Gregory McLawsen
The Affidavit of Support LawyerⓇ
I didn’t set out to build a law practice around enforcing the Affidavit of Support. I found it by accident.
My law practice grew from an article I wrote for a legal newsletter over a decade ago. At the time, I had just completed a two-year judicial clerkship and had begun working at an immigration law firm. My supervising attorney and I wrote a short article for divorce lawyers about an obscure part of immigration law: how some family-sponsored immigrants have enforceable financial rights under the Affidavit of Support.
I later started my own immigration law firm, where my practice initially focused on general family-based immigration, primarily marriage-based cases. Occasionally, I would get a call from someone who had read my article about the Affidavit of Support.
I began taking Affidavit of Support enforcement cases, which combined my interests in immigration law and litigation. I went to law school intending to serve low-income clients, and during law school I worked at a nonprofit law firm on class action litigation involving access to public benefits. Affidavit of Support cases brought those interests together.
Over time, I began doing more and more Affidavit of Support enforcement cases. I wish this were because I’m a brilliant litigator, but that wasn’t the reason. The simple truth is that no other lawyers would take these cases. Many lawyers have never heard of the Affidavit of Support, and most understandably do not want to represent clients who cannot pay. Immigrants with valid Affidavit of Support claims are, by definition, living in poverty.
I eventually learned two things. First, that I could consistently win these cases for my clients. No lawsuit is ever guaranteed, and I have had my share of disappointments, but my clients and I prevail in the vast majority of cases. Second, I became confident in my ability to recover payment from sponsors. This allows my clients to receive the support they are owed while enabling me to offer these services without requiring payment from my client. I learned that this work could be done in a way that is both effective and sustainable.
I love this work.
Affidavit of Support cases allow me to work with clients who are in urgent need of help and who often cannot find it anywhere else. My clients come from every walk of life, from people who have never worked outside the home to doctors and lawyers. What they share is a moment of extraordinary challenge: they are in a new country, in need of financial support, and the person who promised to help them has broken that promise. I get to make things right.
My clients live all over the United States, which is part of what I enjoy about this work. Federal courts now handle much of their work online, but when judges ask me to appear in person, I welcome the opportunity to visit a new corner of the country.
Because so few lawyers practice in this area, I have had opportunities to give trainings around the country. I regularly speak to bar associations about Affidavit of Support enforcement. While awareness has increased over the years, this remains an area of law that many attorneys encounter for the first time.
I do this work because it allows me to help people at a moment when they need it most. When someone is promised support as part of starting a new life in the United States, that promise should mean something. Enforcing it is the sole focus of my practice.
Court admissions
United States Supreme Court
Washington Supreme Court
U.S. Courts of Appeals
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. District Courts
District of Columbia
Texas, Eastern District
Texas, Northern District
Texas, Southern District
Texas, Western District
Michigan, Eastern District
Washington, Eastern District
Washington, Western District
Wisconsin, Eastern District
Wisconsin, Western District
Education
University of Nebraska College of Law J.D., with distinction (2009)
University of Washington B.A., Psychology and Philosophy with honors (2004)
Recognition
Rising Star / Super Lawyer Consumer Immigration (2015-Present)
Super Lawyers, Washington State
Fellow Washington Leadership Institute (2014-2015)
Washington State Bar Association & University of Washington School of Law
Washington Young Lawyer Committee Public Service Incentive Award (2014)
Washington State Bar Association
Order of the Coif (2009)
National Order of the Coif
Select Published Cases
Asilonu v. Okeiyi, 550 F.Supp.3d 282 (M.D. N.C. 2021) (granting plaintiff’s motion for judgment on the pleadings and holding that common law affirmative defenses are categorically unavailable to Affidavit of Support defendants).
