Richard Herman, born on May 1, 1964, in Cleveland, Ohio, is a highly esteemed immigration attorney, author, and public advocate known for his tireless efforts to promote immigrant rights and economic renewal through immigration.
As the founder and president of the Herman Legal Group, based in Cleveland, Herman has established a reputation as one of the leading voices in immigration law and immigrant advocacy. His dedication to fostering opportunities for immigrants has not only helped thousands of families but also reshaped how America views immigration’s role in economic growth.
Growing up in a working-class family in Cleveland, Ohio, Herman’s early years were shaped by his immigrant roots. His father, Richard M. Herman, was a self-taught engineer and inventor who started his career at General Electric before launching his own business. Richard’s parents instilled a sense of pride in their family’s immigrant heritage, which played a pivotal role in his decision to pursue immigration law.
Herman attended the University of Cincinnati, where he studied Political Science and English Literature, graduating in 1987. He also developed a deep interest in Russian language and culture, taking language classes from middle school through college. While in college, he worked as a beer vendor at Cincinnati sports games, a job that helped him fund his education. His passion for international issues and politics grew, eventually leading him to pursue a law degree at Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where he specialized in international business law.
In 1993, Herman’s journey took an unconventional turn. Inspired by the potential for economic reform in post-Soviet Russia, Herman moved to Moscow after law school. Without a job lined up and only $800 to his name, he began offering U.S. immigration counsel to Russian and Ukrainian entrepreneurs interested in relocating to the United States. His early experiences in Moscow, including interactions with American lawyer Kenneth White, laid the groundwork for what would become a lifelong commitment to helping immigrants.
For nearly two years, Herman navigated Moscow’s challenging landscape, learning firsthand the resilience required to start a business in a foreign land. This experience profoundly influenced his perspective on immigration, giving him a unique empathy for the struggles faced by immigrants and a newfound appreciation for the opportunities available in the U.S. His passion for immigration law was solidified, and upon his return to the United States, he set out to make a difference in his own community.
In 1995, Herman returned to Cleveland, where he founded the Herman Legal Group. Starting with a single office in a Cleveland suburb, Herman grew the firm through a combination of hard work and a commitment to immigrant advocacy. By 1999, the firm had moved to a larger office in downtown Cleveland, where it became a resource for the city’s growing community of immigrants, including Russian-speaking refugees fleeing persecution in the former Soviet Union.
The firm quickly expanded its services to represent clients from all walks of life, advocating on behalf of families, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals navigating the complex U.S. immigration system. Today, the Herman Legal Group is one of the top immigration law firms in the country, renowned for its multilingual team representing over 13 languages and diverse cultural backgrounds.
In 2018, Herman launched the website LawFirm4Immigrants.com, aiming to provide immigrants with accessible information on their rights and options. The website publishes 10 to 20 articles weekly, covering current immigration issues and legal updates in multiple languages, including Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, and French. This resource has become a go-to site for immigrants nationwide, receiving over 120,000 visitors monthly and earning a spot on the “Top 25 immigration law blogs” in the United States.
Herman’s work goes beyond legal representation; he is a passionate advocate for immigrant-driven economic growth. In 2010, he co-authored the book Immigrant, Inc.: Why Immigrant Entrepreneurs Are Driving the New Economy (and How They Will Save the American Worker) with former journalist Robert L. Smith. This book presents a compelling argument that immigrants are essential drivers of innovation and job creation in the U.S. economy.
Through his book, Herman sheds light on the economic contributions of immigrants, citing statistics that emphasize their entrepreneurial spirit:
Herman argues that these statistics reflect immigrants’ unique capacity to revitalize struggling local economies. He has spoken at numerous national conferences, including keynotes for Michael Bloomberg and Rupert Murdoch’s Partnership for a New American Economy, highlighting how inclusive immigration policies could help revive economically depressed areas in the U.S.
Herman is also an active participant in non-profit initiatives focused on immigrant integration and economic development. He co-founded Global Cleveland and Global Detroit, non-profit organizations dedicated to attracting immigrants to these regions to stimulate economic growth and reverse population decline. These organizations have become models for cities seeking to leverage immigrant talent and revitalization, demonstrating the profound economic impact of immigrant communities.
In addition to Global Cleveland and Global Detroit, Herman co-founded TiE Ohio, a chapter of the Indus Entrepreneurs Association that serves as a chamber of commerce for immigrant entrepreneurs. His contributions to non-profit boards are extensive, including the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, the Ohio Hispanic Bar Association, and the League of United Latino American Citizens (LULAC). His work on these boards has expanded his influence in promoting immigration-friendly policies across the Midwest.
Richard Herman’s contributions to immigration law and immigrant rights have earned him numerous accolades and distinctions. In 2015, U.S. News & World Report recognized him as one of the best immigration lawyers in the U.S. His law firm has also been repeatedly ranked among the nation’s top immigration firms. Other honors include:
Herman has also received recognition from city, county, and state officials, as well as from federal government entities, for his work in fostering immigrant inclusion and economic development.
At the core of Herman’s advocacy is a mission to change how Americans perceive immigrants. He challenges outdated stereotypes and presents immigrants as assets to the U.S. economy, rich in entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, and diverse market connections. His advocacy has led him to work with several cities, including Detroit, Dayton, and St. Louis, advising them on strategies for attracting and integrating immigrants as a means of economic revitalization.
This vision also extends to his public criticism of cities that fail to welcome immigrants effectively. For example, in his hometown of Cleveland, he has been vocal about the need for better immigrant integration policies, pushing for initiatives that would make the city more inclusive.
Richard Herman resides in Downtown Cleveland, Ohio, with his wife, Dr. Kimberly Chen, a Taiwanese-born physician who overcame her undocumented status to become a U.S. citizen. Today, she serves as Chief Medical Officer for a national health insurance provider, exemplifying the American Dream that Herman believes all immigrants should have access to. The couple has two children, and together they remain actively involved in their community and in promoting immigrant rights.
Years of Experience
Bar Admissions
Herman Legal Group founder Richard Herman is a global advocate for immigrants. He truly believes that immigrants embody the strength and promise of America. Passionate about the advantages of immigrants in the U.S. workforce, Richard co-authored the internationally-acclaimed book, Immigrant, Inc.: Why Immigrant Entrepreneurs Are Driving The New Economy, a powerful interweaving of success stories and research that will forever change the way you look at immigrants – and America.
A lawyer without borders: Richard’s passion for immigrants and immigrant rights resonates with his own family life. A Cleveland, Ohio native, Richard practiced international business law in Moscow. He is married to Dr. Kimberly Chen, an internal medicine physician born in Taiwan. Raising two children and exposing them to as many cultures as possible, Richard sees the world becoming more blended an interconnected each day.
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