About

About Our Practice

First Class Immigration is a full-service legal practice offering client-focused, personalized guidance on all aspects of American immigration. Founding attorney Michael Smallbone has spent over a decade assisting immigrants and their families with navigating the complex immigration process. Whether you are a permanent legal resident who would like to sponsor a family member’s immigration, a business that would like to hire foreign workers, or an international student who has fallen out of status, you can rely on First Class Immigration.

Our dedicated team is well-versed in all areas of immigration law, including family immigration, naturalization, employment-based visas, non-immigrant visas, sports and entertainment immigration, I-9 and employer compliance, entrepreneur and investor visas, DACA, and immigration court and asylum cases. Our boutique-style practice allows our team to prioritize your individual goals to guide you through each step of the complicated U.S. immigration process. We tailor our approach to each case, taking the time to learn about our clients’ expectations and developing a customized strategy designed specifically to accommodate them.

First Class Immigration believes in efficiency and transparency. We offer most services on a flat-fee basis, so our clients don’t have to worry about surprise billings each month. Unlike many attorneys, we recognize that RFEs and NOIDs are often unavoidable in even the most thoughtfully prepared petitions, so we don’t bill clients extra to handle complex post-filing matters. At First Class Immigration, we are truly committed to providing quality and efficient service. Once you have us at your side, you will forever have a trusted partner in your immigration journey.

 

Get in touch

Navigating the ever-changing world of immigration law can often feel hopeless. First Class Immigration provides comprehensive guidance throughout the process. We know what you’re going through, and you can trust that we have the experience, training, and knowledge to guide you through the process.

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Michael Smallbone, Attorney at Law

Michael Smallbone is a licensed attorney with over a decade of experience in all aspects of immigration law. As a naturalized US citizen, Michael personally understands the frustration and anxiety associated with immigrating to the United States, and has years of first-hand experience jumping through the hoops. Born and raised in the Gold Coast region of Australia, Michael came to the United States to work in talent management. He served as Vice President at Premiere Speakers Bureau while navigating his own immigration maze, and recognized a desperate need for honest, reliable representation for Middle Tennessee’s immigrant community. He’s dedicated his career to the field of immigration law, bringing to his practice the strength, knowledge, and experience that makes a difference in his client’s cases.

Michael is an Adjunct Professor at Nashville School of Law, where he teaches Immigration Law. He earned his undergraduate degree from Griffith University in Southeast Queensland, Australia in 2000. Before and during law school, Michael worked as a Paralegal for an immigration firm in Nashville, learning the ropes from the ground up.

Education

NASHVILLE SCHOOL OF LAW
Juris Doctor, 2008

GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY
B.A., Marketing & Management, 2000

Affiliations

• Tennessee Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• American Immigration Lawyers Association