Pachal v. Bugreeff, 495 F. Supp. 3d 963 (D. Mont. 2020) (denying defendant-sponsor’s motion to dismiss Affidavit of Support enforcement action on abstention grounds)
Cyrousi v. Kashyap, 386 F.Supp.3d 1278 (C.D. Cal. 2019) (granting in part Form I-864 plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment, holding that traditional contract law defenses are in applicable in such enforcement actions).
Rahman v. Chen, 281 F. Supp. 3d 1124 (W.D. Wash. 2017) (granting motion to dismiss counterclaims of Affidavit of Support sponsor).
Dorsaneo v. Dorsaneo, 261 F.Supp.3d 1052 (N.D. Cal. 2017) (granting motion for partial judgment on the pleadings to Form I-864 plaintiff).
Liu v. Kell, 299 F.Supp.3d 1128 (W.D. Wash. 2017) (granting partial summary judgment to Form I-864 plaintiff on the defenses of res judicata, failure to mitigate and waiver).
Khan v. Khan, 332 P.3d 1016 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014) (establishing precedent in Washington State that beneficiary of the Form I-864 has standing to enforce her private right of action for financial support)
Publications
Article: The Federal Right to Immigration “Alimony” under the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, FED. BAR ASS’N FED. LIT. SEC. SIDE BAR (Spring 2021).
Article: DHS Proposes New Adjudication Standards for Forms I-864 and I-864A, Greg McLawsen, BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. (Oct. , 2020)
Article: Suing on the Form I-864, August 2020 Update, Greg McLawsen, 25 BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. 1581 (Oct. 15, 2020)
Article: Understanding the New DHS Rule on Public Charge Inadmissibility; I-944s, I-864s and much, much more, 24 BENDERS IMMIGR. BULL 1033 (Sep. 1, 2019)
Article: USCIS Proposes New Public Charge Rules: The Form I-864 Will Become Table Stakes as Scrutiny Shifts to the Applicant, 22 BENDERS IMMIGR. BULL 1173 (Nov. 2018)
Article: Want to End Notario Fraud? Take the Law Into Your Own Hands, AILA Doc. No. 17112263 American Immigration Lawyers Association (Nov. 22, 2017)
Article: Why Can’t These People Immigrate the Right Way?, KING CO. BAR ASS’N NEWSLETTER (Oct. 2017)
Article: The Back Office In Bangalore: Clarifying the Ethics of Legal Process Outsourcing, 22 BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. 705 (June 1, 2017)
Article: Suing on the Form I-864, December 2016 Update, Greg McLawsen, 22 BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. 137 (Feb. 1, 2017)
Article: Understanding the New DHS Rule on Public Charge Inadmissibility; I-944s, I-864s and much, much more, 24 BENDERS IMMIGR. BULL 1033 (Sep. 1, 2019)
Article: USCIS Proposes New Public Charge Rules: The Form I-864 Will Become Table Stakes as Scrutiny Shifts to the Applicant, 22 BENDERS IMMIGR. BULL 1173 (Nov. 2018)
Article: Want to End Notario Fraud? Take the Law Into Your Own Hands, AILA Doc. No. 17112263 American Immigration Lawyers Association (Nov. 22, 2017)
Article: Why Can’t These People Immigrate the Right Way?, KING CO. BAR ASS’N NEWSLETTER (Oct. 2017)
Article: The Back Office In Bangalore: Clarifying the Ethics of Legal Process Outsourcing, 22 BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. 705 (June 1, 2017)
Article: Suing on the Form I-864, December 2016 Update, Greg McLawsen, 22 BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. 137 (Feb. 1, 2017)
Article: Competence to Proceed in Immigration Court; The Insanity Continues, Greg McLawsen and Julia McLawsen, 21 BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. 1058 (Sep. 15, 2016)
Article: The Rules Have Changed: Stop Drafting I-864s for Joint Sponsors, Greg McLawsen and Gustavo Cueva, 20 BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. 1287 (Nov. 15, 2015)
Article: Is There a Case for Bringing LLLTs into a Firm; Does it Make Good Business Sense, Jerry Moberg and Greg McLawsen, Vol. 69, No. 8 NWLAWYER 20 (Nov. 2015)
