Paul O'Dwyer graduated from the National University of Ireland, University College Galway with the degree of LLB in 1985, and from the Honorable Society of King's Inns, Dublin, Ireland, with the degree of Barrister-at-Law in 1989. He was admitted to practice law in New York State in 1990, and since then has been admitted to practice before various federal courts in New York State and nationwide.
Mr. O'Dwyer's practice is focused primarily on immigration law. He represents clients before the Department of Homeland Security, immigration courts, and federal district courts and courts of appeals. Within the field of immigration, Mr. O'Dwyer is considered an expert on asylum law. He has successfully represented hundreds of individuals in asylum hearings at asylum offices, immigration courts and in federal court. He is Co-Chair of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association New York Chapter, Asylum and Immigration Court Liaison Committee, and the National Refugee, Asylum and International Programs Liaison Committee.
Mr. O'Dwyer also litigates other immigration matters in the immigration courts and in federal court, including re-opening cases with prior deportation orders, applications for special immigrant status, cancellation of removal, and waivers of inadmissibility.
Outside of the immigration court and asylum context, Mr. O'Dwyer represents a variety of artists, restaurant industry professionals such as chefs, sommeliers, and restaurant managers, as well as their employers, in sponsorship for non-immigrant, or temporary, work visas, as well as for permanent residence, in addition to applications for adjustment of status through family-based and employment-based immigration, and naturalization.
In addition to the American Immigration Lawyers' Association, Mr. O'Dwyer is a member of the Immigration and Nationality Committee of the New York City Bar Association. He frequently writes articles and speaks at seminars on immigration law, and provides training for other immigration attorneys on a regular basis.
Mr. O'Dwyer also practices matrimonial and family law, providing representation on actions for divorce, custody and child support, as well as negotiating separation agreements, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements.