Nicolas Chavez - Dallas, TX

Overview

Awards and Honors

Super Lawyers® Selectees

Super Lawyers® is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The patented selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. The number provided represents the number of attorneys at the firm that have been selected to the Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists.

Nicolas Chavez included in a Super Lawyers® list

Education

• Legal Education

  • University of Houston Law Center, Houston, Texas, 2001
    J.D.
    Honors: University of Houston Immigration Law Clinic, 2000

• Non Legal Education

  • The University of Texas, El Paso, Texas, 1997
    B.A.
    Honors: With Honors
    Major: Criminal Justice

Current Employment Position(s)

• Managing Partner - Fort Worth

Classes and Seminars

• Texas Crimmigration, UTCLE Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality, Austin, TX (2024)
  
• Knocking on Heaven’s Door: “Arriving Aliens” and “Applicants for Admission.” AILA National Conference. New York City (2022)
  
• Law Practice Management in Challenging Times: Tips and Strategies for a Successful and Well-Balanced Business, AILA Texas Chapter Spring Conference, El Paso, TX (2022).
  
• Law Practice Management: Thriving In The Post-COVID-19 World. State Bar of Texas, TexasBarCLE, Immigration Law 101 Conference (2022).
  
• Post-Apocalyptic Hot Topics in Family Immigration, UTCLE Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law. Austin, TX (2021)
  
• Don’t Gamble With The Future: Immigration Consequences of Drug Convictions. National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. NACDL’s 14th Annual Defending Modern Drug Cases Seminar. Las Vegas, NV (2021)
  
• What to Consider When Taking an Immigration Case. State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting. Dallas, TX (2020)
  
• Federal Court and BIA Update. UTCLE Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law (2020)
  
• Practice Management for Immigration Attorneys. UTCLE Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law. Austin, TX (2019)
  
• Family Basics. State Bar of Texas, TexasBarCLE, Immigration Law 101 Conference. Houston, TX (2019)
  
• Emerging Inadmissibility Issues. State Bar of Texas, TexasBarCLE, 16th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Conference. Houston, TX (2018)
  
• Hidden Grounds for Visa Denial. UTCLE Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law. Austin, TX (2018)
  
• Immigration Fraud and Remedies. UTCLE Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law. Austin, TX (2017)
  
• Jewish Latino Advocacy: Advancing Our Common Interests, AJC Jewish/Latino Alliance Panel. Dallas, TX (2017)
  
• Law Firm Management, Marketing & Best Practices, 1st Annual CIL CLE Conference, Orlando, FL (2017)
  
• Overcoming and Preventing Marriage Fraud Findings, UTCLE Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law. Austin, TX (2016)
  
• Mardi Gras and Motions: Filing Motions Before EOIR. AILA Texas Chapter Fall Conference, New Orleans, LA (2016)
  
• Ethics and Practice Management. State Bar of Texas, TexasBarCLE, Immigration Law 101 Conference. Houston, TX (2016)
  
• Federal Case Law Update. UTCLE Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law. Austin, TX (2015)
  
• I-601 v. I-601A Waivers. State Bar of Texas, TexasBarCLE, 13th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course. Houston, TX (2015)
  
• Whose Burden is it Anyway? AILA National Conference. Boston, MA (2014)
  
• Federal Court and BIA Update. AILA National Conference. San Francisco, CA (2013)
  
• Strategies in Complicated I-751 Cases. AILA National Conference. Nashville, TN (2012)
  
• Hot Topics in Family-Based Adjustments. UTCLE Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law. Austin, TX (2012)
  
• Strategies for Success in Problematic Naturalization Cases. AILA Audio Seminar (2011)
  
• A Mock USCIS I-130/I-485 Adjustment of Status Interview. UTCLE Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law. Austin, TX (2011)
  
• Yippee-Kai-Yay, This Is How It’s Done Before the BIA: Appellate and Motions Practice before the BIA. AILA Texas Chapter Spring Conference. Oklahoma City, OK (2011)
  
• Review of I-751s in Removal Proceedings. AILA National Conference. Washington, D.C. (2010)
  
• When Marriages Go South. AILA Texas Chapter Fall Conference, Playa de Carmen, Mexico (2010)
  
• A Practical Guide to Removal Proceedings: A Two-Day Workshop and Training on Removal, Relief and Adjustment. UTCLE Immigration Law Conference. Dallas, TX (2010)
  
• Unauthorized & Unethical Practices of Immigration Law – Concerns, Tips and How to Get Involved. AILA Texas Chapter Fall Conference. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (2008)
  
