Christine Lockhart Poarch, collaborated on an article with Virginia Supreme Court Justice Stephen R. McCullough on Virginia’s Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) Board’s intention to seek feedback from lawyers and CLE providers to better improve the board’s processes and policies. In 1985, the MCLE Board was established by the Supreme Court of Virginia in 1985 to lead Virginia attorneys in the mandatory continuing legal education in the interest of the public. Justice McCullough is the Virginia Supreme Court’s liaison to the Board. Christine is the Board’s chair. Alongside her work as a managing attorney at Poarch Thompson Law, Christine has been on the MCLE board since 2015 and chair of the board since 2017. To learn more about what the MCLE is proposing, click on the picture of the article below and you will be redirected to the publication.
In any office, the human resources department has to stay current on everything involving employment law, which includes business immigration. These past few years, we have seen a significant change in policies and laws regarding business immigration. In support of their mission, the Roanoke Valley SHRM invited Christine Poarch and Rachel Thompson, from Poarch Thompson Law, to present at one of their meetings on business immigration hot topics.
Poarch Thompson Law’s presentation, titled: Beyond Borders: Barriers to Lawful Immigration, informed on issues affecting all human resource departments across the country. Christine spoke on the implication of employers receiving SSN No-Match letters, to visa changes and USCIS changing fees, and immigration enforcement.
As a local affiliate chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Roanoke Valley SHRM chapter is a starting point for networking, information, professional development and continued support of excellence in Human Resources in the Roanoke Valley.
Wednesday, February 5th, 2020, the Poarch Thompson Law family gathered to share in faith, hope, vulnerability, and intentionality. Under the guidance of three spiritual leaders from three different churches, the PTL family took a moment to reflect on the past year, our current year, and the great Why that keeps us motivated in our work.
“17 Don’t obstruct the legal rights of an immigrant or orphan. Don’t take a widow’s coat as pledge for a loan. 18 Remember how you were a slave in Egypt but how the Lord your God saved you from that. That’s why I am commanding you to do this thing. 19 Whenever you are reaping the harvest of your field and you leave some grain in the field, don’t go back and get it. Let it go to the immigrants, the orphans, and the widows so that the Lord your God blesses you in all that you do.” (Deuteronomy 24:17-19)
Managing attorneys: Christine Poarch and Rachel ThompsonAn office blessingLeft to right: Joey Poarch, Christine Poarch, Quigg Lawrence, Rachel Thompson, Brad Thompson, Ben Lockhart, Alan Combs.Alan Combs, Christine Poarch, Joey PoarchAttorneys Brad and Rachel Thompson with Quigg Lawrence
Poarch Thompson Law attorneys, Christine Poarch and Jaime McGuire, attended Virginia Women’s Attorney Association’s (VWAA) Success Project Luncheon last Wednesday, January 29th 2020.
The main speakers for the Success Project Luncheon event were Roanoke/Salem attorneys, Christine Poarch and Elizabeth Perrow. Though both attorneys practice different areas of law, Christine practices immigration and adoption law while Elizabeth practices medical malpractice defense, both women have built successful careers in their practice area. Alongside extensive lists of accolades attached to Christine and Elizabeth’s careers, both women are known as frequent lecturers and speakers at conferences across the Virginia and the rest of the United States.
At the Success Project Luncheon, Elizabeth and Christine shared stories about their journeys as attorneys in their respective fields. Though both took different paths to get to where they are today, both women connected on the importance of authenticity when leading a law firm and attempting to create a supportive and nourishing office culture for both the client and those who work there. They also touched on different strategies in maintaining a purposeful client base and the importance of creating, implementing, and reworking marketing strategies when leading a law firm.
Virginia Women Attorney Association (VWAA) strives to assist and foster the person and career of the women who make part in Virginia’s attorney work force. Through events like last Wednesday, Success Project Luncheon, VWAA helps these women attorneys by giving them access to a supportive community, in developing their professional practice, and helping them achieve their potential.
Christine Lockhart Poarch founded Poarch Law (now, Poarch Thompson Law) in 2003. She practices immigration and adoption law at Poarch Thompson Law.
Elizabeth Guilbert Perrow is a trial lawyer who practices primarily in the area of medical malpractice defense. She is a principal attorney at Woods Rogers Attorneys at Law.
Last year brought exciting changes, confirmed and tested our faith, strengthened our unity as a tribe and offered opportunities for gratitude for each other and the clients and communities we serve. Even though Year 2020 has only been with us for twenty-one days, this year has already proven to be full of news and excitement.
In addition to Rachel making partner and the firm name changing to Poarch Thompson Law effective January 1, 2020, we have also added three members to our team: Sidney Clinevell, Karla Garcia, and Joey Poarch. Sidney is our adoption paralegal and Karla is our newest asylum paralegal. Joey’s title at the firm has changed from “occasional technology consultant” at Poarch Law to Chief Information Officer at Poarch Thompson. Each of these folks brings new energy, perspectives, strengths, and life to our office team of six attorneys and now, eighteen staff, and we cannot wait for you to meet them.
