About

What Makes Us Unique

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

We work only in the complex, ever-changing area of U.S. visas and immigration. 

As an active member of AILA (the top American Immigration Lawyers Association) Relislaw is at the forefront of swift changes in immigration law,  These regularly updated changes benefit you in swiftly taking advantage of all changes in your favor!

Relislaw provides you with effective, superior assistance throughout as a member of our client family. 

Our Extraordinary Approval Rates and Client Reviews attest to the full support and care you will enjoy from beginning to end, when you receive your work permit, travel permit, visa and green card! 

Thanks to our unique background and experience, RelisLaw is very different to other law firms.

The Relislaw team is 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. 

At Relislaw, all legal and support 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.

We have a reputation of extraordinary approvals over the years, thanks to 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 and aggressive advocacy to fight for you vigorously using every available legal avenue.

Our Global Nature – 

The Relislaw team is all professional and internationally minded. This ensures a wonderful experience with us, providing you with deep understanding and compassionate and empathetic sensitivity throughout the entire process.

The Relislaw team is headed by Dr. Tamara Relis, Esq., who 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, five countries in Africa, and many 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 rights of all people to attain the maximum in their lives according to their circumstances. This includes the movement of people for personal and professional reasons.

Having global family members in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Australia, and Europe gives the Relislaw team a unique personal connection with each person who seeks our help.

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 evaluation. We charge reasonable rates including payment plans to enable access to justice for everyone.