Immigration attorney & founder · Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio
Richard T. Herman, Immigration Lawyer and Founder of Herman Legal Group
Richard T. Herman, Esq., is a U.S. immigration lawyer who founded Herman Legal Group in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1995. He began practicing immigration law in Moscow in 1993. He co-authored Immigrant, Inc. (John Wiley & Sons, 2009), and Super Lawyers has selected him in immigration law every year from 2004 through 2025. Herman Legal Group has offices in Cleveland and in Worthington, serving the Columbus area.
Book a consultation Call 216-696-6170 Columbus area: 614-300-1131
Herman Legal Group’s initial consultations are paid, one-hour appointments. A one-hour initial consultation is $200 and can be held by video, phone or WhatsApp, or in person at the Cleveland or Worthington office. Current prices and formats are listed on the consultation page.
- Founded Herman Legal Group in Cleveland in 1995
- Practicing immigration law since 1993
- Family, employment, waiver and removal representation
- Two Ohio offices, clients nationwide
Richard T. Herman at a glance
| Position | Founder, Herman Legal Group, LLC (“The Law Firm for Immigrants”) |
|---|---|
| Practice | U.S. immigration law: family and employment immigration, investor and entrepreneur visas, citizenship, waivers, asylum and humanitarian matters, removal defense, and federal immigration litigation |
| In immigration practice since | 1993, in Moscow. Founded his Cleveland firm in 1995. |
| Offices | Cleveland (headquarters): 408 W. St. Clair Ave., Suite 230, Cleveland, OH 44113 · 216-696-6170 Columbus area: 6660 N. High St., Suite 3E, Worthington, OH 43085, a Columbus suburb · 614-300-1131 |
| Bar and court admissions | Ohio · U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio · U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, Cincinnati |
| Education | J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law · B.A., University of Cincinnati |
| Book | Immigrant, Inc.: Why Immigrant Entrepreneurs Are Driving the New Economy (and How They Will Save the American Worker), with Robert L. Smith (John Wiley & Sons, 2009) |
| Recognition | Super Lawyers, Immigration, 2004–2025 · The Best Lawyers in America®, Immigration Law, since 2015 · Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® · Avvo 10.0 “Superb” |
| Professional associations | Member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association in the 1990s. The firm’s current AILA membership is held by attorney Tameem Ansari. |
| Firm languages | Herman Legal Group’s attorneys and staff speak more than 10 languages. |
| Published writing | More than 90 independently published articles, op-eds and legal analyses since 2004 |
| Other names in public records | Richard Herman; Richard Thomas Herman. Older profiles use the firm’s former name, Richard T. Herman & Associates. |
| Born | 1964, Cleveland, Ohio |
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How Richard T. Herman helps immigration clients
Richard represents individuals, families, employers, entrepreneurs, investors and students in U.S. immigration matters. His matters range from routine filings to cases in which one missed deadline, an overlooked criminal record or an inconsistent prior filing can change the outcome.
| Matter | Typical examples |
|---|---|
| Family-based immigration | Marriage green cards, fiancé(e) visas, relative petitions, consular processing |
| Employment-based immigration | H-1B, L-1, O-1 and TN petitions, PERM labor certification, I-140 petitions |
| Investors and entrepreneurs | E-2, EB-5 and other investor and founder options |
| Citizenship | Naturalization, certificates of citizenship |
| Waivers | Waivers of inadmissibility, including unlawful-presence issues |
| Removal defense | immigration court proceedings, bond, relief from removal, and habeas petitions in federal court |
| Asylum and humanitarian protection | Asylum claims, and screening for VAWA, U and T visa eligibility |
| USCIS problems | Requests for Evidence, Notices of Intent to Deny, denials, stalled cases |
| Students | F-1 status, OPT and CPT, changes of status |
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Deciding whether you need a lawyer, and which one? Richard’s firm publishes a general guide to what immigration lawyers do, how fees work and what to ask before you hire. You can also read client success stories.
Five recent cases
These are separate Herman Legal Group matters. They illustrate how the facts and the procedural history shape the path, not what any other case will do.
