From Chance Interview to Lifelong Career

September 5, 2025 / Christopher "Dakota" Lopez / 30th Anniversary Posts

It’s hard to believe this firm is celebrating its 30th anniversary—especially since I’ve been part of it for 25 of those years. When I first joined, I came with a background in employment law and litigation. After taking six months off from a particularly stressful role, I was simply looking to re-enter the workforce. Immigration law wasn’t on my radar at the time.

But everything changed after my interview with Kirsten and Mary Jane. Their intelligence, deep commitment to their work, and—most importantly—their sense of humor completely won me over. I was fortunate to be hired, and although I had to learn an entirely new area of law, their passion was infectious. Before long, I found myself genuinely loving the work, which led to a long and fulfilling tenure here.

I’m deeply proud of what the firm has accomplished over the decades, and grateful for the small part I’ve played in that journey. Like any organization, we’ve weathered our share of ups and downs—often reflecting broader economic tides—but we’ve remained steadfast in our mission: helping highly skilled and talented individuals immigrate to the U.S. I truly believe that this is one of the reasons our country continues to lead in innovation.

Now, as Kirsten steps down as managing partner and passes the torch to Tiffany Hill—who brings her own remarkable strengths—we’re entering an exciting new chapter. Challenges will always come, especially in our field, but this firm has never shied away from meeting them head-on. I’m confident we’ll continue to do so with the same resilience and purpose that has defined us from the start.