Donusia L Lipinski, Attorney
“The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change, the way I see it, is service to a fellow human being”
Lech Walesa
Poland
How It Began
Myrtle Beach Immigration Law Office is located in Myrtle Beach, SC and was opened by Donusia L. Lipinski in November, 2015. Here is her story:
I have served my clients zealously from all over the world for over 33 years. I am a passionate, creative, competent, and compassionate advocate who works with immigrants and businesses to find the best solutions to meet their needs. I moved to Myrtle Beach to fulfill a dream of living by the ocean and to serve those in need of my services. In return, my life has been enriched by the courage and strength of the people and businesses who struggle to make this community stronger.
• • •
I was born in a small town in Wisconsin. I received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at the University of Minnesota; taught at a private school in Monterrey, Mexico, worked as an Auto Worker for Ford Motor Company; was actively involved in the UAW; and went to Law School at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, California, where I earned my Juris Doctor in 1983. I speak Spanish and English. I am licensed to practice law in Colorado and in California. My practice is limited exclusively to Federal Immigration Law. I am fluent in Spanish.
I am passionate about the work I do and am a strong advocate for my clients. I opened Myrtle Beach Immigration Law Office in South Carolina, to serve people all over the world, in South Carolina, and locally in the Grand Strand from Little River to Georgetown and all areas in Horry County, including Conway, Surfside, Murrells Inlet, and Pawleys Island. Immigration by its very nature is international and Myrtle Beach Immigration Law Office works with her international clients remotely.
Current Practice
My practice is limited to immigration law, which is governed by federal, not state law. To practice federal immigration law, a lawyer needs to be licensed to practice law and be a member in good standing in the state bar in which they are licensed. I am licensed to practice law in Colorado (Colorado License # 16445) and California (currently on inactive status Bar # 122925)
On a personal note: I was born in Wisconsin. All my grandparents were born in Poland. At birth, I was given the name Donna Leona Lipinski. ‘Donna” is a beautiful name but for some reason, it did not feel like it fit me. It felt like I was wearing someone else’s coat. When I was little, my parents, but especially my dad, would call me “Donusia” which is the diminutive of Donna in Polish. It was always said with so much love and affection and in 2011, after I moved to Virginia, I legally changed my name to Donusia. It feels right and when I hear my name being called, I am instantly connected to the love and affection I felt from my parents and my six siblings.
The Early Days
Before coming to Myrtle Beach, I owned and operated Blue Ridge Immigration Law Center in Warrenton, Virginia. I was honored to be chosen for the cover of the 2013 Piedmont Business Journal’s Fourth Annual issue of “20 Women to Watch”. The editor said I was chosen because I am a ‘believer in compassion, cooperation.” My photo was chosen to be the cover because ‘she represents so many of the reasons why we do an annual Women to Watch issue.” View the complete article here for a more detailed biographical history of who I am and how I chose Warrenton, Virginia to call home.
Awards & Recognition
Over the years, I have received several local and national awards for my advocacy. In 2006, I received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, for my “endless advocacy and constant dedication to the cause of immigrant rights.” In 2004, I was awarded the Annual AILA Advocacy Award; and in 2001, I was honored with the AILA President’s Award for my ‘Dedication, Devotion and Perseverance as Essential Worker Committee Co-Chair”.
I am an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) www.aila.org** a national organization of 13,000 immigration lawyers and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. I was elected to two terms on AILA’s Board of Governors for 6 years and as a Trustee for the American Immigration Council for one year. I subsequently worked at AILA’s national office, headquartered in Washington, DC, as the Associate Director of Advocacy on Family and Due process issues.
I was in private practice and had my own law firm from 1996 until 2006 when I moved to Washington DC. Prior to 2006, I learned from some of the best immigration lawyers both in San Francisco and Colorado.
I have served as a faculty member at numerous immigration law conferences nationally, sponsored by AILA, most recently on the importance of heart-centered lawyering; and have co-authored numerous articles on immigration-related topics, regarding H-2A agricultural and H-2B temporary, non-agricultural visas.
I am a frequent speaker on the pitfalls of our current immigration system.