• Removal Proceedings: The New Practice Rules. UTCLE Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law. San Antonio, TX (2008)
  
• Immigration Law & Employer Compliance, Sterling Institute CLE Seminar, Dallas, TX (2008)

Representative Cases

• City of El Cenizo v. Texas, 890 F.3d 164 (5th Cir. 2018)*
• Mata v. Sessions, 678 F. App'x 198 (5th Cir. 2017)*
• Marques v. Lynch, 834 F.3d 549 (5th Cir. 2016)
• Crane v. Johnson, 783 F.3d 244 (5th Cir. 2015)*
• Villas at Parkside Partners v. City of Farmers Branch, Tex., 726 F.3d 524 (5th Cir. 2013)*
• Gomez-Perez v. Lynch, 829 F.3d 323 (5th Cir. 2016)*
• Nino v. Holder, 690 F.3d 691 (5th Cir. 2012)
• Lopez-Dubon v. Holder, 609 F.3d 642 (5th Cir. 2010)
• *On behalf of Amicus Curiae, American Immigration Lawyers Association

Ancillary Businesses

• Lawpilot

Published Works

Articles

• Chavez, N., & Miller, A. “Don’t Gamble with the Future: Immigration Consequences of Drug Convictions,” 46 The Champion 30 (Jan./Feb. 2022)
  
• Chavez, N., Gunn, T., & Vickner Hough, H. “Filing for Adjustment or Naturalization with a Disabled Applicant: Special Issues You’re Likely to Encounter and How to Overcome Them,” Immigration Practice Pointers: Tips for Handling Complex Cases 820. (AILA 2019-20 Ed.)
  
• Chavez, N., & Vega, R., “Sneaky Inadmissibility Issues At The U.S. Consular Office: Alien Smuggling, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Gang Affiliations,” TexasBarCLE, 16th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course Book, Chapter 11, State Bar of Texas (2018)
  
• Chavez, N., & Mugambi, I., “Consultation Scenarios Involving Questionable and Fraudulent Marriages: Practice Tips Before Taking on a Marriage-Based Immigration Case,” University of Texas at Austin School of Law CLE Immigration & Nationality Conference (2016)
  
• Chavez, N., & Curiel, R., “The Art of the Initial Consultation in Immigration Practice,” TexasBarCLE, Immigration Law 101 Course Book, Chapter 8, State Bar of Texas (2016)
  
• Chavez, N., “Overview and Recent Updates on Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers,” TexasBarCLE, 13th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course Book, Chapter 8, State Bar of Texas (2015)
• Chavez, N., Mendez, M., & Smith, P., “Whose Turn Is it?: Allocation of Burdens of Proof in Removal Proceedings,” Immigration Practice Pointers: Tips for Handling Complex Cases 503 (AILA 2014-15 Ed.)
• Chavez, N., Crow, M., & Graves Jr., W., “Recent Developments and Strategic Considerations in § 212(h) Waiver Practice,” Immigration Practice Pointers: Tips for Handling Complex Cases 664 (AILA 2013-14 Ed.)
• Burton, J., & Chavez, N., “Removal of Conditional Status in Immigration Court: Shifting Jurisdictions and Burdens,” Immigration Practice Pointers: Tips for Handling Complex Cases 138 (AILA 2012-13 Ed.)
• Chavez, N., & Nayar, L., “Happily Ever After?: Effects of Divorce on Spousal-Based Immigration Cases,” University of Texas at Austin School of Law CLE Immigration & Nationality Law Conference (2012)
• Chavez, N., Haynes, J., & Smith, D., “I-751s in Removal Proceedings: Lessons on How to Stop Worrying and Love the Law,” Immigration Practice Pointers: Tips for Handling Complex Cases 586 (AILA 2010-11 Ed.)

Specialties and Certifications

• Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization

Other Affiliations

• Super Lawyers – Top Rated Immigration Lawyer, 2022
• Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and AILA Texas Chapter
• Texas Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee, Dallas, TX, 2004 - Present
• Immigration Legal Advisor, Consulate General of Mexico, Dallas, 2011 - Present
• University of Texas CLE Immigration Law Conference Committee, 2010 – 12, 2015 – Present
• State Bar of Texas Immigration CLE Planning Committee, 2015 - 2018
• Leadership Fort Worth, TX, Class of 2011
• Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
• Dallas Bar Association
• Immigration & Nationality Law Section, State Bar of Texas
• AILA Amicus Curiae Committee, 2011 - 2018
• AILA USCIS Dallas Field Office Liaison Committee, 2007
• Consulate General of Mexico, 2011 - Present (Immigration Legal Advisor)