Emily Sumner is the founding senior partner of Sumner Immigration Law. She has practiced immigration law exclusively throughout her career, focusing on development of systems and procedures that streamline and simplify the visa process and that decrease the often lengthy application period.

Ms. Sumner also manages the high-volume labor certification needs of major corporations, working closely with them to reduce time and complexity. She has set up blanket L filings to accommodate companies with high-volume L-1 filings and has prepared J-1 waiver filings for physicians working in underserved areas, as well as other J-1 waiver types. She also specializes in preparing “fast track” green card petitions, including Aliens of Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researchers and Professors, and National Interest Waiver petitions for researchers and scientists.

Ms. Sumner previously practiced with Challa Law Offices in Richmond, Virginia. As a seasoned immigration attorney, Ms. Sumner has been active in education for individuals, corporations and attorneys. She regularly provides Continuing Legal Education programs on immigration law and frequently contributes articles on immigration strategies for the global transfer of employees through a wide range of publications.

Ms. Sumner is fluent in Spanish, having lived in Salamanca, Spain and having directly served Spanish-speaking clients for many years including as a paralegal while in undergraduate studies. Ms. Sumner serves as pro bono immigration counsel for I Have a Dream, Richmond, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a select group of low-income students with long-term, high-quality, supportive supplementary education and enrichment programs, continuing mentor relationships, and guarantees of financial support for higher education. In light of the high proportion of Latino students participating in the South Richmond program, Ms. Sumner was selected for this position to lead the other board members in navigating the cultural, linguistic, and legal issues that arise in working with this population. Ms. Sumner has also co-chaired the Immigrant Outreach Committee, a division of the Virginia State Bar, dedicated to educating other lawyers on legal issues relevant to the immigrant community and to providing a framework of information and legal resources for the Commonwealth’s immigrant population.

Memberships and Affiliations:

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
  • Virginia State Bar
  • Virginia Latinos in Higher Education Network (VALHEN) – Membership Chair (2010-2012)
  • IHAD Richmond Foundation – Immigration Counsel
  • River Road Church Baptist, Constitution and ByLaws Review Committee
  • Young Lawyers Conference, Immigrant Outreach Committee – Co-chair (2009-2011)
  • Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce – Membership Committee (2011 – 2012)

Languages:

  • English (native)
  • Spanish (professional)

Education:

  • University of Richmond School of Law - Juris Doctor
  • Wake Forest University - Bachelor of Arts in Spanish