Kerry Bretz | New York Immigration Lawyer

Creative Solutions to Immigration Problems

A continuing commitment to justice for immigrants

Our team of dedicated attorneys at Bretz & Coven, LLP are known throughout New York City for enthusiastically taking on the cases that other lawyers turn down. When we believe an injustice is being done, we are prepared to fight for our clients — in federal court, if necessary. Our firm is AV-Rated® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, and our team includes a former litigator for the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Because of our reputation in immigration law, other immigration attorneys often refer difficult cases to us.

Dedication to immigration justice in every venue

Our work is not limited to the administrative process of immigration. While we eagerly help individuals and families understand the process of obtaining citizenship, New York residency or a green card, we consider complex cases to be the strongpoint of our practice. Our attorneys have argued immigration appeals in federal appellate courts and have had a statute declared unconstitutional. We are dedicated to comprehensive immigration reform and remain invested in the latest immigration legislation and rulemaking, including deferred action. This allows us to advise our clients in New York of the full range

Position	Organization	Location	Duration
Partner	Bretz & Coven, LLP	New York, NY	1999 - Present
Trial Attorney	US Department of Justice	New York City	1991-1994

School	Degree	Major	Graduation
City University of New York School of Law	JD	Law School	1991
City University of New York-Herbert H. Lehman College	Bachelor of Arts	Political Science	1988

State / Court	Date
Connecticut	1991
Florida	1994
New York	1992
2nd Circuit
3rd Circuit
5th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

• Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
  Member, New York State Bar Association
  Member, Florida State Bar Association

• AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated        Martindale-Hubbell        2000-2012, 2015
  Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2010-2012
  Best Law Firms in New York First -Tier Rating, U.S. News & World Report, 2016

• St. John v. McElroy, 917 F. Supp. 243 (S.D.N.Y. 1996) Practice Area: Immigration Outcome: Ms. St. John was found statutorily eligible for parole because INA § 236(e) was unconstitutional as applied to returning permanent residents who retained due process rights despite their absence from the country. I was awarded $88,000 fin EAJA fees. Description: Ms. St. John, a returning lawful permanent resident, was detained by the INS pending a final determination by the Board of Immigration Appeals as to whether she could be excluded from the United States due to her drug conviction in Bermuda. I represented her on a "pro bono" basis. Henderson v. INS, 157 F.3d 106 (2d Cir. 1998) Practice Area: Immigration Outcome: The provision of the AEDPA that limits the availability of INA § 212(c) waivers does not apply retroactively to noncitizens whose deportation or exclusion proceedings were pending on the date of its enactment. Calcano-Martinez v. INS, 533 U.S. 348 (2001) Practice Area: Immigration Outcome: The Supreme Court held that IIRIRA expressly precluded the court of appeals from exercising jurisdiction to review a final removal order, but that petitioners may pursue their claims in a habeas corpus action pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241. Description: This case concerned petitioners who were lawful permanent residents subject to administratively final removal orders because they were convicted of aggravated felonies. Each filed a petition for review in the Second Circuit pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1252(a)(1) and a habeas corpus petition in the District Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2241 in order to challenge the Board of Immigration Appeals’ determination that, as a matter of law, they were ineligible to apply for a discretionary waiver of deportation under former § 212(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Sun.	Mon.	Tue.	Wed.	Thu.	Fri.	Sat.
Closed	9:00 am - 6:00 pm	9:00 am - 6:00 pm	9:00 am - 6:00 pm	9:00 am - 6:00 pm	9:00 am - 6:00 pm	Closed

Kerry Bretz has been a Premium Member since February 25, 2016.
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Verified Credentials	Date Verified
(1994) Licensed as Attorney in Florida. Verified with State Bar of Florida.	February 25, 2016
(1991) Licensed as Attorney in New York. Verified with New York State Unified Court System.	February 25, 2016

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