Robert F. Jacobs

Practice areas

Immigration: Consumer, Criminal Defense

Focus areas

Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Asylum, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Law, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Felony, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Naturalization & Citizenship, Parole, Probation, Prosecution, Sex Offenses, Theft, Traffic Violations

Robert F. Jacobs is an accomplished attorney specializing in immigration and criminal law. He is the founder of Robert F. Jacobs & Associates, PLC (formerly Jacobs & Vega, PLC). His practice predominantly focuses on immigration law matters, particularly for individuals with criminal convictions, specializing in deportation defense, both detained and non-detained cases. Additionally, he handles complex naturalization and citizenship cases, crime victim visas (U visas), various levels of appeals, and family-based visas. Mr. Jacobs serves clients not only in Los Angeles and Orange Counties but also throughout the entire United States.

Over his impressive 25-year legal career, Mr. Jacobs has conducted nearly 1,000 bench trials, representing clients in 16 courthouses spanning seven different states. His expertise is further evident in his appellate work, which has led to five published decisions and ten Oral Arguments before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. His dedication to excellence is underscored by his recognition as a Certified Specialist in Immigration law since 2007, a distinction bestowed upon fewer than 3% of immigration attorneys by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.

Furthermore, since 1998, Robert Jacobs has been a stalwart defender of the rights of individuals accused or convicted of crimes. In addition to traditional criminal defense, he handles post-conviction relief motions, including Motions to Vacate, and represents clients in appeals in the California Superior Court. He is also sought after as an expert consultant on the immigration implications of criminal convictions. Private criminal defense counsel often engage his services to advise their clients on the immigration consequences of plea bargain offers, collaborating to pursue alternative pleas that are immigration-friendly. Notably, Mr. Jacobs has successfully obtained Criminal Motions to Vacate Convictions in ten different counties across California, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Orange, Riverside, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Kern, and Merced.

In addition to his legal achievements, Mr. Jacobs is actively involved in various bar associations, including the Executive Committee of the Immigration Law Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Southeast District Bar Association, the Mexican American Bar Association, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He currently holds the position of President at the Southeast District Bar Association. Furthermore, Mr. Jacobs is a seasoned speaker and moderator at more than 15 Continuing Legal Education seminars, where he imparts his knowledge of criminal and immigration law to fellow attorneys. His contributions to the legal field have not gone unnoticed, as he has been recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and a Top 40 Under 40 Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers, and named one of California’s Top 100 Immigration Attorneys by The American Society of Legal Advocates. He has also been consecutively recognized as a Super Lawyer from 2015 to 2024 and as a Super Lawyer Rising Star in 2011.

Robert Jacobs’ educational background is equally impressive. He earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Economics and Political Science with a Pre-Law emphasis from the University of Wisconsin (La Crosse) in 1994, graduating with Highest Honors and serving as the Student Association (government) President during his term.

Following his undergraduate studies, Mr. Jacobs attended Marquette University Law School on the Dean’s Scholarship. Throughout his legal education, he maintained part-time positions at private law firms, earning membership in the Marquette Law Review and a place on the Dean’s List. He was also actively involved in Moot Court and contributed numerous pro bono hours, which led to his induction into the Pro Bono Society upon graduation.

Mr. Jacobs is admitted to practice in various state and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, the United States District Court for the Southern and Central Districts of California, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and the States of California and Wisconsin. Outside of his legal career, he remains committed to community service as a longstanding member and former President of the Kiwanis Club and is also a Boston Marathon qualifier and registrant.