Phillip F. Fishman, J.D. M.S.W. attended Washington University Law School in St. Louis, Missouri and received his Juris Doctorate (law degree) in 1964. Since that time, he has practiced law in Missouri, Illinois and, since 1977, in Minnesota.
Mr. Fishman started his own practice specializing in Immigration Law in 1980, and is the founding partner of Fishman, Binsfeld and Bachmeier. He handles a broad range of immigration matters, especially matters involving litigation, assisting individuals who are seeking to obtain or protect their favorable status in the United States. For more than 44 years, Mr. Fishman has appeared on behalf of his clients in such matters as asylum, withholding of removal and adjustment of status. In addition to appearing in Immigration Court, Mr. Fishman has also appeared before the board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and in Federal Courts.
His practice before the federal courts is extensive. Examples include seeking release of detainees in Federal District Court or even bringing successful actions in Federal District Court requiring the government to make decisions when the government has taken unreasonable or illegal delays. Mr. Fishman has also taken appeals to the United States courts of appeal in the eighth, ninth, fourth, and second circuits. These appeals include seeking to overturn decisions of the Immigration Judge and BIA. They also include challenges to the constitutionality of laws and regulations affecting immigrants. A complete listing and summary of the 25 or more cases argued by Mr. Fishman in the Federal courts of appeal and recordings of Mr. Fishman’s arguments are available over the internet. His arguments before the Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit are available at that court’s website.
While Mr. Fishman’s primary area of practice is immigration law, his practice also includes general damage cases (negligence matters), worker’s compensation claims, civil rights litigation and some contract dispute cases.
Prior to 1980, Mr. Fishman practiced with the Legal Aid Society of St. Louis where he was involved in legal issues that brought about reform for poor and disadvantaged Americans. Mr. Fishman came to Minnesota in 1977 to work for the University of Minnesota as the first director of its student legal services program.
In addition to practicing law, Mr. Fishman taught constitutional law at the University of Minnesota, Augsburg College and other local colleges in the Twin City metropolitan area. Before moving to Minnesota, he also taught law-related education at Washington University. During that period he developed a national law-related education project for secondary education teachers throughout the United States.
For at least 15 years, Mr. Fishman has been publicly recognized by his peers as one of Minnesota’s “Super Attorneys” in immigration law. He has also presented at several professional seminars on immigration-related topics. In addition to being a licensed attorney, Mr. Fishman has also received a Master of Social Work degree from St. Louis University.
Mr. Fishman has a wife, two daughters and four grandchildren. He resides with his family in Bloomington, Minnesota.
Misti R. Allen Binsfeld, J.D. graduated from William Mitchell College of Law, and was admitted to the Minnesota bar in 1996. In 1994, she began working with Phillip Fishman in his immigration-based law firm. Phillip and Misti became partners in law practice in 2000 with Greg Bachmeier joining the partnership in 2003. After more than 10 years of employment with the firm, Rachel Engebretson became an Associate Attorney in 2008. Together our team of lawyers represents clients in all immigration matters and practices before Department of Homeland Security, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals and Circuit Courts of Appeals throughout the US.
Misti has developed the firm's business immigration practice, representing companies and its employees. Her clients include start-up businesses as well as large international companies. She meets with the sponsoring employer and beneficiary to identify long-term and short-term goals. Then, together they discuss options and develop a road- map to obtain most often lawful permanent residency status enabling a long-term and productive employer- employee relationship. She maintains consistent client contact and keeps abreast of new opportunities for businesses and their employees. Excellent case management is a top priority.
Misti has been fortunate to meet and work with many families who seek to live together in the United States. She represents foreign nationals (documented and undocumented) who live in the United States and those who live outside the United States who want to join family and gain lawful permanent resident status in the U.S.. Misti has experience working with US Embassies around the world. She also represents clients before the Citizenship and Immigration Service and the Immigration Courts. Most often, family members maintain their attorney-client relationship with Misti until they are sworn as naturalized United States Citizens.
For more than 12 years, Misti has been representing women and children who have experienced or fear future persecution in their home countries based upon their gender and political opinion. She has met many amazing women. Most of these clients continue contact with Misti beyond legal representation. Misti is a passionate advocate for those who oppose persecution to females. She also represents clients who have been victims of crimes in the United States, such as domestic violence. Misti has had the opportunity to represent asylum applicants in several jurisdictions in the US, before the Citizenship and Immigration Service and Immigration Courts.
Misti finds great rewards in her immigration practice. Misti’s profession allows her to meet people from around the world, learn about many cultures, countries' histories and current events. Most importantly, Misti’s profession allows her to help people gain immigration benefits in the United States for a whole host of reasons.
In her free time, Misti enjoys working with young people to reach their educational and professional goals. She has mentored many undergraduate and law students. She enjoys running and spending time with family. Misti maintains professional memberships with the Minnesota Bar Association and American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Gregory S. Bachmeier, J.D. is a Partner in the Twin Cities firm of Fishman, Binsfeld and Bachmeier where he practices in the areas of Immigration, Criminal Defense and Personal Injury law. He has successfully represented hundreds of clients in immigration matters, such as Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Article III of the Torture Convention, Cancellation of Removal and Adjustment of Status before the Immigration Court, Board of Immigration Appeals, Minnesota Federal District Court, and Second, Seventh and Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Greg has also written and presented materials on Post-Conviction Relief in State and Federal Courts.
Greg regularly appears in all of the courts in Minnesota (Federal, State and Immigration), however, he is able to travel anywhere in the United States in order to effectively represent his clients. Since immigration law is Federal law, Greg is not restricted to a specific area when representing clients with immigration matters.
Greg also defends misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor and felony charges. He has successfully defended theft, assault, criminal sexual conduct, driving under the influence, juvenile, and drug offenses. He also does post-conviction work, including vacating criminal convictions, withdrawing guilty pleas and reducing prior criminal convictions as well as expungement of criminal records.
Greg also handles personal injury cases, ranging from automobile accidents, slip and falls, premises liability cases, medical malpractice to excessive force claims against law enforcement officers. Greg is admitted to the Minnesota Supreme Court, United States District Court, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, Second Circuit Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and United States Supreme Court. Greg received his bachelor's degree from Augsburg College and his Juris Doctor degree from Hamline University School of Law.
Greg is a member of the American Bar Association, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Hennepin County Bar Association, Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights – Mentor, Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Minnesota State Bar Association.
Rachel M. Engebretson obtained her Juris Doctorate cum laude from William Mitchell College of Law in May 2008. She is admitted to practice law in Minnesota and currently works as an Associate Attorney with Fishman, Binsfeld & Bachmeier. Rachel’s immigration-related practice areas include business, family, naturalization, immigration removal proceedings, consular processing, and waivers. In addition, Rachel practices family law.
Rachel began her legal experience as a part-time intern with Mr. Fishman in 1996. She joined the firm as a full-time employee in 1998 after earning a Bachelor's Degree, with honors, from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As a legal assistant, Rachel gained more than a decade of valuable experience in assisting in all areas of the immigration law practice from administrative filings to court-room litigation. After learning the nuances of immigration policies and procedures her skills have expanded to include legal research and briefing. In May 2007, she earned a CALI, Excellence for the Future Award for her achievement in the study of Immigration & Naturalization. In addition, she worked with the William Mitchell Immigration Law Clinic for two semesters.
Rachel maintains a professional membership with the Minnesota Bar Association and American Immigration Lawyer’s Association.
