Comedian Rodney Dangerfield must have been thinking about immigration attorneys when he quipped "We get no respect!" Many people (and even some other attorneys) think that an immigration attorney just "fills out a standard paperwork form for 45 minutes" and mails it to the U.S. Government. These folks feel "Hey, the forms are free on the Internet, and I can do that, and cut out the middleman and save a lot of time and money!". 

Actually, an effective and experienced immigration attorney does a lot more than "fill out a form" or do "paperwork". He counsels a client about immigration options. He formulates a strategic plan to secure an immigration benefit. He prepares and files legal petitions and supporting exhibits. He avoids common and often costly mistakes and pitfalls in the process, and thus prevents nerve-wracking delays. He provides on-going case status information. He answers a myriad of legal questions from the client throughout the case and afterwards. He resolves any problems or issues with case processing at the Immigration Offices and U.S. Consulates. In short, he offers legal representation from start to finish until the visa or benefit is finally achieved. Furthermore, the reputations of many experienced immigration attorneys are well-known to various Immigration Officials and Consular Officers. This greatly benefits the client's petition by reinforcing to government officials that the case is well-prepared, meritorious and deserving of quick approval. 

USCIS (then INS) spokesperson Karen Kraushaar remarked to the Washington Post on April 24, 2001: "Immigration is a mystery and a mastery of obfuscation, and THE LAWYERS WHO CAN FIGURE IT OUT ARE WORTH THEIR WEIGHT IN GOLD." 

Links to help you select a good immigration attorney: 
"Finding a Damn Good Immigration Attorney" 
"Finding the Right Immigration Lawyer"