Michael Zigismund

Director of the Immigration Law Department

Mr. Zigismund is the Director of the Immigration Law Department at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler.

For the firm’s immigration department, Mr. Zigismund directs all cases. As an immigrant himself, Mr. Zigismund personally understands the hardships facing anyone caught in America’s immigration system. His cases include removal defense, applications before USCIS, the Department of State, ICE, and CBP, and appeals before the BIA and Circuit Courts of Appeals.

Mr. Zigismund’s unique expertise in immigration consequences for criminal defendants is indispensable for clients who are simultaneously struggling with both immigration and criminal issues. In one case, he was able to obtain a green card for a client who waited 20 years for one because the U.S. government believed he was a terrorist. In another case, within the span of two years, he helped a client charged with grand larceny receive an outcome that was safe for immigration, achieved citizenship for the same client, and obtained a green card for the spouse.

He also continues to support the firm’s criminal defense practice at both the state and federal levels when the caseload requires it. Mr. Zigismund has represented clients facing charges such as Murder, Assault, Strangulation, Hit-and-run, Criminal contempt, Criminal possession of a weapon, Criminal sale of a firearm, Major drug trafficking, Criminal sale of a controlled substance, Criminal possession of a controlled substance, Sex trafficking, Prostitution, Rape, Forcible touching, Unlawful dissemination of an intimate image, Robbery, Grand larceny, Burglary, Identity theft, Forged Instruments, Wire fraud, DWI, Illegal reentry, Violation of Probation, Bail jumping, and many more.

Practicing in over 50 jurisdictions, Mr. Zigismund has experience with post-conviction relief, clemency, record sealing, SORA (sex offender registry) modification, subpoenas, out-of-court settlements for criminal activity, victim representation, extradition, and government investigation with such agencies as NYPD, ACS, New York Board of Education, New York Department of Health, Connecticut Department of Social Services, DMV, New York Department of Labor, Special Victims Units (SVU), Chase Bank, Bank of America, USCIS, FBI, ICE, CBP, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of State, Department of Agriculture, and the USPS.

Before joining Tsigler Law, Mr. Zigismund practiced a wide range of fields, including corporate transactions, tort and contract litigation, bankruptcy, insurance, and landlord-tenant, among others. As such, he carries a legal sensibility few other lawyers possess. His broad base of knowledge, experience, and singular passion for criminal justice and immigration, atop his significant experience in both, are key to Mr. Zigismund’s success when fighting for the rights of his clients.

Awards & Recognitions

• Super Lawyers, Rising Star (2021, 2022)
• Super Lawyers, Selected to Rising Stars, 2020
• Selected as a Judge for New York University’s Immigration Law Moot Court Competition, 2021

Bar Admissions

• New York State
• Second Circuit Court of Appeals
• Third Circuit Court of Appeals
• Southern District of New York
• Eastern District of New York
• Board of Immigration Appeals

Education

• Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, J.D. — trained intensively with the school’s Criminal Appeals Clinic
• Tufts University, B.A., Political Science, International Relations, and Music — Magna Cum Laude

Professional Memberships

• American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2017–present
• New York State Bar Association, 2016–present
• New York City Bar Association New Lawyer Institute, 2015

Media Appearances or Interviews

• Podcast Guest Appearance — Watch here

Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Latest Successful SORA Modification — By Michael Zigismund, Esq.
• USCIS Says It Will Grant Adjustment of Status Only in Extraordinary Circumstances