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  • Bio

Kevin M. Crabtree

Attorney at Law, Certified Immigration Specialist, Partner

Kevin M. Crabtree is a talented lawyer who has successfully represented hundreds of immigrants since 2005 and is certified as a specialist in immigration law by the State Bar of California. He represents immigrants facing deportation, the families of special needs children to legalize their status, LGBT immigrants and victims of domestic violence in applications for asylum, immigrants facing immigration consequences of criminal convictions, and immigrant crime victims. Kevin has extensive litigation experience, including with motions for new deportation trials based on new evidence or ineffective assistance of counsel, appeals of deportation orders, suits against ICE for unlawful prolonged detention of immigrants, and suits relating to incorrect denials or delay of immigration benefits.

Kevin is reputed for his exceptional and creative advocacy, effective legal strategies, and meticulous case preparation. In 2021 and 2022, he was recognized as a Super Lawyer in the field of immigration law by Super Lawyers Magazine, a peer-reviewed selection of the best Northern California attorneys. From 2011-2019 he was recognized as a Super Lawyers immigration law “Rising Star.” He has spoken publicly on many topics, such as family-based immigration at the National Conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and on criminal-immigration issues at the AILA Midwest Chapters Conference. In 2011, Kevin received an award for outstanding public service from the San Francisco Bar Association for his volunteer representation of immigrants facing deportation.

Kevin grew up in San Bernardino County in Southern California, but was born in Indiana. As a child, he was raised by a single mother and his family, at times, depended on welfare and subsidized housing. Through the opportunities that California offered, his family got ahead and he became the first among them to attend college and to become a lawyer.

Prior to law school, Kevin graduated with honors from U.C. Berkeley where he studied linguistics and participated in a study abroad program at the University of Barcelona. His studies focused on trans-border issues such as bilingual education, language policy, and linguistic human rights, because he believes strongly in the equality of all people no matter where they are born. Kevin is a fluent speaker of English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and conversant in French and Catalan. Kevin obtained his Juris Doctor from U.C. Hastings College of the Law in 2005. His studies included extensive clinical volunteer work at the International Institute, the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the Eviction Defense Collaborative.

Education

  • University of California, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, California
    • Juris Doctor, 2006
  • University of California, Berkeley, California
    • Bachelor of Arts, Linguistics, 2002
      • Distinction in General Scholarship

Bar Admission

  • Admitted in California
  • Licensed to practice before:
    • All Immigration Courts
    • Board of Immigration Appeals
    • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
    • Supreme Court of California
    • U.S. District Courts for Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern California
    • U.S. District Court District of Columbia
    • U.S. District Court District of Colorado
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Practice Areas

  • Immigration

Certified Legal Specialties

  • Immigration Law, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

Classes & Seminars

  • Ethical Factors in Addressing the Character of Certain Misdemeanors as Aggravated Felonies | American Immigration Lawyers Association Northern California Chapter | 2021
  • Immigration Law for Families With Special Needs Children | Chuparrosa Support Group, Greenfield, California | 2019
  • Public Charge: What is it and How to Protect HIV+ Immigrant Clients | AIDS Legal Referral Panel | 2019
  • Overview of Family-Based Immigration | American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference | 2018
  • Aggravated Felony Determinations Since Nijhawan in the 7th, 8th, & 9th Circuits | American Immigration Lawyers Association Midwest Chapters Conference| 2018
  • Immigration Law Workshop | Positive Resource Center and AIDS Legal Referral Panel | 2016
  • Immigration for HIV-Positive People | U.C. San Francisco and AIDS Legal Referral Panel | 2016
  • Pediatric Grand Rounds: An Introduction to Immigration Law for Pediatricians | Kaiser Permanente | 2016
  • Immigration Law for Families With Special Needs Children | Chuparrosa Support Group, Greenfield, California | 2016
  • An Introduction to Immigration Law for Pediatricians | Marin Community Clinic | 2015
  • Immigration Law for Families with Special Needs Children | San Adreas Regional Center, Salinas, California | 2015
  • Same-Sex Adjustment of Status | American Immigration Lawyers Association Northern California Chapter | 2015
  • Obama’s Executive Action: How It Impacts Undocumented Immigrants, Employers and Foreign Employees | Bar Association of San Francisco | 2015
  • Reinstatement of Removal and Reasonable Fear Proceedings | American Immigration Lawyers Association Northern California Chapter | 2014
  • Introduction to Family-Based Immigration Law | Immigrant Legal Resource Center | 2013
  • Motions to Reopen Removal Proceedings | American Immigration Lawyers Association Northern California Chapter | 2012
  • Commonly Overlooked Forms of Relief from Removal | American Immigration Lawyers Association California Chapters Conference | 2012
  • Admissibility Bars and Waivers | American Immigration Lawyers Association Northern California Chapter | 2011
  • LGBT Asylum Claims, American Immigration Lawyers Association Northern California Chapter | 2010

Professional Associations

  • State Bar of California, Active Member, 2005-present
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • National Immigration Project of the National Lawyer’s Guild
  • Bay Area Lawyers for Individual Freedom

Languages

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese
  • Conversational French
  • Conversational Catalan