Article: Redfin is Cheaper and Better than a Real Estate Agent; Will You Be the Redfin of Legal? Greg McLawsen, Vol. 69, No. 7 NWLAWYER 20 (Oct. 2015)
Article: Mental Health Inadmissibility: Helping Clients Who Engage in Self-Harm, Julia McLawsen and Greg McLawsen, 20 BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. 973 (Sep. 1, 2015)
Article: The I-864 Affidavit of Support: An Intro to the Immigration Form You Must Learn to Love/Hate, Greg McLawsen, Vo 48. No. 4 ABA FAM. L. QUARTERLY (Winter 2015)
Article: Nine Mistaken Beliefs about Immigrants and the Law, Greg McLawsen and Gustavo Cueva, KING CO. BAR BULL. (Apr. 2015)
Article: Screening for Employee Immigration Status, Greg McLawsen and Mike Allen, TACOMA PIERCE COUNTY BAR BULL. (Apr. 2015)
Article: Canadian Indians, Inuit, Metis and metis; An Exploration of the Unparalleled Rights Enjoyed by American Indians Born in Canada to Freely Access the United States, Greg Boos, Greg McLawsen and Heather Fathali, 4 Seattle J. Envtl. L. 343 (2014)
Article: Flat Fees: A Few Wrinkles, Greg McLawsen and Deborah Niedermeyer, Vol. 68, No. 4 NWLAWYER 29 (June 2014)
Article: Flat Fees: Know What’s Yours To Keep, Greg McLawsen and Deborah Niedermeyer, 19 AMER. IMM. LAWYERS ASSN. NEW MEMBERS DIV. E-NEWS (May 2014)
Article: Suing on the I-864 Affidavit of Support; March 2014 Update , Greg McLawsen, 19 BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. 343 (Apr. 1, 2014)
Article: Attention, Solo Attorneys: Who’s Got Your Back? Greg McLawsen and Russell Mikow, Vol. 4, Iss. 6 AMERICAN IMMIGRATION LAWYERS ASSOCIATION VOICE, AN IMMIGRATION DIALOGUE 42 (Nov.-Dec. 2013)
Article: American Indians Born in Canada and the Right of Free Access to the United States, Greg Boos and Greg McLawsen, concurrently published in 18 BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. 1103 (Oct. 1, 2013) and Border Policy Research Institute, Western Washington University, Research Report No. 20 (Oct. 2013)
Article: Solo Attorneys: Who’s Got Your Back? You Need Backup Counsel to Protect Your Clients and Yourself, Greg McLawsen and Russell Mikow, The Bar News (Journal of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association) (August 1, 2013)
Book Chapter: Model Practice Documents – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), in IMMIGRATION PRACTICE TOOLBOX (American Immigration Lawyers Association 4th Ed. (2013)
Article: Window Cleaning, Wine Tasting… and Wills? Ethics of Attorney Marketing on “Daily Deal” Websites, Vol. 67, No. 5 N.W. LAWYER 7 (Wash. St. Bar. Assn. July/Aug. 2013)
Article: Is Google Voice the Right (Free) Choice for Your Firm? Vol 4., Iss. 3 Immigration Practice News 2 (March 2013)
Article: Suing on the I-864 Affidavit of Support, Greg McLawsen, 17 BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. 1943 (Dec. 15, 2012)
Article: The Contractual Duty to Support an Immigrant Spouse, Lisa Seifert and Greg McLawsen, THURSTON LEGAL BRIEF (Sep. 2012), reprinted at THE BAR NEWS (Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association) (Jan. 2013)
Book Chapter: Guide to the Kitsap County Courthouse, Greg McLawsen, et al., Ch. 4-E in WASHINGTON LAWYERS PRACTICE MANUAL Theodore Angelis, ed.) (King Co. Bar Ass’n 2012) (1977)
Article: Demonstrating Psychological Hardship; A Statistical Study of Psychology Evaluations in Hardship Waivers of Inadmissibility, Greg McLawsen, et al., 16 BENDER’S IMMIGR. BULL. 10 (Jan. 1, 2011)
Chapter section: Waivers of Inadmissibility, (Greg McLawsen as research editor), § 63.12[1] in IMMIGRATION LAW AND PROCEDURE, Stanley Mailman & Steven Yale-Loehr (Bender-Lexis 2009) (1988)
Presentations
