First Admitted: 2001, Texas

Professional Webpage: https://www.keyvisa.com/attorney/nicolas-chavez/

Bar/Professional Activity:

University of Texas CLE Immigration Law Conference Committee (2015 to present). As a committee member, we plan, discuss and promote course topics for CLE credit for the annual immigration law conferences in Austin., 2022
AILA Amicus Curiae Committee (2011-2018). Represented the American Immigration Lawyers Association as amicus curiae ("friend of the court") in significant immigration-related issues arising out of the jurisdiction of the Fifth Circuit of the US Court of Appeals. These cases involved legal matters of national importance that impacted the rights of immigrants, such as the DACA program, anti-immigration ordinances, and federal preemption of immigration law on state action. Represented and filed briefs with the Fifth Circuit on the following cases: City of El Cenizo v. Texas, 890 F.3d 164 (5th Cir. 2018); Mata v. Sessions, 678 F. App’x 198 (5th Cir. 2017); Gomez-Perez v. Lynch, 829 F.3d 323 (5th Cir. 2016); Crane v. Johnson, 783 F.3d 244 (5th Cir. 2015); Villas at Parkside Partners v. City of Farmers Branch, Tex., 726 F.3d 524 (5th Cir. 2013)., 2018
State Bar of Texas Immigration Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Planning Committee (2015-2018). Served on the CLE committee planning the annual State Bar immigration CLE conference including course topics, CLE credit, and speaker invitations. , 2018
Texas Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee - Dallas Subcommittee, Dallas, TX (2004-2018). Responsible for investigating complaints by Texas residents regarding unauthorized practice of law activities, including consumer scams. Helped stop unauthorized practice of law activities and related scams through cease and desist letters and collaborated with other members to bring civil action against purveyors of these illegal activities. , 2018
Leadership Fort Worth (Class of 2011). Organization that empowers and connects leaders within the community to encourage involvement and leadership in civic activities for the betterment of their community. Completed a nine-month program that educates leaders about the issues and diverse needs in the Fort Worth community., 2011
American Immigration Lawyers Association , 2003

Videos:

Youtube and Facebook Live shows discussing various immigration topics in English and Spanish., Youtube and Facebook Live shows discussing various immigration topics and important updates in English and Spanish, Immigration, 2022

Special Licenses/Certifications:

Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (recertified Dec. 2022). , 2007

Pro bono/Community Service:

Immigration Legal Advisor ("Abogado Consultor") to the Consulate General of Mexico in Dallas, TX (2011- Present). Re-appointed on June 13, 2022 by the Mexican government ("La Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores"). I am responsible for advising the Consulate of Mexico regarding important immigration laws and polices affecting the Mexican immigrant communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. I speak regularly at community outreach events hosted by the consulate and other organizations about legal access programs, immigrant rights, and visas for victims of crime or domestic violence. I volunteered at naturalization or immigration seminars providing free legal advice and assisting individuals with their immigration forms. , 2022
Invited speaker at AVANCE- NTX classes from 2015-2019. AVANCE is a non-profit organization that empowers and educates Latino, Spanish-speaking, parents on how to help their school children and encourage them to be better students. The curriculum included special informational sessions for immigrant parents that went over immigration processes and their rights under the law. My associates and I were invited regularly to speak on those topics and address any questions or concerns about immigration law on a voluntary basis. , 2019
Participated as speaker at UNIDOS events. 2015-2018. UNIDOS is a community outreach program established by the Dallas Police Department to provide assistance and important information to Spanish-speaking residents in Dallas to promote safer neighborhoods. As speaker, I would discuss immigration options for victims of crime who cooperate with police in the investigation of reported criminal activities., 2018

Honors/Awards:

Selected as a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters, a distinction given to only 5% of nominated attorneys., Texas Super Lawyer, superlawyers.com, 2022
Nominated and selected as a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, which is a high honor bestowed upon Texan lawyers for their excellent professionalism and dedication to justice in their communities. , Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, www.txbf.org, 2020
On behalf of Chavez & Valko, I accepted a certificate of appreciation from the Dallas Police Department in recognition of our valuable contributions to UNIDOS community events. , Certificate of Appreciation, dallaspolice.net/communitys/unidos, 2018

Educational Background:

B.A., University of Texas at El Paso, with Honors, 1997

White Papers:

The article discusses various not-so-obvious grounds upon which an immigration applicant might be barred from entering the United States, and offers tips and strategies to immigration lawyers on how to avoid or address these issues. , "Sneaky Inadmissible Issues At The U.S. Consular Office: Alien Smuggling, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Gang Affiliations," TexasBarCLE, State Bar of Texas, 16th Annual Advanced Immigration Law Course Book, Ch. 11 (2018), Immigration Lawyers, CLE, 2018

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

Nicolas Chavez