John W. Lawit

John W. Lawit has devoted more than four decades to the practice of immigration law. Since beginning his legal career in 1980, he has assisted individuals, families, students, workers, and businesses with a wide range of immigration matters. His background includes legal advocacy, education, public service, and leadership within the immigration law community.

John earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New Mexico. He later received his Juris Doctor from the University of New Hampshire School of Law. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania in 1978, New Mexico in 1980, Texas in 1992, and Canada in 2010, he built a strong foundation for a career focused on immigration law and related legal issues.

John has handled many areas of immigration law, including family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, citizenship and naturalization, green cards, asylum matters, DACA cases, deportation defense, waivers, appeals, and humanitarian relief. His experience also extends to student visas, investor visas, adjustment of status applications, and immigration detention matters. Clients have benefited from his extensive understanding of immigration procedures and changing regulations.

John’s professional experience includes serving as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico School of Law and Texas Tech School of Law from 1983 to 1988. In 1985, he was appointed as a United States Immigration Judge. He has also held leadership roles with the Immigration Law Section of the State Bar of New Mexico and helped establish the Immigration Section of the Dallas Bar Association.

John has contributed to the legal profession through published articles, legislative efforts, educational programs, and community service. His work with organizations such as the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, Healing the Children, and the Institute for Spanish Arts reflects a commitment to helping others. His accomplishments have been recognized through honors, including AV Preeminent, Best Lawyers in America, Southwest Super Lawyers, Elite Lawyer, and other distinctions recognizing his long-standing contributions to immigration law.

Throughout his career, John W. Lawit has combined legal knowledge, teaching experience, public service, and advocacy to assist people navigating complex immigration challenges. His decades of experience and leadership within the field have made him a respected figure in immigration law.

Law Office Affiliations

• Founder, John W. Lawit, LLC
• Member, Canadian Bar Association
• Chair, State Bar of New Mexico, Immigration Law Section
• Member, Dallas Bar Association, Immigration Section
• Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
• Member, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee

Licensed State

• New Mexico
• Texas
• Pennsylvania
• Canada

Education

• University of New Hampshire – Franklin Law Center
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of New Mexico
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges