I’d like to hear from those who’ve already gone through this difficult process — what exactly do lawyers do when filing for an O-1 visa? Is it worth applying with a lawyer, or is there no significant difference if you do it without one? I’m mainly interested in the quality of the case and the final outcome — does their involvement make a difference, or can you manage it yourself?
I personally chose between firms that work with lawyers and going directly to a lawyer — the cost turned out to be more or less the same. The difference is more about communication: it’s easier to clarify details about your case directly with a lawyer; through a firm there’s usually a manager in the middle. Basically what they do: structure the evidence according to the criteria, write a cover letter for the petition, and organize letters of support from experts. The latter especially — finding the right people yourself and explaining what to write is really hard. You can do it without a lawyer, but the O-1 isn’t the most straightforward petition.
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