Stephen Gaines is an accomplished attorney with experience spanning immigration law, family law, criminal defense, and pro bono legal services. He has developed substantial courtroom and litigation experience throughout his legal career. As an Assistant Public Defender with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender in Baltimore City, he represented more than 100 clients in traffic offenses, probation violations, school attendance matters, and criminal cases. His responsibilities included preparing clients and inmates for trial, conducting trials, making motions during proceedings, performing criminal legal research, and managing heavy criminal dockets.
Stephen represents family law clients in custody, child support, contempt, and protective order proceedings. He also has extensive experience in immigration law. As an Associate Attorney for a large immigration law firm, Stephen handled both defensive and affirmative immigration matters, including Cancellation of Removal, Motions to Reopen, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Defensive Asylum, U Visa applications, Temporary Protected Status applications, asylum applications, and I-601 and I-601A waivers.
As Managing Attorney of Gaines Law International, a boutique immigration practice focused on providing immigration solutions for both business and humanitarian needs. His practice experience included asylum applications, DACA renewals, parole matters involving Afghan nationals, H-1B visas, family-based adjustment of status, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status matters.
Stephen's commitment to public service is reflected in his work with Catholic Charities of Baltimore, where he served as Pro Bono Coordinating Attorney. In that role, he led and revitalized the organization's pro bono program, mentored pro bono attorneys, supervised volunteers and paralegals, and directly represented clients in Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, naturalization, adjustment of status, and asylum matters.
Across his career, Stephen has demonstrated strong leadership, courtroom advocacy, legal research, public speaking, personnel management, and client representation skills. His diverse experience allows him to approach each matter with a combination of litigation experience, legal knowledge, leadership, and a commitment to effective client advocacy.
