Introduction
Dr. Emmanuel D. Akpan holds both a Juris Doctor and a Ph.D., a dual credential combination that is uncommon among practicing attorneys and that shapes how his Largo, Maryland firm approaches client matters. With 30 or more years of legal experience behind him, Dr. Akpan has represented immigration clients in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, and California, and has appeared before US District Courts, US Courts of Appeals, the Department of Homeland Security, the Board of Immigration Appeals, USCIS, the Department of State, and the Department of Labor.
That breadth of federal agency and court exposure is the foundation on which the Law Offices of Emmanuel D. Akpan operates. The firm is based at 9701 Apollo Drive, Suite 395 in Largo, Maryland, and handles immigration, criminal defense, personal injury, family law, business law, and wills and trusts. Dr. Akpan works personally on each client’s case, a commitment that distinguishes the firm from larger practices where clients may be handed off to associates.
Practice Areas
Immigration Law
Immigration is the firm’s most expansive practice area. Dr. Akpan has handled immigration matters in 13 states and the District of Columbia, appearing before the full range of federal bodies with jurisdiction over immigration proceedings. That includes US District Courts, US Courts of Appeals, DHS, the Board of Immigration Appeals, USCIS, the Department of State, and the Department of Labor.
The firm’s immigration work extends into community education. Dr. Akpan provides immigration workshops and seminars to employers and community organizations, helping groups understand the immigration process and the legal obligations that apply to them. This is a dimension of practice that most immigration attorneys do not pursue.
An important component of the firm’s immigration counseling covers the immigration consequences of criminal charges for noncitizens. A criminal charge that might result in a minor penalty for a US citizen can trigger deportation or removal proceedings for a noncitizen. Dr. Akpan’s background in both immigration and criminal defense makes him particularly positioned to counsel clients on the intersection of these two areas.
Criminal Defense
The firm handles criminal defense matters in state and federal courts in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Criminal defense experience also informs Dr. Akpan’s immigration practice, particularly when clients face charges that carry potential immigration consequences.
Personal Injury
Personal injury claims are handled through the firm for clients in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. These cases involve harm caused by another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct, and the firm’s representation covers the legal process from initial claim through resolution.
Family Law
Family law matters, including divorce, custody, and related proceedings, are handled in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Family situations that involve immigration status add a layer of complexity, and Dr. Akpan’s dual expertise in family and immigration law makes the firm a natural fit for clients whose family and immigration matters intersect.
Business Law
Business clients can work with the firm on legal matters affecting their operations. For businesses with international operations or workforces that include noncitizen employees, the combination of business and immigration law expertise in a single attorney is a practical advantage.
Wills and Trusts
Estate planning through wills and trusts rounds out the firm’s practice. Clients who want to plan for asset distribution and protect their families can work with Dr. Akpan on these matters in addition to other legal needs.
Attorney Profile
Dr. Emmanuel D. Akpan brings more than 30 years of legal experience to each client matter. His Juris Doctor provides the legal foundation for his practice, and his Ph.D. reflects an additional depth of academic and analytical training that informs his approach. He works personally on each case, which means clients deal directly with him rather than being delegated to a junior attorney or staff member.
His immigration practice spans 13 states and DC, and his appearances before the full range of federal immigration bodies, from USCIS to the Board of Immigration Appeals to US Courts of Appeals, give him firsthand familiarity with every level of the federal immigration system. His work providing workshops and seminars to employers and community organizations extends that expertise into education and compliance, not just litigation.
Location & Service Area
The Law Offices of Emmanuel D. Akpan, J.D., Ph.D. is located at 9701 Apollo Drive, Suite 395, Largo, MD 20774. The firm can be reached by phone at (301) 563-4022.
Website: akpanlaw.com/
For immigration matters, the firm represents clients nationwide, with documented work in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, and California. For non-immigration matters including criminal defense, personal injury, and family law, the firm operates in state and federal courts in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
Client Focus
The firm serves two distinct client populations that sometimes overlap. The first is immigrants and noncitizens navigating the US immigration system, whether for status adjustments, visas, removal defense, or naturalization. The second is the broader DC-Maryland-Virginia population that needs criminal defense, personal injury representation, family law counsel, business law assistance, or estate planning.
The overlap between these groups matters significantly. Noncitizens who face criminal charges need an attorney who understands that a criminal conviction may carry immigration consequences far beyond the criminal penalty itself. Dr. Akpan’s dual expertise in immigration and criminal defense makes that cross-matter analysis possible in a single representation.
Dr. Akpan’s personal involvement in every case is a structural commitment that affects how clients experience the firm. There is no uncertainty about who will handle the work.
FAQ
Does the firm handle immigration cases outside of Maryland?
Yes. The firm handles immigration matters nationwide. Dr. Akpan has represented clients in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, and California, appearing before US District Courts, US Courts of Appeals, DHS, the Board of Immigration Appeals, USCIS, the Department of State, and the Department of Labor.
What is the significance of the immigration consequences of criminal charges?
For noncitizens, a criminal conviction, or in some cases even a criminal charge, can trigger immigration consequences including removal or deportation, regardless of how minor the criminal penalty might be. Dr. Akpan advises noncitizen clients on these consequences and represents clients in both the criminal and immigration proceedings that can arise from a single incident.
Does Dr. Akpan handle each case personally?
Yes. Dr. Akpan works personally on each client’s case. Clients who retain the firm deal directly with Dr. Akpan rather than being handed off to other attorneys or staff.
What credentials does Dr. Akpan hold?
Dr. Akpan holds both a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and a Ph.D. He has more than 30 years of legal experience in immigration law, criminal defense, personal injury, family law, business law, and wills and trusts.
How can I reach the firm?
The firm is located at 9701 Apollo Drive, Suite 395, Largo, MD 20774. Phone: (301) 563-4022. The firm’s website is at akpanlaw.com/.
Closing
Thirty or more years of practice, appearances before every level of the federal immigration system, representation across 13 states and DC, and a doctoral credential alongside a law degree, these are the specifics that define what the Law Offices of Emmanuel D. Akpan, J.D., Ph.D. brings to a client matter. The firm’s geographic range in immigration work is matched by its commitment to personal attorney involvement on every case, which means clients in a complex and high-stakes area of law are working directly with the attorney whose credentials appear on the door.