Matt L Trevena

I just called to seek advice for a missed immigration fingerprint appointment and was told abruptly and condescendingly «just go by there» and when I said I tried that and they didn’t accept a walk-​in for a missed appointment I was told «I’m sorry we can’t help you»…
No effort to was made to understand the situation or circumstance and if an immigration firm cannot offer ANY advice for what is a rather uncomplicated situation then I question anyone placing their trust in an organization given so much responsibility in determining the immigration future of others.

To go to attorney for immigration questions in Austin, TX!
I am a Swiss Citizen who came to the US as an exchange student with a J-​1 visa. After spending a semester at UT in Austin, I was able to extend my experience in the US engaging in Academic Training under the same visa. I consulted various attorneys in Austin, TX during the grace period my visa was to expire and stated my urge to stay in the US for a while longer.
After seeing some of the attorneys I was recommended by the school, I was getting frustrated with how they conducted business. None of them were able to advise me on my questions and simply put me off although I had to pay them a consultation fee. Thinking that my case is fairly straight forward, I was getting annoyed as these attorneys were supposed to be top-​notch attorneys in Austin, TX.
I then conducted my own research and stumbled upon the office of Mr. Trevena and scheduled a visit with him.
To my absolute surprise, the meeting with Mr. Trevena was very professional where he was able to tell me all the different options I had given my situation with the risks and uncertainties associated with each one of them. We then agreed on pursuing the path where I would change my nonimmigrant status. About 4 months later, I received a letter from the DHS stating that I was granted my request.
Mr. Trevena has an excellent understanding of the immigration law. His service not only was professional but also conducted in a rapid and efficient manner. I would choose him as my attorney without any doubt if I had any questions regarding immigration in the future.

I needed some help with immigration issues and Mr. Trevena’s expertise in the area far exceeded my expectations. He thoroughly knew INS procedures and was even familiar with an agent I had worked with many years ago in San Antonio – impressive! Mr. Trevena is an excellent, very professional, diligent immigration attorney, and he is Board Certified. If you are looking for an honest, knowledgeable attorney who will devote his time and energy to your case, look no further than the office of Mr. Trevena.

I cannot find the right words to describe how happy I am with Mr. Trevena. He was a huge help for the services I was needing, and delivered 100%, all the way. Not going into details, but I’d like to mention that his professionalism is just outstanding. As a straight forward/​stand up guy, I love the way Matt approaches his clients. If you want the truth, honesty, and legal delivery, go talk to Matt. He shot me straight, despite the outcome. Kudos to his staff too.

Matt Trevena is an extremely experienced and knowledgable attorney. As a retired military service-​member I was confused when my Canadian wife’s green card was denied without cause, so I turned to Matt. He immediately became a supporter, friend and confidant. He methodically and meticulously set out to resolve our issue.
When the immigration service was «bullying» us around he stood up for us and supported our argument without reservation. He maintained his position that we were in the right and generously offered to bring our case to a successful conclusion for a «set» fee. He never charged us for extra phone calls, e-​mails or letters in support of our case — and there were many of these!
After 4 «ridiculous» years (his words), the Consul General got involved (I assume at Matt’s request through the Legal Aid Network) and «resolved» the issue, allowing my wife to obtain her green card and join me the US.
Even after 20 frustrating years of dealing with the Department of Defense (US Navy), I would have probably had a nervous breakdown trying to deal with the State Department without Matt’s reassuring representation. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Law Offices of Matt Trevena. I don’t believe you could ask for a better attorney.

Had a really horrible experience! Would not recommend to anyone. Charges upfront (and a lot more than other attorneys in town) even if no advice given and barely gives you 5 – 10 mins. He gave no advice (was just rambling and condescending in the way he talked) in that time, and so we started to ask a few questions. We couldn’t even finish our questions, and he stood and started walking out — he said our time is up in a very rude way! So I made a remark that the session was not satisfactory, upon which he immediately said if we don’t pay he will call the police! (though we never uttered a single word that even remotely alluded that we will not pay). What a rip off! Will go to better business bureau now to file a complaint!

A little background:
I have known and had Mr Trevena and his lawfirm represent me since 1998. Yes, almost ten years. Through this time, he has completed the following paperwork for me:
1-​practical training papers (lasts one year allows foreign college graduates to work in the US).
2-​H1B — lasts up to 6 years, must be renewed every 3 years and allows an Alien to work in the US for ONE specific employer.
3-​Green Card application circa 2004 — the old grandfathered process that took longer than the current one but was less treacherous and more guaranteed. This application has several components such as the labor certification, etc. I am not going to go into those.
4-​Several H1-​B extensions after the initial 6 years due to pending green card application. (INS let’s you renew if you have pending green card app)
The Nature of INS and INS Forms & Procedures:
INS never set out to make life easy, simple and fast for the immigrants that are seeking status in the US. They may tell you otherwise but judging the forms, the processes and the communication pathways I have reached this conclusion on my own.
One must understand that the forms for the INS are no different than those of the IRS. They are complex, they have potential pitfalls if filled out by a novice. INS is also very good at responding to inquiries and applications late while expecting the next leg of the process to be on time. This ends up creating long waits with no news and then a few days of mad scramble to get everything squared away and submitted for the next round.
One can not do the Green Card process on their own. I do not recommend it to any sane person who really cares about emigrating into the US.
Description of the Performed Services:
1-​meetings to inform me about upcoming processes — such as beginning of the Green Card process
2-​Sending me simple forms to fill in to provide information for the applications.
3-​Filling out the proper applications.
4-​Getting applications reviewed by me and my employer
5-​Filing applications with Department of Labor and INS.
6-​Checking on status updated when they were available (none from DOL, and a few from the INS towards the end)
7-​Working with my employer’s attorney to get them up to speed on the processes.
About Mr. Trevena:
Mr. Trevena is a good guy with a warm heart. I think he treats his clients with respect, and compassions. He is good at putting people at ease. He is good at explaining complex INS procedures.
He was always available to meet, he never shortchanged me on information and always was willing to re-​explain things that I did not understand for the umpteenth time.
His office updated me with e mails as things developed. I also got calls from them when I was about to miss deadlines with forms and such. So they kept me on track.
Overall Evaluation of Services:
During this ten year period, I traveled back to my home country of Turkey tens of times and every time Mr. Trevena’s office would brief me on procedures, things to watch out for, how to deal with the consulate in Istanbul and such.
I found their paperwork preparation to be speedy and accurate. In all these tens of forms we filled out, I never found an error during my reviews of the documentation.
The fees paid for the green card process seem steep but if you compare them to any other professional immigration law firm you will see that they are reasonable. I think the fees I paid to Mr. Trevena and his firm were well spent. The one time legal fee for the green card process hurts at first but it is worth every penny to be in good hands. Believe me.
My labor certification took about almost 2 – 3 years during which there was nothing but silence. NOTHING. Department of Labor never sent anything back until the process was complete. There was nothing Mr. Trevena could have done about this.
The Green Card process is not one for the impatient kind. You have to be ready to accept the delays, the setbacks, the months spent in the dark not knowing how things will result, you have to be open to your attorney’s advice and you have to trust your attorney.
There’s nothing your attorney can do when the federal institutions are processing documents in a fashion that you see in movies from 1950s featuring offices with thousands of workers with electric typewriters except the current institutions have half or less the staff they need.
Mr. Trevena had my trust and he never disappointed me.
I am a resident Alien for the first time in my tenure in the US for over 17 years. I simply do not know what else to say. I am grateful to Mr. Trevena and his crew; Without their diligence and hard work this dream would not have come true.