“I have thoroughly enjoyed my 25+ years working in the immigration law field. From a young lawyer learning the complexities of this area of law to a more seasoned practitioner managing a firm of immigration professionals, I’ve continued to enjoy the many successes of assisting clients through the maze of law, regulations & administrative process. My experience allows me to greatly empathize with these Foreign Nationals dealing with the life changing event of moving to a foreign land. Dealing with numerous government agencies including the Departments of Homeland Security, State, Labor and others on a day to day basis has taught me patience and resolve.”

Steve Garfinkel’s Story

Over twenty-six years ago, Steve “fell into” the immigration law practice after receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Politics from Wake Forest University and his J.D. degree from the Wake Forest School of Law. Immigration law was not even offered as a course when Steve attended law school in the early 1980’s and was not a practice area Steve considered. During that time, however, Steve met an immigration lawyer, learned about the immigration practice and realized that immigration law would combine his interest in international affairs with helping people. Having Polish, German and Russian grandparents and growing up in a small town in New Jersey (where a majority of his childhood friends were second and third generation immigrants), Steve was at ease working with people from other countries. He enjoys meeting and talking with clients from around the world and learning about their cultures, traditions and heritage.

Steve practiced immigration law for twelve years, both in a small immigration boutique firm and in one of North Carolina’s largest law firms, before establishing his own firm in 1997. The early years of his immigration practice focused on family, deportation, asylum and employment-based immigration cases. When he established Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm, he focused solely on the business side of immigration law. Now that he has surrounded himself with a team of highly talented lawyers and other professionals, his firm’s practice has come full circle to that of a full service immigration law firm. Being a North Carolina Certified Specialist in the complicated area of immigration law gives Steve recognition both in the Carolinas and nationally. He has served as the Chair of the Immigration Law Specialization Committee and on several boards of directors. His positions in the American Immigration Lawyers Association have included being President of the Carolinas Chapter and serving on the National Board of Directors. Steve often gives presentations on immigration law to various groups, including human resource associations, community organizations, school board associations and universities. He has also participated in lively debates focused on the issue of immigration law reform.