Peter J. Thompson

Tireless. Focused. Trusted and zealous advocate. Peter aggressively and creatively handles pressing legal matters, as he has for over 24 years. A trial attorney whose sole dedication is representing individuals, he is a recognized specialist is three distinct yet related areas: Immigration, Criminal Law and Trial Advocacy.

A dedicated representative of the people, he also trains other attorneys and judges and future lawyers in these matters. He is an honors graduate of Temple Law Trial Advocacy program, Professor of Law, Author, and NITA faculty member. Even simple criminal and immigration matters are serious, work with someone with time-tested answers.

• Expert services for Lawyers, Immigration Consequences ("Padilla Advice")
• Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction

• Credit Cards Accepted
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Payment plans are available upon request.

Pennsylvania

Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania

Since 1998

3rd Circuit

Since 2016

5th Circuit

Since 2018

U.S. Supreme Court

Since 2004

United States District Court, Eastern & Middle Districts of Pennsylvania

Since 2016

Attorney, Founder

Thompson Law Advocates, P.C.

Current

Since 2014; Private Law Firm Dedicated to the Legal Representation of Individuals in Immigration Court, Hearings before USCIS, and Federal Criminal Court Proceedings, and Select Representation in State Court Proceedings, Federal Investigations and Hague Convention Hearings, and providing Immigration Consequences (Padilla) Advice.

Lecturer

National Academy of Continuing Legal Education

2020 - Current

Teach Lawyers Nationally about: Crimmigration Essentials: What Attorneys Need to Know, Creative Client Representation in Times of Change: How Changing Administrations Change Your Immigration Practice, and Nuts and Bolts of Immigration Law for Criminal Defense Attorneys.(https://www.nacle.com)

Panel Member

Criminal Justice Act Panel (CJA) EDPA

2015 - Current

Court Appointed Representation of Indigent Federal Defendants in District (Trial) Court and Circuit (Appellate) Court.

Associate Professor of Law, Immigration Law Clinic Founder

Charlotte School of Law

2012 - 2013

Director, Defender Immigration Project

Defenders Association of Philadelphia

2008 - 2012

Unit Devoted to Supporting Non-citizens in State Criminal Court Proceedings.

Adjunct Professor, Political Science Dept.

Villanova University

2008 - 2012

Teaching Immigration Law, International Law, International Relations

Trial and Appellate Attorney

Defenders Association of Philadelphia

1998 - 2004

Temple University Beasley School of Law

LL.M. (2004) | Trial Advocacy

First Honors in Trial Advocacy

Villanova University School of Law

J.D. (1998) | Law

Wyn Llewellyn Award (Excellence in Client Counseling); University Senator (Law School Elected Representative); Externship – U.S. Attorneys Office, Philadelphia

Widener University

M.Ed. (1994) | Secondary Education & Teaching

Professional Teaching Certification; Graduate Scholarship

Villanova University

B.A. (1992)

Activities: Honors classes; Peace and Justice Center; University Board of Trustees, Academic Committee

Lawyer of Distinction

Lawyers of Distinction

2023

Best Immigration Lawyers in Pennsylvania

Expertise.com

2022

10 Best Law Firm - Client Satisfaction

American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys

Philadelphia Bar Association

Member

Current

Activities: Immigration Law Committee

Federal Bar Association

Member

Current

Activities: Criminal Law Committee, Philadelphia Chapter

Philadelphia Criminal Law Inn of Court

Member

2023 - Current

Activities: Professional Association of Esteemed Criminal Law Practitioners

Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL)

Member

2020 - Current

Activities: Regular presenter of Immigration Consequences seminars.

