Chicago Immigration Attorney
Attorney Profile
FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LITIGATION ATTORNEY
Kristen Coffey
PHONE
312-238-9090CHICAGO OFFICE
120 S State Street, Suite 200 Chicago, IL 60603NORTHBROOK OFFICE
707 Skokie Blvd, Suite 6 Northbrook, IL 60062Kristen Coffey is a Senior Federal Litigation Associate Attorney at Sverdloff Law Group, P.C., where she represents individuals and families in complex immigration matters with a strong focus on removal defense, asylum, detention-based litigation, habeas corpus, bond motions, and mandamus actions. She is known for her meticulous preparation, clear advocacy, and ability to handle high-stakes cases involving unlawful detention, government delay, and due process violations.
Kristen has extensive experience representing detained noncitizens in immigration court and federal court proceedings. Her practice regularly includes habeas corpus petitions challenging unlawful or prolonged immigration detention, aggressive bond motions and custody redetermination requests, and mandamus actions to compel agency adjudication where USCIS or other agencies have unreasonably delayed decisions. Where clients face imminent removal, unlawful detention, or irreparable harm, she assists in pursuing emergency relief in federal court, including temporary restraining orders (TROs) and requests for temporary or preliminary injunctive relief, in coordination with senior litigation counsel.
In addition to detention and federal litigation, Kristen represents clients in affirmative and defensive asylum cases, including preparation for asylum interviews, individual hearings, and merits litigation before the immigration courts. She also practices in family-based immigration, adjustment of status, removal of conditions, and naturalization, providing strategic guidance from initial filings through complex procedural stages.
Kristen's biography
Kristen’s commitment to immigration law began early. During her undergraduate studies, many of her closest friends came to the United States from around the world on student visas. She witnessed firsthand how rigid immigration rules forced talented individuals to leave the country despite strong ties and long-term plans. That experience, combined with her longstanding interest in other cultures and advocacy, led her to pursue a legal career focused on immigration and humanitarian relief.
She also understands immigration on a personal level. Kristen has guided close family members through the adjustment of status process and removal of conditions, giving her practical insight into how immigration law intersects with major life milestones. That perspective informs her client-centered approach and reinforces her commitment to clear communication and realistic strategy.
Kristen brings a disciplined, litigation-driven mindset to every case. She is particularly skilled at identifying procedural defects, evidentiary gaps, and constitutional issues, and she works closely with senior counsel to build strong records for court review. Her advocacy is grounded in careful legal analysis and a deep understanding of how immigration courts, ICE, USCIS, and federal judges evaluate cases in practice.
Kristen earned her B.A. in International Studies, with a concentration in the Middle East and North Africa, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and her J.D. from Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Indiana, as well as the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.
Before joining Sverdloff Law Group as a Senior Associate Attorney, Kristen served as Of Counsel at Panyard Holton Immigration, LLC from April 2020 through January 2026. She began her immigration career at The Law Firm of Fatima Johnson, first as a law clerk and later as an associate attorney. She has been an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) since 2016.
Kristen speaks Spanish and has working proficiency in Arabic. She approaches immigration advocacy with the understanding that legal problems are deeply personal, often implicating freedom, safety, and family unity. Clients value her clarity, diligence, and determined advocacy-particularly in cases where government action, or inaction, has life-altering consequences.
Reviews
Words From Our
Clients
Reviews from our clients from around the world.
Very knowledgeable attorney. I had the chance to work with many attorneys last ten years. Julia was most knowledgeable and helpful. She got the job done right. Thank you. Read More
Mirrakhim
Julia and her team were purely amazing throughout my adjustment of status process. I had one of the most difficult cases any lawyer can handle, and Julia was actually my 3rd lawyer in 12 years. I can't thank her enough for taking the time, and efforts to execute this task… Read More
Bassel George Diebo, MD
Before meeting Julia and her team, I met many lawyers, but I could not find a better and more professional than Julia Sverdloff. Julia and her team are the best of the best. This team goes to the victorious finish and does not abandon its clients halfway! With this team,… Read More
Atmir K.