Ver todos los lados en la Conferencia de Ley de Inmigración 2019 de la Asociación Federal de Abogados. 2 minutos leídos
A principios de mayo, nuestros abogados de Poarch Law viajaron a Austin, Texas para asistir a la Conferencia de la Sección de Leyes de Inmigración de la Asociación Federal de Abogados (FBA, por sus) Durante dos días, Christine Poarch, Jamie McGuire y Rachel Thompson asistieron a paneles que discutieron la ley de inmigración y sus recientes cambios en las políticas.
Desde hace varios años, nuestros abogados han estado asistiendo a la Conferencia Anual de Ley de Inmigración de la FBA. Sin embargo, este año, los tres abogados participaron en la conferencia de este año como panelistas. En una variedad de temas de inmigración, que estaban en el escenario, junto con otros abogados superiores, responder preguntas, dar consejos y discutir la mejor manera de navegar por las complejidades de la ley de inmigración.
“Lo que es único en la conferencia”, explica Christine Poarch cuando se le pregunta por qué continúa regresando a esta conferencia año tras año, “es que es lo suficientemente pequeña como para que se consigan una buena interacción con sus colegas dentro del sector privado y público, como así como mucha interacción con funcionarios del gobierno y abogados”.
Rachel Thompson y Jaime McGuire también comentaron sobre la importancia de la diversidad en los asistentes a la conferencia y cómo la oportunidad de poder escuchar las diferentes perspectivas de los abogados del gobierno y del abogado privado es crucial para cómo nuestros abogados manejar sus casos.
Los tres abogados planean asistir a la Conferencia de la Sección de Leyes de Inmigración de la FBA el próximo año en Detroit, MI.
Rachel, Jaime y Christine (con cónyuges) en la cena de anoche de la conferencia.La abogada del PLF Christine Poarch con Kate Goettel (Abogada de Litigios, National Immigrant Justice Center, premiada como la Abogada del Año de la ONG de FBA-ILS) y Lauren McClure (Attorney en Kriezelman, Burton & Associates en Chicago, premiada como La Abogada Joven de FBA-ILS Premio) La abogada de la PLF Elizabeth “Betty” Stevens, Presidenta de FBA-ILS otorgando a Lauren McClure (Attorney en Kriezelman, Burton & Associates en Chicago) el Premio de Abogado Joven de la FBA-ILS.Capitolio del Estado de TexasTorre UTDentro de la Rotonda del Capitolio
Estamos encantados de dar la bienvenida a nuestra nueva pasante de verano, Ana Barrios. Durante las próximas seis semanas, Ana aprenderá todo sobre la ley de inmigración y adopción mientras hace sombra a los abogados de la firma y ayuda con la investigación de casos.
Después de estar con nosotros durante un par de días, Ana ya ha comentado lo mucho que disfruta de la oportunidad de familiarizarse con la variedad de casos que pasan por nuestra firma. Le gusta específicamente presenciar de primera mano el compromiso y la integridad mostrados con cada caso.
La propia familia de Ana es de Santander, Colombia y tienen una presencia activa en la comunidad inmigrante aquí en el suroeste de Virginia. Ella es una estudiante de segundo año en la Universidad de Carolina del Norte en Chapel Hill. Una vez que se gradúa con su título en negocios, Ana espera estudiar derecho y practicar la ley de inmigración.
El Roanoke Times acaba de publicar un gran artículo sobre “Siete hechos sobre la inmigración en Roanoke”.
En el artículo editorial, el Times hace referencia a un informe publicado por New American Economy, una organización sin fines de lucro con sede en Nueva York cuyo objetivo declarado es “concienciar sobre los beneficios económicos de la reforma migratoria sensata”.
Como dice el artículo “los números no mienten, así que echemos un vistazo a los números”.
The Roanoke Times just published a great article on “Seven facts about immigration in Roanoke”.
In the editorial piece, the Times references a report published by the New American Economy, a New York-based non-profit whose stated aim is to “raise awareness of the economic benefits of sensible immigration reform.”
As the article states “the numbers don’t lie, so let’s just look at the numbers.”
We are thrilled to welcome our new summer intern, Ana Barrios. For the next six weeks, Ana will learn all about immigration and adoption law as she shadows the firm’s attorneys and helps out with case research.
After being with us for a couple of days, Ana has already commented on how much she enjoys the opportunity of familiarizing herself with the variety of cases that pass through our firm. She specifically enjoys witnessing firsthand the commitment and integrity shown with each case.
Ana’s own family is from Santander, Colombia and they have an active presence in the immigrant community here in Southwest Virginia. She is a rising sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Once she graduates with her degree in business, Ana hopes to study law and practice immigration law.
GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED, SCHEDULE CONSULT TODAY
The results of client matters depend on a variety of factors unique to each matter. Past successes do not predict or guarantee future successes. View Disclaimer
