Top 10 Immigration Law Firms in Ohio You Can Trust in 2025
Top 10 Immigration Law Firms in Ohio You Can Trust in 2025
With its leading universities, world-class healthcare systems, and a growing economy, Ohio is a key destination for global talent, families, and businesses. Successfully navigating the U.S. immigration system here requires a skilled and trustworthy legal advocate. We have analyzed firms across the Buckeye State to bring you the top 10, selected for their proven expertise, client success, and outstanding reputations.
- Brown Immigration Law
Brown Immigration Law is a premier firm in Ohio, nationally recognized for its work with the medical, research, and academic sectors. They have a deep understanding of the unique immigration challenges faced by physicians, scientists, universities, and hospitals, making them a go-to firm for the “eds and meds” community.
The firm excels at handling complex cases for top-tier talent, including National Interest Waivers (NIW), O-1 visas for extraordinary ability, and EB-1 petitions for outstanding researchers and professors. Their attorneys are known for their meticulous preparation and for crafting sophisticated legal arguments that lead to success. They also provide comprehensive services for businesses and families.
Why Choose This Firm?
If you are a physician, researcher, university, or a highly skilled professional, this firm’s specialized expertise is precisely what you need. They understand your field and know how to build a winning case that highlights your value to the United States.
At a Glance:
- Location: Cleveland & Columbus, OH
- Specialty: Physicians, Researchers, Universities, and Extraordinary Ability cases.
- Ideal For: Medical professionals, academics, researchers, and their employers.
- Google Rating:8 Stars (150+ reviews)
- Herman Legal Group
Founded in 1995, the Herman Legal Group is one of Ohio’s most well-known and client-focused immigration law firms. They are dedicated to serving a diverse clientele with a philosophy of compassion and respect, captured in their motto, “Immigration is our passion.” They handle the full spectrum of immigration law, from family petitions to complex deportation defense.
The firm’s large, multilingual team (offering services in over 12 languages) is a significant asset, ensuring clients feel comfortable and understood. They are known for their aggressive advocacy in removal proceedings and for their compassionate handling of family-based cases and asylum claims. Their excellent client reviews consistently praise their communication and dedication.
Why Choose This Firm?
For families and individuals seeking a firm that combines extensive experience with a deeply personal and supportive approach, the Herman Legal Group is an outstanding choice. They are a powerful and empathetic advocate for the immigrant community.
At a Glance:
- Location: Cleveland & Columbus, OH
- Specialty: Family Immigration, Deportation Defense, and Asylum.
- Ideal For: Families, asylum seekers, and individuals in removal proceedings.
- Google Rating:8 Stars (400+ reviews)
- Website: Herman Legal Group
- Shihab & Associates, Co., LPA
Shihab & Associates is a large, full-service immigration firm with a national reach and deep roots in Ohio. For over 25 years, they have provided high-quality legal services to corporations, families, and individuals, handling a high volume of cases with a well-organized, systematic approach.
The firm’s size and experience allow them to cover all areas of immigration law, from corporate compliance and business visas (H-1B, L-1, PERM) to family petitions and federal court litigation. They have a team of experienced attorneys and a strong support staff, enabling them to manage complex cases efficiently and effectively.
Why Choose This Firm?
If you are looking for a large, established firm with the resources and experience to handle any immigration matter, Shihab & Associates is a reliable and powerful choice. They offer the strength and breadth of a national law firm.
At a Glance:
- Location: Columbus, OH (and nationwide)
- Specialty: Full-Service (Corporate, Family, and Litigation).
- Ideal For: Businesses and individuals who want the resources of a large law firm.
- Google Rating:5 Stars (300+ reviews)
- Hammond Law Group, LLC
Based in Cincinnati, Hammond Law Group is a highly respected boutique firm that focuses primarily on employment-based and business immigration law. They serve a wide range of corporate clients, from small startups to large multinational corporations, providing strategic and efficient immigration solutions.
The firm is known for its responsive, partner-level service and its deep expertise in corporate compliance, H-1B visas, L-1 visas, and the PERM labor certification process. They work closely with HR departments to develop and manage streamlined immigration programs, acting as a trusted partner in their clients’ growth and talent acquisition strategies.
