Our LEGAL Team

PHILIP SMITH, Partner

NICOLE NELSON, PARTNER

Philip is a founding partner of NELSON | SMITH, LLP. Philip represents individuals from around the world in all areas of U.S. immigration law, including family and employment-based immigration, E, L, H, PERM and National Interest Waiver applications. Philip regularly assists clients with asylum, removal defense and federal court litigation. He is the former Chair of the Oregon Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Mr. Smith is a past recipient of the Gerald H. Robinson Excellence in Immigration Advocacy Award.

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NICOLE NELSON, PARTNER

Nicole is a founding partner of NELSON | SMITH, LLP. Nicole represents individuals and employers in all areas of immigration law, including family and business-based immigration and federal court litigation. Nicole is fluent in Spanish. She is the former Chair of the Oregon Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and is a mentor for AILA National on Temporary Protected Status and Expedited Removal issues. She is also the 2019 Gerald H. Robinson Excellence in Immigration Advocacy Award recipient.

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NICHOLAS COSTA, PARTNER

Nicholas is a partner at NELSON | SMITH, LLP. Nicholas’ practice involves removal defense and those individuals needing assistance with Family-Based petitions and applications for Lawful Permanent Resident Status, Fiancée Visas, Naturalization, U visas for victims of crime, VAWA, and Employment options, including: Investors, H-1B visas, Entertainers (Television and Film), Artists and Athletes, E, O and P visas. Nicholas speaks Spanish and is the former Chair of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association (AILA) for the Oregon Chapter 2019/2020.

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JOHN DOONEY, PARTNER

NICHOLAS COSTA, PARTNER

John is a partner at NELSON | SMITH, LLP. John began practicing immigration law in 2010. Since then, John has worked with clients on family and business immigration matters including family based petitions, consular processing, adjustment of status applications, fiancée visas, Naturalizations, DACA, VAWA, U-Visas as well as business visas. John is also excited to focus on post-DOMA immigration advocacy for same sex couples. John is the current AILA Oregon Liaison for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

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Our IMMIGRATION Practice

Practice Areas

Family-Based Immigration
Employment-Based Immigration
Non-Immigrant Visas
Asylum
Deportation & Removal Proceedings
Naturalization & Citizenship
Fiance(e) Petitions
NACARA
Diversity Lottery
LIFE Act
Waivers
Adoption
VAWA/U VISA
TPS
Opinion Letters

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Our Approach

At NELSON | SMITH, we are happy to hear from you and to help you meet your immigration objectives. We normally begin the process with an initial consultation. The initial consultation gives you an opportunity to meet with one of our attorneys, explain your own personal circumstances and to ask any questions that you might have about the immigration process or what visa options might be available to you