Attorneys

The American Immigration Law Office Ltd prides itself with efficiently meeting our clients' goals whilst providing a personal touch. Our size and approach allows us to treat clients the way that we would want to be treated and we take personal pride in the quality of our work and our attention to detail.

Ioana C. Hyde, Esq., Principal Attorney

Attorney Hyde has a wealth of experience with family-based immigrant visa application for spouses and other relatives of US citizens and lawful permanent residents, as well as non-immigrant visa applications made at the U.S. Embassy in London, including B-2 tourist visa applications, B-1 visitor for business visas, non-immigrant waivers of inadmissibility for a variety of complications such as prior involvement with drugs or criminal activity, and cases involving US Lawful Permanent Residents. She is a 2005 graduate of Golden Gate School of Law in San Francisco, CA. Read the full profile here.

Shelly M. Principe, Esq., Of Counsel Attorney

Attorney Principe brings extensive experience with business and employment-based non-immigrant and immigrant U.S. visas including H-1B Specialty Occupation, L-1A and L-1B Intra-Company Transferees, O-1 Extraordinary Ability, as well as waivers of inadmissibility and family-based immigration. She is located in Wisconsin and is available for telephonic consultations. Attorney Principe is a 1989 graduate of Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, WI. Read the full profile here.

Ioana C. Hyde, Esq., Principal Attorney

AFFILIATIONS

State Bar of Washington, USA, Member (2005 - Present)
England and Wales, Solicitor (non-practising) (2013 - Present)
American Immigration Lawyers Association, Rome District Chapter, Law Practice Management Committee, Chair (2014 - 2015). Outstanding Achievements Award as Chair of the LPM Committee (2015).
American Immigration Lawyers Association, Member
AILA Rome District Chapter, Member
AILA Global Migration Section, Member
American Women Lawyers in London, Member

EDUCATION

University College London, London, UK

L.L.M., International Arbitration and Litigation, Distinction, September 2010
Honours: Bentham Scholarship, Recipient, 2009/2010 (Academic Merit Scholarship)
Activities: Graduate Students' Programme for Law Teachers, Member, 2009/2010
Research Assistant, Professor Philippe Sands, QC

Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco, CA, USA

Doctor of Jurisprudence, International Law Specialization, With Honours, May 2005
Honours: Class rank: Top 5.3% of graduating class
Joseph and Ruth Zukor Memorial Scholarship, Recipient, 2004-2005
Honours Lawyering Program Scholarship, Recipient, 2002-2005
Who's Who: American Law Students, November 2003, November 2004
Dean's List, Various dates from 2003 to 2005
Honours Lawyering Program, Member
Witkin Award, 2002, 2003
Activities: Law Review, Member
Law Review, Environmental Law Journal Editor
Moot Court Board, Member
Jessup Moot Court Board, Member

Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

Bachelor of Arts, Speech Communication, Magna Cum Laude, June 2002
Honours: Honour Roll, Various dates from 1998 to 2002
International Cultural Service Program Scholarship, Recipient, 1998-2002
Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, April 2000
Waldo-Cumming Outstanding Freshman Honouree, January 1998
Activities: Women's Affairs Task Force, Director
International Students' Organization, President

EXPERIENCE

American Immigration Law Office LTD London, UK

US Attorney At Law, January 2013 - Present

Focusing solely on US immigration law, the firm provides the full range of US immigrant and non-immigrant visa petitions, including family-based immigration and temporary visas. In particular, the firm assists spouses of US citizens and lawful permanent residents immigrate to the USA, and handles K-1 fiancee visa petitions. Additionally, the firm handles certatin temporary work visas, visitor's visas (for work or pleasure), student visas, and many other non-immigrant visa classifications. Additionally, the firm can assist with cases of visa denial, denied entry into the United States, inadmissibility issues, waivers of inadmissibility, and maintenance or relinquishment of lawful permanent resident status.

Solutions In Law Ltd London, UK

Independent US Immigration Attorney, September 2012- April 2013

Handled legal issues pertaining to US immigrant and non-immigrant visa petitions, inadmissibility for entry into the USA, and consular processing at US Embassies. In particular, handled inquiries and consultations related to visitor visas, family-based immigration, employment-based non-immigrant visas (intra-company transferees, work visa, B in lieu of an H, investor visas), and inadmissibility related to prior denied entry into the USA, criminal conviction, and drug possession.

Leigh, Day & Co, Human Rights Litigation Department London, UK

UK Law Work Experience, November 2011- December 2012

Actively participated in all aspects of human rights litigation cases implicating violations of rights internationally and in the UK, including cases in UK courts and before the European Court of Human Rights. Was involved in several high-profile cases.

