Renae M. Yoo

Of Counsel | Immigration Attorney

Renae M. Yoo is Of Counsel at Katsivalis & Anderson Law, where she represents individuals, families, and institutions in a wide range of immigration matters. Her practice focuses on employment- and family-based immigration, humanitarian relief, complex student and nonimmigrant visa matters, and strategic immigration planning for individuals navigating multiple visa pathways over time.

Ms. Yoo advises employers and professionals on employment-based immigration matters, including EB-1 and EB-2 National Interest Waiver cases, as well as related nonimmigrant visa strategies. She also maintains a robust practice assisting students and educational institutions, working closely with universities and university students on complex student visa issues, compliance concerns, changes of status, and long-term strategic visa planning that aligns academic, professional, and immigration goals.

A significant portion of Ms. Yoo’s practice is dedicated to humanitarian immigration. She is trauma-informed and has extensive experience representing survivors of violence, abuse, and trafficking in VAWA self-petitions, U visa, and T visa cases. Her work in this area emphasizes careful factual development, client-centered advocacy, and legally sound case strategy designed to protect both safety and long-term immigration stability.

Ms. Yoo has specialized training and experience working with immigration matters involving African countries and African nationals. She regularly represents clients whose cases require nuanced understanding of country conditions, cultural context, and regional political dynamics. She speaks French and is able to work directly with French-speaking clients, particularly in humanitarian, student, and family-based matters.

Ms. Yoo also represents families in a variety of family-based immigration matters, including petitions for spouses, parents, siblings, and children, adjustment of status, and consular processing. She is known for her detailed case preparation, clear client communication, and ability to guide clients through procedurally complex matters with sensitivity and precision.

Areas of Practice

Employment-based immigration, including EB-1 and EB-2 National Interest Waiver matters
Family-based immigration, adjustment of status, and consular processing
Student and education-based immigration, including university advising and strategic visa planning
Humanitarian immigration relief, including VAWA, U, and T visa cases
Nonimmigrant visa strategies for professionals and students

Honors and Recognition

Recognized by Super Lawyers in immigration law since 2017.
Chair, Chicago Bar Association Immigration & Nationality Law Committee.
Chair, AILA-Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Pro Bono Clinic.
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Honor Roll inductee.

Education

Juris Doctor, Loyola University Chicago School of Law
Master of Arts, International Relations and Foreign Policy, Loyola University Chicago
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, French, and Chinese, Augustana College

Bar Admissions

Illinois

Professional Affiliations

American Immigration Lawyers Association
American Bar Association
Illinois State Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association