Martin J. Lawler

Martin Lawler is recognized as one of America’s leading immigration lawyers. In his 30 years of specializing in immigration law he has secured temporary visas, permanent residence, naturalization, and passports for thousands of people from around the world. His book, Professionals: A Matter of Degree, is a leading treatise on employment based temporary visas and permanent resident status.

Martin is also considered an authority on Invester visas family based visas, asylum, and deportation defense.

Awards and Distinctions

Martin J. Lawler has received many prestigious awards and distinctions including:

• Listed in Best Lawyers in America
• Listed in the Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers
• Northern California Super Lawyer by San Francisco Magazine
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) top award
  –Jack Wasserman Memorial Award for excellence in immigration litigation
• AILA Presidents Award for Mentoring Women in Law
• AILA Presidents Award for his book, Professionals: A Matter of Degree
• Plaque from Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi for writing a bill to help Chinese students after Tiananmen Square – the bill passed the Senate and House, was vetoed by President Bush and the veto was almost overridden
• Martindale-Hubbell A rating – the leading attorney rating service
• Who’s Who of Business Lawyers
• Movie credit: House of D with Robin Williams and David Duchovny

Martin led the way for H-1B visas to be awarded to people based on work experience rather than exclusively on the employee’s education. His pioneering work in this area led to the favorable change in the government’s regulations.

Martin working with Hope M. Frye were the first to propose changes in Chinese student visas after Tiananmen Square. They co-wrote HR 2712 for Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and helped her in the passage of this legislation. Congresswoman Pelosi is now House Minority Leader. HR 2712 was adopted administratively and set the stage for future favorable legislation.

Martin was the first to win recognition by the Department of State that intellectual property may be used to capitalize a company for E-2 (treaty investor) visas.

Martin wrote the first law book dedicated to H-1B visas. His popular book is now expanded to cover most business visas and is in its fourth edition. The 5th edition will be published in June 2009. Read more.

In 2007 Martin wrote an op-ed article in the Wall Street Journal about a proposed New Immigration Law. With Hope M. Frye, he co-authored a second Wall Street Journal article in 2008 and an article in "HR Magazine" about H1B (professional) visas. Read the article.

In September of 2007 Martin appeared on National Public Radios Science Friday program for 40 minutes and spoke about visas for scientists and engineers.