Talia and Neal are a dynamic team with over 30 combined years of immigration law experience. They are dedicated to honest, transparent, and client-centered representation, they approach every case with compassion and commitment. From green cards and naturalization to waivers, humanitarian visas, and appeals, they fight to help families stay together and build their futures with confidence.
Meet the lawyers: Talia & neal
Talia Burnett is a founding partner of Burnett & Dougherty and has dedicated her legal career to the practice of immigration law since 2010. With more than 15 years of focused experience, Talia has built a reputation for knowledgeable, strategic, and compassionate representation, particularly in family-based immigration matters.
Talia D. Burnett, esq.
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While she has extensive experience across a broad range of immigration practice areas, including employment-based petitions, nonimmigrant visas, labor certifications, and removal defense, her primary professional focus is family-based immigration. Talia is deeply committed to helping families remain together and guiding clients through processes such as adjustment of status, consular processing, waivers, fiancé(e) visas, DACA, U-Visas, and naturalization. She understands the profound personal impact of immigration proceedings and approaches every case with care, diligence, and meticulous preparation.
Talia believes that thorough preparation and proactive strategy are essential to effective advocacy. Whether representing clients before Immigration Judges or preparing comprehensive filings before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, she is known for detailed case development and clear communication. Her goal is to provide clients with both strong legal representation and confidence throughout the immigration process.
Talia graduated Cum Laude from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Philosophy, receiving additional Honors in Ethics. She earned her Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law, where she focused her studies on immigration law, asylum, and refugee law.
Talia has been recognized by the Mexican Consulate of Boise for her participation in Know Your Rights workshops and Labor Week programming. She has spoken at numerous local school district events and community conferences, and she has presented for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), including providing instruction to fellow immigration attorneys at the AILA Idaho State Conference.
Neal has represented hundreds of clients through every stage of the immigration process — from early proceedings to appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He has argued complex cases of national importance and even brought civil actions against the Department of Homeland Security to defend his clients’ rights.
Neal F. Dougherty, Esq.
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Neal is deeply connected to his Idaho community, serving on the board of the Idaho Harm Reduction Project and volunteering with organizations like CATCH, the Idaho Food Bank, and Allies Linked for the Prevention of HIV and AIDS. He’s also volunteered at the U.S.-Mexico border with Al Otro Lado, offering free legal assistance to asylum seekers.
Neal is a graduate of University of California, Riverside, and Southwestern Law School. When he’s not advocating for clients, he enjoys writing, and was featured in The Cabin’s Writers in the Attic literary anthology.
This past year, following a major immigration raid in Wilder, Idaho, Neal filed multiple habeas corpus petitions on behalf of detained community members. Through strategic, relentless advocacy, he helped secure bond releases and court victories, bringing families back together and demanding accountability in the process. He also stepped into the public eye to help our community better understand their rights and the realities of immigration enforcement.
Neal is known for his sharp legal mind, fearless litigation style, and deep compassion for the people he represents. He leads with courage, integrity, and an unwavering belief that the law can and should be a tool for justice.
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