In less than ten years of operation, the firm now known as Christopher & De Leon Law Office successfully argued cases before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Board of Immigration Appeals, while also winning not-guilty verdicts in dozens of jury trials. Cases have been covered by BBC, CNN, NPR, The New York Times, and Telemundo. The firm operates at 1578 West National Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, and can be reached at (414) 751-0051.
Background
Marc Christopher founded the firm in 2003. His background is unusual for an immigration attorney: before entering private practice, he served as an Assistant District Attorney, Chief of Staff to a Wisconsin Legislator, and Public Policy Advocate. He earned his law degree from Drake University Law School. His prosecutorial experience shaped the firm’s approach to immigration court proceedings, where the government bears some resemblance to a prosecutorial role and where trial skills matter.
The firm built its practice at the intersection of immigration law and criminal defense, recognizing that criminal matters and immigration matters are frequently intertwined. A criminal conviction can trigger removal proceedings; immigration status affects available defenses in criminal court; post-conviction relief may be necessary to protect immigration status. The firm’s experience across both fields addresses these intersections directly.
Practice Areas
Family Immigration and Family Petitions
The firm handles sponsorship petitions and adjustment of status proceedings for family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. This includes immediate relative petitions and preference category petitions through the consular and adjustment of status processes.
Removal Proceedings and Deportation Defense
Immigration court representation is a core part of the firm’s work. Marc Christopher’s background as a former prosecutor informs his approach to immigration court, where knowledge of how government attorneys build cases is directly applicable to mounting an effective defense.
Asylum, U-Visa, and DACA
The firm handles asylum applications for individuals who have suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home countries. It also prepares U-visa petitions for crime victims cooperating with law enforcement and DACA applications and renewals for individuals who qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status.
Appeals
The firm’s appellate record includes arguments before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Notable cases include State v. Valadez before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and State v. Mendez before the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Appellate work at this level requires a different skill set than trial work; the firm’s record in both areas is documented.
Criminal Law Defense
The firm handles criminal defense matters with attention to the immigration consequences of criminal proceedings. For non-citizen clients, the outcome of a criminal case can determine immigration status. The firm analyzes these intersections and addresses them in both the criminal and immigration contexts.
Post-Conviction Relief
For clients whose prior criminal convictions affect their immigration status, the firm handles post-conviction motions and appeals aimed at vacating or modifying convictions that have immigration consequences.
Attorney
Marc Christopher founded the firm in 2003. His J.D. is from Drake University Law School. His prior careers as an Assistant District Attorney, Chief of Staff to a Wisconsin Legislator, and Public Policy Advocate give him experience across the criminal justice system and legislative process that most immigration attorneys do not have. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
The firm’s full name, Christopher & De Leon Law Office, reflects an association with a De Leon attorney; however, the publicly available record primarily identifies Marc Christopher as the attorney of record across the firm’s documented cases and court appearances.
Service Area
The firm serves clients in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and surrounding areas. For clients unable to appear in person, the firm handles matters via phone, video conference (Zoom), and other remote means. The global reach of immigration proceedings means the firm works with clients across multiple jurisdictions.
Contact and Hours
The office at 1578 West National Avenue is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Marc Christopher can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (414) 751-0051. The firm’s website is https://christopher-law.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the firm’s appellate court record?
Cases argued before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and Board of Immigration Appeals represent the highest levels of review available in Wisconsin’s legal system and in the federal immigration system. Success at these levels sometimes changes legal standards, not only for the individual client but for similarly situated individuals in future cases. The firm’s record at this level is documented through publicly named cases including State v. Valadez and State v. Mendez.
How does criminal defense experience help in immigration cases?
For non-citizen clients, a criminal charge or conviction is not just a criminal matter. Certain convictions trigger mandatory removal proceedings; others affect eligibility for immigration benefits. Marc Christopher’s prosecutorial background gives him insight into how criminal cases are built, which informs both his criminal defense work and his analysis of how a pending criminal matter will affect an immigration case.
Does the firm handle cases for clients who are not in Wisconsin?
The firm accepts remote consultations and handles matters via video conference and phone. Immigration matters often involve federal proceedings that cross state lines. The firm’s ability to appear in federal court and before the Board of Immigration Appeals extends its reach beyond Milwaukee.
Can the firm help someone who has already received a deportation order?
Removal defense includes representation for individuals with existing orders of removal. Depending on the circumstances, options may include appeals, motions to reopen, motions to reconsider, or other forms of relief. The firm’s appellate experience is directly relevant to these cases.
Has media coverage of the firm’s cases affected its work?
Cases covered by BBC, CNN, NPR, The New York Times, and Telemundo reflect both the legal significance of the matters handled and the public interest in immigration law. The firm does not seek media attention as an end; the coverage reflects cases where the legal outcomes had broader implications.