Why Choose This Firm?
For businesses in Southern Ohio and beyond that value a direct, strategic partnership with experienced attorneys, Hammond Law Group is a top choice. They provide sophisticated corporate counsel with the personal touch of a boutique firm.
At a Glance:
- Location: Cincinnati, OH
- Specialty: Corporate Immigration (H-1B, L-1, PERM, Compliance).
- Ideal For: Businesses of all sizes seeking a strategic immigration partner.
- Google Rating:9 Stars (70+ reviews)
- Musillo Unkenholt, LLC
Musillo Unkenholt (MU) is a nationally recognized law firm with a unique and powerful niche: immigration for healthcare professionals, particularly international nurses. They are one of the country’s leading firms in this highly specialized area, working with hospitals and healthcare systems across the U.S. from their Cincinnati headquarters.
The firm has an unparalleled understanding of the specific immigration challenges facing the healthcare industry, including Schedule A petitions, visa retrogression, and licensure issues. They have helped thousands of foreign-trained nurses achieve their dream of working in the United States, playing a vital role in addressing the nursing shortage.
Why Choose This Firm?
If you are an international nurse or a healthcare organization looking to hire from abroad, MU’s specialized expertise is simply essential. They are the undisputed leaders in nurse immigration.
At a Glance:
- Location: Cincinnati, OH
- Specialty: Immigration for International Nurses and Healthcare Professionals.
- Ideal For: Foreign-trained nurses and the healthcare systems that employ them.
- Google Rating:9 Stars (50+ reviews)
- Website: Musillo Unkenholt, LLC
- The Law Office of Rauser & Associates, L.P.A
While widely known for its work in other areas of law, Rauser & Associates has a dedicated and highly effective immigration law practice focused on helping families. With offices across the state, they make quality immigration legal services accessible to clients outside of Ohio’s major metro hubs.
Their immigration team specializes in family-based petitions, fiancé visas, and the naturalization process. They bring the resources and stability of a large, multi-practice firm to their immigration clients, offering a reliable and professional experience. This structure is ideal for clients who appreciate the backing of a large, established firm.
Why Choose This Firm?
If you live outside of a major metro area or prefer the security of a large, diversified law firm, Rauser & Associates provides an accessible and reliable option for your family’s immigration needs.
At a Glance:
- Location: Columbus, OH (and multiple offices statewide)
- Specialty: Family-Based Immigration and Citizenship.
- Ideal For: Clients throughout Ohio seeking an established, multi-practice firm.
- Google Rating:7 Stars (300+ reviews for Columbus)
- Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
Porter Wright is a large, full-service corporate law firm with a dedicated and highly effective immigration practice. They serve the needs of large domestic and multinational corporations, providing sophisticated legal counsel on immigration strategy, compliance, and policy.
The firm’s immigration group works seamlessly with other departments like labor, tax, and corporate law to provide integrated solutions for their business clients. They are experts in managing large-scale visa programs, conducting I-9 audits, and advising on the immigration implications of mergers and acquisitions.
Why Choose This Firm?
For large corporations that require comprehensive legal support that goes beyond just immigration, Porter Wright is an ideal partner. They offer the power and integrated services of a major corporate law firm.
At a Glance:
- Location: Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, OH
- Specialty: Integrated Corporate Immigration and Compliance.
- Ideal For: Large corporations needing comprehensive legal and business counsel.
- Google Rating:5 Stars (40+ reviews for Columbus)
- Website: Porter Wright Morris & Arthur LLP
- Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, LPA
Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez is a Cleveland-based firm with a deep and passionate commitment to serving the Hispanic community. They provide expert legal counsel in a fully bilingual and bicultural environment, focusing on family-based immigration, removal defense, and humanitarian cases.
The firm is known for its tireless advocacy and for building strong, trusting relationships with the families they represent. They understand the unique challenges their clients face and fight to protect their rights in immigration court and before USCIS. Their perfect 5-star rating is a direct reflection of the care and dedication they bring to every case.
Why Choose This Firm?
For Spanish-speaking families in Northeast Ohio, this firm is an exceptional choice. They offer not only top-tier legal expertise but also a welcoming and culturally fluent environment where clients are treated with dignity and respect.
