Ginger E. Jacobs

Law School
Harvard Law School

Major Cases
I regularly defend a variety of cases for clients from throughout the world before the immigration court. I also represent individuals, families and businesses in bringing people to the United States on visas and helping people to stay in the country. I particularly enjoy working with vulnerable populations, including asylum-seekers, survivors of domestic violence and traditionally disadvantaged communities.

Among my most satisfying recent victories include helping a twice-deported pastor return to the United States from Mexico to reunite with his family, which was covered by the national media. I also enjoyed helping several LGBT couples with very challenging cases remain together in the United States, including a gay Russian man who had suffered severe persecution and hate crimes in Russia. I also achieved significant victories for individuals fleeing persecution in Syria.  

Professional Background
After working as a “big firm” associate for three years in New York City, I decided to pursue an area of the law about which I was truly passionate. Having been interested in human rights from an early age, I was drawn to immigration law and asylum cases in particular. I worked for a small immigration firm in San Diego for two years, before launching my own firm with a partner in 2004. I am the partner for immigration and nationality law at Jacobs & Schlesinger LLP, a boutique firm specializing in immigration law and appellate litigation.

Professional Affiliations
I am extremely active in the community and am very proud of my pro bono work with Alliance San Diego, a local human and civil rights organization. That work includes serving as a partner in the DREAMer Assistance Network and as a member of the Advisory Board for the San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium. Through these groups, I have helped thousands of young people apply for their work permits in pro bono workshops. For the past five years, I chaired the Advisory Board of the Immigration Justice Project of the American Bar Association, an invaluable legal services organization that serves San Diego’s most vulnerable immigrant populations.

Personal Background
My most treasured role is that of mother to my seven-year-old daughter, Julia. I am also thrilled that my law partner, David Schlesinger, is my husband of more than 13 years.