Zneimer & Zneimer PC

Zneimer & Zneimer PC – A Local Firm with National Impact and a Deep Commitment to Personal Injury Victims and Immigrants

Zneimer & Zneimer PC is a Chicago-based law firm that provides legal services in personal injury and immigration law, helping clients navigate complex legal challenges. While connected to the local community, Zneimer & Zneimer makes a national impact through their amicus work on landmark Illinois Supreme Court cases that address critical legal issues. They advocate for personal injury victims overwhelmed by financial and emotional burdens, businesses facing the loss of a key employee due to visa issues, and immigrants facing separation from family or danger in their home country.

We interviewed Sofia Zneimer, a Zneimer & Zneimer PC partner and attorney, to learn more about the law firm.

What legal services do you offer?

We focus on personal injury and immigration law, fighting for those who need strong legal advocates. Whether you are injured in a bicycle accident, car crash, slip-and-fall, or dog attack, we stand by your side to pursue the compensation and justice you deserve. On the immigration front, we help individuals and families navigate the complexities of visa applications, J waivers, asylum claims, and family reunifications, making sure their futures are secure. Every case is unique, and we tailor our strategies to fit each client’s personal needs, ensuring they receive the best possible outcome for their situation.

What types of cases do you handle most frequently?

We handle personal injury cases involving cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers injured in accidents, victims of dog attacks, and other injury cases. We do much more than just represent them in court. We step in when the aftermath of an injury threatens to overwhelm our clients with medical bills, emotional strain, and financial uncertainty. For many victims, the challenge extends far beyond physical recovery as those without health insurance face the added burden of crushing medical debt and the risk of ruined credit. We understand these challenges and step in as partners in their recovery. We do not just fight for compensation but strive to help clients regain control of their lives. From negotiating with insurance companies to securing medical treatment, we ensure our clients receive the justice and care they deserve.

Our mission is to help people step out of the shadows and move beyond the uncertainty of their pending lives. We know the toll that immigration challenges take, leaving individuals and families in limbo, unsure of their future. Our goal is to provide permanent solutions that allow our clients to regain control and build secure, stable lives. We bring extensive expertise in employment-based immigration, particularly for foreign medical graduates, researchers, labor certification, H-1B and L visas, and National Interest Waivers. We also handle family immigration matters, including fiancé visas, U visas, waivers, and citizenship applications. In addition, we offer strong representation in removal defense, helping clients fight deportation and secure their place in the U.S.

Our clients trust us not only for our legal knowledge but also because we are honest, competent, and caring. We help our clients leave uncertainty behind and move forward with confidence into a stable future. At Zneimer & Zneimer PC, we stand out because we see the people in each case. We fight for their rights, their futures, and their well-being. When you choose us, you choose a team that fights for you relentlessly and supports you through every step of the process.

Can you share a story about how your work has positively impacted a client?

Several years ago, we received an email that seemed almost too strange to believe. A woman explained how the father of her eight-month-old child had lured her back to the United States, promising she could bring the baby to see him and that he would start paying child support. When she arrived in Detroit, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers detained her. Without involving a Michigan family court to determine what is best for the baby, they handed her baby over to the father based on an ex parte custody order from Illinois. Then, they deported her back to her home country, banning her from the U.S. for five years. She was left without her child, and without her luggage, which was left abandoned at the Detroit airport. She shared that she had already contacted 80 lawyers, and we were the first to offer help without asking for payment upfront.

Her case was a legal nightmare. The father, who was not on the birth certificate, had secretly obtained a custody order from Illinois after she had left the U.S. with the baby, falsely accusing her of kidnapping. Even though the father knew her address abroad, he never disclosed this fact to the court and obtained the order ex-parte. She had fled the U.S. due to abuse, unaware of this court order. Trusting that they were resolving things peacefully, she returned to the U.S. on a valid visa in her passport, with her child now eight months old, thinking she was doing the right thing. When she arrived at the border, the father had already met with Customs officers, falsely claiming she planned to overstay her visa and had abducted the child. Impressed by the Illinois order, the officers, without consulting a Michigan family court to examine the Illinois order, denied her entry and handed her baby over to the father, who only had a piece of paper obtained through deception. She was devastated, deported to her home country without her child, desperate for someone to fight for her.

We worked with the Office of Children's Issues at the State Department, arguing that the removal of the child was wrongful under the Hague Convention. The mother had never been admitted into the U.S., and the child’s removal at the border, based on false accusations, was a wrongful taking of the child. This legal battle escalated into a federal court case. Partnering with a larger firm, which got involved in pro bono, we provided expert testimony, with Sofia Zneimer serving as an expert on immigration law. The court ruled in the mother’s favor, ordering the return of her child. Even though the father appealed to the Seventh Circuit, he lost again.

Our commitment is to fight for justice, no matter how complicated or daunting the case may be. We take on the most difficult legal challenges because we believe in standing up for what is right and ensuring our clients receive the justice they deserve.

What sets Zneimer & Zneimer apart from other law offices?

At Zneimer & Zneimer PC, we take pride in our personalized service. We are a small firm, which means we can dedicate more time and attention to each case. Our clients are not just case numbers—they are people whose lives have been turned upside down, and we are here to help them regain stability. Our firm’s expertise in both personal injury and immigration law allows us to offer comprehensive legal solutions that many larger firms may overlook. We also pride ourselves on clear and consistent communication. We ensure that our clients always know what is happening in their case and what the next steps will be.

National Impact through Amicus Work

Though we are a local firm, we have made a significant impact on a national level through landmark cases such as Direct Auto Insurance Co. v. Galarza and Haage v. Zavala. In Direct Auto Insurance Co. v. Galarza, we filed an amicus brief arguing against insurance policies that exclude pedestrians and bicyclists from uninsured motorist coverage. We highlighted that such exclusions violate public policy, as Illinois law requires that uninsured motorist coverage be available to anyone injured by a vehicle, regardless of whether they are occupants or pedestrians. In Haage v. Zavala, we supported the plaintiffs in a case involving a complex multi-party accident. This case focused on protecting plaintiffs’ rights to medical privacy, particularly as insurance companies sought to use sensitive medical records beyond the scope of litigation. Our involvement helped shape the legal landscape surrounding personal injury and privacy rights, reinforcing the protection of injured parties during legal proceedings​.

Are there any recent legal developments or trends that people should know about?

Yes, there are several critical developments in both personal injury and immigration law. In personal injury, the increasing use of electric scooters and bikes has led to a rise in accidents involving these vehicles. Many victims are unaware of their rights or how to pursue compensation in these new types of claims. In immigration law, the landscape is changing quickly with various parole programs and opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Looking Ahead

Zneimer & Zneimer PC remains committed to expanding its services and community outreach. Through our two blogs, the Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog, which covers topics like electric scooter safety, and the Chicago Immigration Lawyer Blog, which addresses visa criteria and NIW process updates, we aim to raise awareness about critical legal issues that affect our community. Whether it is helping injured individuals recover or assisting immigrants in navigating complex legal processes, we are here to make a difference - both locally and nationally. If you are facing a legal challenge, whether it is related to a personal injury or an immigration issue, Zneimer & Zneimer PC is here to help. Visit our website or contact us directly to learn more about how we can assist you.