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Sandra Feist

Founding Attorney

Sandra is recognized as a "Super Lawyer" (2021-2022), a "Top Female Attorney in Minnesota" (2014-2017), and a "Top Rated Immigration Attorney in Minneapolis, MN" (2016-2017) by Super Lawyers. Specializing exclusively in immigration law, with a focus on employment-based matters, Sandra serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law. Her commitment extends to various leadership roles, including the Board of Directors of the MN-ACLU and the Executive Committee of AILA's Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter.

 

Graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1999, Sandra began her immigration law career in 2001. After Hurricane Katrina, she moved to Minneapolis, joining Aronson & Associates in 2005. Admitted to the Minnesota bar in 2007 and the Federal District Court in 2009, Sandra specializes in family-based, employment-based, and removal and deportation cases. Her expertise lies in employment-based immigration, focusing on researchers, advanced professionals, and artists in fields like broadcast journalism, dance, and visual arts. Sandra's multidimensional perspective stems from extensive experience, guiding clients through various immigration law options.

EDUCATION

  • Law School: William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota.

  • Juris Doctor, cum laude, May 2007.

  • College: University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. Bachelor of Arts, August 1999. Major: History and Political Science

 

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Fellow, Hennepin County Bar Foundation, 2021 – Present.

  • National Mentor, American Immigration Lawyers Association, May 2014 – Present.

  • Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Media Advocacy Committee, 2017-Present.

  • Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Special Committee on Political Engagement (SCOPE) Committee, 2023 – Present.

  • Volunteer Attorney, Minnesota Lawyers for the Arts, 2019 – Present.

  • Chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Media Advocacy Committee, 2019-2020.

  • Member, Board of Directors, Hennepin County Bar Association, 2017-2019.

  • Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) 2018 Annual Conference Committee, 2017-2018.

  • Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) National Law Student Outreach Committee, 2016-2017.

  • Member of the Board of Directors, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Minnesota, September 2009 – March 2017.

  • Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, ACLU-MN, Spring 2015 – Fall 2016.

  • Chair, Greater Minnesota Racial Justice Project Committee, ACLU-MN, 2015-2016.

  • Board of Governors, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2015 – 2016.

  • Board of Governors, Nominating Committee, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2016.

  • Immediate Past-Chair, Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2016-2017.

  • Chair, Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2015 – 2016.

  • Vice-Chair, Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2014 – 2015.

  • Secretary, Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2013 – 2014.

  • Treasurer, Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2012 – 2013.

  • Member, Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2009 – Present.

  • Member, The Hennepin Lawyer Committee of the Hennepin County Bar Association (HCBA), 2010 – 2018.

  • Chair, The Hennepin Lawyer Committee, 2011 – 2013.

  • Chair, Annual Conference Planning Committee, Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2011 and 2012.

  • Member, Annual Conference Planning Committee, Minnesota-Dakotas Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2011- 2017.

  • Member, Minnesota Women Lawyers Public Policy Advocacy Committee, 2008 – 2012 (Co-Chair, 2010 – 2012).

  • Volunteer Attorney, Volunteer Lawyers’ Network / Immigration Clinic, February 2008 – 2016.

  • Volunteer Attorney, Advocates for Human Rights.

  • Volunteer Attorney, Mid-Minnesota Legal Assistance.

  • Volunteer Attorney, Volunteer Lawyers’ Network.

  • Volunteer Attorney, Immigration Law Center of Minnesota.

  • Member, Minnesota Women Lawyers, 2007 – 2019.

  • Member, YWCA Public Policy Committee, 2007 – 2012.

 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • Super Lawyers, 2021-2023.

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), National President’s Commendation, 2023.

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), National Advocacy Award, 2016.

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), National Platinum Award for Chapter Excellence, 2016 (Awarded to the Minnesota-Dakotas AILA Chapter for Sandra’s year as Chapter Chair).

  • Super Lawyers: “Top Female Attorney in Minnesota,” 2014 – 2017.

  • Super Lawyers: “Top Rated Immigration Attorney in Minneapolis, MN,” 2016 – Present.

  • Super Lawyers: “Rising Star,” 2013-2017.

 

Professional Engagements

PRESENTATIONS

PUBLICATIONS

IN THE MEDIA

M.N. – Boston, Massachusetts
"Sandra’s deep knowledge on immigration law is only matched by her responsiveness and accessibility. I highly recommend her for any immigration issues."

Call 

612-353-5530

Email 

sfeist@feistlaw.com

Social

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