Lorena Rivas isn’t sure what life would be like without experienced immigration attorney Elissa Stiles on her side. And the nationally known immigration attorney has no intention of finding out.
Stiles has stood in lockstep with Rivas since her days interning with Rivas at Fry & Elder in 2017.
“Elissa has been with me for so long,” Lorena Rivas said. “She has had to learn everything, and she is one of the few people here who can do anything at our firm.
“My goal for her is to supervise the attorneys to basically become the legal brain of the firm.”
Although Rivas continues to supervise attorneys within the firm, the dynamic immigration lawyer has become more of a figurehead these days whether that means taking to the airwaves to answer immigration-related legal questions at local radio stations or traveling to various conferences and countries to meet with current and prospective clients.
It has made Stiles’ role at the firm even more vital. The experienced immigration attorney has emerged as the firm’s anchor trial lawyer.
“I would say that’s a fair assessment,” Elissa Stiles said. “I do like the fight and the challenge of being in court. I’m one of the ones who does want to do it. One of the most stressful events someone can go through is going to deportation court.”
Elissa Stiles a True Advocate for Her Clients
Although Stiles often knows the deck is stacked against her and her clients in immigration court, the Oklahoma native is creative with her arguments.
Earlier this year, Stiles won a highly contested Cancellation of Removal case (also known as an E42b case) for her clients who, needless to say, were ecstatic when the verdict was announced.
“It was a big win,” Elissa Stiles said. “I tend to think that 42b cases can be harder to win than asylum cases because usually, the hardship requirement is so high. You have to provide at least 10 years of evidence.
“It was a very stressful case for the family involved so you can imagine how relieved they were with the verdict.”
Stiles’s mantra is two-fold. Firstly, she tells her clients to let her handle the stress. Secondly, she is very strategic in her approach.
I know the odds are stacked against us a lot of times, so it really becomes a strategic creative process,” Elissa Stiles said. “Sometimes laying the best case to have a solid appeal is the best approach to take.”
Elissa Stiles Destined to be an Immigration Attorney
One could say that Stiles’ choice of profession was almost preordained. As a senior at Collinsville High School, Stiles wrote her way to Washington D.C. after topping nearly 3,000 other students in Oklahoma’s Veterans of Foreign Wars “Voice of Democracy” competition.
Stiles, though, still says what ultimately drew her into immigration law and pursuing Juris Doctor from the University of Tulsa College of Law were the experiences she had studying abroad in Peru, Madagascar, and Brazil.
“My travels are what led me to want to work in immigration law,” Elissa Stiles said. “I still consider my host families my brothers and sisters. I enjoy getting to know the entire family – learning about their hopes and dreams.
“For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an immigration attorney is when clients tell you that you are part of their family. It is always so meaningful.”
Contact Rivas & Associates today to set up a personal consultation with Elissa Stiles.