Invited speaker, The right to “immigration alimony” for family-sponsored residents; Enforcing the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support (Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services) (Webinar, May 18, 2025)
Invited speaker, Enforcement of the Form I-864 (American Immigration Lawyers Association – Michigan Chapter) (Webinar, April 11, 2025)
Co-presenter, Enforcement of the Form I-864 (American Immigration Lawyers Association – Washington State Chapter) (Webinar, April 7, 2025)
Guest lecturer, Public Charge Inadmissibility and Enforcement of the USCIS Form I-864, Affidavit of Support (Seattle University School of Law – Immigration Seminar) (February 18, 2025)
Invited speaker, Enforcement of the Form I-864 (American Immigration Lawyers Association – Kansas- Missouri Chapter) (Webinar, January 17, 2025)
Invited speaker, The Affidavit of Support: Legal Obligations, Enforcement and Defenses (American Immigration Lawyers Association – Dakotas Chapter) (Webinar, January 14, 2025)
Invited speaker, Enforcing the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support and What to Expect with Public Charge Regulations (American Immigration Lawyers Association – Arizona Chapter) (Webinar, November 22, 2024)
Invited speaker, The right to “immigration alimony” Enforcing the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support (American Immigration Lawyers Association – Carolinas Chapter) (Webinar, November 15, 2024)
Invited speaker, The right to “immigration alimony” for family-sponsored residents (Northwest Justice Project – Statewide Family Law Task Force) (Webinar, November 14, 2024)
Invited speaker, Enforcement of the Form I-864 (American Immigration Lawyers Association – Oregon Chapter) (Webinar, November 7, 2024)
Invited speaker, Enforcement of the Form I-864 (American Immigration Lawyers Association – Hawai’i Chapter) (Webinar, October 29, 2024)
Invited speaker, Litigation Against Sponsors: Enforcing Form I-864, Affidavit of Support (American Immigration Lawyers Association – New England Chapter) (Webinar, October 25, 2024)
Invited speaker, Enforcing the Form I-864 (American Immigration Lawyers Association – Idaho Chapter) (Webinar, October 24, 2024)
Invited speaker, The right to “immigration alimony;” Enforcing the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support (American Immigration Lawyers Association – Philadelphia Chapter) (Webinar, October 16, 2024)
Invited speaker, Enforcing the Affidavit of Support; 10 Basics and 5 Recommendations (American Immigration Lawyers Association – Chicago Chapter) (Webinar, October 14, 2024)
Invited speaker, I-864 Sponsor Obligations, State Bar of Texas (Family Law Section, Hispanic Issues Section and Immigration & Nationality Law Section) (Webinar, May 17, 2024)
Invited speaker, Enforcing the I-864 Affidavit of Support, American Immigration Lawyers Association National Conference (Orlando, FL, June 24, 2023)
Invited speaker, Enforcing the I-864 Affidavit of Support in divorce proceedings & federal court, State Bar of Texas (Family Law Section, Hispanic Issues Section and Immigration & Nationality Law Section) (Webinar, May 27, 2022)
Invited speaker, Immigration “alimony” and the right to indefinite financial support, North Carolina Advocates for Justice (Webinar, February 11, 2022)
Invited speaker, Litigating damages claims under the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, American Immigration Lawyers Association; Santa Clara Valley Chapter (Webinar, February 10, 2022)
Invited speaker, Enforcing the Form I-864 Affidavit of Support, American Immigration Lawyers Association Southern California Chapter (Webinar, December 12, 2021)
Panel moderator, Business Ethics for Immigration Lawyers, American Immigration Lawyers Association Northwest Regional Conference (Webinar, October 6, 2021)
Invited speaker, Psychological Evaluations for Immigration Proceedings, University of New Mexico Health Sciences (Webinar, July 7, 2021)
