The Call That Changed Everything: A Young Lawyer Finds Her Purpose in Immigration
8th September 2025
Date
Interviewee
Rakhi Patel
“I just heard him sobbing.”
Rakhi still remembers the phone call vividly. The man on the other end, a physician, had been under immense stress while waiting for his green card approval. When she told him the good news, silence followed—then the sound of tears.
“That was the moment it clicked for me,” she says. “I realized how much pressure he was carrying. And how transformative this process can be. It’s not just paperwork. It’s about giving people a place to belong.”
For Rakhi, that phone call wasn’t just the conclusion of one client’s journey—it was the beginning of her own.
Rakhi hadn’t planned on becoming an immigration lawyer. After graduating from law school, she worked with a general practice firm, where she worked across multiple practice areas—often learning on the fly. “I didn’t know many lawyers growing up,” she says. “I went to law school because I loved the law, but I didn’t have a clear idea of what practice would look like.”
When an immigration attorney at the firm needed help, Rakhi stepped in. That’s when she encountered the physician’s case. “Hearing his relief made me realize the stakes involved. It wasn’t abstract anymore. It was real people, real families, real futures.”
By 2010, Rakhi opened her own practice in Philadelphia, determined to focus exclusively on immigration. It was a leap of faith. “I researched as much as possible about starting a practice—how much money would be needed, how long it might take to acquire clients-and also saved enough for personal expenses.”
What she didn’t anticipate was how quickly word would spread. “Once people were aware I was practicing immigration law, even if they didn’t need help themselves, they often knew someone who did. Referrals became my foundation.”
A Family Legacy of Helping Others
Though Rakhi hadn’t envisioned a career in immigration law, she later realized how deeply it was tied to her family’s story.
Her father came to the U.S. in the early 1960s for graduate studies in engineering. At that time, the Indian community was small, and newcomers needed help navigating unfamiliar terrain. “My parents would help people when they first arrived from India to the U.S.,” Rakhi recalls. “They would pick them up at the airport, host them, and help them get settled until they moved on to school or work.”
Her maternal grandfather in Mumbai also played a role. Though trained as a lawyer, he did not practice formally. Instead, he became a trusted helper for people that were going through the U.S. visa application process at the consulate. “Consular officials even called him kaka, or uncle, because he was often there helping people,” Rakhi says.
Looking back, Rakhi sees her own practice as a continuation of this family legacy. “I didn’t plan it, but helping immigrants has always been part of my family’s history. It feels natural now.”
That culture of community extended into her own upbringing. In Queens, New York, her uncle and friends founded the Gujarati Samaj, which grew into a national cultural organization. “It started as conversations at a table,” she recalls. “Now it’s in every major city, hosting festivals like Diwali and Navratri. Community has always been central to our lives.”
Building a Practice from the Ground Up
Starting her own practice in 2010 meant Rakhi had to learn fast—not just the law, but business operations, technology, and client management.
“I already knew how to start a business because I had done it for clients,” she says. “But it’s different when you’re doing it for yourself.”
She opened her office in Philadelphia and initially relied heavily on referrals. “Friends, clients, even other attorneys—especially those who didn’t practice in immigration—would send cases my way.” Over time, her practice expanded nationally, with clients from all over the U.S.
Much of her work is business immigration: H-1Bs, L-1s, O-1s, and employment-based green cards. But family petitions remain a core part as well. “I’ve had clients waiting 15 years to reunite with siblings,” she says. “When those approvals come through, it’s incredibly moving.”
Philadelphia has also given her perspective on shifting trends. “People are more nervous now,” she observes. “Even if they know the process, they want reassurance. They want someone by their side. That anxiety has increased demand for legal assistance.”
Embracing Technology as a Solo Practitioner
As a solo practitioner, Rakhi wears many hats—lawyer, manager, tech adopter. For her, automation is not optional.
“Automation helps me to be more efficient, take on more cases, and provide a better client experience,” she explains. She recently adopted software to automate client intake and closely follows developments in legal AI. “Technology seems to be evolving month by month now. I have taken an interest in learning about emerging technologies.”
But she is equally focused on security. “We’re dealing with sensitive information and protecting that data is paramount.”
Her philosophy is clear: let technology assist with handling procedure, while she focuses on people. “There are parts of this work that automation can never replace—listening, developing strategy, providing guidance, and empathizing with clients. But if tech can assist with repetitive tasks, then I can give clients more of my time and attention.”
The Human Side of Law
What sets Rakhi apart is her personal approach. “I’ve hired lawyers myself,” she says. “Some can feel cold or purely transactional. I want my clients to feel cared for.”
That approach has led to bonds that last long after cases are closed. One client, who she assisted with an immigration case, now treats her like family. “He calls me his daughter,” she says with a smile. “I attended his granddaughter’s wedding. These aren’t just professional relationships—they can become lifelong connections.”
For Rakhi, those relationships are the most rewarding part of the work. “You become part of someone’s life story,” she reflects. “That’s a privilege.”
Insights on Policy and the Future of Immigration
With years of experience, Rakhi has a clear perspective on the system’s shortcomings—and how it might be improved.
The H-1B Lottery
“There’s too much talent being left out,” she says. “We need more visas to reflect the reality of today’s workforce. The lottery system doesn’t meet the country’s needs.”
Green Card Backlogs
“People can wait decades until they become eligible to apply for permanent residency, particularly those from India and China. Alleviating backlogs can provide families with the certainty needed to plan for their future.”
Consular Delays
“Long delays can result from administrative processing during consular processing. People would benefit from clear timelines. Even with security vetting, there could be more transparency.”
Her advice to clients: apply early. “For certain people applying for permanent residency, it is important to establish your priority date because the wait times to apply can get longer the more you wait.”
Looking ahead, she advises that issues such as stricter vetting or country-specific bans could further complicate the process. “My suggestion is to try to plan ahead and, if eligible, file sooner rather than later.”
Looking Ahead: Growth and Expansion
Today, Rakhi is considering expanding beyond Philadelphia. Clients in other cities have encouraged her to open offices where immigration lawyers are in short supply.
Expansion would mean hiring and scaling—a new challenge. “I’ll probably need advisors to help me grow,” she admits. But the idea excites her. “I’d love to reach more people, help more families, support more businesses.”
And as always, her motivation is personal. “I think about my parents helping newcomers arriving at the airport in the 1960s and beyond. I think about my grandfather helping people in Mumbai. For me, every approval is a continuation of that legacy.”
From a tearful physician to multinational corporations, from Philadelphia families to entrepreneurs, Rakhi’s work spans the human spectrum of immigration.
Her journey reflects the blend of empathy, expertise, and innovation that defines the future of law. She has embraced technology without losing sight of humanity. She has built a practice rooted in community and family legacy, while looking forward to national expansion.
“At the end of the day, it’s about helping people to fulfill their goals and the American dream,” she says. “That’s why I love this work. That’s what keeps me going.”
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