also known as Dana Bucin
Named “Attorney of the Year” by the CT Law Tribune in 2019 and a Distinguished Leader in 6 New England states, Dana is an Immigration attorney representing both business and individual clients with green card applications, H-1B visas, foreign investor visas (EB-5, E-2 and L-1 visas), naturalization/ citizenship, religious worker visas, as well as various other employment- and family-based immigration matters.
When war broke out in the Ukraine, Dana worked tirelessly to seek a “travel lane” for Ukrainians fleeing to the U.S. who have relatives here. Dana engaged in public advocacy efforts to place pressure on decision-makers to create a dedicated “parole” program similar to Canada’s, which is now a reality in the U.S. via the Uniting for Ukraine Parole Program. Dana addressed the CT Business and Industry Association (CBIA) as a speaker on the topic of Immigration as a solution to CT labor shortages and raised awareness about the benefits of welcoming Ukrainian refugees – and refugees in general - to the local job market.
In April 2022, Dana traveled to Mexico to assist Ukrainians in the Tijuana, Mexico refugee camp. She spent 3 days going back and forth through the U.S.-Mexico border representing refugees seeking humanitarian parole. She counseled and saw over 2,000 refugees be legally admitted in the U.S. While there, she basically lived in a refugee camp with many families, including babies and unaccompanied minors from Mariupol, and brought back with her to Connecticut three miracle cases of refugees who were able to enter only on their 3rd attempt with her help due to the difficulty of their cases. After returning from the Tijuana trip, Dana kickstarted a public service/ pro bono partnership between the Honorary Consulate of Romania to CT and the firm’s Immigration practice to match Ukrainian refugees to CT sponsors () that to date brought over 91 Ukrainian refugees to Connecticut by placing them with sponsors she identified.
In February 2023, Dana submitted oral and written testimony before the CT legislature on three different bills to advance economic opportunities for immigrants and their employers, including the creation of H-1B cap-exempt zones (enacted into law), reducing language barriers for the driver licensing test by introducing Romanian and Ukrainian among languages administered at the DMV (enacted into law) and reducing the cost of apostilles on documents to be used in foreign jurisdictions.
Dana regularly presents at Columbia, NYU, Quinnipiac University, UConn, Yale, etc, on the various types of visas and immigration strategies available to foreign students after graduation from their programs, with a focus on employment-based and entrepreneurship/investment-based immigration. As a former international student herself, she enjoys mentoring new generations of international graduates through their journey to a US visa/ green card or citizenship, particularly in the O-1 and EB-1A categories for extraordinary ability.
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Practice Areas
20 years
20 years
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Chat withState: Massachusetts
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
State: New York
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
State: Connecticut
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
280 Trumbull Street, 12th Floor, Hartford, CT, 06103
265 Church Street, 9th Floor, New Haven, CT, 06510
33 Arch Street, 12th Floor, Boston, MA, 02110
107 Elm Street, 11th Floor, Stamford, CT, 06902
10 Bank Street, Suite 650, White Plains, NY, 10606
Showing 1 - 5 of 46 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Sam | July 26, 2025 | Hired Attorney
We had a tight deadline and Dana delivered. We got an approval fast from the government. Thank you to Alona who worked tirelessly and to Dana for representing my family during the interview. Everything went so smoothly!
Posted by Lara | April 27, 2023 | Hired Attorney
We looked for an Immigration Attorney for over a year before deciding to contact and hire Dana. Our case was more complex than most. Dana is great! Down to earth, compassionate, straight forward and without prejudice. Dana helped me make a 30 year dream come true and I will be forever grateful!
Posted by Carlos | June 4, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Attorney Dana did a great job with my case , very profesional , very friendly , and she know her job! , was a real pleasure hired her and her staff
Posted by Pooja & Ajay | January 27, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Dana and her staff were very professional in handling our case. They helped us work through the application process as well as the interview at the end with a great prep session. We appreciate all the effort put into our application and would recommend Dana and her team.
