Bruce I. Yamashita

Bruce I. Yamashita

Law Off. of Bruce I. Yamashita, PLLC • Washington, DC
ImmigrationPersonal InjuryRail

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Contact

Email
Phone
(855) 905-5262
Address
1025 Connecticut Ave NW Ste 1012, Washington, DC, 20036-5417, US

Professional

About

Bruce I Yamashita, ESQ Mr. Yamashita is the principal of the Law Office of Bruce I. Yamashita, PLLC, and practices Immigration & Nationality Law. Born and raised in Hawaii, he came to Washington D.C. to complete a joint degree program: master’s in international affairs from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. Before that, during college at the University of Hawaii, he spent a year abroad at International Christian University (ICU) in Japan. After graduating from college, he returned to Tokyo for an additional four years where he had a variety of experiences: teaching English, working at an import/export company; serving as the chief editor for a community newspaper; and working as a disc jockey for a national radio station. Mr. Yamashita is also a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. An experienced litigator, Mr. Yamashita represented indigent criminal defendants for 20 years at D.C. Superior Court. Every four years, a committee of judges selected him to be a part of the U.S. Panel, an association of dedicated attorneys certified to represent indigent defendants. From misdemeanors to felonies, he was committed to protecting the constitution: the right of all to a fair and speedy trial. Moreover, as many of his clients were non-citizens, he worked diligently to avoid or reduce any potential immigration consequences due to their contact with the criminal justice system. His priority: competent and compassionate representation. Mr. Yamashita now focuses solely on Immigration and Nationality law. Mr. Yamashita is licensed in Hawaii and the District of Columbia. He is a member of the D.C. Superior Court Trial Lawyers Association, National Institute of Trial Advocacy, American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. He is the recipient of the Japanese American Citizens League Civil Rights Award, and the Georgetown University Law Center Asian Pacific American Students Association Alumnus of the Year Award. More recently, in 2014, he received the Trailblazer Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. He has been the subject of a PBS Hawaii documentary, A Most Unlikely Hero. His book, Fighting Tradition: A Marine’s Journey to Justice, is published by the University of Hawaii Press. In his free time, he enjoys weightlifting, power walking, travel and mindfulness meditation.

About Immigration Law

Immigration attorneys help individuals and families navigate the complex immigration system. They assist with visas, green cards, citizenship, and deportation defense. Common matters include visa applications, green cards, citizenship, deportation defense.

Credentials

Education
1988 Georgetown University Law Center J.D. 1988 Georgetown University School of Foreign Service M.S.F.S. 1979 University of Hawaii B.A.
Languages
Japanese | English

Recognition & Involvement

Awards
2014 Trailblazer Award, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association 1995 Alumnus of Year Award, Georgetown Asian Pacific American Law Students Association 1994 Civil Rights Award, Japanese American Citizens League
Publications
2003 University of Hawaii Press Fighting Tradition
Associations
2019 - Present NAPABA Solo & Small Firm Network Co-chair 2001 - Present American Immigration Lawyers Association Member 2001 - Present National Asian Pacific American Bar Association Member 2000 - Present D.C. Superior Court Trial Lawyers Association Member 2018 - 2019 NAPABA Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp Co-chair
Speaking
2019 Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp Solo & Small Firm Boot Camp 2015 Panel Discussion Veterans & Diversity in the Legal Profession
Updated: Mar 11, 2026