Immigration Attorney Sam F. Haddad

Personal Life

Sam Haddad is an immigration attorney employed by Kuzmim & Associates, P.C. located in Manhattan, New York City. He was born in Sacramento, California and raised in Auburn, a small town east of Sacramento with a population of approximately 13,330. He fondly remembers a childhood filled with county fairs and neighborhood friends.

He attended UCLA and majored in Political Sciences and French. Sam earned his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. While at UCLA, the future law student had the opportunity to study abroad and enrolled at L'Institute des Etudes Politiques, in Paris. He loved France so much that he returned after he graduated and taught English at an “amazing disadvantaged high school outside of Paris.” Sam stated that his position as an assistant allowed him to be friends with students as well as teachers. He had “an incredible experience working with dedicated people and unique students; it was invaluable.”

When Sam isn't working; he enjoys playing the guitar, reading, politics, and philosophy. One of his favorite books is Eros and Civilization. The attorney shared he has read the book written by German philosopher and social critic, Herbert Marcuse, a few times and is still intrigued. He also does some light reading in his free time and surfs the internet to keep up with current events and emerging scientific and technological advances. Sam said there was “so much information on the internet, but not enough time” to read it all.

Sam loves eating at Bedouin Tent, a Middle Eastern restaurant, located in Brooklyn and Barbuto, nestled in the West Village.

The immigration attorney is married to Tara Benson, a post production project manager for television shows, indie feature films, and commercials. She has a strong work ethic and loves that Sam is in immigration helping others.

He emphasized that he respects his “mother and wife so much for their shared dedication. My mom worked graveyard shifts for almost ten years so she could care for myself and siblings, she always drove us to school.”

Talking Politics

Sam was asked what he thought of New York Governor Andrew Mark Cuomo. He interned for the Attorney General's office when the governor first became attorney general for New York, and Sam believes Cuomo is a pretty good governor, “but is weary of most politicians.” The UCLA graduate believes that honesty is the most important consideration in qualifying a politician's fitness to serve.

The attorney also gave his opinion on the national election. He claimed, “Judging from what I have been reading recently,” President Obama will win the election. Sam favors Congressman Ron Paul over Obama or Governor Mitt Romney. He “supports Ron Paul because it seems like you know what you are getting.” The attorney added that Paul feels transparent compared to the other politicians.

Sam's Law Career

Why did Sam decide to become an attorney? He didn't have one answer. The attorney declared, “I wanted to have a career that was varied in terms of content so that I wouldn't be stuck in a monotonous career, but rather where the skills I would learn could be applied in any context therein.”

Why did he decide on Brooklyn Law School? Sam believes the area of Brooklyn is beautiful and found it “more captivating than living in Los Angeles” for another three years. He does, however, miss his family in California; so being across the country calls for family trips.

He expressed how he “liked that law penetrated every aspect of society” and “wanted the option to help people out pro bono.” Sam also revealed that “there are no other lawyers in my entire extended family of over 100 people who settled in the United States.” His mom is a nurse and his dad performs acupressure and practices eastern medicine. He believes becoming a lawyer is valuable for the family.

What was Sam's most memorable law school experience? The immigration attorney acknowledged that “law school was full of incredible experiences” so it's difficult “to pinpoint any one moment that stood out above the others.” However, Sam reflected on two significant experiences. He said, “Getting a B+ on my contracts final my first year first semester was pretty mind blowing since I thought I totally messed up everything.”

Another memorable law school experience was Sam's first year summer internship. He recalled, “My summer internship working for Legal Services of Northern California when I prepared a response to a motion to dismiss and it was accepted by the boss with very few changes.” It was the first time he felt sure he “would do this job well.”

The attorney has been practicing law since 2009, but joined his current firm in June, 2011. He works in a small firm with three lawyers, eight support staff, and one office manager. Sam stressed that the best part of immigration law “is winning cases in court and seeing people break down crying with relief.” To be able to help keep, and bring, families together is an “incredibly satisfying experience.”

Sam has assisted his clients with their Green Card and Visa applications. He thought going to court was “nerve wracking at first because immigration was a new practice area.” The attorney is grateful for the managing partner because he always has his door open for questions no matter how busy he is.

