About

What Makes Us Unique

At RelisLaw, we deeply understand your desire to make the best possible future for you and your loved ones.

As a member of AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association),  we work only in the complex and ever-changing area of immigration law to provide effective, superior assistance to our client family,

Because of our unique background and experience, RelisLaw is different to other law firms.

Our Global Nature – Dr. Relis enjoys the rare distinction of having received top 5% and top 20% awards over hundreds of others for highly strategic and thorough legal research applications. This recognition resulted in two postdoctoral legal research positions at Columbia University Law School and the London School of Economics, where she focused on human rights cases.

Thanks to this, Dr. Relis has lived, worked or presented her books and articles on clients’ needs, conflict resolution and human rights in nearly all countries of Asia, throughout Europe, 5 countries in Africa and 8 countries in Latin America. Her wonderful experiences and close connections with so many people in so many places made her passionate about the human family, human rights, human equality, and the movement of people for personal and professional reasons.

Having global family members in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia give Tamara a unique personal connection with each person who seeks our help.

Dr. Relis and her team are all international people. This gives them deep understanding and sensitivity to each member of the RelisLaw client family.

So Tamara and her team are not like the traditional lawyer you might use, who focuses on the preparation of form documents and then sends clients on their way without much love, guidance or follow up. She, and her team members are not only highly skilled, but sensitive and compassionate to all who seek our help. We focus on building lifetime relationships, to be here for you and your loved ones when you need us, and to make sure that your related needs are cared for and addressed—something that many do not do.

If you’re looking for counsel that won’t see you as another case number, look no further than Tamara and her team at RelisLaw.

Meet Tamara Relis, LL.B, LL.M, Ph.D (law)

Since 1998, Dr. Tamara Relis has been passionately working for individuals’ human rights, including movement of people, around the world through her legal work, research and publications. Her articles and book publications, which are used to teach lawyers globally to focus on the needs of clients within the legal system, as well as on victims of violence and individuals involved in human rights cases. She has been invited to speak about her work to lawyers, judges and professionals in Japan, China, USA, Canada, England, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Croatia, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Botswana, Mexico, Australia, and South Africa.

A native of Canada, and bilingual in English and French, with a working proficiency in Spanish, Tamara herself has undergone the U.S. visa process, and has a deep appreciation of the stress and psychological effects that process can have.

Her professional accomplishments include:

  • Selected every year from 2019-2023 to “Super Lawyers – Rising Stars”. This designation identifies her as a top-rated attorney as recognized by peers. It is a distinction that only 2.5% of attorneys working in the state receive.
  • Recognized as one of the top 1% of most qualified and distinguished USA attorneys
  • Top 100 immigration lawyers for New York state by the Association of American Trial Lawyers in 2019 & 2018
  • Awarded the ranking of one of the 10 Best Immigration Legal Counsel for Client Satisfaction in 2019 & 2018 by the American Institute Of Legal Counsel, recognizing her exceptional performance.
  • Ranked 10/10 on AVVO
  • Won AVVO client choice awards for immigration client satisfaction in 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019
  • Won 5 elite postdoctoral awards for her legal research-based work (ESRC, BA, Columbia University/LSE).
  • A published legal scholar of numerous legal articles
  • Author of books, Clients’ Perceptions in Litigation and Mediation (Cambridge University Press 2009, 2011), which focuses on how lawyers and the legal system must improve to meet clients’ needs, and The Purchase of Human Rights (Oxford University Press, forthcoming).
  • Has been a Postdoctoral Legal Researcher (Columbia University Law School & LSE Law Faculty & South Asia Centre) 2005-2018
  • Lawyer since 1998
  • U.S. law professor of Evidence, of Conflict Resolution, and of Human Rights 2009-14

Education

  • The London School of Economics and Political Science (Postdoctoral Fellow & Research Fellow, 2005-2018)
  • Columbia University Law School, New York (Postdoctoral Research Fellow, 2005-2009)
  • The London School of Economics and Political Science (Ph.D., 2005)
  • University of Toronto Law School (Ph.D researcher & Visiting Fellow 2000-01)
  • The London School of Economics and Political Science (LL.M., 1998)
  • University of Law, Postgraduate Legal Practice Course (1996)
  • University of London (LL.B. Hons., 1995)

Legal Experience

  • Co-Founder, RelisLaw (2016-present)
  • Legal Research Fellow, London School of Economics 2009-2018
  • Law Professor-Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center (2009-2014)
  • Barrister at Law- Plowden Buildings Barristers Chambers (2003-2004)
  • Visiting Junior Fellow -University of Toronto Faculty of Law (2000-2001)
  • Articled Solicitor- GSC Solicitors, London, UK (1996-1998)

Current Memberships

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • New York State Bar Association
  • General Council of the Bar of England and Wales (barrister / trial lawyer)
  • Law Society of England and Wales (solicitor / attorney)

Publications

  • The Purchase of Human Rights (Oxford University Press, forthcoming)
  • Clients’ Perceptions in Litigation and Mediation (Cambridge University Press 2009, 2011)
  • Various legal scholarly journal articles published in the U.S. and globally
We work in matters such as:
  • Family unification – spouses, fiances, parents, children
  • Waivers
  • LGBTQ+ immigration
  • Green cards
  • Asylum
  • Removal Defense
  • O-1 visas for extraordinary ability
  • Business visas
  • Naturalization and citizenship

We have a reputation for vigorously pursuing every available avenue to help you enjoy the opportunities that life in America has to offer.

No matter what immigration service you need, RelisLaw will provide caring and dependable counsel to you and aggressive advocacy to vigorously fight for you using every available legal avenue.

As a global firm, we work with people in countries around the world. We meet clients at our offices in New York, Toronto and Montreal. We also meet with clients globally, located in any country, via Skype and other platforms.

Contact us for a free case assessment. We charge reasonable rates including payment plans to enable access to justice for everyone.