About Peter Michael
Peter Michael Isbister is an immigration attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, with over two decades of legal experience. He earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center in 2004, a prestigious institution known for its rigorous legal curriculum. Prior to that, he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Government at Wesleyan University in 1998, laying a strong foundation for his future legal career. Admitted to the Georgia State Bar in 2008, Mr. Isbister has been practicing law for 18 years, focusing primarily on immigration issues. His legal career began as a criminal public defender in Washington State, where he served from 2005 to 2008. This role provided him with invaluable courtroom experience and developed his skills in advocacy.
In 2008, he transitioned to immigration law, taking on the role of Legislative Staff Attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) in Atlanta. At MALDEF, he worked on critical issues affecting the immigrant community, advocating for policy changes and legal protections. From 2009 to 2017, Mr. Isbister was a partner at Vasquez & Servi, P.C., an Atlanta-based immigration law firm. This firm specialized in family immigration and removal defense cases. This lets the attorney deepen his expertise in these areas. His work during this period involved navigating complex immigration laws and representing clients in various legal proceedings.
In 2017, he joined the Southern Poverty Law Center as a Senior Lead Attorney with the Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative. His focus there was on representing detained individuals in removal proceedings, a role that underscored his commitment to immigrant rights. Before joining Diaz & Gaeta Law in 2023, he served as the Interim Managing Attorney at Kids in Need of Defense in Atlanta. This organization is dedicated to providing legal representation to unaccompanied minors, further demonstrating his commitment to vulnerable populations. Mr. Isbister is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and has shared his knowledge at AILA conferences in Georgia and Arizona. He is admitted to practice before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S.
District Court for the Middle District of Georgia. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he effectively communicates with clients — His dedication to advocating for immigrant rights has earned him recognition within the community. Outside of his professional life, Mr. Isbister is married to Robyn, who owns and operates Painter Legal, LLC, an education advocacy law firm. Together, they have three children and reside in Decatur, Georgia, where they contribute to their local community and support various initiatives aimed at helping those in need.
