Rafael

Walnut Creek Immigration Law Lawyer

Updated: 02/28/2026

Areas of Practice

Immigration Law
Immigrant Visas
Non-Immigrant Visas
Naturalization and Citizenship
Removal/Deportation Defense
Waiver Applications

Attorney Information

Overview

Rafael "Ace" Shinn Climaco is admitted to practice law in California, the United States Federal Court Northern District of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has specialized in Immigration Law since 2005 and has successfully handled thousands of immigration cases.

Super Lawyers magazine named Ace to its 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 Rising Stars list for Northern California.

From 2012 to 2022, he taught Immigration Law at the John F. Kennedy School of Law as an adjunct professor.

Ace is fluent in Spanish and Chavacano (a Philippine Spanish-based dialect) and is proficient in Tagalog. He comes from a proud heritage of lawyers. Ace's grandfather, Rafael Climaco, was a Philippine Appeals Court Justice and Philippine bar topnotcher. His uncle is Philippine national hero Cesar Climaco, who was a lawyer, longtime mayor of Zamboanga City, and a former presidential cabinet member.

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Rafael "Ace" S. Climaco included in a Super Lawyers® list

Honors

Rising Stars list for Northern California, Super Lawyers magazine, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015
Minority Bar Coalition Unity Award, 2009

Other Sources of Feedback About Rafael "Ace" S. Climaco

Included on the 2015 Northern California Super Lawyers list

Past Lists

2014 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2013 Northern California Super Lawyers list
2012 Northern California Super Lawyers list

Education

Legal Education
- University of San Francisco School of Law, San Francisco, California
  J.D.
  Honors: Recipient of Douglas Raskin Memorial Scholarship and Law Faculty Scholarship
Non Legal Education
- UCLA, Los Angeles, California
  B.A.

Current Employment Position(s)

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Attorney
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Past Positions

John F. Kennedy University, School of Law, Adjunct Law Professor, Immigration Law, 2012 - 2022

Languages

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English
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Spanish
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Tagalog
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Bar Admissions

California
U.S. District Court Northern District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit

Other Affiliations

Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, President (2008) Secretary (2005-2007), Lifetime Member, 2005 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers Association, Member, 2005 - Present

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Contact

Walnut Creek, CA

1990 N. California Blvd.
8th Floor
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Directions

Phone: 415-578-6826

Email: Send a message

Website: https://www.climacolawoffice.com

Credit Cards Accepted
Virtual Appointments

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Rafael "Ace" S. Climaco - Walnut Creek, CA