At a Glance:
- Location: Cleveland, OH
- Specialty: Serving the Hispanic Community, Removal Defense, and Family Law.
- Ideal For: Spanish-speaking clients and families in need of a dedicated advocate.
- Google Rating:0 Stars (200+ reviews)
- Margaret W. Wong & Associates, LLC
A true legend in immigration law, Margaret W. Wong & Associates is a nationally renowned firm with its headquarters in Cleveland. For over 40 years, this firm has been a powerhouse, taking on the most difficult and complex cases and achieving extraordinary results for its clients, from high-profile individuals to large corporations.
The firm’s large, diverse team handles the full spectrum of immigration law, but they are particularly known for their creative and relentless approach to complex litigation, appeals, and “unwinnable” cases. They have a long and storied history of success and are deeply committed to serving the Asian-American community.
Why Choose This Firm?
When your case is incredibly complex, has been denied, or requires a creative, out-of-the-box strategy, this firm has the experience, resources, and tenacity to take on the challenge. They are a force in the field of immigration law.
At a Glance:
- Location: Cleveland, OH (and nationwide)
- Specialty: Complex Litigation, Appeals, and Full-Service Immigration.
- Ideal For: Clients with difficult or complex cases and members of the Asian community.
- Google Rating:4 Stars (300+ reviews)
- Robert N. Hartsell, Attorney at Law
Robert N. Hartsell has been a trusted advocate for the immigrant community in Akron and Northeast Ohio for over 25 years. He provides dedicated, personal service primarily in the areas of family-based immigration, naturalization, and removal defense.
As a solo practitioner, Mr. Hartsell offers a level of direct attorney involvement that larger firms often cannot match. He is known for his integrity, reasonable fees, and his unwavering commitment to his clients. For decades, he has been a pillar of the local community, helping families navigate the immigration system with a steady and experienced hand.
Why Choose This Firm?
For those in the Akron area who value working directly with an experienced attorney, Robert Hartsell provides knowledgeable, honest, and dedicated legal counsel from a trusted local practitioner.
At a Glance:
- Location: Akron, OH
- Specialty: Family Immigration, Citizenship, and Removal Defense.
- Ideal For: Clients in Northeast Ohio seeking direct, personal attorney service.
- Google Rating:8 Stars (40+ reviews)
FAQs
How do I choose the right immigration lawyer in Ohio?
First, identify firms that specialize in your specific area of need (e.g., healthcare, corporate, family). Look for attorneys with leadership roles in the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Ohio Chapter, as this often indicates a high level of expertise and peer respect. Reading recent client reviews is crucial for gauging a firm’s communication and client service.
What documents do I need for a consultation?
You should bring all official immigration documents, including your passport, visa, I-94 card, and any notices from USCIS or the Immigration Court. It is also helpful to create a simple timeline of your immigration history and a list of questions for the attorney.
How much does an immigration lawyer typically cost in Ohio?
Attorney fees can vary. For a marriage-based green card, you might expect to pay between $2,500 and $6,000. Corporate cases like H-1B visas typically range from $2,000 to $5,000. Deportation defense is more costly and usually requires an initial retainer of $5,000 to $12,000+.
Can I switch lawyers during my immigration case?
Yes, you are always free to change your legal representation. Your new lawyer will file a Form G-28 to notify the government of the change. To ensure a smooth handover, it is very important to get a complete copy of your case file from your prior attorney.
Conclusion
- For Healthcare & Research: Brown Immigration Law and Musillo Unkenholt (for nurses) are the undisputed leaders.
- For Large Corporations: Porter Wright and Shihab & Associates offer the resources and breadth needed for complex corporate work.
- For Family & Humanitarian Cases: Herman Legal Group and The Law Firm of Luz Abusaid provide expert and compassionate advocacy.
- For Complex Litigation: Robert Brown LLC has the experience and reputation to take on the toughest fights.
- For Southern Ohio Businesses: Hammond Law Group offers top-tier, specialized corporate counsel.
Ohio is a state of opportunity, and the right legal partner can help you seize it. Use this guide to find a trusted firm that aligns with your specific immigration goals.
