I recently had an opportunity to talk with Elizabeth Edwards, a board-certified specialist in immigration law. Edwards works at the Aziz Law Firm in Charlotte, focusing on assisting clients with both immigration and nationality needs. Edwards became interested in immigration law after working on an immigration case during a law school class and has focused her practice on immigration issues ever since, becoming a board-certified specialist in 2000.

Q: Tell us about yourself—college, law school, early career, etc.

I attended Wake Forest University for my undergraduate degree and UNC School of Law for law school. Oddly enough, I hold the same position now that I did when I graduated from law school, so I have been practicing immigration law for 29 years.

Q: What led you to become a lawyer?

Becoming a lawyer was honestly a family affair. My grandfather was a lawyer, and my father was a lawyer, so I grew up attending bar association meetings at the beach and CLEs wherever Dad was speaking. Despite his advice that I probably really didn’t want to go to law school, I went anyway and enjoyed much of it—not all, but a lot. Early on, I knew I leaned toward administrative law; whether that would be tax, immigration, or environmental law was unclear at first.

Q: So, what helped you settle on immigration?

Two things—one practical and one more emotional. The practical aspect was that when I got to law school and started taking all my tax classes—which I had originally preferred—it became clear that to practice tax law at a high level, you had to continue your education after earning your JD and pursue an LL.M. in tax. I did not, however, want to proceed with more schooling at that time.

I had taken an immigration law class in law school and enjoyed it. During that class, we had the opportunity to work with an immigration attorney on one of their cases, which I found very interesting. I was a history major in college, and while working on an asylum case, I realized that it allowed me to use my interest in history to conduct research and formulate arguments. I really enjoyed it.

The immigration attorney I worked with was Cynthia Aziz. We got along very well, and I appreciated the case she assigned to me. Working with a client while still in law school. was a valuable experience that helped me settle on a career path.

Q: What made you pursue board certification in immigration law?

I was encouraged to pursue board certification by other attorneys, some of whom had written the exam and others who had passed it during the first couple of years the immigration exam it was given. In my job, I was fortunate to engage in a wide variety of immigration work, covering almost every aspect of immigration law practice. My exposure to different issues in immigration law made preparing for the test seem manageable.

Q: Can you share a success story that means a lot to you within your immigration practice?

One of the most memorable cases for me involved a gentleman who came to me desperate because he had entered the United States on a specific visa that allowed him to open his own business. He was successful and needed to extend his visa, but he had received bad advice. Despite talking to many people and trying various approaches, none were correct for obtaining the extension. By the time I spoke with him, he was out of status. If he left the US to try to fix it, there was a chance he could be barred from returning, creating a real mess.

We were able to appeal to the government, presenting all the documentation of his efforts and how he had received incorrect guidance. Ultimately, we restored his non-immigrant status, allowing him to continue operating his business, which remains successful today. I was very happy to handle that case through to a successful resolution.

Q: What’s the most challenging aspect of working in immigration law?

Our work depends greatly on who is leading the government. Every time there is a change in administration, so too do the immigration policies. This can be incredibly challenging because we might take on a case, feel confident about our strategy, and then, just as we are ready to file, a new policy or provision emerges that complicates or even negates our clients’ chances.

Another challenge is that when the government—regardless of which party—issues an executive order or new policy, someone on the other side will inevitably file a lawsuit and it's going to be enjoined or there's going to be a stay, halting the execution, of the law or policy.  One court might make a decision, and just a week later, a higher court may issue a contradictory ruling, rendering our prior work irrelevant or put on hold. The  constant changes and inconsistencies present significant challenges.

Q: What do you find most enjoyable about your work?

I have always enjoyed hearing about different cultures, holidays, and family traditions. Learning about the countries people come from, and understanding their reasons for being here—whether positive or negative—has been fascinating and educational.

Q: What aspects of being a lawyer fit you well?

In some respects, the detailed and nuanced nature of regulations and statutes, as frustrating as it can be at times, feels like a giant puzzle. Learning where the pieces fit and successfully putting them together provides a real sense of accomplishment.

Q: Who do you consider to be a role model or mentor, and why?

My father, Mark B. Edwards, who was an tax and estate attorney, has been a significant role model in understanding how to balance family life with a legal career. I observed how hard he worked, yet he would prioritize family whenever necessary. From an immigration perspective, Cynthia taught me a great deal—essentially everything. Additionally, several other members of the immigration bar in North Carolina have been incredibly supportive, and I can still call on them for advice or assistance.

Q: What advice do you wish you had received when starting out?

This may sound unusual, but I firmly believe that everyone who attends law school should be required to take a psychology class. While it’s crucial to understand the law, regulations, and the facts of your case, it’s equally important to comprehend people’s backgrounds and perspectives to explain things effectively. This includes both clients and coworkers. Dealing with people in a calm and productive manner is somewhat scarce these days.

Q: Are there any volunteer organizations or groups, related to your work or outside of it, that you enjoy?

In the realm of immigration, I've done various volunteer jobs. I've spoken at various CLEs. I've done citizenship classes and participated in community discussions.  Outside of immigration, I am passionate about music. I have sung in my church choir for over a decade and also played hand bells, which I greatly enjoy, fostering camaraderie with other members of the group.

I also love to travel and take every opportunity to explore locally, all over the U.S., as well as internationally. I am trying to see as much of the world as I can. Traveling allows me to indulge my interest in history, and in some respects, it also assists my legal practice by providing additional points of connection with my clients. 

For more information about the specialization program, please visit our website at nclawspecialists.gov.