Alma, a tech-enabled immigration law firm founded by immigrants, is revolutionizing the immigration landscape for businesses. By combining the expertise of seasoned legal professionals with artificial intelligence, the firm addresses long-standing inefficiencies in immigration services, including delayed responses and unclear communication. This approach aims to provide businesses with a streamlined, predictable immigration strategy, allowing them to focus on their core operations.
A Vision Born from Personal Experience
The story of Alma begins with its co-founder, Aizada Marat, who experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating the U.S. immigration system. Originally from Kyrgyzstan, Marat arrived in the United States as a teenager through a State Department exchange program. Despite her qualifications, a mistake by an immigration lawyer left her unable to work or travel for over a year. This experience highlighted the fragmented and often opaque nature of immigration processes, a sentiment echoed by many individuals and companies.
According to Alma’s Chief of Staff, Abhinav Kumar, and growth leader, Aryan Pareek, the firm was established to solve these issues. “Having seen so many founder friends go through lengthy immigration processes, I know the uncertainty that comes with building a career here,” Pareek stated. “Why not solve for that — not just for yourself, but for everyone?”
Innovative Solutions to Immigration Challenges
Alma employs a unique model that pairs experienced attorneys with engineers who develop AI-driven workflows. These workflows automate tedious tasks such as document verification, compliance tracking, and form population, allowing lawyers to concentrate on case strategy. Each application still undergoes thorough human review, ensuring quality legal work. Notably, requests for evidence and refilings are included at no additional charge until approval is achieved.
This blend of technology and legal expertise enhances transparency and reduces attorney workloads. Clients gain direct access to their attorneys through emails or Alma’s platform, which offers real-time visibility into their case status. This setup fosters a more personal and efficient experience, where HR teams managing global talent receive timely updates on their cases.
Alma’s approach transforms immigration law into a streamlined system that operates with the speed and precision expected from modern technology firms.
Enhancing Predictability for Competitive Advantage
Alma positions immigration not just as a legal necessity but as a strategic function vital for attracting and retaining global talent. By integrating immigration planning into broader hiring strategies, the firm helps businesses navigate cross-border movements without disruption. This practical approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and communication, building long-term trust with clients.
The firm boasts an impressive 99% approval rate, significantly higher than the industry average of 80% to 90%. This success results from rigorous multiple rounds of review by expert attorneys, ensuring each case is handled with the utmost care. Kumar emphasizes the importance of reliability, stating that every client interaction reinforces the firm’s commitment to delivering consistent results.
Building a Cohesive Team for Sustainable Growth
Alma’s growth strategy is rooted in creating a cohesive team that embodies its values. Kumar actively oversees recruitment to ensure that all employees, from attorneys to engineers, are highly skilled and aligned with the company’s mission. This careful selection fosters a culture of trust and shared awareness, where every team member understands their role in delivering successful outcomes.
Pareek’s focus on experimentation drives the firm’s growth, allowing it to refine its client profiles and optimize marketing strategies. This approach is crucial for maintaining predictability in business operations.
Aiming for a New Era in Immigration Services
In the coming months, Alma plans to solidify its leadership in both B2B and B2C immigration services. The firm’s long-term vision is to become a comprehensive immigration law firm capable of managing all stages of the immigration process. With an emphasis on AI-enabled services, a sector projected to unlock $4 trillion in value over the next decade, Alma is poised to redefine professional services.
Kumar asserts that the future of legal services will be defined by firms that are not merely adopting technology but are fundamentally built around it. “The winners won’t be legacy firms buying software, but AI-native firms that are outcome-driven from the start,” he remarked. By integrating technology with expert legal review, Alma exemplifies how automation can enhance complex legal workflows without sacrificing human judgment.
