Our Team

Meet the Team at Yew Immigration Law Group

A Team Built for Serving Immigration Clients

Immigration law is our sole focus. Our team combines years of legal, operations, and customer experience with something just as important: personal understanding. Many members of our team have global roots and familiarity with the immigration journey. Together, we are committed to serving our clients and supporting their immigration pathways.

The firm is led by Alison Yew, a California State Bar Certified Specialist in Immigration & Nationality Law — one of only two attorneys in Santa Clara County to hold this credential, and among fewer than 1% of California attorneys with any specialist designation. With more than 30 years of experience, including prior service as a partner at a top-20 national litigation firm, Alison has guided hundreds of families and professionals through their immigration journeys. She has been selected to Super Lawyers (Northern California, Immigration) for multiple consecutive years — a peer-reviewed honor extended to roughly 5% of attorneys.

Michael Breismeister, Senior Associate Attorney, brings more than 19 years of licensed practice and deep experience in complex and sensitive matters — including hardship waivers (I-601/I-601A) and VAWA cases. Clients consistently describe him as responsive, thorough, and empathetic.

Behind our attorneys is a dedicated team with expertise in intake, client support, legal support, and operations. Our intake team is available from early morning through evening to support callers across time zones.

What Working With Us Looks Like

  1. Your first call. When you reach out, a trained member of our intake team takes the time to understand your situation — your goals, your timeline, and any USCIS notices or deadlines. Within a few minutes, we can tell you whether your matter is one we handle. If it isn’t, we won’t leave you guessing — we’ll point you toward a trusted referral.
  2. Your strategy session. You’ll meet with an experienced immigration attorney for a focused, 30-minute strategy session by phone or video conference. The attorney reviews your facts and documents, walks through your options, and gives you an honest assessment — including likely timelines and costs. You leave with a roadmap, questions answered, and an idea of next steps.
  3. Your case, handled start to finish. If we move forward together, our team manages your matter end to end — preparing thorough filings designed to get it right the first time. Clients have noted that their cases were approved without Requests for Evidence (RFEs) from USCIS, which means fewer delays and less uncertainty. And because we have an office in San Jose, we know how the local field office operates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Team

  • Who will actually handle my case? Your case is overseen personally by our attorneys, Alison Yew and Michael Breismeister, supported by a trained legal team. Alison Yew and Michael Breismeister oversee each matter, supported by a trained team that keeps your case moving and keeps you informed.
  • What does “Certified Specialist” mean, and why does it matter? The California State Bar awards the Certified Specialist designation in Immigration & Nationality Law only to attorneys who pass a rigorous specialty examination, meet substantial experience requirements, and are vetted by peers and judges. Fewer than 1% of California attorneys hold any specialist designation. Alison Yew is one of only two attorneys in all of Santa Clara County certified as a specialist in immigration law.
  • Do you only practice immigration law? Yes. Yew Immigration Law Group practices immigration law exclusively. Every attorney, every process, and every system in our firm is built around immigration matters — from family-based green cards and naturalization to employment-based petitions and complex waivers.
  • Are you experienced with the San Jose USCIS field office? Yes. Our firm has served clients in and around Santa Clara County for decades, and we’re familiar with how the local field office operates — the kind of practical knowledge that can make a real difference in preparation and expectations.
  • Do you help clients outside the Bay Area? Yes. Because immigration law is federal, we serve clients throughout California and around the world from ours locations in San Jose, Seattle, and Palm Desert, with strategy sessions available by phone or video conference.
  • Do you offer financing? Yes, clients can use “Pay Later,” powered by Affirm to finance legal fees (not applicable to strategy session fee). You can learn more here. We also offer payment plans. If you decide to pursue either financing or a payment plan, please let our team know. 
  • How do I get started? Fill out the strategy session questionnaire or call us at (408) 645-6395. Our intake team will listen to your situation and, if your matter is one we handle, help you schedule a strategy session with one of our attorneys.

How Our Team Has Helped Clients

What our clients say about working with our team:

“Multiple family members of mine worked with Ms Yew’s law firm [for] various visa and immigration cases. Ms Yew and her staff are always professional and friendly, they gave us guidance on difficult/complex situations and handled all our cases carefully and smoothly.” –  Google review

“[The receptionists] were very professional and scheduled appointments for me quickly…I would recommend her [services] if anyone needed. Thank you Alison and your team!” – Yelp review

“Very thankful for Yew Immigration Law Group for their smooth service. Very thorough and easy to work with. Michael and Alison [are] the best!! Overall great service with K-1 petition to Green card.” – Yelp review

“Alison and her team are very professional, capable, efficient, and helpful…Alison successfully helped me get my L1 visa and the renewal one year later. Recently, [Michael] also helped my wife to get L2 EAD approved. I highly recommend Alison and her team.” – Avvo review

“I highly recommend Alison and her legal team. They have provided me with world-class legal support on two immigration-related issues.” – Avvo review

 

Ready to talk with our team? Call (408) 645-6395 or [request a strategy session] — we’d be glad to help you find your path forward.