Julia's help was invaluable. She is very professional, knowledgeable, straightforward, fast, and empathetic. She was able to solve a green card issue I had been dealing with for 5,5 years in 4 months and helped me with the naturalization process as well. She prepared me thoroughly for the interview, and… Read More
Veronique
I’ve worked with Julia and her team on multiple cases, and every time the experience has been absolutely great. Julia is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, and supportive, honestly the best immigration attorney in Chicago. I came to them through a friend’s recommendation and have since recommended them to others. Everyone I… Read More
Anastasia S.
Exceptional immigration attorney – highly recommended I am incredibly grateful to Julia Sverdloff and her entire legal team for their outstanding work and professionalism. They represented me in immigration court in Chicago, and thanks to their dedication, knowledge, and careful preparation, we won the case. From the very beginning, Julia… Read More
Ivan
Thank you. Thank you to Julia and her team. Addilene and Chris, thank you very much. I found this team through Google, and I will leave my review here. After checking several immigration websites on Google, I decided to entrust my case to Julia and her team, since they had… Read More
Yesenia O.
Julia Sverdloff and her firm helped me to get a Green Card. I had a difficult and complicated case and Julia did everything to help me in the process. All my questions and concerns were answered promptly. I recommend Julia to anyone seeking a great immigration lawyer. Thank you Julia! Read More
Daria K.
Thank you for your services. You are always available to answer questions. Together, we won political asylum and I hope we can continue to work together to achieve our future goals. Thank you again. Read More
Александр С.
The attorney Addilene Avila helped me with my residency process, and I obtained my green card. She guided me through the process, was very patient, and efficient. I highly recommend her to anyone who wants to adjust their status. Excellent service from everyone. Read More
Guillermo
We consulted multiple lawyers in Indiana and Chicago before we decided to proceed with Sverdloff Law. In hindsight, I couldn’t be happier with that choice. All of Julia’s employees are great and quick to respond. They get the job done, and they tell it to you how it is, which… Read More
Yasmin A.
It was a pleasure working with Sverdloff Law Group, especially thank you to Julia! They always kept me updated on my case, all the paperwork was done accurately and fast. Every time I had court I was very satisfied with their professionalism and the work they put into preparing. I… Read More
Natalia D.
I would like to extend my deep appreciation to my attorney Julia Sverdloff for her excellent work. She helped me a lot with my case, and the result turned out great. She is honest, responsible, and always professional. Every time I call, she answers immediately and never ignores my calls.… Read More
Nurisa O.
For eight years, I looked for an honest, capable lawyer, but instead, I faced empty hopes and mistakes. When I found Julia Sverdloff, everything changed. She examined the case carefully, understood the core of the problem, and gave me hope again. Julia is a strict and precise professional, without theatrical… Read More
Nikolay B.
Julia, thank you for your hard work and professionalism, and directing me in every way! More than now, contact Julia for your immigration needs! She rocks! Read More
Calmati C.
My experience with Sverdloff Law Group was very positive. The procedure for obtaining a permanent residency was smooth thanks to Julia and Addilene! If you want a professional and dedicated group of people to guide you through the process, then you should definitely pick them! Read More
Jovan C.
Julia Sverdloff is the real deal: brilliant, bold, and compassionate. She turned an impossible situation into a life-changing victory for our family. When my husband’s asylum case was nearly lost because of poor legal work, Julia Sverdloff stepped in and turned everything around. She created a clear strategy, refined the… Read More
Yulia D.
I used the services of Sverdloff Law Group, P.C., and I’m very satisfied. They truly helped me with my immigration case. I especially want to thank immigration attorney Julia and her team member Anastasia, who was always in touch, helped with translations, and guided me through every step. This immigration… Read More
Роман П.
Very Happy with my final result of receiving my updated LPR card, Julia and her Wonderful Team. God bless you all again, thank you very, very much—you are very much appreciated for all you did for me. Got it in less than 6 months . I was a nervous basket… Read More
Maria R.
