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Alan Gordon

Of Counsel
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Bio

Alan Gordon has practiced law since 1977, but immigration and naturalization law are his passion. After founding the first boutique immigration firm in the Carolinas in 1983, he has served individual and corporate clients all over the globe.

For nearly 40 years, his practice has specialized in aiding clients with changes of legal status, obtaining temporary work visas, travel permission and various citizenship issues. Additionally, he has a long track record of helping employers to comply with federal immigration laws, saving clients time and money.

Originally from Chester, Pennsylvania, Gordon graduated with a BA in liberal arts from Pennsylvania State University, and attended law school at the University of Miami. His experience working at a labor law firm in Miami’s “Little Havana” community proved to be an education unto itself.

After graduation, Gordon moved to Charlotte to be closer to family. He began his law career at Wardlow & Knox in 1977, working closely with former Charlotte Mayor Eddie Knox. After creating an immigration specialty at the firm, Gordon decided to strike out on his own in 1983.

Since then, Gordon has established himself as a leader in the field of immigration law. In 1990, his firm succeeded in U.S. district court, obtaining the first ruling finding restrictive immigration laws to be unconstitutional (Manwani v. U.S. Department of Justice, 736 F. Supp. 1367 (W.D.N.C. 1990). Congress later incorporated that decision into the Immigration & Nationality Act, preserving important legal rights for immigrants.

The North Carolina State Bar asked Gordon to establish and then chair a board certification program for immigration lawyers. Therefore he became one of the first board-certified specialists in immigration law. Recognized by Charlotte Magazine as “The Best Immigration Attorney” (1999-2003), and honored by La Noticia’s 2002 “Excelente Award,” Gordon has also appeared as an immigration expert on WFAE 90.7 FM and WBT 1110 AM, as well as writing about immigration reform for the Charlotte Business Journal. He has also appeared semi-regularly as an immigration expert on Spectrum/Cablevision’s News Channel 14. He has been recognized by his peers in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, an honor he’s received every year since 1991.

When the federal government announced plans to end Temporary Protected Status for Salvadorans in 2018, Gordon offered his services pro bono to those impacted. He has counseled international visiting artists at the McColl Center for Visual Arts, and international visitors through the Charlotte Sister Cities program. Gordon also worked with the Mayor’s office on international issues in 2003.

Bar Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the United States of America
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • United States District Court - Western District of North Carolina
  • North Carolina State Bar

Education

  • Pennsylvania State University, BA
  • University of Miami School of Law, J.D.

Community Involvement

  • Appointed to the Advisory Board of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte in 2003
  • Appointed by Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory in 2005 to be the Chairman of the Mayor’s Immigration Study Commission
  • Appointed to the board of advisors of the Charlotte Chamber in 2007
  • Appointed to Italy-American Chamber of Commerce of Charlotte Board of Directors in 2008

Professional Memberships

  • Former President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Carolinas Chapter
  • Former Chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Committee on Immigration & Nationality Law
  • Founding Chair of the Immigration Specialization Committee, The State Bar of North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization
  • Honorary member of International Scholars of the Mu Chapter of the Phi Beta Delta Honor Society at UNC-Charlotte.
  • Board Member Charlotte World Trade Association