US Embassy Lawyers
Experienced Lawyers Representing US Citizens Worldwide in Matters Involving the Bureau of Consular Affairs
Our US embassy lawyers provide legal advice and representation to US citizens who are facing legal challenges overseas. We work with all US embassies and consulates worldwide on behalf of our clients, and we also work with the US Department of Justice (DOJ), US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other domestic federal authorities as necessary. If you need a law firm to represent you overseas, we can help, and we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free and confidential consultation.
About Our US Embassy and Consular Affairs Practice Group
Our US Embassy and Consular Affairs Practice Group is led by a team of senior attorneys who have extensive experience advising and representing clients around the world. This includes attorneys who worked at the DOJ under multiple administrations before entering private practice.
When dealing with matters involving US Embassies and Consulates around the world, an informed, strategic, and forward-thinking approach is critical. This starts with ensuring that you have a clear understanding of your legal situation and knowing what outcome you want to pursue. When you consult with a US embassy lawyer at our office, your lawyer will explain everything you need to know in order to decide how to proceed under the circumstances at hand.
Matters We Handle
Whether you are facing an emergency, serious legal risks, or any other issue that requires working with a US Embassy or Consulate abroad, our lawyers can communicate with the appropriate public officials on your behalf while acting to protect your best interests. Representative examples of the services we provide include assisting US citizens with the following:
Lost and Stolen Passports in Foreign Countries
If you have lost your US passport in a foreign country, navigating the process of restoring your ability to travel back to the United States (or to other countries) can be a difficult and time-consuming process. The same is true if your US passport has been stolen.
From reporting your lost or stolen passport to the US Department of State (DOS) to working with the local US Embassy or Consulate and local law enforcement, our lawyers can handle the process for you while providing the legal advice you need every step of the way. Our lawyers can also assist with gathering the documentation needed to apply for either a regular or emergency passport at the local US Embassy or Consulate, and we can prepare and file your passport application on your behalf. We can then work with the local US Embassy or Consulate to help ensure that your application is processed as efficiently as possible. If you need an endorsement or notarized copies from a notary public, we can assist with these matters as well.
Immigration and Customs Matters in Foreign Countries
Our lawyers assist US citizens who need help with other immigration and customs matters in foreign countries as well. Whether you need to renew a visa, fight to avoid having your visa revoked, or fight to avoid deportation or removal based on alleged prohibited conduct, our lawyers can step in and protect you by all available means. We can help ensure that you have addressed all pertinent rules and regulations pertaining to your visit or residency, and then we can communicate with the Foreign Service Officer (FSO) or other public official appointed to handle the specific matter at hand.
Arrests in Foreign Countries
If you have been arrested in a foreign country, you need to be very careful. You also need to seek legal representation promptly, as any delay in seeking legal counsel could compromise your ability to request a transfer or otherwise protect yourself before your court date arrives. Once you have been admitted to a foreign country, you are generally subject to that country’s laws. However, you have rights as a US citizen as well, and working effectively with the appropriate embassy or consular officer can be critical for protecting these rights abroad.
Crime Victimization in Foreign Countries
Along with representing US citizens who have had their passports stolen, we also represent citizens who are victims of other crimes in foreign countries. If you have been robbed, our lawyers can work with US and foreign authorities to seek to recover the stolen funds or other stolen property. If you were assaulted, our lawyers can work with the appropriate authorities as your agents to seek to ensure that your situation is favorably resolved within a reasonable period of time as well. While these are complex situations, our lawyers can discuss your situation with you so that you know what to expect, and then we can take appropriate action immediately on your behalf.
Medical Emergencies in Foreign Countries
If you are facing a medical emergency in a foreign country, it is paramount to ensure that you receive the quality of care you need from a qualified and trustworthy healthcare organization. Accuracy of diagnosis and the delivery of appropriate care in compliance with pertinent medical guidelines is critical for avoiding unnecessary complications. Whether you need help seeking care through a local ministry or you need help traveling back to the United States, our lawyers can provide the additional information you need to make sound decisions along with providing any additional assistance necessary.
Deaths in Foreign Countries
If you are dealing with the death of a loved one in a foreign country, we offer our sincere condolences. In this scenario, we can work with the appropriate US Embassy or Consulate to arrange for the transfer of your loved one’s remains, and we can provide any additional assistance needed. In this scenario, our services provided include assisting with the settlement of estates in the US and abroad, and we can serve the functions of trustees and other fiduciaries if desired.
Conflicts and Natural Disasters in Foreign Countries
If you are caught in the middle of a conflict or dealing with a natural disaster (or impending natural disaster) in a foreign country, our lawyers can provide legal representation on an emergency basis. If you do not get out immediately, you could be stuck for several months, if not longer. Here too, our lawyers can work with the appropriate embassy or consular authorities on your behalf, and we can work to arrange an extraction to a safe site in the United States or abroad.
FAQs: Working with US Embassies in Foreign Countries
What type of attorney do I need to deal with a legal issue overseas as a US citizen?
If you need to deal with a legal issue overseas as a US citizen, you will want to engage a team of lawyers who practice law in your specific area of need. Typically, this will include US embassy and consular matters. An immigration attorney who focuses on representing clients in the United States may lack the knowledge and insights you need, while a member of a local foreign bar association is unlikely to be familiar with the nuanced and complex nature of US immigration, customs, and diplomatic matters.
If I need help as a US citizen in a foreign country, should I contact the local US embassy or the US Department of State (DOS)?
Whether you should contact the local US embassy or the US Department of State (DOS) depends on the specific legal situation you are facing, among other factors. Once we have this general information, we will be able to explain your legal options under the situation at hand and then advise you regarding the options you have available. Our lawyers work with US embassies around the world as well as the DOS (among other relevant federal authorities), and we will be able to provide any legal assistance you need.
Should US citizens who need legal representation overseas hire foreign attorneys or US attorneys?
US citizens who need legal representation overseas should generally hire a US attorney to represent them. Specifically, they should choose an attorney who has experience of significance representing US citizens in relevant cross-border legal matters, including matters that involve engaging with US embassy and consulate personnel.
What if I need help securing funds I received through a judgment in a foreign court?
In this scenario, it will generally make sense to choose a US attorney as well—though you will want to choose one who can engage with local counsel as needed. As the US Department of State (DOS) explains on its web page about hiring foreign attorneys, “In some countries the courts recess for a period of several months. In addition, even if the case is resolved, currency control laws may delay the transfer of funds awarded to you from the foreign country for an indefinite period of time.” A US attorney who has relevant experience will be able to provide the assistance you need.
Can US Embassy personnel provide me with legal advice?
No, US embassy personnel cannot provide you with legal advice. As the US Department of State (DOS) also explains, “US embassies and consulates overseas are prohibited by federal regulation from acting as agents, attorneys or in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of US citizens . . . . Department of State personnel, including its attorneys, do not provide legal advice to the public.
Speak with a Senior US Embassy Lawyer at Oberheiden PC
If you would like to speak with one of our senior US embassy lawyers, we encourage you to get in touch. Our lawyers will discuss our fees with you during your free initial consultation. To discuss your needs in confidence as soon as possible, call us at 888-680-1745 or tell us how we can reach you online now.
