Anne C. Lahren - Virginia Beach, VA

Annie Lahren is a Pender & Coward attorney and leader of the firm's immigration practice group. She focuses her practice in the areas of labor and employment, family law, immigration and litigation.

With her extensive experience in family law and employment law, Annie provides clients a depth of knowledge and understanding beyond the average immigration attorney. Immigration issues arise frequently throughout many areas of the law, and she provides guidance handling special issues presented by non-U.S. citizens. In addition to providing direct representation for clients, she has also serves in an advisory capacity for other attorneys and law firms presented with complex immigration matters.

Annie speaks regularly at continuing legal education seminars for the James Kent Inn of Court on subjects of immigration, work-life balance and ethical legal practices. She was also a featured speaker at the Virginia State Bar's Best Practices in Circuit Court program.

REPRESENTATIVE CASES & TRANSACTIONS
Represented a large employer in obtaining H-1B work authorization and lawful permanent resident status for highly-skilled foreign employees.

Represented individuals detained by ICE and obtained relief from removal proceedings, including post-conviction modification of sentencing and plea agreement for lawful permanent resident in removal proceedings.

Represented numerous military members in both family law and immigration matters.

Represented individuals in applications and interviews before USCIS, including requests for waivers of the joint filing requirements for petitions to remove conditions on lawful permanent resident status.

MEMBERSHIPS
Virginia State Bar Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course Faculty Member, 2018-2021
Virginia Women Attorneys Association: Board of Directors; Assistant Treasurer
Virginia Women Attorneys Association, Hampton Roads Chapter, Past President 2013-2015
James Kent American Inn of Court: Executive Committee; Past President 2014-2015
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Virginia Bar Association
Virginia Beach Bar Association

HONORS & AWARDS
AV® Preeminent^TM Rated, Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings^TM
Leaders in the Law, 2019
Best Lawyers in America, Family Law, 2018-2022
Virginia Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2016-2018
Virginia's Legal Elite, Young Lawyer (under 40), 2016 & 2017, Immigration 2019-2021
Coastal Virginia's Top Lawyers, Immigration Law, 2016-2022
Inside Business Top 40 Under 40, 2017
LEAD Hampton Roads Graduate, 2016

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Beachcombers Corvette Club, Co-Vice President of Events
Neptune Festival, Friends of the Festival Committee

ARTICLES & RADIO BROADCASTS
Naturalization Requirements, Eligibility and Common Causes for Concern - August 2018
Understanding Immigration Law - DACA, the Green Card Process and Travel Restrictions under the Trump Presidency - April 2017
"Making America Great Again" - An Immigration Attorney's Perspective - January 2017
The Adam Walsh Act and the Petitioner's Burden to Prove "No Risk of Harm" - March 2016
Employment Authorization for H-4 Dependent Spouses of Certain H-1B Nonimmigrants Under the New DHS Rule - April 2015
Falling in Love Across Borders - March 2015
"Separated" is Not "Divorced" - April 2014
Provisional Waivers for Unlawful Presence - April 2013
Deferred Action for "DREAMers" - August 2012
An Introduction to Hiring Foreign Workers - March 2012

PRACTICE AREAS
Family Law
Immigration
Labor and Employment
Litigation

EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, William & Mary Law School, 2006: Executive Editor, Journal of Women and the Law; Sports Law Achievement Award Recipient; Technology Augmented Trial Advocacy
Master's of Business Administration in Finance, University of Miami, 2001
University of Miami, 1999

ADMISSIONS
United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, 2009
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 2009
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, 2006
Supreme Court of Virginia, 2006
Executive Office for Immigration Review
United States Supreme Court, 2018