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.

Lauren is ranked in Band 1 of the prestigious Chambers USA Guide for Immigration in Connecticut in 2026.

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

Ranked in Chambers USA Guide - Immigration, Connecticut, 2026
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.

Carmody Ranked Among Leading Connecticut Law Firms in Chambers USA 2026

June 04, 2026

Carmody has been recognized by Chambers USA 2026 as a leading Connecticut law firm in Immigration, Labor & Employment, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate and Land Use. Chambers also ranked seven Carmody attorneys among Connecticut's leading lawyers in their respective practice areas. Chambers USA 2026 Ranked Practice Areas Energy & Natural
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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
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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,
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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
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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
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The New Reality of Immigration Enforcement: Strategic Solutions for Employers

May 20, 2026

Carmody Immigration lawyers Lauren Hopwood and Johanna Bachmair will speak at the CBIA's annual Human Resources Conference, closing out the event with an informative presentation on immigration compliance, including I-9 requirements and responding to ICE actions. The CBIA Human Resources Conference equips hundreds of HR professionals with the clarity, tools, and foresight needed to manage risk and
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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.
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