A Trusted Immigration and Criminal Defense Law Firm in Pennsylvania
Santee Law Offices stands as a premier immigration and criminal defense law firm serving clients throughout the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Founded in 2013, our firm has built a reputation for tackling the most challenging legal obstacles with persistence and unmatched dedication.
Meet Attorney David S. Santee
With 25 years of legal experience, Attorney David S. Santee brings exceptional knowledge and courtroom advocacy to every case he handles. His practice encompasses the full spectrum of immigration law, alongside substantial experience in criminal issues—a powerful combination that uniquely positions him to serve clients whose immigration status intersects with criminal matters.
Throughout his distinguished career, Attorney Santee has:
- Represented thousands of clients facing criminal charges
- Successfully advocated for hundreds of clients at trial before judges and juries
- Developed deep experience in both family-based and employment-based immigration petitions
- Established himself as a formidable deportation defense attorney
- Built in-depth knowledge of the critical intersection of criminal and immigration law
Before founding his own practice, Mr. Santee served as Assistant Dean for Trial Advocacy Programs at Villanova Law School from 2007 to 2013. During his tenure, he designed the law school's innovative integrated trial advocacy program, where second-year law students apply courtroom principles while learning evidence law. His academic contributions extended to teaching courses in trial advocacy, evidence, and legal writing.
Attorney Santee continues to share his knowledge as an instructor with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, training practicing lawyers in advanced trial techniques. He also serves as a member of the Planning Committee for the Pennsylvania Prison Society, demonstrating his commitment to justice system improvement.
Our Approach: Finding Solutions to the Most Challenging Legal Problems
What distinguishes the Santee Law Offices most prominently is our skilled approach to complex legal challenges. We never shy away from difficult cases—in fact, these are precisely the matters where our firm excels.
Our methodology is thorough and meticulous: we examine each case from every conceivable angle, reviewing details repeatedly until we discover the optimal solution. This exhaustive approach has enabled us to achieve favorable outcomes in cases that other attorneys might consider insurmountable.
Attorney Santee brings personal attention to every client matter. We understand that immigration and criminal cases profoundly impact people's lives and families, which is why we prioritize excellent client service alongside quality legal representation.
Our Practice Areas
Immigration Law Services
Family-Based Immigration
We help families remain together in the United States through adjustment of status processes and immigrant visa applications. Our practice particularly excels in complex family immigration cases requiring sophisticated legal arguments regarding the effects of criminal convictions or applications for waivers.
Employment-Based Immigration
Our firm assists individuals seeking permanent residency through employment and helps businesses bring talented international workers to the United States. We manage the entire process, from labor certification to visa application, with particular experience in Immigrant Investor (EB-5) cases.
Criminal Issue Services
Crimmigration Services
Drawing from extensive criminal defense experience, Attorney Santee represents noncitizen clients in criminal court and consults with criminal defense attorneys regarding potential immigration consequences, including ICE detention and loss of immigrant status. This comprehensive knowledge at the intersection of criminal and immigration law—often called "crimmigration"—provides critical guidance when navigating these complex legal waters.
Deportation Defense
Our firm leverages Attorney Santee's exceptional courtroom advocacy experience to provide highly effective deportation defense. We understand the nuanced defenses available against deportation and, crucially, how to present them most persuasively before immigration judges.
Appeals and Post-Conviction Relief
We handle appeals in both immigration and criminal matters. Additionally, we file post-conviction petitions seeking to overturn criminal convictions that carry serious immigration consequences, including deportation.
Our Commitment to Clients
At Santee Law Offices, we recognize that legal challenges involving immigration status or criminal charges represent some of the most stressful situations a person can face. Our clients receive:
- Direct access to an attorney with 25 years of experience
- Clear communication throughout the legal process
- Creative problem-solving for even the most complex cases
- Compassionate representation that respects each client's unique circumstances
- Rigorous attention to detail in every aspect of case preparation
- Powerful courtroom advocacy when litigation becomes necessary
Our firm finds particular fulfillment in handling complex cases that require innovative legal strategies—those challenging situations where our experience and creative approach can make the critical difference for clients and their families.
Contact Santee Law Offices
When you need a trusted immigration and criminal defense lawyer in Pennsylvania, contact the Law Offices of David S. Santee, LLC. We offer confidential consultations to discuss your specific legal situation and potential paths forward.
Contact us today at 215-935-4481 to speak with an experienced Pennsylvania immigration and criminal defense attorney who will listen carefully to your concerns and develop a strategy tailored to your unique legal needs.