Appeal hearing coming up, pls advise.

[WBH]

I think the fundamental factor is whatr purpose of your next appointment with USCIS. If it is to provide more evidence, then a lawyer is not that useful, If the purpose is to persuade USCIS you are eligigble when they have doubt, a lawyer is helpful.
It is all up to the applicant to make a decision after considering benefit, risk, and cost

 

[Jackolantern]

mariainclt: Just to clarify - on my hearing note is written i need to ask for "Any Adjudications Officer" - Is that an immigration Judge????

No, that's just an immigration officer who has the authority to approve or deny cases.

 

[bgnataliya]

All the more reason to bring a lawyer. If you bring a lawyer, USCIS doesn't get the lawyer fees from you; the lawyer and their law firm keep that money.

But if you lose, you'll end up having to pay USCIS more money to reapply. Or pay a lawyer 5 times as much to appeal in a higher court.

I know USCIS is not getting the money and the lawyer does. The way i said it is because i do not want to pay another 1000$ fee (this is the attorney fee to review my paperwork and come to the hearing) for this cause. The attorney is not a guarantee you will win the case. I have decided i have enough evidence to support my case by myself and proof they made a wrong decision. And if i get denied i can reapply in 5 months based on the 5 year rule. And it will not cost 1000$, neither give me such headache.
To tell you the truth i regret filing for appeal, because it took such a long time and you never know what will happen. Although i am positive and i think i have a good chance of winning i should have just waited for the 5 years - less headache and much faster.