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Martin Wayne Lester, immigration lawyer in Chattanooga, TN

Martin Wayne Lester

4.4(5)
Immigration Lawyer at Lester Law
Chattanooga, TN Replies in ~24h English 35 years practicing TN Bar
AsylumBusinessCitizenshipEmploymentFamilyInvestmentRemoval DefenseStudent

About Martin

I represent families and individuals seeking legal status or citizenship in the United States, entrepreneurs starting or purchasing businesses, and businesses hiring or transferring foreign workers. Our cases include adjustment of status (green cards), citizenship, fiancee visas (K1), business visas (E, L, H-1B, O-1), and people with extraordinary ability (EB-2 with National Interest Waiver).

Practice areas

Asylum

Affirmative and defensive asylum cases

I-589WithholdingCAT
Business

Corporate immigration and global mobility

E-1E-2TNCompliance
Citizenship

Naturalization and derivative citizenship

N-400N-600
Employment

Work visas, PERM and employment-based green cards

H-1BL-1O-1EB-2EB-3PERM
Family

Spouse, fiancé(e), parent and sibling petitions

I-130K-1I-485AOSGreen Card
Investment

Investor and entrepreneur visas

EB-5E-2L-1A
Removal Defense

Deportation and immigration court defense

NTACancellationBond
Student

F-1, M-1, OPT and STEM extensions

F-1OPTSTEM-OPTM-1

Education

Yale Law SchoolJ.D. · 1990
Brown UniversityB.A. | International Relations · 1987

Bar & associations

Bar license
TN Bar
Active & in good standing
American Immigration Lawyers Association
AILA Military Committee
2019 - 2021
Bridge Refugee Services
Board Chair
2018 - 2020
2017 - 2019
Board of Directors
2015 - 2018

Professional experience

Attorney · Southern Star Immigration, P.A.2011 – 2013
Attorney · Fleet, Spencer & Kilpatrick, P.A.2006 – 2011
Attorney · Ketchel & Lester, LLP2005 – 2006
· Woodburn S. Wesley, P.A. and Associates2003 – 2004
Attorney · Virginia Public Defender Commission1995 – 2003
Attorney · Brownstein, Zeidman & Lore, P.L.1993 – 1995
Attorney · Virginia Public Defender Commission1991 – 1993
Attorney · Zuckerman, Spaeder, Goldstein, Taylor & Kolker1990 – 1991
Attorney · Lester Law

Awards

Attorney for JusticeSupreme Court of Tennessee · 2019
MidSouth Super Lawyer (Immigration)Super Lawyers · 2019
Attorney for JusticeSupreme Court of Tennessee · 2018
International Community Leader AwardInternational Business Council (Chattanooga Chamber) · 2015
Pro Bono Star Certificate of AchievementAmerican Immigration Lawyers Association · 2014

Client reviews

4.4
5 client reviews
53
41
31
20
10
GA
G. AndersenSep 17, 2025

Won my asylum case after 4 years of waiting

I was nervous after switching from a previous lawyer, but everything went smoothly. They prepared me for every question the judge could ask. Got approved last week — still can't believe it.

KS
K. SinghNov 4, 2025

Stopped my removal proceedings

I was facing deportation after a long stay. They got me cancellation of removal. Forever grateful.

GA
G. AndersenNov 22, 2025

Transparent, calm, and incredibly thorough

Walked me through every step of my I-130. Replied to every email within hours. Worth every dollar.

LP
L. ParkAug 21, 2025

Helped me become a US citizen

From N-400 prep to interview coaching. Could not be happier.

DT
D. ThompsonApr 13, 2026

EB-5 from start to conditional removal

Two regional center investments, one I-526, one I-829. Smooth.

Frequently asked

A 30-minute video or phone call. We review your situation, identify the best path, outline timelines and costs, and answer your questions. You'll receive a written summary afterwards.

Most cases are flat-fee. Pricing depends on category and complexity, and is shared in writing before you retain.

Only the initial consultation is paid through Immigrantio (via Stripe checkout). Once you retain, the lawyer bills you directly — retainer, milestone or hourly fees go straight to the firm's own trust account. Immigrantio is not in the chain of custody for case payments.

Conversations on Immigrantio are end-to-end encrypted. For sensitive case documents and original evidence, you'll exchange those directly with the lawyer by their preferred secure method — Immigrantio doesn't store your case files.