The Client Is the Cause

Motivation, Activism, and Cause Lawyering Among Immigration Attorneys in the Trump Era

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6089784
AutoresMaya Pagni Barak (0000-0002-7284-2325, Criminology and Criminal Justice University of Michigan—Dearborn Dearborn Michigan USA), Katherine R Abbott (Sociology Department University of New Hampshire Durham New Hampshire USA), Hillary Mellinger (0000-0002-7716-5191, Criminal Justice and Criminology Washington State University Pullman Washington USA), Michèle Hébert (University of Michigan–Dearborn), Meagan A Hebert (Criminology and Criminal Justice University of Michigan—Dearborn Dearborn Michigan USA)
Año2026
Volumen48
Número1
Fecha de publicación2026-01-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaLaw & Policy (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0265-8240 • E-ISSN: 1467-9930
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/lapo.70009
OpenAlexW4416607799
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas34

What drives individuals to become immigration attorneys? Although much has been written about what motivates people to become lawyers broadly, little is known about the motivations and backgrounds of immigration attorneys. It has been suggested that immigration attorneys are “cause lawyers,” motivated by a desire to engage in immigration activism, advocacy, and reform. Drawing upon a national study of immigration attorneys conducted during Donald Trump's first presidential term, this paper explores the role of these and other established motivations for practicing law in the immigration context—including law school socialization, economic incentives and working conditions, and the social backgrounds, personal values and identities of lawyers. Interview findings reveal that immigration attorneys are not cause lawyers, at least not as traditionally defined in the sociolegal literature. Implications for the immigration bar and the future of immigration reform are discussed