Asylum application pending, then a marriage-based green card
A client entered the United States on a visitor visa and applied for asylum. While that application was pending, the client entered a same-sex marriage and filed for a marriage-based green card. The green card was approved in Cleveland in less than six months.
Why the details matter: the manner of entry and the status of earlier filings shape what is available later. A lawful, inspected entry is treated differently from an entry without inspection, and a pending asylum application does not by itself foreclose a marriage-based path. Processing times vary by office, by case and by year, so this timeline is not a prediction.
International student selected in the H-1B lottery
An international student was selected in the H-1B registration lottery. The employer retained Herman Legal Group to prepare and file the H-1B petition, which was filed with premium processing. The petition was approved in about two weeks.
Why the details matter: selection in the lottery is permission to file, not an approval. The petition still has to establish the specialty occupation, the worker’s qualifications and the terms of employment. Premium processing buys speed at the decision stage only: for Form I-129, USCIS guarantees action within 15 business days, and that action can be an approval, a denial, or a request for evidence. An RFE starts a new 15-day clock once USCIS receives the response.
VAWA self-petition and adjustment of status
A client married to a U.S. citizen of the same sex experienced spousal abuse. Herman Legal Group prepared a VAWA self-petition, documenting both the abuse and the bona fides of the marriage. The I-360 was approved. The client then went to an I-485 interview in Cleveland, and the green card was approved.
Why the details matter: VAWA lets an abused spouse of a U.S. citizen petition without the abuser’s knowledge, participation or consent, which changes what evidence is available and how the case must be built. Same-sex marriages have been recognized for immigration purposes since 2013. Two elements carry the case: credible evidence of battery or extreme cruelty, and proof that the marriage was entered in good faith. Federal law also restricts what the government may disclose about a VAWA filing.
I-601A waiver and a short trip to the consulate
A Mexican national had an approved I-130 petition but needed an immigrant visa abroad. Herman Legal Group obtained an approved I-601A provisional unlawful presence waiver, then asked the U.S. consulate in Ciudad Juárez to expedite the interview on humanitarian grounds. The request was granted. The client was outside the United States for fewer than three days and returned as a lawful permanent resident, reunited with family.
Why the details matter: the I-601A exists precisely so the waiver is decided before the applicant leaves. Departing without one can trigger a three- or ten-year bar with the family separated while the waiver is pending abroad. Sequence and scheduling drive the time apart: the waiver is approved first, then the consular appointment is arranged. Ciudad Juárez handles Mexico’s immigrant visa cases, and an expedite request there is discretionary, decided case by case on the strength of the documented circumstances. An approved waiver does not guarantee the visa, because the consular officer still decides admissibility on every other ground, and trip length depends on consular scheduling.
Habeas petition after an immigration judge denied bond
A lawful permanent resident with no criminal record was placed in removal proceedings over voting without authorization, having believed she was eligible to vote. She was detained, and the immigration court denied bond. Herman Legal Group filed a habeas corpus petition in federal district court, and the federal judge ordered her release.
Why the details matter: detention and removability are separate questions, decided under different standards and often by different courts. A bond denial in immigration court is not the last word: a habeas petition asks an Article III judge whether the detention itself is lawful. Voting cases also turn on narrow statutory ground, including a limited exception for people who reasonably believed they were U.S. citizens. A release order addresses custody; it does not resolve the underlying removal case.
Case summaries supplied by Richard T. Herman. Identifying details are omitted. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome; every case depends on its own facts and the law that applies to it.
Meeting Richard in Cleveland or Columbus
Herman Legal Group’s headquarters is in downtown Cleveland, and the firm keeps a second Ohio office in Worthington, a suburb on the north side of Columbus. In-person consultations can be booked at either office, and video, phone and WhatsApp appointments are available anywhere. See the Cleveland office page or the Columbus office page for directions and local details.
Can an Ohio immigration lawyer help clients in other states?
Usually, yes, for the immigration part of a case. Immigration law is federal, and the federal agencies that decide immigration cases do not require a lawyer to be licensed in the client’s home state.
