petitioners may need different expertise.
Address: 2140 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 810, Berkeley, CA 94704
Operating from 1889 Alcatraz Avenue with a main office in Burlingame, Akcok Law (Attorney Utku Galip Akçok, CA Bar #338452) handles green cards, visa processes, and investment immigration including EB-5. The practice offers WhatsApp consultations and responds within 48 hours, suggesting more modern communication approaches than typical traditional firms.
What Makes Them Stand Out:
The firm serves Berkeley's Turkish-speaking community while handling diverse immigration matters from employment-based to investment visas. Free consultations and WhatsApp accessibility indicate client-friendly communication policies.
Service Considerations:
For Turkish-speaking clients or those exploring EB-5 investment immigration, Akcok provides accessible multilingual services.
Address: 1889 Alcatraz Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94703
Located at 1604 Solano Avenue near the Albany border, this practice focuses on adjustment of status, naturalization, and humanitarian immigration with competitive pricing and payment plans. The firm's mission emphasizes serving low-income immigrant communities.
What Makes Them Stand Out:
Bankston's commitment to affordable services fills an important gap between nonprofit organizations and premium private practices. Payment plan availability increases accessibility for working families navigating immigration processes.
Practice Scope:
For Berkeley residents seeking affordable employment-based immigration or naturalization services, Bankston's practice offers financially accessible representation.
Address: 1604 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94707
Before selecting any immigration attorney, verify their credentials through the State Bar search tool. This free resource confirms active licensing status and reveals any disciplinary history—critical information that firm websites may not disclose.
Enter the attorney's name or bar number to access their current status, admission date, and any public discipline records. For the Berkeley attorneys listed above, all verified practitioners show active California Bar licenses as of November 2025.
California requires immigration attorneys to maintain active State Bar membership, though immigration law itself is federal. This means any attorney licensed anywhere can represent you before USCIS, opening access to nationwide platforms like Alma without geographic limitation.
When evaluating immigration legal services, Berkeley residents face distinct considerations:
Use the State Bar search to confirm any attorney's active license status and check for disciplinary history. Enter the attorney's name or bar number for immediate results including admission date, current standing, and any public discipline records. This verification takes minutes and provides essential information that firm marketing may omit.
Berkeley's immigration practices predominantly focus on humanitarian cases (asylum, VAWA, U-visas), employment-based petitions, and naturalization. Employment-based immigration expertise—particularly for H-1B, O-1, L-1, and EB categories—is available both locally and through technology-enabled platforms. For employment-based needs, platforms like Alma provide specialized expertise.
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant and Oasis Legal Services offer free or low-cost immigration assistance for qualifying individuals. The California State Bar provides free attorney search and verification tools. For employment-based immigration, Alma offers consultations to assess visa options and develop case strategies before any commitment.
Verify California State Bar membership and check for disciplinary history. Assess specialization—humanitarian and employment-based immigration require different expertise. Request clear fee structures (flat-rate versus hourly), understand communication expectations, and ask about technology for case tracking. Consider whether office-based consultation requirements fit your schedule, or whether a tech-enabled platform offering 24/7 access better suits your needs.
Technology-enabled platforms provide real-time case tracking, automated document collection, deadline alerts, and instant communication with legal teams—eliminating phone tag and email delays. Alma's platform includes built-in compliance tracking, proactive reminders, and audit-ready records that prevent costly mistakes. For busy professionals, mobile-friendly interfaces allow case management between meetings rather than requiring office visits during business hours.