Invited panelist, The Affidavit of Support and the Right to Lifelong Alimony, The Intersection of Immigration and Family Law, Immigration and Nationality Law Section, State Bar of Texas and Family Law Section, State Bar of Texas (Webinar, April 16, 2021)
Invited speaker, The Affidavit of Support and the Right to Lifelong Alimony, North Carolina Advocates for Justice (Webinar, April 15, 2021)
Invited speaker, Show Me the Money: How the I-864 Affidavit of Support is Used Outside of Immigration Context and the Use of the I-944 Declaration of Self-Sufficiency, Orange County Bar Association (Webinar, October 6, 2020)
Invited speaker, Public Charge and Ethics Issues, American Immigration Lawyers Association (Athletics, Culture, Entertainment, and Science Virtual Conference, October 2, 2020)
Invited speaker, Hot Topics in Naturalization and Adjustment of Status, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Washington Chapter (Regional CLE, September 18, 2020)
Invited speaker, Trends in Immigration Law: Introductory and Advance Tracks, Public Charge Inadmissibility, Washington State Bar Association (Webinar, August 4, 2020)
Invited speaker, COVID-19’s Impact on Immigration Practices, Clio (Webinar, April 20, 2020)
Invited speaker, Understanding the new rules on public charge inadmissibility, American Immigration Lawyers – New York Chapter (Webinar, September 27, 2019)
Invited speaker, Understanding the new rules on public charge inadmissibility, American Immigration Lawyers – Bangkok District Chapter (Webinar, September 5, 2019)
Invited speaker, Understanding the new rules on public charge inadmissibility, American Immigration Lawyers – Washington State Chapter (Webinar, August 20, 2019)
Invited panelist, The Notorious I-864: No Longer a Shield Against “Public Charge”, American Immigration Lawyers Association, National (Webinar, July 30, 2019)
Invited panelist, Public Charge Inadmissibility, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Bangkok District Chapter Conference, Bangkok, Thailand (March 2, 2019)
Invited speaker, Public Charge Inadmissibility, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Northwest Regional Conference, Seattle, Washington (February 15, 2019)
Invited speaker, Understanding Public Charge Inadmissibility, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Bangkok District Chapter, (Webinar, November 14, 2018)
Panel moderator, Immigration: Policy Perspective, Washington State Bar Association – Decoding the Law seminar (Seattle, WA, August 1, 2017)
Invited speaker, Kanban Visual Project Management for Your Law Practice, British Colombia Law Library (Vancouver, B.C., July 24, 2017)
Invited panelist, Staying Motivated for Your Law Practice – An Evidence-Based Approach, Washington State Bar Association – Solo and Small Practice Section Annual Conference (Lynnwood, WA, July 15, 2017)
Invited panelist, Law Firm Business Planning with the Lean Business Canvas, Oregon State Bar Association – Small Practice Section Annual Conference (Bend, OR, July 2017)
Invited speaker, Law Firm Branding – It’s Not Your Logo, It’s Your Life, Oregon State Bar Association – Small Practice Section Annual Conference (Bend, OR, July 8, 2017)
Invited panelist, Social Media Ethics, Washington State Bar Association’s Legal Lunchbox (Webinar, March 28, 2017)
Invited speaker, U.S. Immigration Law in 60 Minutes, Thurston County Bar Association (Olympia, WA, March 17, 2016)
Invited speaker, Immigration Financial Support – Using the I-864 to transition to self- sufficiency, End Violence Against Women Now (National Webinar, February 16, 2017)
Invited panelist, I-864 Affidavits of Support: Avoiding Ethical Pitfalls, American Immigration Lawyers Association – National Education Department (Recorded podcast, upcoming January 31, 2017)
