Leann Forbes

Leann D. Forbes, Esq. is a New York and New Jersey admitted immigration attorney with extensive experience representing individuals, families, professionals, and entrepreneurs in U.S. immigration matters. Her practice encompasses family-based and employment-based immigration, humanitarian relief, adjustment of status, naturalization, and removal defense. She has handled complex cases involving asylum, cancellation of removal, VAWA, U visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and high-level employment petitions including H-1B, O-1, EB-1, and EB-2 National Interest Waiver filings.

Leann’s immigration expertise was developed across a range of legal settings, including small and international law firms, a multinational professional services firm, and corporate immigration teams supporting Fortune 200 employers. She has managed high-volume caseloads, responded to Requests for Evidence, and led immigration processing teams, consistently delivering strategic and compliant solutions in high-stakes matters.

A dedicated advocate for immigrant and human rights communities, Leann has maintained a Human Rights Initiative for over a decade and serves as a pro bono attorney with Unchained At Last, representing survivors of forced and arranged marriages in immigration proceedings. Her work has resulted in life-changing legal status for vulnerable clients and has supported broader legislative reform efforts.

Born in Trinidad and Tobago and raised between the Caribbean, New York City, and New Jersey, Leann brings a global perspective and personal understanding of cross-border immigration challenges to her practice. She earned her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law, completed advanced studies in Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University Washington College of Law, and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2023 to 2026.