- Notice to All
- Posts
- Why I Triple-Check Every Form Now šš§¾
Why I Triple-Check Every Form Now šš§¾
A hard lesson on accountability, client trust, and the quiet power of doing things right.
Tangle Is a Glimpse of Hope in Uncertain Times
Feeling like you want to get off the rollercoaster of polarizing politics? Read Tangle ā an independent and nonpartisan political newsletter recently profiled on This American Life for helping to bridge the gap between politically divided families. Each day, the newsletter unpacks one important news story, examining it from all sides of the political spectrum.

This Weekās Immigration News Highlights
This weekās newsletter is about the quiet, stomach-dropping moments we donāt talk about enough, when we make a mistake, and someone else feels the consequences. Itās not about malpractice or catastrophic errors. Itās about the everyday human moments: a missed form update, a case rejection, a lesson learned the hard way.
In this weekās story, I share the first time I filed the wrong version of a form and what it taught me about accountability, client trust, and the kind of lawyer I want to be.
Because the goal isn't perfection, it's honesty, growth, and showing up, even after a misstep.

The First Time I Filed the Wrong Form
Iāve made mistakes in my career. Nothing catastrophic, no one was deported, no one lost a benefit forever, but mistakes that mattered. Mistakes that required me to look a client in the eye and say, āI messed up.ā Thatās a humbling experience. So today, letās talk about the times we get it wrong and what we do next.
I still remember the first time I filed an outdated version of Form I-485. My heart sank when I realized it. It felt like such a fundamental oversight. How could I have missed it?
If youāve ever worked with USCIS forms, you know that sometimes the updates are so subtle theyāre nearly invisible. You could easily miss a new edition if youāre checking the upper right corner and the bottom left footer of every page. And thatās exactly what happened to me. I had an older version on file and used it without noticing the change.
But how I found out made it worse. The entire package was rejected, and forms, evidence, and filing fees were all mailed back, with a copy of the rejection sent directly to the client. The reason? āOutdated form version.ā I was mortified. Technically, it was a harmless error, the fees were returned, and we could refile, but those few weeks of delay felt enormous for that client. They mattered. And thatās what hit me.
I called the client immediately. I apologized, sincerely and repeatedly. I took full responsibility. I told them I would refile the entire case that same day at no cost to them. I kept extra close tabs on that file for months afterward, not because I was afraid, but because I cared. I wanted them to know their case mattered to me, and that I would do better.
Since that day, I triple-check every form version. I catch myself reviewing even my teamās work with the same level of scrutiny, not because I donāt trust them, but because I remember that feeling, and I never want to feel it again.
Now, I wonāt lie and say mistakes never happen. When managing a high volume of cases, things can slip through. But Iāve learned this: clients care less about who made the mistake and more about how you respond. Donāt blame the paralegal. Donāt shift the focus. Own it. Explain it. Fix it. Thatās what builds trust.
In my career, Iāve had my share of errors. And every time, Iāve come clean with the client. In some cases, Iāve even reimbursed the filing fees if I felt it was something we shouldāve caught. Because to me, thatās how you preserve integrity, by doing whatās right, not just whatās necessary.
I donāt believe in perfection. I believe in responsibility. I believe in showing up, owning my errors, and making it right. At the end of the day, itās not about being flawless; itās about being the kind of lawyer your client can still trust, even after a mistake. Thatās what matters.

And We Come to a Close!
What did you think of this week's newsletter? |
Connect with me at my LinkedIn account and follow Notice to Allās X (previously Twitter) account!
Also, if youād love my expertise as an immigration attorney, feel free to book a call with me.
If youāve enjoyed our newsletter and found it helpful, please share Notice to All with a friend. Itāll means the world to us! š
Finally, visit our Custom GPT Immigration Law Expert Shelly: an AI chatbot designed by The Notice to All Team. AI Shelly has all the answers to your immigration questions (not a replacement for professional consulting, though. AI isnāt that good)!
Mistakes will happen but how we respond to them defines who we are as professionals. In owning our missteps with honesty and care, we prove that trust is built on integrety, not perfectionism.
Until next time, enjoy this Happy May! šŗ
Reply