Taylor Kaminski: Building a Client-Centered Immigration Practice in the EB1A and O1 Space
10th February 2026
Date
Interviewee
Taylor Kaminski
How This Immigration Attorney Left Corporate Firm Culture Behind to Create a Boutique Practice That Puts Extraordinary Talent First
One of Taylor Kaminski's first cases as an immigration law intern was for a food critic. Not just any food critic, but someone who had reached such extraordinary heights in his field that he hosted his own television show. For a young law student learning the intricacies of EB1A and O1 visa petitions, it was a revelation.
"It was really interesting to see somebody do that as their job and reach such a high level of success," Taylor recalls. That case crystallized something essential about extraordinary ability immigration work: every petition is a window into a world of human achievement you might never have known existed.
Today, Taylor runs a boutique immigration firm supported by a foundational team that includes her husband whose family immigrated through the EB-1A category and who now helps others pursue that same opportunity and her cousin, a core member of the firm who leads the paralegal team. Together, their practice centers almost exclusively on EB-1A and O-1 visas for individuals of extraordinary ability, reflecting a strategic choice to specialize deeply rather than operate at scale. The journey from her first internship to leading a boutique firm built on that philosophy was neither direct nor easy.
Taylor Kaminski's Path Into Immigration Law: From NYC Law Firms to Building Her Own Firm
Taylor’s entry into immigration law began during law school with an internship at a small boutique firm in New York City, one distinguished by its narrow, highly intentional focus. The firm handled almost exclusively EB-1A and O-1 cases spanning the arts, business, science, and technology.
"When I first got into immigration law, that's what I learned, and that's what I decided to do within my own practice," she explains. The specialization meant deep immersion in a niche that most people outside the immigration world never hear about. "This area of immigration really isn't spoken about a lot, especially for people who aren't familiar with the immigration industry. You hear about what's on the news and that side of immigration."
After two years as an intern and then her first role as a licensed attorney, Taylor transitioned to a larger New York City immigration firm. The move exposed her to a very different operating model and, with it, a fundamental difference in approach.
The larger firm handled a wide range of immigration matters at significantly higher volume, relying on standardized processes designed for efficiency and consistency. In contrast, Taylor observed that extraordinary ability cases by their nature often benefit from a more individualized strategy.
For EB-1A and O-1 petitions in particular, she found that effective advocacy requires a deep understanding of the individual behind the credentials: what they do, how their work fits into a broader field, and why it carries significance. “Clients want to know that you’re invested in their case and in understanding them,” Taylor explains. “With extraordinary ability cases, that level of familiarity is what allows you to present the strongest possible petition.”
Why Client Referrals Drive Taylor Kaminski's Immigration Practice
As Taylor’s life evolved through marriage, the arrival of her two children, and a move away from New York City, the demands of a traditionally structured legal career came into sharper focus. The intensity of immigration practice, combined with the realities of family life, forced a moment of clarity. Rather than continuing a long commute or stepping into another firm’s model, she made a deliberate decision to build something of her own: a practice designed to align both with the level of advocacy she believed her clients deserved and the life she was building for her family.
"From law school, I always knew that I would love to have my own immigration practice," she admits. "But it's really intimidating. You don't have the safety net of knowing if you're going to succeed. You don't have the safety net of knowing that you're going to have steady income. And you also have the full responsibility of things either succeeding or failing."
That fear held her back longer than it needed to. Now, her advice to her younger self is clear: believe in yourself. “If you care enough and you’re willing to do the work,” she says, “you can absolutely be successful.”
The practice grew more quickly than anticipated. Today, the firm typically brings on between five and fifteen new clients each month, and at one point demand was strong enough to require a waitlist that grew to more than fifty prospective clients in a single month. Much of that growth has come from a single source: referrals from satisfied clients.
"Most of our clients are referred to us by people who know us and who have worked with us," she explains. "People trust other people that they know, and if they can get firsthand experience on how their process was working with us, that's the best referral."
What drives those referrals is often a desire for a different client experience. Kaminski frequently works with individuals who began their process elsewhere but sought a more engaged approach mid-case. “What we hear most often,” she explains, “is that clients want to know who is actually handling their case, to understand where things stand, and to feel confident that their attorney truly understands their work.”
At her firm, that expectation is met through consistent, transparent communication and a hands-on approach that keeps clients informed and involved at every stage of the process. Immigration, Taylor emphasizes, is deeply personal. "It's such a personal step in someone's life and such a critical step in someone's life. They don't want to be left in the dark, and rightfully so. It's a nerve-wracking time."
Why Client Referrals Drive Taylor Kaminski's Immigration Practice
As Taylor’s life evolved through marriage, the arrival of her two children, and a move away from New York City, the demands of a traditionally structured legal career came into sharper focus. The intensity of immigration practice, combined with the realities of family life, forced a moment of clarity. Rather than continuing a long commute or stepping into another firm’s model, she made a deliberate decision to build something of her own: a practice designed to align both with the level of advocacy she believed her clients deserved and the life she was building for her family.
"From law school, I always knew that I would love to have my own immigration practice," she admits. "But it's really intimidating. You don't have the safety net of knowing if you're going to succeed. You don't have the safety net of knowing that you're going to have steady income. And you also have the full responsibility of things either succeeding or failing."
That fear held her back longer than it needed to. Now, her advice to her younger self is clear: believe in yourself. “If you care enough and you’re willing to do the work,” she says, “you can absolutely be successful.”
The practice grew more quickly than anticipated. Today, the firm typically brings on between five and fifteen new clients each month, and at one point demand was strong enough to require a waitlist that grew to more than fifty prospective clients in a single month. Much of that growth has come from a single source: referrals from satisfied clients.
"Most of our clients are referred to us by people who know us and who have worked with us," she explains. "People trust other people that they know, and if they can get firsthand experience on how their process was working with us, that's the best referral."
What drives those referrals is often a desire for a different client experience. Kaminski frequently works with individuals who began their process elsewhere but sought a more engaged approach mid-case. “What we hear most often,” she explains, “is that clients want to know who is actually handling their case, to understand where things stand, and to feel confident that their attorney truly understands their work.”
At her firm, that expectation is met through consistent, transparent communication and a hands-on approach that keeps clients informed and involved at every stage of the process. Immigration, Taylor emphasizes, is deeply personal. "It's such a personal step in someone's life and such a critical step in someone's life. They don't want to be left in the dark, and rightfully so. It's a nerve-wracking time."
The Changing EB1A Landscape: Taylor Kaminski on Officer Discretion and Managing Expectations
The EB1A and O1 landscape has shifted dramatically, even over the past year. Adjudications that once seemed predictable have become largely unpredictable. Standards that were never formally changed appear to have tightened.
"A year ago, adjudications were much more seamless than they are right now," Taylor observes. "There's a lot more discretion in all EB1A, all O1 adjudications that make it virtually impossible to say with a high level of certainty what's going to happen."
This uncertainty presents real challenges when it comes to managing client expectations. In response to shifts in the immigration landscape, some applicants feel pressure to rush their cases but Taylor consistently advises a more measured approach.
“I always tell clients not to be driven by fear,” she says. “Trying to rush an immigration case rarely leads to a positive outcome. These petitions are expensive, time-consuming, and require careful strategy.”
When asked what single policy change she would make, Taylor points to the growing disconnect between the regulations on the books and how cases are adjudicated in practice.
“The discretion that officers are being afforded is constantly being pushed. They're implementing more and more discretion, even where it's not allowed under the regulations," she says. "there needs to be some kind of clarification as to exactly how much discretion the officer holds and some kind of guidance as to some of the new standards that officers have silently started implementing."
