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Lauren M. Hopwood

Lauren M. Hopwood

Partner

  • New Haven
  • [email protected]

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Legal Services

  • Corporate & Business
  • Labor & Employment
  • Immigration

Education

  • University of Connecticut School of Law, J.D., 2005
  • University of Vermont, B.A., Environmental Studies and Political Science, 1999

Admissions

Bar Admissions

  • Connecticut

Lauren M. Hopwood

Partner

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Home » Our Team » Lauren M. Hopwood

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Lauren leads the firm’s Immigration practice and represents clients including national and multinational companies and nonprofit institutions in a variety of industries, including the health care, financial services, scientific, information technology and educational sectors. She has extensive experience and knowledge in a wide array of business immigration matters, including nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions, as well as the permanent residence process. Lauren assists employers and self-petitioning individuals in filing immigrant visa petitions and adjustment of status applications. She also regularly advises clients on I-9 Compliance, E-Verify, and immigration related due diligence and compliance arising from changes in corporate structure.

Affiliations

  • Connecticut Bar Association, Former Co-chair Human Trafficking Committee

  • American Immigration Law Association (AILA)

  • Connecticut AILA Chapter, Corporate Immigration Law Committee

  • Foreign/International Medical Graduate Taskforce

  • Connecticut Bar Association

  • National Italian American Bar Association

Distinctions

  • Best Lawyers® – Immigration Law, 2024-2026

  • Rising Star, Connecticut Super Lawyers® – Immigration, 2012-2015

  • Connecticut Bar Association, Prior Chair of Immigration Law Committee

  • Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Leadership Center Graduate, 2012

Experience

  • Counseled hospital on immigration-related consequences of acquisition by for-profit entity, including impact on H-1B cap-exempt status and nonimmigrant and immigrant visa sponsorship.

  • Successfully negotiated favorable settlement with Office of Special Counsel following full-blown I-9 audit by Immigration & Customs Enforcement.

  • Represented Saudi Arabian human rights activist in receiving grant of political asylum based on well-founded fear of persecution by Saudi regime.

U.S. Department of State Suspends Issuance of Immigrant Visas (Green Cards) being Processed at U.S. Embassies Abroad for 75 Countries

January 16, 2026
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that effective January 21, 2026, it will suspend issuance of immigrant visas to nationals from 75 countries. The DOS has not announced an end date for this suspension, which is in effect while it reviews its procedures for determining whether an applicant is
Read More

USCIS Halts All Decisions and Reconsiders Prior Approvals for Everyone from Countries on Travel Ban List

December 08, 2025
The Trump administration recently announced it has halted final adjudications of all cases for individuals from the 19 countries currently subject to the June 2025 travel ban.  The 19 travel ban countries include: Afghanistan, Burma/Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi,
Read More

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Issues New Form I-9

April 21, 2025
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new edition of the Form I-9 on April 3, 2025, here. The new version of the government’s employment eligibility verification form, dated 01/20/25, is currently available for download and has an expiration date of May 31, 2027. Employers may continue to
Read More

Preparing for I-9 Audits

January 30, 2025
Under the Trump administration, employers can expect a significant increase in the enforcement of immigration compliance, particularly Form I-9 audits. Even if you meticulously confirm the work authorization of your employees, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can show up at your door as part of an ICE raid or to
Read More

Preparing for ICE Worksite Raids

January 03, 2025
With the incoming Trump administration, employers can expect a significant increase in the enforcement of immigration compliance, particularly I-9 raids and I-9 audits, come January 20.  Even if you meticulously confirm the work authorization of your employees, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can show up at your door as part
Read More

HR Hotline Live: I-9 Compliance in an Era of Increased Enforcement

March 26, 2025
Form I-9 is one of the first—and most essential—documents an employer must complete when hiring a new employee. It verifies the worker’s identity and employment authorization and must be completed for all employees, regardless of citizenship status. With increased immigration enforcement, employers may face audits or workplace visits from U.S.
Read More
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