How to Choose an E-2 Visa Lawyer

Questions to Ask Any Firm

1. How many E-2 cases have you handled, and at which consulates?

   Practice varies by post. Experience with your consulate's interview style and document rules matters more than a general count.

2. Who will actually work on my file?

   Ask whether the attorney you meet will prepare the case and attend to the interview preparation, or whether it moves to staff you have not met.

3. How is the fee structured, and what does it exclude?

   Ask whether it is flat or hourly, whether the business plan, translations and government fees are included, and what happens if the case needs a second filing.

4. How do you build the source of funds record?

   The firm should trace every dollar from its origin to the U.S. business account and tell you before you wire money what records you will need.

5. Who writes the business plan, and is it built for the officer?

   An E-2 plan is a financial document first. Ask whether the firm prepares it, reviews one prepared elsewhere, or leaves it to you.

6. What happens if the visa is refused?

   Ask about reapplication strategy and, where a U.S. filing is involved, whether the firm can take the matter to federal court.

7. Which languages can you work in?

   Source documents, bank records and tax filings are often in your language. Reviewing them in the original catches problems translations hide.

8. Can you handle my case wherever I live?

   You may apply in your home country and run the business in another state. The firm should be able to follow the case across both.

How Samper Law Answers These Questions

Cases handled

Samper Law has extensive experience in E-2 treaty investor matters. What sets the firm apart is its active collaboration with Kloss Martino, a separate business advisory firm, from the first consultation through the final result, so the business, financial and legal sides of a case are built together. Kloss Martino is not a law firm; its engagements and fees are independent of Samper Law's, and clients remain free to choose any adviser.

Who works the file

Lidice Samper, Esq. leads the legal strategy on investor matters. Kloss Martino works alongside her on business structure, the business plan and the financial record.

Fee structure

E-2 matters are handled on a flat fee set in writing before work begins, payable as a deposit and scheduled installments. Government fees and third party costs are billed separately.

Source of funds

Each investment is traced from its lawful origin through every account to the U.S. business, and the records list is set before funds move.

Business plan

The business plan is prepared in collaboration with Kloss Martino, with Samper Law's attorneys leading the legal strategy and reviewing that the plan's numbers match the evidence.

Federal litigation

The firm handles federal court matters, including mandamus actions for unreasonable delay and challenges to agency decisions. Court admissions: Lidice Samper, Esq.: U.S. Court of Appeals for the First (1st) Circuit; U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth (10th) Circuit; U.S. Federal Immigration Court. Maeve Healy, Esq.: U.S. Federal District of Massachusetts; U.S. Federal District Court of New Hampshire. Daniel Lopez, Esq.: U.S. Federal District Court of New Mexico.

Languages

Consultations and client communication are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, Nepali, Urdu and Punjabi. Documents in those languages are reviewed in the original before translation.

National reach

Immigration law is federal, so Samper Law represents clients in every state and abroad, with consular matters handled at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. The firm is based in Massachusetts.

Frequently Asked Questions