- Home
- Find a Lawyer
- New York
- Dunkirk
- Immigration
- Sheila Hahn
Sheila Therese Starkey Hahn
Open for Business- Dunkirk, NY
- Licensed for 26 years
About Sheila
Sheila Starkey Hahn graduated from the University of Buffalo with majors in English Literature and Spanish. She received her JD from the University of Minnesota Law School. Ms. Starkey Hahn has a solo practice representing companies and individuals in immigrant and nonimmigrant visa matters. She is currently the Chair of the National Pro Bono Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). She has previously served as the Advocacy Chair for AILA’s mid-south Chapter and the Treasurer, Pro Bono Liaison and Citizenship Day Chair of the AILA DC Chapter, as well as Ambassador to the American Immigration Council (AIC). Ms. Starkey Hahn has lectured on topics of immigration law at universities, embassies, international organizations and AILA conferences. She is the author of numerous articles on a variety of topics in immigration law. Ms. Starkey Hahn has traveled to Artesia, New Mexico and Dilley and Karnes, Texas to provide pro bono legal representation to detained Central American asylum seekers.
Practice areas
- Immigration: 100%
I handle employment-based visa matters for individuals and companies, family-based immigration cases and removal defense, including asylum applications.
25 years, 1,000 cases
Languages spoken
English, Spanish
Photos and videos
Similar lawyers
Sponsored Listings
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| VA | Authorized to Practice Law | 1996 | 10/05/2021 |
| MN | Inactive | 1995 | 10/18/2021 |
| Legal answers | 9 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Best Law Firms in America for Immigration Law | Best Lawyers and USA Today | 2020 |
| Best Lawyers in America for Immigration Law | Best Lawyers in America | 2020 |
| Michael Maggio Pro Bono Award | American Immigration Lawyers Association | 2018 |
| Pro Bono Guardian | American Immigration Lawyers Association | 2015 |
| Michael Maggio Pro Bono Award - Grp Award to Artesia Volunteers | American Immigration Lawyers Association | 2015 |
| Pro Bono Champion | American Immigration Lawyers Association | 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| AILA Pro Bono Star | American Immigration Lawyers Association | 2012 |
| Committee Person of the Year - Pro Bono & Outreach Division | American Immigration Lawyers Association DC Chapter | 2009 |
| Scholarship with Servicio Paz y Justicia, Montevideo, Uruguay | MacArthur Foundation | 1994 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Attorney | Law Offices of Sheila Starkey Hahn | 2004 - Present |
| Attorney | Marty, LaMadrid & Starkey | 1996 - 2004 |
| Student Director, Refugee Law Clinic | University Of Minnesota Law School | 1994 - 1995 |
| Legal Intern | University Of Minnesota Office of International Student and Scholar Services | 1993 - 1995 |
| Law Clerk | Minnesota Advocates For Human Rights | 1992 - 1995 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| American Immigration Lawyers Association (MidSouth chapter) | Advocacy Chair | 2017 - Present |
| Mid-South Immigration Advocates | Board Member | 2018 - 2019 |
| American Immigration Lawyers Association | Chair, National Pro Bono Committee | 2017 - 2019 |
| American Immigration Lawyers Association | Committee Member, Pro Bono Task Force | 2016 - 2017 |
| AILA Mid-South Chapter | Advocacy Chair | 2015 - 2016 |
| American Immigration Lawyers Association DC Chapter | Treasurer | 2012 - 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| American Immigration Council | Ambassador | 2010 - 2012 |
| Immigration Advocates Network | Moderator, Community Forum | 2010 - 2015 |
| American Immigration Law Foundation | Committee Member, Annual Immigrant Achievement Awards | 1998 - 2010 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| American Immigration Lawyers Association, Think Immigration Blog | Helping DACA Recipients Renew | 2018 |
| AILA Annual Conference Materials | Current Trends in J-1 Waivers Based on Exceptional Hardship to a US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Spouse or Child | 2015 |
| American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) | Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses of H-1B Nonimmigrants Seeking Employment-Based Lawful Permanent Residence | 2015 |
| AILA Leadership Blog | A Special Place in Hell | 2015 |
| AILA's Forms and Fundamentals | Completing Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiance(e) | 2015 |
| Huffington Post | The Politics of Intimidation | 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Topics in Family-Based Immigration AILA DC Chapter Conference Materials | Child Status Protection Act: Recent Developments | 2011 |
| American University International Law Review | Immigration Fundamentals for International Lawyers, Permanent Residence through Employment | 1998 |
| Immigration Briefings | Children's Issues in U.S. Immigration Law: An Overview | 1997 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota Law School | JD - Juris Doctor | 1996 |
| State University of New York at Buffalo | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1990 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 AILA Asylum Conference and Webcast | Child Asylum Seekers and the Trump Administration's Targeting of the Most Vulnerable | 2019 |
