About

At  Katsivalis & Anderson Law, LLC, our attorneys focus exclusively on immigration law to remain up-to-date with this complex and dynamic field. Our mission is to partner with clients in developing solution-oriented strategies for their immigration matters. Whether you are seeking an employment-based immigration status, hoping to help a family member immigrate or facing deportation, we can help.

Our attorneys have more than 35 years of combined experience in immigration law, and may be the only firm nationally with two former immigration judges. Additionally, our dedicated staff have also spent more than 30 years working in the immigration field. We utilize our shared experience to better serve clients.

Our lawyers draw on a rich reserve of professional experience to advance clients'​ goals. We have strong and proven courtroom skills and are not afraid to take a case to federal court. Having handled a number of complex cases, we are readily willing to tackle difficult cases that other firms will not touch.

Most of our cases, however, simply involve helping businesses,  individuals and families realize their dreams and business needs. Whatever immigration situation you are facing, we will place your needs first. By providing thorough legal counsel, we will help you make an informed decision on how best to proceed.

George P. Katsivalis:
George has over twenty-eight years of experience practicing almost entirely as an immigration lawyer.  George currently concentrates his practice in immigration litigation involving deportation defense, administrative practice before United States Immigration and Citizenship Services, federal court litigation, and appellate practice before the Board of Immigation Appeals and the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Prior to entering into private practice, George served as an attorney and administrative law judge with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  He was appointed as a United States Immigration Judge in February 2005 and presided over the Chicago detained docket until his retirement from the bench in 2010.  Preceding his appointment to the bench, George served as the Chief Counsel over the Chicago office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security.  Before the formation of the Department of Homeland Security, he served as the Chicago District Counsel with the former Immigration and Naturalization Service.  Concurrently, from 2010 to 2005, he served as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in the Chicago U.S. Attorney's Office.

He received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982 from Elmhurst College, a Juris Doctor in 1985 from The John Marshall Law School, and a master's degree in business administration in 1986 from Rosary College.  He is a member of the Illinois bar, the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh circuit and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Laureen Anderson:
Laureen  has spent her whole legal career as an immigration lawyer concentrated her practice in complex immigration matters since 2002.  A graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in History and Political Science, Laureen did post graduate work in International Relations at the University of Wisconsin, Parkside and eventually obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law.

Laureen practices all areas of immigration law; she started her career on the corporate side where she advised international and external clients on matters related to non-immigrant employment based visas, PERM, international relocation as well as general employment matters related to foreign labor.

As Laureen's practice has grown she has expanded into the areas of family and removal defense, specifically those related to criminal issues and appellate matters, including to the federal court. Laureen takes great pleasure in representing families in their cases, specifically with waivers, adjustment of status, and naturalization.  She is a member of the Illinois bar, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh circuit and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Jennie Giambastiani- Of Counsel:
Jennie was appointed as an Immigration Judge in May 2002. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 from Loyola University of Chicago, and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University School of Law in 1986. Prior to becoming an Immigration Judge, from April 1987 until May 2002, Jennie served as district counsel, deputy district counsel, assistant district counsel, and supervisory legalization officer for the former Immigration and Naturalization Service in Chicago. Jennie is a member of the Illinois Bar and concentrates her practice on juvenile cases including SIJS and speaks regularly to non-profit organizations.