Invited speaker, Enforcement of the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, Clallam County Bar Association’s monthly meeting (Port Angeles, WA, January 20, 2017)
Invited speaker, Agile Project Management for Lawyers, Jefferson County Bar Association’s monthly meeting (Pt. Townsend, WA, December 8, 2016)
Invited speaker, Adobe Acrobat for Lawyers, National Business Institute CLE (Seattle, WA, December 2, 2016)
Invited panelist, Advanced I-864 Issues, American Immigration Lawyers Association, D.C. Chapter (Washington D.C., November 15, 2016)
Invited speaker, Free and Low-Cost Technology for Your Law Firm, Kittitas County Bar Association’s monthly meeting (Ellensburg, WA, September 8, 2016)
Speaker, Advanced I-864 Issues, Sound Immigration Monthly Immigration CLE (Webinar, Aug. 31, 2016)
Invited participant, TBD Law Conference hosted by Lawyerist Media (St. Louis, MO, Aug. 14-16, 2016)
Invited speaker, Essentials of Employment Law (Immigration Issues), Sterling Education seminar (Tacoma, WA, Aug. 10, 2016).
Invited speaker, The Ethics of Marketing Your Practice, Seattle University School of Law Low Bono CLE (Seattle, WA, Aug. 1, 2016)
Invited speaker, Agile Project Management for Lawyers, Seattle Legal Technology and Innovation Meetup Group’s 21st Century Lawyer CLE (Seattle, WA, June 7, 2016)
Invited speaker, Legal Tech Set-Up, Seattle University School of Law Low Bono CLE (Seattle, WA, June 1, 2016)
Speaker, Adjustment of Status from ESTA/Visa Waiver, Sound Immigration Monthly Immigration CLE (Webinar, May 24, 2016)
Invited speaker, The Ethics of Marketing Your Practice, American Immigration Lawyers Association – Washington Chapter Annual CLE (Seattle, WA, May 13, 2016)
Invited speaker, Agile project management for the real estate lawyer: replacing busyness with effectiveness and clarity, King County Bar Association, Real Property Probate and Trust Section CLE (Seattle, WA, May 4, 2016)
Invited speaker, Legal Zoom, Legal Hacking and Why You Shouldn’t Look for a Job, University of Nebraska Lincoln College of Law, American Constitutional Society (Lincoln, NE, Apr. 4, 2016)
Invited speaker, What Every Attorney Needs to Know About E-Signatures and Submission of On-Line Forms, Washington State Bar Association Solo and Small Practice Section Annual CLE – 7 Keys to Managing a 21st Century Practice (Seattle, WA, Jan. 22, 2016)
Invited panelist, Dual and Joint Representation, Annual Ethics CLE, American Immigration Lawyers Association – Washington Chapter (Seattle, WA, Dec. 7, 2015)
Invited speaker, Immigration Financial Support; A Tool for Helping Survivors Achieve Independence, National Organization for Victim Assistance – 41st Annual Conference (Dallas, TX, Aug. 19, 2015)
Invited speaker, Immigration Insights for the Every-Lawyer, 10th Annual Washington State Bar Association Solo and Small Practice Conference (Spokane, WA, July 10, 2015)
Invited speaker, Creating Fee Agreements, 10th Annual Washington State Bar Association Solo and Small Practice Conference (Spokane, WA, July 9, 2015)
Invited panelist, Complicated Affidavit of Support Issues, American Immigration Lawyers Association National Conference (Washington D.C., June 20, 2015)
Invited speaker, Immigration Law for Family Law Attorneys, Kitsap County Bar Association Family Law Section (Port Orchard, WA, April 10, 2015)
Invited speaker, Affidavit of Support; Advanced Topics, Northwest Regional Immigration Conference, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Seattle University School of Law (Seattle, WA, March 19, 2015)
Invited speaker, Psycholegal Standards in U.S. Immigration Law, Post-Doctoral Seminar Series, Western State Hospital (Steilacoom, WA, February 8, 2015)