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Member

2008 - Current

Activities: Philadelphia Chapter

LexisNexis Practice Guide: New Jersey Collateral Consequences, 2015, 16, 17, 18 Ed

Matthew Bender

2015

Collateral Consequences for Pennsylvania Adult Defendants by Criminal Statute

Defender Association of Philadelphia

2011

Guide to Representing Non-Citizen Criminal Defendants in Pennsylvania

Defender Association of Philadelphia

2007

Creative Partnerships: Immigration Law, Business, STEM & the Foreign National, Philly Tech Week

Instructor of Trial Skills for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy

Instructor of Immigration 101 for Lawyers at Rutgers Law Institute of Legal Education

Course Instructor on Immigration and Immigration Consequences for the Association of Defense Lawyers

Q. Looking for a Criminal Immigration / Deportation Defense Lawyer from Pennsylvania

September 22, 2023

A: A lot is at stake, and you are right to be searching for an attorney who is well versed in both state criminal and U.S. immigration law and practice, including deportation defense (EOIR), affirmative applications (USCIS), and U.S. entries (CBP). Your attorney should also have a high level of active experience in both legal areas. As a practitioner who fits this description, your question raises many issues and questions of importance, including: is the commission of the criminal activities (retail theft, 18 Pa. C. S. § 3929, and criminal conspiracy, 18 Pa. C.S. § 903 ) a violation of the terms and conditions of either of your visas (F-1 and H1B)? now that the matter has been expunged, will U.S. Immigration still know of the arrest and court disposition? how and when should the arrest and court disposition be discussed under questioning in future applications for legal status (and has it been, if need be, properly disclosed previously)? what, if any, evidence of the resolved event will be required for production at future interviews/applications for adjustment/legal status, and what, if any, questions will be asked regarding this, and how can we prepare properly for these questions? what will I be asked, if anything, at the POE by CBP Officers, and what is secondary/deferred inspection? As you well know, U.S. Immigration takes a cold hard look at any contact with the criminal justice system, including arrests, and each application and interview is laced with questions regarding exactly your scenario. Being prepared for these questions and situations is very important. To start, your chosen immigration lawyer will want to have an original certified copy of the criminal court disposition, if possible, in their file (acquired from the Clerk of Courts of the Criminal Justice Center (Philly), unless they have already purged their system/files), and will want to speak with your criminal defense attorney to assure themselves of the disposition of your case. Plan on working with a trusted immigration lawyer for the "long haul", as the path from F-1 and H1B to lawful permanent residency has many twists and turns, and you will want to handle this situation carefully as it will be, unfortunately, a repeat issue. ... Read More

Q. Will my 2 misdemeanors present a problem with re entry to USA?

September 15, 2023

A: You are right to be concerned...international travel with U.S. criminal convictions can be very troublesome. Upon return, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in evaluating your request for entry as a lawful permanent resident ("green card"), may take issue with your convictions and 2017 removal (deportation) proceedings, and send you to secondary/deferred inspection to look more closely into the events. I highly recommend that you seek several experienced legal opinions before you make your travel plans...among other things, you will want to have the criminal convictions re-evaluated for their consequences, the disposition of your removal proceedings (deportation proceedings) reviewed closely by an immigration attorney well versed in Removal Proceedings (Immigration Court), evaluate your eligibility for a naturalization (citizenship) petition, and if you still plan to travel, be armed with the evidence you may need to present to the CBP upon your entry, and have a plan if things go bad. You will want to travel with confidence - and nothing ruins a trip as much as worrying about re-entry. The time to take these important steps is now before you travel. ... Read More

Q. Hello, Question about visa, green card and crime

May 4, 2023

A: The answer to your question is complicated - I recommend seeking the in-person advice of a skilled and experienced immigration lawyer as your concern is justified. The lawyer should be able to evaluate your husband's "tourist visa" (VWP entry or B2 visa?), evaluate the seriousness of the foreign offenses as they may prove to be hurdles to adjustment (also, were they disclosed in prior applications?), and work with you to complete your husband's adjustment application, if advisable. Our active law practice focuses on clients with the combination of immigration and criminal law issues, and we know how complicated it can be. The fact that you spotted some potential problems with your husband's case now is a good sign - time to get some professional help who can help guide you. ... Read More