Cowan Miller & Lederman Seattle
Seattle, Pacific Northwest

Navigating U.S. Immigration with Clarity & Confidence

For 40 years, billion-dollar corporations, startups, nonprofits, families, and individuals have trusted CML to navigate the complexities of U.S. immigration law.

U.S. News & World Report

Best Lawyers®

U.S. News & World Report

Best Law Firms®

Chambers USA

Top Ranked

Super Lawyers

Recognized

Who's Who Legal

Listed

Cowan Miller & Lederman attorneys
About CML

A Premier Immigration
Law Firm Rooted in the
Pacific Northwest

For four decades, Cowan Miller & Lederman has provided thoughtful, thorough, and current immigration legal services to a diverse range of clients — from Fortune 500 companies and pioneering startups to nonprofits and families seeking new beginnings.

U.S. immigration law is complex and constantly evolving. Quality, informed, and up-to-date legal services may save substantial time and prevent harmful repercussions. We stay current so you can stay ahead.

"It is a growing mix of cultures and professional backgrounds that makes our country vibrant and dynamic."

— Pamela S. Cowan, Founding Partner
What We Do

Comprehensive Immigration
Legal Services

We offer comprehensive representation for all types of employment-based visa matters, permanent residency, family-based immigration, and naturalization services.

Work Visas

We work with U.S. employers to assist with nonimmigrant employment visas — H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, E — in all fields, from cutting-edge technology and research science to health care, accounting, engineering, and the arts.

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"Green Cards"

We specialize in employment-based permanent residency including PERM labor certification applications, I-140 immigrant visa petitions, Adjustment of Status, Outstanding Researcher, National Interest Waiver, and Extraordinary Ability cases.

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Family Immigration

We assist with family-based petitions for U.S. citizens who are marrying foreign nationals or have foreign relatives in need of U.S. immigration assistance. Every family's journey is unique — we guide you through every step.

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Naturalization

We guide Lawful Permanent Residents through the process to gain U.S. citizenship. This is one of the most significant milestones in an immigrant's journey — we are honored to be part of it.

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Cowan Miller & Lederman team

Our Commitment

Thoughtful, Thorough
and Current

Quality, informed and up-to-date legal services may save substantial time and prevent harmful repercussions. We stay at the forefront so our clients don't have to.

Why CML

Why Clients Trust CML

⚖️

40 Years of Experience

Four decades of specialization in U.S. immigration law means we've seen — and solved — nearly every scenario. Our depth of experience is unmatched in the Pacific Northwest.

🏆

Top-Tier Recognition

Consistently recognized by U.S. News Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms, Chambers USA, Super Lawyers, and Who's Who Legal — recognition earned through results, not reputation management.

🌐

Diverse Clientele

From billion-dollar corporations and fast-growth startups to nonprofits, researchers, artists, and families — we serve clients across every sector and background with equal dedication.

💼

Flat-Fee Billing

We typically work on a flat-fee basis to provide certainty in billing and to encourage our clients to call us at their convenience — without concern for hourly fees mounting.

📋

Always Current

Immigration law changes rapidly. Our team actively monitors policy developments, USCIS announcements, and regulatory shifts — so our advice is always accurate and timely.

🤝

Partnership Approach

We don't just file paperwork — we build lasting relationships. Employers and individuals return to us year after year because we treat every case as the career or family it truly represents.

How It Works

Our Process

01

Initial Consultation

We meet to understand your situation, goals, and timeline. We ask the right questions to map the best path forward.

02

Strategy & Planning

We identify the optimal visa category or immigration pathway, outline the timeline, and present a clear flat-fee engagement.

03

Preparation & Filing

Our team meticulously prepares and submits your petition with precision, anticipating potential issues before they arise.

04

Approval & Beyond

We guide you through approval and any follow-up steps. Many clients return for years as their immigration needs evolve.

Our Firm

Immigration consultation
Important immigration updates
CML news
Stay Informed

Immigration News & Updates

All Updates →
December 5, 2025

Expanded Screening for H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants

Effective December 15, 2025, the State Department will expand its online presence review requirement to include all H-1B visa applicants and their H-4 dependents.

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December 4, 2025

USCIS Pauses Adjudications for Individuals from 19 Countries

USCIS has announced an indefinite pause on adjudicating most immigration benefits for individuals from 19 countries designated as "high-risk" under Presidential Proclamation 10949.

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October 30, 2025

USCIS Ends Automatic EAD Extensions for Most Categories

USCIS announced it will publish an interim final rule that will eliminate the automatic extensions of Employment Authorization Documents for renewal applicants in most categories.

Read More →
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

We handle all major nonimmigrant employment visa categories including H-1B (specialty occupation), L-1 (intracompany transferees), O-1 (extraordinary ability), TN (Canadian/Mexican professionals), and E visas (treaty investors and traders). Our clients span technology, healthcare, research, engineering, accounting, and the arts.

We typically work on a flat-fee basis, which provides cost certainty from the outset of your case. This also encourages our clients to call us whenever they have questions or issues — without the anxiety of watching the clock. We'll discuss the specific fee for your matter during your initial consultation.

Yes. We serve both U.S. employers seeking to hire or retain foreign national employees, and individuals navigating their own immigration journey — whether that's a green card, family petition, naturalization, or a specific nonimmigrant visa. We have deep experience in both corporate and personal immigration matters.

Simply contact our Seattle office by phone or email to arrange a consultation. We'll discuss your situation, answer your initial questions, and outline the best path forward. We're here to help you navigate every step of the U.S. immigration process with clarity and confidence.

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Get In Touch

Ready to Move Forward
with Confidence?

Contact our Seattle immigration lawyers to arrange a consultation. We'll provide clarity on your options and a clear path forward — no jargon, no surprises.