Invited Speaker, Running a Paperless Law Office, Introduction to the Practice of Law in Pierce County – Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section (Tacoma, WA, October 3, 2014)
Discussion Facilitator, Mission Possible Symposium, Washington State Bar Association, Future of the Profession Work Group (University Place, WA, October 1, 2014)
Invited Speaker, Not Your Grandma’s Law Practice, Social Justice Monday – Seattle University School of Law (Seattle, WA, September 29, 2014)
Invited speaker, Legal Ethics: Tips For Everyday Practice, National Business Institute (Seattle, WA, August 21, 2014)
Invited panelist, Cocktail Reception Law: Substantive Law Issues You May Face, 9th Annual Washington State Bar Association Solo and Small Practice Conference (Vancouver, WA, July 26, 2014)
Invited speaker, The Ethics of Flat Fee Billing, 9th Annual Washington State Bar Association Solo and Small Practice Conference (Vancouver, WA, July 24, 2014)
Invited panelist, Keynote Address: The Small Firm Advantage, 9th Annual Washington State Bar Association Solo and Small Practice Conference (Vancouver, WA, July 24, 2014)
Invited panelist, Branding Your Practice in a DIY World, 9th Annual Washington State Bar Association Solo and Small Practice Conference (Vancouver, WA, July 24, 2014)
Invited speaker, Psycholegal Standards in U.S. Immigration Law, Post-Doctoral Seminar Series, Western State Hospital (Steilacoom, WA, June 6, 2012)
Invited speaker, Technology for Starting an Immigration Practice, New Members Division Continuing Legal Education, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Washington Chapter (Seattle, Apr. 10, 2014)
Invited speaker, The Ethics of Using Social Media, Business Development 101: Tools and Techniques to Build a Successful Law Practice, Seattle University School of Law (Seattle, WA, Mar. 21, 2014)
Invited panelist, Rights of Access for American Indians and Inuit Born in Canada, Seattle University School of Law, Arctic Encounter Symposium (Seattle, WA, Feb. 8, 2014)
Invited speaker, I-864 Advanced Issues; Enforcement, 40 Quarters Rule and Joint Sponsor Ethics, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Washington Chapter, Monthly CLE (Seattle, WA, Jan. 6, 2014)
Invited speaker, Choosing Hardware and Software for a Law Practice, Seattle University School of Law (Seattle, WA, Dec. 10, 2013)
Invited speaker, Immigration Law Issues in Family Law, Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association’s Annual Conference (Ocean Shores, WA, Sep. 28 2013)
Invited speaker, Immigration Law for the Non-Immigration Lawyer, Washington State Bar Association’s Solo and Small Practice Section, Continuing Legal Education Seminar (Tacoma, WA, Sep. 13, 2013)
Invited speaker, No Cost and Low-Cost Technology to Manage Your Law Practice, Washington State Legal Institute (Tacoma, WA, Aug. 6, 2013)
Invited speaker, Staff Up or Staff Out? Getting the Help You Need to Run Your Practice, 8th Annual Washington State Bar Association Solo and Small Practice Conference (Vancouver, WA, July 2013)
Panel moderator, Retirement and Succession Planning for the Solo and Small Firm, 8th Annual Washington State Bar Association Solo and Small Practice Conference (Vancouver, WA, July 2013)
Invited speaker, Free and Low-Cost Tech for Your Law Practice; Managing the Business Side of the Practice, National Business Institute (Seattle, WA, July 12, 2013)
Invited panelist, Solo Practice Panel, Washington State Bar Association Bi-Monthly Job Seeker Group (July 10, 2013)
Invited speaker, Immigration Law 101, Washington State Paralegal Association 2013 Spring Continuing Legal Education Program (Seattle, WA, Apr. 26, 2013)
Invited speaker, The I-864 Affidavit of Support; Why Your Client has to Pay Spousal Support Forever,
Monthly Bar Lunch, Kitsap County Bar Association (Port Orchard, WA, Mar. 2013)
