(215) 525-9155Tap to Call This Lawyer
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ALII Platinum
Biography
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.
Education
- 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
Professional Experience
- 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
- - 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
- - 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
- -
- Director, Defender Immigration Project
- Defenders Association of Philadelphia
- -
- Unit Devoted to Supporting Non-citizens in State Criminal Court Proceedings.
- Adjunct Professor, Political Science Dept.
- Villanova University
- -
- Teaching Immigration Law, International Law, International Relations
- Trial and Appellate Attorney
- Defenders Association of Philadelphia
- -
Publications
Articles & Publications
- LexisNexis Practice Guide: New Jersey Collateral Consequences, 2015, 16, 17, 18 Ed
- Matthew Bender
- Collateral Consequences for Pennsylvania Adult Defendants by Criminal Statute
- Defender Association of Philadelphia
- Guide to Representing Non-Citizen Criminal Defendants in Pennsylvania
- Defender Association of Philadelphia
Speaking Engagements
- 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
Awards
- Lawyer of Distinction
- Lawyers of Distinction
- Best Immigration Lawyers in Pennsylvania
- Expertise.com
- 10 Best Law Firm - Client Satisfaction
- American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys
Professional Associations
- 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
- - Current
- Activities: Professional Association of Esteemed Criminal Law Practitioners
- Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (PACDL)
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Regular presenter of Immigration Consequences seminars.
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
- Member
- - Current
- Activities: Philadelphia Chapter
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Pennsylvania
- Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
- 3rd Circuit
- 5th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
- United States District Court, Eastern & Middle Districts of Pennsylvania
Fees
- Credit Cards Accepted
-
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Payment plans are available upon request.
Practice Areas
- Immigration Law
- Asylum, Citizenship, Deportation Defense, Family Visas, Green Cards, Immigration Appeals, Investment Visas, Marriage & Fiancé(e) Visas, Student Visas, Visitor Visas, Work Visas
- Criminal Law
- Criminal Appeals, Drug Crimes, Expungement, Fraud, Gun Crimes, Internet Crimes, Sex Crimes, Theft, Violent Crimes
- International Law
- Human Rights
Additional Practice Areas
- Expert services for Lawyers, Immigration Consequences ("Padilla Advice")
- Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Legal Answers
- Q. Looking for a Criminal Immigration / Deportation Defense Lawyer from Pennsylvania
- 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 ... Read More
- Q. Will my 2 misdemeanors present a problem with re entry to USA?
- 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 ... Read More
- Q. Hello, Question about visa, green card and crime
- 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 ... Read More
Social Media
Contact & Map