Christine Swenson

Realizing your immigration dreams!

26 years of experience
Immigration Law
Colorado

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Claimed Profile

Biography

Christine has loved the law since a rather young age. Her career, though varied, has one theme: helping others, especially victims of crime. Christine opened her law practice and chose to exclusively handle US immigration law for two reasons. First: her own experience with the US immigration system because she and her husband adopted their daughter. During that long process, she lived through – and survived! – the very same immigration system her clients do today. Several parallels can be drawn between her family and her clients’ families. Like so many of her clients, she brought her child to the US for the opportunities it can provide that her daughter’s home country could never provide. Second: Christine grows increasingly vexed that many cannot experience the same freedom of movement she has. She is motivated by her clients’ aspirations for a better, safer, and freer life so she uses her expertise and legal skills to help them improve their lives. Please visit us at www.immigrationlegaladvice.com to learn more.

Practice Area

Immigration Law: Asylum, Citizenship, Deportation Defense, Family Visas, Green Cards, Immigration Appeals, Investment Visas, Marriage & Fiancé(e) Visas, Student Visas, Visitor Visas, Work Visas

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Arizona
1996-2003

Colorado
Since 2000

Languages

English: Spoken, Written
Spanish: Spoken, Written

Professional Experience

Immigration Attorney & Owner: Swenson Law Office, PC; 2012 - Current; We specialize in making dreams a reality for our clients through the practice of immigration law.

Professor & Program Coordinator: Arapahoe Community College; 2005 - 2012

Deputy District Attorney: 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office; 2000 - 2003; I practiced in Arapahoe and Douglas county and district courts, prosecuting a wide variety of felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. Between this position and the similar position in Tucson, I tried close to 80 criminal felony jury cases, well over 100 misdemeanor jury and bench trials, and conducted hundreds of evidentiary, restitution and sentencing hearings.

Deputy County Attorney: Pima County Attorney's Office; 1997 - 2000; In addition to prosecuting the gamut of criminal cases in Colorado, in Tucson, my areas of expertise included arson and collisions, usually those relating to DUI. I've prosecuted a wide variety of misdemeanor cases and felonies, including vehicular assault, vehicular homicide, assault, arson, narcotics, theft, burglary, identity theft, sexual assault, and forgery.

Education

California Western School of Law: J.D. | Law; 1994 - 1996; Honors: *Academic Achievement Award *American Jurisprudence Award, Trial Practice *Wiley W. Manual Award for Pro Bono Legal Services *California Western School of Law Pro Bono Honor Society

University of Arizona: B.A. | Political Science & Spanish; 1989 - 1992; Honors: Honors graudate Magna cum laude graduate

Awards

Education & Immigration Consultancy of the Year - Colorado: Acquisition International's Global Mobility & Immigration Awards; 2014

Best of the Best: Attorney: Colorado Community News; 2012

Professional Associations

Museo de las Americas: Member, Board of Trustees; 2014 - Current; Activities: Museo De Las Americas is dedicated to educating our community through collecting, preserving, interpreting and exhibiting the diverse arts and cultures of the Americas from ancient to contemporary, through innovative exhibitions and programs.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Denver: Member; 2014 - Current; Activities: The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Denver is a membership driven organization comprised of small-business owners, corporate representatives, community leaders, and association members representing various professions. With over 2,500 members, the Hispanic Chamber is the state’s largest minority Chamber, and one of the top four chambers of commerce in Metro Denver.

Colorado Bar Association: Member; 2012 - Current; Activities: Douglas/Elbert Bar Association member Immigration Section member

American Immigration Lawyers Association: Member; 2012 - Current; Activities: Member of Colorado Chapter

U Visa Working Group: Member; 2012 - Current; Activities: This group focuses on education and local advocacy regarding the U visa process. Chair: 2013 & 2014.

Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN): Volunteer Attorney & Mentor; 2011 - Current; Activities: I handle some pro bono children's and U visa cases from this organization. I also mentor other volunteer attorneys upon request.

Littleton Immigrant Integration Initiatie (LI3): Member, Board of Directors; 2012 - 2013; Activities: The Littleton Immigrant Integration Initiative (LI3) raises funds to support programs that assist documented immigrants and refugees in the greater Denver, Colorado. LI3's vision is to create a community in which immigrants feel they are welcome, belong and can contribute. It's mission is to assist immigrants to make Colorado their home and to build mutually respectful relationships within the community.

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Publications

Articles & Publications

10 Crucial Concepts About US Immigration for International Athletes: Law in Sport; February 24, 2015

Immigration Reform Explained (Part 2): Latino Lawyers; January 19, 2015

Immigration Reform Explained (Part 1): Latino Lawyers; December 21, 2014

Padilla Advisement: What is that?: Latino Lawyers; September 23, 2014

Different legal systems: Latino Lawyers; March 4, 2014

Speaking Engagements

5 Things Every Sports & Entertainment Attorney Should Know About Immigration, CLE Presentation, Denver: October 27, 2015; Colorado Bar Association; Give the alphabet soup nature of immigration visas and the variety of criteria for those visas, I imparted five indispensable insights that will help sports & entertainment attorneys identify when the O and P visa may be viable options for clients. I highlighted the roles and purposes of the visas, their benefits over other immigration options, agents as petitioner and employer, and the evidentiary requirements.

Getting Creative with U visas: Other Authorized Signers, CLE Presentation, Denver: January 29, 2015; Colorado Bar Association; Even though we rely on the big three (police, prosecutors, and judges) for signing certifications, some clients' situations don't fit into those options. In this CLE, I discuss the other state and federal agencies that would be great resources for obtaining the required I-918, Supplement B certification. Thinking out of the box in this way can be very effective for clients.

What is a U visa? And why should I care?, CLE Presentation, Denver, CO: June 1, 2013; Colorado Judicial Education Webinar; This detailed webinar provides judges throughout Colorado the unbiased information necessary to participate in the U visa certification process. We address what the certification does and does not mean and whether signing the certification impacts the criminal justice process.

Advanced U Visa Issues, CLE Presentation, Denver, CO: April 2, 2013; Colorado Bar Association; In this Continuing Legal Education program, I provide attendees a look at the more complicated aspects of the U visa process and offer various options designed to help their clients finish the process.

Websites & Blogs