- Immigration courts. The Executive Office for Immigration Review accepts attorneys who are in good standing with the highest court of any U.S. state or the District of Columbia and who are not suspended or otherwise restricted from practicing law. The attorney must also register with EOIR (EOIR Policy Manual, ch. 2.3).
- USCIS. USCIS applies a similar any-state standard. The attorney certifies bar standing on Form G-28 when entering an appearance.
Three limits matter:
- State-law questions. Criminal charges, divorce, custody and employment disputes are governed by state law and usually require a lawyer licensed in that state.
- Federal court cases. Lawsuits such as mandamus actions or petitions for review require admission to the specific federal court, or its permission to appear in one case.
- Where the case is heard. An immigration court hearing still takes place in the court where the case is pending, so travel, remote-appearance rules and local practice all matter.
In practice, Herman Legal Group appears most regularly in matters arising in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois and New York, and advises clients elsewhere in the United States and abroad.
Hypothetical example: A Texas employer sponsoring an H-1B worker could retain an Ohio-licensed immigration lawyer for the petition. If that employer also needed advice on a Texas non-compete agreement, the question would call for a Texas-licensed employment lawyer. This illustrates the rules above and does not describe an actual client.
Not sure whether your matter fits? Book a consultation or call 216-696-6170.
Career timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Moves to Moscow a few weeks after passing the Ohio bar exam and joins Kenneth White’s new Moscow law office, advising Russian and Ukrainian entrepreneurs on U.S. business immigration. |
| 1995 | Returns to Cleveland and founds the firm now known as Herman Legal Group. |
| 2002–2007 | Co-founds and co-chairs the Immigrant & Minority Business Alliance. |
| 2004 | First of 22 consecutive annual Super Lawyers selections, running through 2025. |
| 2006–2009 | Serves on the board of the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland. |
| 2009 | Immigrant, Inc. is published by John Wiley & Sons. |
| 2009–2012 | Co-founder, co-chair and trustee of TiE Ohio. |
| 2010–2011 | Founding adviser to Global Detroit, and early board member of Global Cleveland, which launched in 2011. |
| 2015 | First recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®, in the 2015 edition. |
| 2018 | Herman Legal Group is documented as independent outside counsel under Mexico’s PALE consular-protection program. |
| 2025–2026 | Interviewed or quoted by The Washington Post, WBUR’s Here & Now (carried by NPR) and the Ohio Capital Journal on visas, green cards and ICE enforcement. |
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From Moscow to Cleveland: how Herman Legal Group began
Richard grew up in Cleveland and was conversant in Russian before he left for Moscow. In 1993, only weeks after passing the Ohio bar exam and without a job lined up, he moved there to find out whether a young American lawyer could build a practice in a country opening to the West. He placed advertisements in Russian newspapers and was hired by Kenneth White, an American lawyer opening offices in Moscow. His work there centered on U.S. business immigration for a new class of Russian and Ukrainian entrepreneurs, according to Super Lawyers’ 2005 profile, “A Lawyer Without Borders.”
He spent about two years in Russia. On a visit home, he recognized that Cleveland’s growing community of immigrants from the former Soviet Union needed a lawyer who understood both U.S. immigration law and their language and culture. That led him to open his own Cleveland practice, first known as Richard T. Herman & Associates and now Herman Legal Group.
By 2005, Super Lawyers described a multilingual firm handling deportation defense, federal court litigation and employer immigration, and pairing that legal work with public advocacy for immigrant communities. Both remain central to Herman Legal Group today.
Immigrant, Inc. and the economic case for immigration
In Immigrant, Inc. (Wiley, 2009), Richard and former journalist Robert L. Smith argue that immigrant entrepreneurs create businesses and jobs and can help revive struggling regional economies. The book shaped the argument he has made since: welcoming immigrants is an economic-development strategy, not only a humanitarian choice. Read more about the book.
One point of attribution is worth getting right, because the figure is often misquoted. The widely cited statistic that more than 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children does not come from Immigrant, Inc. It comes from a study published two years after the book: the first “New American” Fortune 500 report, released in June 2011, which examined the 2010 Fortune 500. The most recent edition puts the share at 46.2%, or 231 of 500 companies, for the 2025 list.
