Mr. Dempsey has extensive federal litigation experience and has appeared in thirty-nine United States District Courts and eight United States Circuit Courts of Appeal. He has tried seventeen jury trials, more than fifty bench trials, and handled dozens of appeals in matters ranging from felony and capital criminal cases to complex civil litigation under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the Federal Tort Claims Act, and constitutional tort litigation. His practice has included naturalization and citizenship matters, visa and passport litigation, immigration detention, denaturalization proceedings, habeas corpus actions, emergency injunctive litigation, nationwide class actions, and high-stakes constitutional and administrative law disputes. Mr. Dempsey is licensed to practice law in Florida and Arkansas and is authorized to practice before all immigration agencies and authorities within the United States. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”), serves as an Executive Director and Chair of the Litigation & Collective Advocacy Committee for the Central Florida Chapter of AILA, and regularly lectures as faculty at national immigration conferences and continuing legal education seminars. He is also an officer on the Board of the Federal Bar Association’s Immigration Law Section and is routinely consulted by attorneys across the nation regarding complex immigration and federal litigation matters. In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Dempsey remains deeply committed to humanitarian and Veteran advocacy. He co-founded the Consular Accountability Project, a nonprofit initiative supporting strategic federal litigation challenging the doctrine of consular nonreviewability, and served as lead counsel in a flagship challenge before the Supreme Court of the United States. Following the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of coalition forces in 2021, Mr. Dempsey co-founded the Northeast Florida Afghan Response Task Force, which provided pro bono legal assistance to Afghan families seeking humanitarian relief and safety. He also serves as Chief Legal Advisor for Operation Snow Leopard, an organization assisting Afghan allies and their families with resettlement efforts in the United States and abroad. Mr. Dempsey additionally volunteers assisting disabled and homeless Veterans through several local, national, and international nonprofit organizations. He serves as a Mentor with Veterans Treatment Court for the Fourth Judicial Circuit in Duval County, Florida, and founded Mission-Phoenix, Inc., a nonprofit organization providing pro bono legal assistance to Veterans suffering from PTSD. Outside the practice of law, Mr. Dempsey is an accomplished endurance athlete who has completed more than twenty-five ultramarathons, including the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning.
“It will not be denied, that power is of an encroaching nature, and that it ought to be effectually restrained from passing the limits assigned to it.”
James Madison, The Federalist No. 48, p. 276 (C. Rossiter ed. 1961).
“American citizenship is perhaps the most precious right known to man today; it is not easily granted nor should it be lightly taken away.”
Acheson v. Maenza, 202 F.2d 453, 456 (D.C. Cir. 1953)
“Very few immigration lawyers provide immigration-related litigation services, and even fewer are willing to handle very unique fact patterns, be able to turn something into a large class-action suit for humanitarian benefit, or can appeal to the Supreme Court for his clients … Especially if your case is unique, has been turned down by other lawyers for being too complex, and/or you’ve had a poor legal experience in the past (all of which applied to our case), Chris is your guy.
Chris Garson, Client — ★★★★★
Christopher Dempsey’s work reflects a belief that the law is most powerful when it protects people, holds systems accountable, and serves those navigating complex and often overwhelming circumstances. His career spans litigation, public service, and humanitarian advocacy at both national and community levels.
Former Chief, National Security & Affirmative Litigation Unit, Office of Immigration Litigation, U.S. Department of Justice
Former U.S. Army Judge Advocate (Major, USA) Trial; Defense Counsel & Defense Appellate Division; Combat Veteran, Operation Enduring Freedom
Executive Director, Central Florida Chapter (“CFC”)
American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”)
& Chair, Federal Litigation Committee
Officer & Board Member, Federal Bar Association, Immigration Law Section
Mr. Dempsey’s commitment to Veterans is deeply personal. After deploying to Afghanistan, he experienced the challenges of returning from combat and rebuilding life after military service. That experience broadened his understanding of vulnerability and resilience and shaped his belief that legal advocacy must account for the human realities behind every case.
These lessons now inform his broader practice. He represents immigrants, families, and individuals facing complex legal challenges and powerful institutions, with an approach grounded in empathy, careful listening, and a commitment to guiding clients through difficult and often life-changing circumstances.
“Before Chris, I went to EIGHT other immigration attorneys who didn’t want to touch my case at all. They said what I want to do can’t be done (BS — they just don’t know how to do it) … I needed a killer litigator, because I was planning to take it all the way to District Court, not a paper pusher. So I hired Chris … Guess what? USCIS got back to me in TWO WEEKS with an RFE, and in 3 more weeks, they reversed their denial and granted me citizenship. I just had my Oath yesterday, and I’m now officially a proud US citizen!”