Invited speaker, House Bill 1079; the DREAM Act Forum, Panel Speaker, University of Washington – Tacoma (Tacoma, WA, Mar. 2013)
Invited speaker, The I-864 Affidavit of Support; Why Your Client has to Pay Spousal Support Forever,
Family Law Section CLE, Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association (Tacoma, WA, Nov. 2012)
Invited speaker, The I-864 Affidavit of Support; Why Your Client has to Pay Spousal Support Forever, Immigration Law & Interpreter Services CLE, Kitsap Legal Services (Bremerton, WA, Nov. 2012)
Invited speaker, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, Immigration Law & Interpreter Services CLE, Kitsap Legal Services (Bremerton, WA, Nov. 2012)
Invited speaker, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – What you need to know, South Seattle Community College (Seattle, WA, Nov. 2012)
Invited speaker, Immigration Law in 40 Minutes; Practicing Happy Law, Paralegal Program, Tacoma Community College (Tacoma, WA, Nov. 2012)
Invited speaker, Psychological Hardship Evaluations in Immigration Law, Post-Doctoral Seminar Series, Western State Hospital (Steilacoom, WA, June 2012)
Invited speaker, Psychology Testimony in Immigration Law: An Empirical Examination of Hardship Waiver Decisions, Greg McLawsen, et al., Paper Presentation at the American Psychology-Law Association international conference (Vancouver, B.C., Mar. 2010)
Invited speaker, Extreme Hardship Evaluations in Immigration Law: Translating Legal Standards into Clinical Practice, Julia McLawsen & Greg McLawsen, et al., Paper Presentation at the American Psychology-Law Association international conference (San Antonio, TX, Mar. 2009)
Service and Affiliations
Clio Customer Advisory Board, Member (May 2020 – Present)
Washington State Bar Association Small and Solo Practice Section, Immediate Past Chair, Executive Committee (October 2016 – October 2017)
American Immigration Lawyers Association – Washington State Chapter, Law Practice and Technology Committee, Chair (June 2013 – June 2016)
Washington State Bar Association Small and Solo Practice Section, Chair, Executive Committee (June 2015 – October 2016)
Washington State Bar Association Future of the Profession Work Group, Member (January 2014 – June 2015)
American Immigration Lawyers Association – Washington State Chapter, Executive Committee, Secretary (May 2014 – June 2015)
Washington State Bar Association Small and Solo Practice Section, Chair Elect, Executive Committee (October 2013 – June 2015)
American Immigration Lawyers Association – Washington State Chapter, Executive Committee, Treasurer (June 2013 – June 2014)
Washington State Bar Association Small and Solo Practice Section, Executive Committee Member (June 2013 – October 2013)
Steering Committee – 8th Annual Washington State Bar Association Solo and Small Firm Conference, Member (January 2013 – June 2013)
American Immigration Lawyers Association – Washington State Chapter, Technology Committee, Member (January 2013 – January 2014)
Washington State Bar Association Small and Solo Practice Section, Executive Committee Member, Young Lawyers Committee Liaison (October 2012 – June 2013)
Immigrant Families Advocacy Project – University of Washington School of Law, Attorney mentor (September 2012 – September 2013)
American Immigration Lawyers Association – Washington State Chapter, New Members Division, Vice-Chairman (June 2012 – June 2013)
Kitsap County Bar Association – Young Lawyers Division, Continuing Leal Education Chair (December 2010 – December 2011)
Nebraska Zen Center, Board of Directors, Secretary (February 2008 – February 2010)
Equal Justice Society – University of Nebraska School of Law, President (June 2007 – June 2009)
Allies and Advocates for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Equality – University of Nebraska School of Law, Cofounder and Vice-President (May 2007 – May 2008)
