About Christopher Stender

Since graduating from the Syracuse University School of Law in 1990, Christopher Stender has devoted his professional efforts to the field of immigration law. After three years serving as Assistant Chief Counsel in the San Diego District office of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, he entered private practice in Arizona and California. In 2008, he founded the firm of Stender & Lappin, P.C., which provides individuals, families, and employers with the full spectrum of immigration-related services. Christopher Stender regularly represents individuals facing deportation or removal proceedings, and he also maintains an extensive federal appellate practice. He has argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and has brought cases before the United States Supreme Court. Christopher Stender is additionally admitted to practice before the Eleventh, Ninth, Fifth, and First Circuit Courts of Appeals.

Christopher Stender’s advocacy on behalf of his clients before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has resulted in numerous published opinions which have expanded the scope of immigration law relied upon by other practitioners. Nath v. Gonzales, for example, concerned a Fijian citizen who sought a rehearing of his case before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). Upon the due consideration of arguments presented by Mr. Stender, the Ninth Circuit ordered the BIA to reconsider Mr. Nath’s case. Similarly, in Eneh v. Holder, Christopher Stender persuaded the court that the Nigerian’s fears of torture were justified and merited further review by the BIA, including a full hearing of the client’s testimony and evidence.

Christopher Stender is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), served as Vice President for the AILA Arizona Chapter, and is a member of the Immigration Section of the State Bar of Arizona. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University at Buffalo, the State University of New York. An enthusiastic traveler, Christopher Stender speaks fluent German and Spanish and spent a year abroad in Germany. He supports the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, Homeless Outreach Team, and the Cesar Chavez Elementary School.