Seafarers' Rights International London, UK

Researcher/ Legal Adviser, September 2010- May 2012

Conducted legal research and writing pertaining to international and domestic law. Conducted strategic litigation and coordinated with a network of lawyers from around the world.

The Centre for International Courts and Tribunals London, UK

Research Assistant, January 2010-February 2011

Working with Professor Philippe Sands, QC, conducted legal research and writing relating to international law.

Washington Attorney General's Office Vancouver, WA, USA

Assistant Attorney General, January 2006- September 2009

Handled a high volume, extremely active civil litigation caseload. Planned and led trials, including multi-day trials involving numerous witnesses and exhibits. Argued motions and cases before the Superior Court, the Juvenile Court, the Office of Administrative Hearings, and the Court of Appeals. Wrote appellate briefs and successfully argued the case before the Court of Appeals. Performed legal research and writing, conducting all the necessary pre-trial steps and compiling pleadings and briefs for filing with the court. Actively participated in providing client advice and drafting legal documents. Obtained recognition awards during each year of employment.

Liangco Law Offices San Francisco, CA, USA

Law Clerk (akin to a Paralegal), January 2005 - April 2005

Handled a wide range of immigration cases, managing both immigrant and non-immigrant visa petitions. Actively participated in all aspects of business immigration, including the Labor Certification process, family-based immigration, as well as in naturalization and asylum cases.

The Epstein Group San Francisco, CA, USA

Law Clerk(akin to a Paralegal), September 2004 - December 2004

Actively participated in all aspects of civil litigation. Performed legal research and writing pertaining to landlord/tenant, personal injury, employment discrimination and wrongful termination matters. Assembled case memoranda and court documents, maintained telephone and in-person client contact, and enjoyed working in a fast-paced environment.

Law Offices of Johnson P. Lazaro & Associates San Francisco, CA, USA

Law Clerk (akin to a Paralegal), August 2003 - April 2004

Performed writing and research relating to immigration and family law matters. Assembled hundreds of immigration forms, supporting documentation, and other items to be filed with the court, the National Visa Centre, or Citizenship and Immigration Services. Performed legal writing and research, worked in a fast-paced environment, and enjoyed both individual and team projects. Gained hands-on experience in immigrant and non-immigrant visas, particularly in employment-based immigration, and asylum cases.

VOLUNTEERING

Amnesty International London, UK

Law and Policy Volunteer, January 2011-December 2011

Conducted legal research, analysis and writing pertaining to international law, in particular leading a project examining the interface between human rights considerations and international extraditions, and assisted with legal research for inclusion in the Second Edition of Amnesty International's Fair Trials Manual.

New Youth Perspectives, Lutheran Community Services Portland, OR, USA

Immigrant Youth Mentor, August 2007 – September 2008

Mentored girls from Eastern European immigrant families to help them adjust to life in the US. Provided academic, social, and moral support to immigrant youth, and recreational opportunities.

Tenderloin Housing Clinic San Francisco, CA, USA

Volunteer, June 2003 – August 2003

Provided legal services to low income individuals in one of San Francisco's most economically deprived neighbourhoods.

AIDS Legal Referral Panel San Francisco, CA, USA

Volunteer, June 2003 – August 2003

Provided legal services to HIV positive individuals.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS / ENGAGEMENTS

American Immigration Lawyers Association RDC, Legal Representation Fees podcast, Moderator (July 2015)
American Immigration Lawyers Association RDC, Growing your practice: General Considerations podcast, Moderator (May 2015)
American Immigration Lawyers Association RDC, Growing your practice: Recruitment Issues podcast, Moderator (April 2015)
Speaker/ Discussion Leader for American Immigration Lawyers Association RDC, AILA Rome Conference, "I-Spy" (April 2015)
American Immigration Lawyers Association RDC, Ethics and Technology podcast, Moderator (March 2015)
American Immigration Lawyers Association RDC, Billing Technology podcast, Moderator (February 2015)
American Immigration Lawyers Association RDC, Paperless Office podcast, Moderator (December 2014)
Evening news TV interview with Channel 5 News, Drug-related inadmissibility issues (April 2014);
Contributed research used by Amnesty International, Fair Trial Manual (Second Edition) (2014).
Joint speaker for American Immigration Lawyers Association RDC, Brown Bag Series, Data Protection Act issues (May 2013).

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Romanian - Fluent (Bilingual);
Spanish - Intermediate Conversational.