Without clearer policy guidance, she argues, applicants are often left navigating uncertainty. “There’s a lack of transparency in how cases are being evaluated,” Taylor explains. “We don’t always know what standards officers are applying, or even what they are permitted to apply, because the level of discretion being exercised today goes beyond what we’ve historically seen.”
Taylor Kaminski's Take on AI in Immigration Law: A Powerful Tool That Demands Vigilance
Artificial intelligence now plays a role in many legal practices. At Taylor’s firm, its use is confined to internal processes and carefully managed to support, not replace, experienced legal judgment.
“AI can be incredibly helpful,” she says, “but it can also be harmful if it’s over-relied upon. It works best when there’s an experienced attorney behind it, someone doing their own due diligence and using AI as a supplement, not a substitute.”
The risk, she explains, lies in misplaced confidence. Because AI often produces useful and polished outputs, it can be easy to accept its conclusions without fully verifying them. “If you’re not carefully cross-checking the information it provides,” she notes, “it’s very easy for inaccuracies to slip through.”
Taylor also expresses concern about the use of AI on the adjudication side. “When AI is relied on too heavily by USCIS, it can contribute to processing delays or the issuance of RFEs and NOIDs that may not be warranted,” she says. “AI can’t capture nuance, and when it’s treated as a decision-maker rather than a tool, it creates real problems in the process.”
A Success Story: How Persistence Turned Two Denials Into an Approval
One recent case stands out as a clear example of both persistence and the value of a fresh perspective. A client came to Taylor after two prior EB-1A denials. His case history included multiple RFEs, a NOID, and ultimately denials. Discouraged and facing the pressure of children nearing aging out, he needed a viable path forward.
“On its face, it was a very strong case,” Taylor recalls. “But the prior adjudication history made it intimidating. Two denials and aggressive RFEs and NOIDs always add risk.”
Her team conducted a comprehensive review of the earlier filings, identifying gaps in how the client’s work had been framed and where his accomplishments could be more clearly contextualized. Rather than attempting to patch the prior submissions, they rebuilt the case from the ground up while setting realistic expectations about the heightened scrutiny the history would invite.
When another NOID was issued, it prompted a pivotal moment in the case, and Taylor’s team chose to move forward with a strategic response rather than abandon a petition they believed in.
The response was approved quickly.
The client’s work involved strengthening technology infrastructure for essential national services, including telecommunications, gas, and oil systems that affect daily life for millions of people across the United States. This time, that impact was clearly articulated and fully recognized.
“That was a meaningful success for us,” Taylor says. “He was finally able to move forward.”
The Vision Ahead: Scaling Without Sacrificing the Personal Touch
Looking ahead, Taylor sees opportunity in the challenges shaping the EB-1A and O-1 landscape. Demand continues to grow, and at times the firm has had to turn away qualified individuals simply due to capacity constraints.
“The demand for EB-1A and O-1 work is incredibly high right now,” she says. “Given everything happening in immigration, I don’t see that slowing down. If anything, the process is becoming more complex, which is driving even greater need for careful representation.”
Her long-term vision is thoughtful growth expanding the firm’s ability to serve more clients without sacrificing the individualized attention that defines the practice. “I’d like us to grow in a way that allows us to help everyone who reaches out and truly needs this level of advocacy, while still preserving the personal, hands-on approach our clients value,” Taylor explains.
For Taylor, the strength of the firm lies not in scale, but in the people behind the work. Every member of the team is chosen for their judgment, integrity, and genuine investment in the clients they serve.
“Trust is everything,” she says. “You need people on your team who care just as deeply about every case as you do, who understand the responsibility that comes with guiding someone through such an important process.”
As the firm continues to grow, that foundation of trust and the philosophy that shaped her very first extraordinary ability case remains central: every client has achieved something exceptional, and understanding that story is what allows it to be told effectively.
Taylor Kaminski is an immigration attorney specializing in EB1A and O1 visa petitions. Her firm serves clients in technology, science, arts, and business who have demonstrated extraordinary ability in their fields.
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