After graduating with high honors in Hispanic Studies from the University of Texas in Austin, and studying at the University of Alcala in Spain, Alison Hall Sundby decided to pursue her passion of working with individuals from other cultures. She gained valuable experience by working at law firms in Spain and Argentina, and by teaching English at the University of Concepcion in Chile where she was awarded the certificate of excellence by the Chilean Department of Educational Affairs. In Oregon, Alison has also taught English for Spanish speakers at Chemeketa Community College. In 2010, Alison joined the law firm of Hecht & Norman, LLP.

Alison has personal experience with foreign nationals’ dreams to relocate to the United States. her mother is British, and her husband came from Norway in order to realize the dream of owning his own business. Alison became interested in a career in Immigration Law when she attended the University of Colorado School of Law and worked as an intern for local non-profits advocating for immigrant rights. During law school, Alison worked as a Teacher’s Assistant for the Legal Writing Department, served as a Spanish translator, and was active in student groups such as the Latin American Law Student Association, and the Native American Law Student Association and Clinic. She also clerked for the Honorable Judge Cordova and the Honorable Judge Livingston at the EOIR Immigration Court in Denver. Alison frequently volunteers as an attorney at citizenship drives across the state of Oregon. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, helping with her family’s biodynamic winemaking business, and traveling.

Work Experience

• Hecht & Norman, LLP, Immigration Attorney 2010-Present.

• Chemeketa Community College, English Instructor 2009-2010.

• Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, Legal Intern 2008.

• Immigrant Legal Center of Boulder County, Legal Extern 2007.

• Qwest, Summer Law Associate 2007.

• Estudio Chouela (Buenos Aires, Argentina), Legal Intern 2006.

• University of Concepcion (Concepcion, Chile), English Instructor 2005.

• Fulbright 7 Jaworski, LLP, Law Clerk 2003-2005.

• Fernando Scornik Gerstein International Law Firm (Las Palmas, Spain), Summer Law Clerk 2002.

Education

• University of Colorado Law School, JD, 2009.

• University of Texas at Austin, B.A. Spanish (Hispanic Studies), High Honors, 2002.

• University of Texas at Austin Certificate from Business Foundations Program, 2002.

• University of Alcala (Madrid, Spain), 2000-2001.

Awards

• Certificate of Excellence in Teaching from the Direccion de Docencia, Chile (Department of Educational Affairs).

• University of Colorado Law School Don Sears Scholarship, Donald Stubbs Scholarship, tommy Gosser Award, and Pro-bono Award.

Admissions

• Oregon Supreme Court.

• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Professional Affiliations and Community Activities

• American Immigration Lawyers Association.

• Oregon State Bar.

• CAUSA Volunteer (Citizenship Drives and “Know Your Rights” Presentations).

• SOAR Volunteer (Citizenship Drives).

• English Language Tutor.

Languages

• English (Fluent)

• Spanish (Fluent)