Congratulations to Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm Senior Associate Attorney Catherine Magennis, who was officially certified last week as a Specialist in Immigration Law by the North Carolina State Bar!
The honor is the highest level of specialization available in the state and “requires a lawyer to demonstrate special training, experience, and knowledge to ensure that recognition as a certified specialist in a field of law is a meaningful and reliable credential,” according to the N.C. State Bar. Further, the specialization designation “provides an objective, verifiable credential that a consumer can use to make a better-informed decision about legal representation.”
In order to become an N.C. State Bar Board Certified Specialist, attorneys must be in good standing with the State Bar; have had “substantial involvement in the specialty field during the five calendar years” before submitting their application; complete a specific number of CLE credit hours; receive “satisfactory” peer reviews; and pass a comprehensive examination in the specialty field.
Magennis has practiced immigration law since 2011 and has successfully represented a broad range of clients in naturalization and citizenship, waivers, adjustment of status (permanent residence/green cards), consular process, temporary protected status (TPS), deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA), special visas for juvenile immigrants (SIJS), U visas, VAWAs and deportation cases.
She is fluent in Spanish and is a 2024 graduate of the Mecklenburg Bar Leadership Institute, which “identifies and develop leaders” for the Judicial District Bar, the Mecklenburg Bar Association and Mecklenburg Bar Foundation. Magennis has also previously been recognized by Business North Carolina (BNC) Legal Elite and Super Lawyers.
In addition, Magennis regularly takes on pro bono cases. She has also served on the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Military Committee since 2022 and is currently the Vice Chair of the organization.
Magennis is the fifth Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm attorney to receive the Specialist in Immigration Law certification from the N.C. State Bar, joining Managing Partner Hannah F. Little; Partners Colleen F. Molner and William R. Hummel; and Senior Associate Attorney Nam Douglass.
In its 28th year, Garfinkel Immigration represents Fortune 100 companies and businesses of all sizes in the U.S and across the world. The Firm launched Healthcare and Education Specialty Practice Groups in 2023 which focus exclusively on serving its many clients in those industries, and also assists individuals with investor and family-based immigration matters.
Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm builds strong relationships with its clients based on trust and performance, leveraging creative approaches and industry-leading expertise to provide insight and legal advice. The Firm is known for its responsiveness, close contact, partnership with HR managers and leadership and, of course, effectiveness in executing the legal work.
Garfinkel Immigration’s top priority is providing high quality legal service to the businesses and individuals it serves.