Kirsten Eklund

Kirsten offers a full range of creative immigration solutions for employers or individuals.

Kirsten has worked in immigration law for more than twenty years, offering a full range of immigration options. She loves helping clients navigate the often-long immigration process end-to-end, from coming to the U.S. to getting citizenship, or from being a DREAMer to achieving the American dream. She has a passion for international education and specialized expertise in international student and scholar issues. She provides creative solutions for the best and brightest international employees within the tech, medical, and research communities, assisting individuals and companies in securing temporary work visas and employment-based permanent resident status. She also represents U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents wishing to sponsor family members for immigration status and assists permanent residents in becoming U.S. citizens.

Prior to joining MacDonald Hoague & Bayless in 2013, Kirsten provided immigration services for an aerospace engineering firm in Bellevue, Washington. Before that, she handled nonimmigrant, immigrant, and waiver matters for biomedical researchers and physicians at a national research institute in Bethesda, Maryland. Prior to this role, she served as the Regulatory Liaison at NAFSA: Association of International Educators in Washington, D.C., where she interacted with government agencies regarding immigration law related to international students, scholars, and professors.

Professional and Civic Involvement

• American Immigration Lawyers Association (Member, Washington Chapter USCIS Committee)
• King County Bar Association (Member)

Education

• University of Missouri School of Law, J.D. 2004 University of Missouri, summa cum laude, B.A. 2000
• Certificate in Civil Mediation (Supreme Court of Missouri)