Richard carried these ideas into regional policy work:
- High-skill immigration zones. He was a principal organizer of an effort to create immigration incentives, including “high-skill immigration zones,” that would steer international talent and investment toward distressed Rust Belt cities. Site Selection magazine reported on the concept in 2008.
- National speaking. He spoke around the country for the Partnership for a New American Economy, a coalition of mayors and business leaders making the economic case for immigration.
- National coverage. The New York Times quoted him in its 2013 report on Midwestern cities courting immigrants.
Civic leadership
Case Western Reserve University’s Encyclopedia of Cleveland History names Richard as the most notable of the civic activists who urged Cleveland to attract immigrants to reverse its population decline.
| Organization | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Global Cleveland | Helped found; early board member | Launched 2011 |
| Global Detroit | Founding adviser; early board member | From 2010 |
| Go Global Cleveland | Co-founder | Mid-2000s |
| TiE Ohio (The Indus Entrepreneurs) | Co-founder, co-chair, trustee | 2009–2012 |
| Immigrant & Minority Business Alliance | Co-founder, trustee, co-chair | 2002–2007 |
| Legal Aid Society of Cleveland | Board member | 2006–2009 |
| Cuyahoga County Bar Association | Board member | 2005–2008 |
| Cleveland Council on World Affairs | Trustee | 2007–2010 |
| Global Issues Resource Center, Cuyahoga Community College | Board member | 2003–2005 |
| LULAC Ohio | Former Civil Rights Director | — |
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He has also led community programs beyond Cleveland, including a 2013 keynote in Detroit on “The Immigrant-Friendly City,” a 2014 immigrant-entrepreneurship workshop at Wright State University in Dayton, and Know Your Rights seminars in Ohio. Sources for each role are listed on the civic leadership page.
Consular-protection work for Mexican nationals
Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes records documenting that Herman Legal Group was selected and retained in June 2018 as independent outside counsel under PALE, Mexico’s program of legal assistance to Mexican nationals through external counsel in the United States. The original record names the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit and Richard T. Herman, and later addenda, including a 2022 record, continued the relationship.
Mexican consulates work with a number of U.S. law firms through this program. What the records show in HLG’s case is a specific, dated relationship that anyone can check. Richard and the firm are private U.S. lawyers, not employees of the Mexican government, and a consular referral does not guarantee that the firm will accept a case or that funding is available. See the documented PALE work and the official records.
Recognition
| Recognition | Years |
|---|---|
| Super Lawyers, Immigration | Every year, 2004–2025 |
| The Best Lawyers in America®, Immigration Law | Since 2015 |
| Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® (5.0/5.0 peer review) | Current; AV rating recorded since 2005 |
| Avvo 10.0 “Superb” rating; Avvo Client’s Choice Award | Rating current; award 2012 |
| Inside Business “Leading Lawyer” | 2002–2010 |
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His civic work has been recognized by Cleveland Mayors Michael R. White and Jane Campbell, then-U.S. Representatives Sherrod Brown and Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the Cuyahoga County Commissioners, El Centro, the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and immigrant-community organizations. See the full awards and recognition page, which links each source.
Ratings and selections reflect peer review, research and client feedback by the organizations named. They do not predict or guarantee the result of any case.
Writing, media and speaking
Since 2004, Richard has published more than 90 independent articles, op-eds, essays and legal analyses. His 2026 bylines include Law360 on how a Supreme Court ruling on Temporary Protected Status affects workforce planning, Governing on the risks of a patchwork of state immigration rules, and the Houston Chronicle on immigration arrests at airports, along with work in Salon, the Washington Examiner and RealClearScience. Explore the full writing archive.