| AILA Annual Conference | Basics of Asylum | 2018 |
| Post-Performance Panel Discussion following A Shayna Maidel | The Current American Immigrant Experience | 2018 |
| 2017 American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference | Exposing Expedited Removals and Streamlined Criminal Reentry Prosecutions | 2017 |
| American Immigration Lawyers Association (MidSouth chapter) Annual Conference | Q&A with USCIS Representatives, Moderator | 2017 |
| TI Talks at Crosstown | The Current State of Immigration and the Future of DACA | 2017 |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Session on Immigration and Executive Order | Immigration Developments under the Trump Administration | 2017 |
| The Marc Steiner Show | The Obama Effect 2.0 | 2016 |
| Obama Effect 2.0 | Working at the Intersection of Foreign and Domestic: Policy Challenges During the Obama Presidency | 2016 |
| 2016 AILA Asylum CLE Conference | Expedited Removal and Reinstatement of Removal | 2016 |
| 2016 Upper Midwest Immigration Conference | Building Your Asylum Case | 2016 |
| AILA Web Seminar | Strategies Seeking an H-1B Extension Beyond the Six-Year Limit | 2015 |
| 2015 AILA Annual National Conference | J-1 Hardship Waivers | 2015 |
| 2015 Annual AILA Chapter Conference | Working with Detained Individuals using Family Detention as an Example | 2015 |
| 2014 AILA Annual National Conference | Basic Issues in Naturalization | 2014 |
| 2012 AILA Annual National Conference | "All You Need is Love" Part II: Marriage-Based Cases | 2012 |
| Lunch 'n Learn, DC Volunteer Lawyers Project | How to Start an Immigration Practice | 2011 |
| American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference | Basic Issues in Naturalization and Derivative Citizenship | 2011 |
| AILA DC Chapter 2011 Fall Conference | Family-Based Immigration: The Basics and Beyond | 2011 |
| Current Events Meeting | Immigration Policy | 2010 |
| NALEO Naturalization Webinar | Naturalization Workshop Volunteer Training | 2010 |
| Naturalization Ceremony at US District Court for the District of Columbia | Invited Speaker | 2010 |
| AILA DC Chapter Annual Conference | Understanding Immigration Fraud | 2009 |
| Fundamentals of Immigration Benefits Law Practice Workshops with the Experts | Family-Based Immigrant Visa Workshop | 2009 |
| Testimony before the Maryland General Assembly | Driver's Licenses for Undocumented Immigrants | 2008 |
| H-1B Temporary Worker Information Session, Georgetown University | H-1B Process | 2006 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Employment Based Green Card Case | Green Card Approved |
| Asylum Case for Persecuted Female from Afghanistan | Asylum Granted |
The 'Best' Expert !
5.0 stars
Posted by Adi M
December 5, 2014
Sheila is a terrific Lawyer
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
August 26, 2014
Excellent lawyer!!
5.0 stars
Posted by MARITZA
August 20, 2014
SR, Human Resources Director
5.0 stars
Posted by Catherine
August 20, 2014
Simply awesome!!!
5.0 stars
Posted by Alvin
August 19, 2014
Sheila is the best attorney that I have met
5.0 stars
Posted by X
November 15, 2013
Sheila is the best !
5.0 stars
Posted by Martin
June 4, 2012
Advertising
Attorney endorsements
(6)
Mark Shmueli, Immigration Attorney on Dec 2, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Sheila is extremely dedicated, sharp, creative and engaging.
Christina Wilkes, Immigration Attorney on Nov 19, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Starkey Hahn is a highly experienced and honest attorney.
Mark Shmueli, Immigration Attorney on Dec 2, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Sheila is extremely dedicated, sharp, creative and engaging.
Christina Wilkes, Immigration Attorney on Nov 19, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Starkey Hahn is a highly experienced and honest attorney.
Rachel Zoghlin, Unknown Attorney on Nov 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Elliot Yi, Unknown Attorney on Sep 26, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Sharon Senghor, Immigration Attorney on Jun 7, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. have had the singular pleasure of serving as co-counsel with Ms. Starkey Hahn on several occasions and cannot recommend her highly enough. She is a highly skilled, extremely knowledgeable and dedicated immigration attorney, esteemed by her clients and colleagues for her attentive advocacy and generous spirit. Ms. Starkey Hahn has extensive experience representing businesses and their employees in both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa matters. Ms. Starkey Hahn is a tireless crusader on behalf of immigration. A client could not ask for a better advocate, nor an attorney, for a better colleague.
Jay Marks, Immigration Attorney on Jun 5, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Sheila Starkey Hahn is a master of employment-based immigration. She is relentless, highly attentive to detail, and always ahead of the curve. Sheila is also a delight to work with. Her enthusiasm and good humor immediately place all parties at ease and focused on success.
Cost
- Hourly Rates $300-$300/hour
Check