Posted by Catherine | June 11, 2018 | Hired Attorney
My immigration situation had been deemed a lost cause for the past 12 years based on the advice of two immigration attorneys working independently of each other. Out of desperation I reached out to attorney Dana Bucin who reviewed what had been determined to be a hopeless case and she in turn count...
"Ms. Bucin is a fine, knowledgeable and effective attorney. She is an asset to the legal community. I endorse this lawyer."
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of her clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
Business lawyer
2024
Emblem of Honor of Romania's Defense Staff, 4 stars, Romania's Defense Staff
2024
Honorary Citizen of Reghin, Romania, Reghin Municipal Council
2023
Certificate of Special Recognition, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal
2023
Distinguished Leader, ALM & Law.com
2023
The Best Lawyers in America (Immigration Law), Best Lawyers
2023
Women of Influence, CT Rivers Council & Boy Scouts of America
2020
40 Under 40 Most Influential, Connecticut Magazine
2019
Annual Justice Celebration Honoree, United Action Connecticut
2019
Attorney of the Year, Connecticut Law Tribune
2019
Attorney of the Year Award Finalist, Connecticut Law Tribune
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2018
Honorary Consul of Romania to Connecticut, Foreign Affairs Ministry of Romania
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Maganize
2016
Annual Immigrant Day Honoree, CT Immigrant and Refugee Coalition
2015
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Entrepreneurship Foundation Team Placement 3rd Place, SC2 Challenge (EDA and City of Hartford)
2014
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
2013 SuperLawyers, SuperLawyers Magazine
2012
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
2012 New Leaders in the Law, Connecticut Law Tribune
2012
2012 Connecticut Rising Star, SuperLawyers Magazine
2011
2011 Connecticut Rising Star, SuperLawyers Magazine
2010
Women in the Law High Achievers, Connecticut Law Tribune
2009
40 Under Forty, Hartford Business Journal
2002
Honorary Society, Phi Beta Kappa
2017 - Present
Partner & Chair of Immigration Practice, Murtha Cullina, LLP
2015 - 2017
Shareholder, Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, PC
2007 - 2014
Associate, Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, P.C.
2005 - 2007
Associate, Brown & Welsh, PC
2022 - Present
CT for Ukraine Refugee Matching ProgramFounder
2022 - Present
Murtha Cullina LLPChair of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee
2018 - Present
Honorary Consulate of Romania to ConnecticutHonorary Consul
2017 - Present
World Affairs Council of CTBoard of Directors
2010 - Present
MetroHartford International Business CouncilChair, EB-5 Committee, French Committee
2010 - Present
CEENET (Central and Eastern European Network)Founding Member
2004 - Present
American Immigration Lawyers AssociationMember
2023 - 2024
CT General Assembly - H-1B Cap Exempt Zones Working GroupAppointee
2018 - 2022
CT Immigrant and Refugee CoallitionBoard of Directors
2011 - 2016
CrossRoads Venture GroupBoard of Directors, Hartford Chapter
2010 - 2011
Connecticut Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section, International Law CommitteeChair
2010 - 2012
Association of Romanians in New EnglandBoard member
2008 - 2012
World Affairs Council of CT, Young Profesionals CommitteeChair
2008 - 2009
Meritas Leadership InstituteMember
2006 - 2008
Connecticut Hispanic Bar AssociationBoard Member
Secured Release
Secured Release
Approved
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asylum granted
2005
Juris Doctor
2002
BA - Bachelor of Arts
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Visa Options After Graduation (Entrepreneurship Focus)
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Visa Options After Graduation
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Visa Options After Graduation
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Immigration Options for Brazilian Investors and Entrepreneurs
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Post-Graduation Visa Options
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EB-5 Investor Program
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Current Topics in Immigration Law
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Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Will it be an issue in Visa stamping if my old employer did not withdraw my old H-1B petition?
28 Oct 2018
9 years on H1b, Leaving Country, Approved I-140, Cap exempt for future H1b applications?
04 Dec 2017
Can I stay after my I-94 expired and I-485 is in process?
06 Jun 2016