Elena Dvoinik, ESQ.
aTTORNEY AT LAW
(212) 605-0529
info@dvoiniklaw.com■
Precision. Analytical rigor. Strategic advocacy. Whether you are facing a complex immigration matter, detention or bond proceedings, litigation involving governmental entities, or high-stakes civil disputes, I provide direct, focused, and individualized representation. Solo practitioner. No layers. No handoffs. Just strategy and personal attention. Services available in English, Russian, and German.[ Areas of practice ]My Practice
I handle personal injury, immigration, administrative disputes, and complex federal and cross-border litigation. My approach is straightforward: thorough factual review, careful legal analysis, strategic advocacy, and my direct involvement at every stage of your case.
I offer services in English, Russian, and German.
Personal Injury & Municipal Liability (New York)
I represent clients in personal injury and municipal liability cases involving negligence, unsafe property conditions, public entities, schools, transportation authorities, and government employees. I handle notice of claim procedures and governmental immunity issues — because government cases come with extra rules.
Immigration & Federal Immigration Litigation
I represent clients before USCIS, Immigration Court, ICE, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and federal courts.
My services include:
Family- and employment-based immigration
Asylum and humanitarian protection
Withholding of removal and Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection
Bond proceedings and detention-related matters
Removal defense
Motions to reopen and appeals
Federal mandamus actions for delayed immigration matters
Habeas corpus petitions and related federal litigation
I provide these services in English, Russian, and German.
Government Accountability & Administrative Litigation
I handle cases involving the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) administrative claims, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) litigation, public records disputes, and challenges to government procedures or agency action (or inaction).
Civil Litigation
I handle state and federal civil cases involving contract disputes, defamation claims, constitutional issues, administrative disputes, procedural litigation, and complex jurisdictional matters.
Areas I Generally Do Not Handle
I do not typically handle wills and probate disputes, residential real estate matters, or transactional property law.
Direct Representation
I am a solo practitioner. That means you get my direct attention, a strategy built for your situation, and clear communication throughout your case — no layers of staff, no unnecessary handoffs.
Fee Arrangements
Immigration matters: Hourly, flat-fee, phased, or mixed-fee basis (e.g., hourly plus flat components). Contingency fees are not permitted in most immigration matters under professional conduct rules.
Personal injury matters: Straightforward cases may be handled on contingency — meaning I get paid only if you recover money. Cases involving government defendants, municipalities, extensive motion practice, or complex issues may require a different arrangement.
Civil, matrimonial, administrative, appellate, and federal litigation: Hourly, flat-fee, phased, or mixed-fee basis depending on complexity, procedural posture, and scope.
I discuss fees, costs, and scope during your consultation. If I take your case, everything goes into a written retainer agreement.
Initial Consultation
I conduct initial consultations remotely through a secure portal. The fee is $300 for up to one hour.
If you later become a client, I may credit some or all of that fee toward future legal services at my discretion.
For urgent matters — such as imminent removal proceedings or approaching statutes of limitations — I can often schedule a faster consultation. Please call me directly or send me email rather than using the online portal.
Areas of Practice
[ ICE detention, bond hearings & Habeas Corpus ]ICE Detention & Bond Representation
Detention by ICE presents serious challenges: limited access to counsel, potential transfer to out-of-state facilities, and fast-moving procedural deadlines. I provide skilled representation in bond hearings, custody review proceedings, and emergency federal litigation for detained individuals.
Services include:
Bond hearings before Immigration Court
Review of detention and custody issues
Motions relating to release from detention
Habeas corpus petitions in federal court
Coordination with family members and detention facilities
Emergency filings in time-sensitive matters
Detention matters require immediate factual review, rapid document collection, and strategic coordination across immigration and federal court systems. I move quickly and carefully — because delay can harm a client's case.
Services available in English, Russian, and German.
For urgent matters, expedited scheduling is available. Please contact me directly rather than using the online portal.
[ asylum, deportation protection ]Asylum, Removal Defense & USCIS Matters
I represent clients in affirmative and defensive immigration matters, including asylum, removal proceedings, humanitarian protection, USCIS applications, and complex immigration issues.
Services include:
Asylum & Humanitarian Protection
Affirmative asylum applications
Defensive asylum before Immigration Court
Withholding of removal
Convention Against Torture (CAT) protection
Removal Defense
Responses to Notices to Appear (NTA)
Representation in removal proceedings
Motions to reopen or reconsider
Appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
Family & Employment Immigration
Family-based immigration petitions
Employment-based immigration matters
USCIS applications and petitions
Responses to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notice of Intent to Deny (NOIDs)
Advanced Litigation & Coordination
Federal mandamus actions for delayed adjudications
Review of immigration records and prior filings
Preparation of supporting declarations and documentary evidence
Strategic coordination in complex or cross-border matters
Immigration cases demand careful factual development, credibility analysis, detailed documentation, and strategic coordination between administrative agencies and federal courts.
Many clients seeking protection or lawful status have experienced political pressure, discrimination, governmental abuse, family separation, or institutional instability in their home countries. I approach every case with clear communication, trust, and careful preparation — from initial consultation through final resolution.
Services available in English, Russian, and German.
[ personal injury & municipal liability ]Personal Injury & Municipal Liability (New York State)
When you or a loved one is injured due to someone else's negligence — whether in a car accident, a slip-and-fall, on unsafe property, in a nursing home, or due to careless or reckless conduct — you need clear guidance and strong advocacy. I represent clients in personal injury and municipal liability matters throughout New York State.