Reporters and producers regularly ask him about visa screening and international students, green-card rules and USCIS policy, H-1B and PERM, ICE enforcement and detention in Ohio, immigrant entrepreneurship, and immigration’s role in Midwestern cities.
| Date | Outlet | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Aug. 24, 2026 | Ohio Capital Journal | ICE detention of Haitians in Springfield, Ohio |
| May 26, 2026 | WBUR Here & Now, carried by NPR | Changes to green-card rules |
| July 9, 2025 | The Washington Post | International students and social-media vetting |
| Oct. 6, 2013 | The New York Times | Midwestern cities welcoming immigrants |
| Dec. 20, 2005 | Super Lawyers | Profile: “A Lawyer Without Borders” |
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More coverage is collected on the profiles, interviews and media page and the speaking engagements page. Journalists on deadline can use the media resource page.
How to verify Richard T. Herman’s credentials
Directory profiles, older speaker biographies and author blurbs do not always agree with one another. Some still use the firm’s former name, and some list outdated years of experience. Each fact below can be checked at its source.
| Fact | Where to check |
|---|---|
| Super Lawyers, 2004–2025 | Super Lawyers profile |
| Best Lawyers since 2015 | Best Lawyers profile |
| AV Preeminent peer-review rating | Martindale-Hubbell profile |
| Avvo rating and honors record | Avvo profile |
| PALE outside-counsel relationship | Mexican government transparency record, 2018 |
| Role in Global Cleveland’s origins | Encyclopedia of Cleveland History |
| Co-author of Immigrant, Inc. | Publisher listing |
| Knowledge-graph entry | Wikidata Q141182854 |
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If a profile for a “Richard Herman” does not mention immigration law, Herman Legal Group or Cleveland, confirm that it refers to the same person before relying on it.
Personal background
Richard is a Cleveland native who has built his career in his hometown. He is married to Dr. Kimberly Chen, a physician and chief medical officer whose family emigrated to the United States from Taiwan, and they have two children.
Frequently asked questions
How do I book a consultation with Herman Legal Group?
Book through the firm’s consultation page or call 216-696-6170. Consultations are conducted by the attorneys of Herman Legal Group. An initial consultation lasts one hour and costs $200, by video, phone or WhatsApp, or in person in Cleveland or Worthington. A separate one-hour document review costs $500. Cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice are charged the full fee. If the attorney determines within the first five minutes that the consultation will not help you, you may end it and receive a full refund. A consultation does not include follow-up work or document preparation.
Can Richard T. Herman represent me if I don’t live in Ohio?
For federal immigration matters before USCIS or the immigration courts, generally yes. Those agencies accept attorneys in good standing with the highest court of any U.S. state, and immigration-court practice also requires registration with the Executive Office for Immigration Review. State-law issues such as criminal charges or divorce, and cases filed in a particular federal court, may require separate licensing or admission.
Is Herman Legal Group the same firm as Richard T. Herman & Associates?
Yes. Richard’s Cleveland firm appeared under the name Richard T. Herman & Associates in early coverage, including the 2005 Super Lawyers profile and a 2010 Akron Roundtable speaker biography. It now operates as Herman Legal Group, LLC.
Does Richard T. Herman work for the Mexican government?
No. Herman Legal Group has been retained as independent outside counsel under Mexico’s PALE program since 2018. Richard and the firm are private U.S. lawyers, not employees or officials of the Mexican government or its consulates.
How can journalists reach Richard T. Herman?
Use the media resource page, email richard@lawfirm4immigrants.com, or call 216-696-6170. Include your deadline and topic.
Talk with Herman Legal Group
Immigration problems often turn on deadlines and on the details of earlier filings. If you are weighing a visa, a green card, a waiver, a citizenship application or an immigration court case, get advice before you file or respond.
Herman Legal Group offices
Cleveland headquarters
408 West Saint Clair Avenue, Suite 230, Cleveland, Ohio 44113 · 216-696-6170
Columbus area
6660 North High Street, Suite 3E, Worthington, Ohio 43085 · 614-300-1131
In-person and remote consultations are available at both offices. For a government appointment, follow the address and instructions on your USCIS or court notice.
The full public record
Published writing, speaking engagements, media coverage, civic leadership and awards — each item with its source.
Book a consultation Call 216-696-6170
Reviewed by Richard T. Herman, Esq. · Founder, Herman Legal Group · Last reviewed September 2026
Profile facts checked against the public records cited above on September 17, 2026. This profile is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.