The Brooklyn Law School graduate asserted he has “learned much beyond the content of immigration law.” Sam has learned to deal with his clients well and gained much knowledge on how a small office is run. He also feels he has significantly improved as a lawyer through his extensive court and drafting experience at his current position.

What got the California native interested in immigration law. The candid attorney said it was a “very practical thing, I didn't have a job, I was offered one, and I gladly took it. I started June of last year.”

Sam discussed what he is known for professionally. He stated, “I have a knack for finding great arguments. I am excellent drafting appeal briefs and motions. I am very good with clients and earn their confidence. I believe opposing counsel generally appreciate me because I am always courteous and try to build rapport so that we can get things done with a minimum of fuss.”

If opposing counsel only has minimal fuss, when do things get ugly. Sam explained that immigration lawyers deal with the government and they are usually “reasonable people if you are not pushy or demanding.” Sam noted that his patience was tested with a couple of private lawyers, but he handles those situations professionally.

The attorney gave his opinion about the field today and what he would do to change it. He said, “I would change how many people go to law school. There are too many lawyers and not enough jobs, it is just ridiculously depressing looking for work for new lawyers if you aren't in a top 10% position or have connections.”

Sam also talked about how students “default on their loans, which leaves a bad taste because law school was so expensive. This also somewhat discredits the entire legal education system when so many people are in dire straits as a direct result of this overpriced education and the misleading job statistics touted by law schools.” The attorney continued to say that “if law school was affordable, people could easily shift into something else” after graduating. He doesn't like how law schools constantly jacked up the tuition fees and how banks approve loans to students without even considering the economy and job prospects of these future lawyers.

So where does Sam see himself in five years? Although the straightforward attorney announced “the future so uncertain that I honestly don't know where I see myself in five years.” The attorney revealed he would like to develop a “personal injury and contract litigation practice.” He said he would bring in work that would build his experience. Sam also considered developing practice in the areas of “business law, consumer protection, bankruptcy and real estate,” in addition to immigration.

Sam wants to be remembered “as a person who respected others in every way, who wished the best for everyone and who did the best he could for his family and himself.”

It's interesting to note that if Sam was not a lawyer, he would be a farmer. Why? The attorney said, “He was intrigued by the idea self-sufficiency.” Sam was also fascinated with “advanced aquaponics, indoor growing and organic growing techniques.”He remarked that he would have a healthier life and would leave his mark in the field. Sam could envision starting a business with a few acres of land and would “make deals with restaurants and markets.” He admitted this was a “dream of his,” but acknowledged he is a “better lawyer than farmer, so I'll be sticking with the law.”

Motivation, Pro Bono Work, Greatest Achievement, Future Goals

What's motivates Sam? He stated his “family, ambition, and wanting to do the best for my clients.”

Did the immigration attorney handle any pro bono work? He proclaimed, “I haven't done pro bono work since starting at my firm, though I believe my boss has done a couple of pro bono cases. Prior to getting this job, I was on my own and I would do things for reduced fees, practically free sometimes, for anyone, family, friend or otherwise, who hired me. However, I was so new I did not take on more complicated cases, pro bono or otherwise, due to my lack of experience.”

Sam did take on pro bono cases during his internships. He reflected, “I worked for Legal Services of Northern California and the BLS Corporate and Real Estate clinic, both of which were entirely pro bono.”

The attorney said his greatest achievement “feels like the cumulative experiences of the last twelve years.” Going to college and law school, “going abroad and building character,” getting a job in a bad economy, working in New York City next to the World Trade Center, and getting married are Sam's highlights so far in his life.

The New York transplant wants to accomplish many goals. He looks forward to continuing to develop his career. He wants to have kids, a garden, and send his parents on vacation.

Vision for the future

The attorney stated that where things are actually going “is anyone's guess.” What he hopes to see? “Peace and mutual respect govern earth, everyone with a roof over their head and the ability to produce 90+% of the necessities for survival on their own through technological advancement, unlimited free energy and moving beyond the money system and artificial scarcity for control and profit. You know something like Star Trek or a Golden Age.” He added, “who wouldn't want that?”