Services include:
Motor vehicle accident claims
Slip-and-fall and premises liability matters
Claims involving unsafe residential or commercial properties
Nursing home neglect and elder abuse — including bedsores, dehydration, malnutrition, falls, medication errors, and inadequate supervision
General negligence claims — including dog bites, negligent security, construction site accidents, bicycle and pedestrian accidents, boating accidents, property maintenance failures, and wrongful death
Injuries involving public entities or municipal defendants
Notice-of-claim procedures for government agencies
Review of medical records and injury documentation
Insurance claim evaluation and dispute resolution
Litigation involving disputed liability or complex factual circumstances
Important under New York law (pure comparative negligence):
Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still recover damages. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault — but not eliminated unless you were 100% at fault. Do not assume you have no case before speaking with me.
A special note on municipal claims:
Cases involving cities, public agencies, or government actors come with strict procedural deadlines, notice requirements, and immunity defenses. Missing a deadline can destroy a claim. I review these matters immediately — because timing is everything.
A special note on nursing home cases:
New York nursing homes owe residents a legal duty of care. Neglect — whether through understaffing, improper training, or failure to follow care plans — can cause serious injury or death. Bedsores (pressure ulcers), unexplained falls, rapid weight loss, dehydration, infections, and medication mistakes are common signs. I review these cases carefully and act quickly, because evidence and witness memories fade.
Personal injury cases demand detailed factual investigation, careful documentation, strategic communication with insurers, and thorough review of medical and evidentiary records. I provide all four.
Contingency fee arrangements available for qualifying cases. Fees discussed during initial consultation.
[ civil litigation ]Civil Litigation (New York State and Federal Courts)
When a dispute escalates into litigation — whether over a matrimonial dispute, broken contract, defamation, fraud, or a government action — you need strategic, no-nonsense representation. I handle complex civil matters in New York state and federal courts.
Services include:
Pre-suit factual and legal analysis
State and federal court litigation
Motion practice and procedural disputes
Claims involving fraud, defamation, negligence, and business disputes
Litigation involving governmental or institutional actors
Jurisdictional and cross-border disputes
Review of complex factual and documentary records
Strategic case assessment at all stages of litigation
What to expect:
Civil litigation demands detailed factual investigation, procedural precision, strategic written advocacy, and sustained case management from start to finish. I provide all four.
Every case receives my direct attention. No handoffs. No layers. Just individualized strategy and clear communication at every stage.
A note on business and commercial disputes:
Contracts, partnerships, shareholder issues, and business torts often involve high stakes and tight deadlines. I move quickly to preserve evidence, analyze exposure, and develop a litigation strategy aligned with your objectives.
A note on government and institutional defendants:
Suing a government agency or large institution adds layers of complexity — immunity defenses, jurisdictional hurdles, and procedural traps. I know these rules and use them to your advantage, not theirs.
Fee arrangements discussed during initial consultation. Hourly, flat-fee, phased, and mixed-fee structures available depending on the matter.
[ administrative litigation ]Government Accountability & Administrative Litigation
When a government agency delays a decision, withholds records, acts outside its authority, or threatens your professional or occupational license, you need someone who understands the rules and knows how to push back. I handle administrative litigation involving federal and New York State agencies.
Services include:
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) matters (federal)
New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) proceedings (state)
Public records requests and related disputes
Administrative appeals and agency review proceedings
Mandamus and agency-delay actions (compelling agency action)
Review of agency determinations and procedural compliance
Regulatory and licensing-related matters
Strategic coordination between administrative and court proceedings
A note on agency delays:
When an agency fails to act within a reasonable time, valuable rights can be lost. Mandamus actions and other procedural tools may compel a decision. I evaluate these matters carefully and move when the law allows.
A note on public records disputes:
FOIA and FOIL requests are often ignored, partially fulfilled, or improperly denied. I handle administrative appeals and, when necessary, litigation to force disclosure. If a record should be public, I will fight for it.
[ appellate advocacy ]Appellate Advocacy
Representation in immigration appeals (BIA), federal circuit courts, New York state appellate proceedings, and complex jurisdictional matters. Services include appellate briefing, emergency relief, post-judgment motions, and strategic issue selection. Every appeal demands careful record analysis, procedural precision, and detailed briefing. I provide all three.
Strict deadlines. Contact immediately.
[ about ]■
Elena Dvoinik, Esq.
Attorney admitted to practice law in the State of New York
Elena Dvoinik is a New York attorney with an international legal and business background. Her practice focuses on immigration law, personal injury matters, civil litigation, administrative proceedings, appellate advocacy, and complex disputes involving governmental and cross-border issues.
Contact Form
Do not wait until a problem becomes a crisis.
Early legal guidance can make a critical difference. Whether you are facing an immigration matter, governmental inquiry, complex dispute, or personal injury issue, you are welcome to describe your situation in your own words. I strive to respond promptly to all serious inquiries.
Plain language is welcome. You may write in English, Russian, German, or another language.
⚠️ Important Notice
Submitting this form or communicating through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. I do not represent you unless and until we enter into a signed written retainer agreement. Please do not send confidential, privileged, or highly sensitive information through this form. Submission of this inquiry does not obligate either party to proceed with representation.