Headshot of Elaine Kimbrell

Elaine Kimbrell

Biography

Elaine Kimbrell is the Owner and Managing Attorney of Ware | Immigration. She graduated with a Bachelor's in International Affairs from the George Washington University in 2000 and earned her J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans in 2005. While pursuing her law degree, Elaine was a member of the Maritime Law Journal and participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Elaine first discovered her passion for the field of immigration while serving as a constituent services representative for U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu. 

Elaine joined Ware | Immigration in 2006 as an associate attorney with a diverse practice area initially focusing on family-based cases. Shortly after, her focus transitioned to employment-based immigration specializing in nonimmigrant visas. In this role she advises universities and private employers on immigration options for their employees. These industries include healthcare, public utilities, oil and gas and accounting. Elaine enjoys helping U.S. employers bring talented professionals from all over the world to help serve their business needs. 

In 2023, Elaine took over as the sole owner and manager of Ware | Immigration earning the firm a distinction of WBENC-Certified Women's Business Enterprises. She is devoted to continuing the legacy of excellent customer service and comprehensive legal solutions for clients. 

Elaine is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and is a past Chair of AILA's Midsouth section. She is also an active member of NAFSA and a frequent presenter on a wide range of immigration topics. 

Elaine lives in New Orleans with her husband, Brian, and their two sons. When not practicing law, you can find Elaine at local music festivals or on the baseball sidelines cheering for her boys.

Education

  • Loyola University New Orleans School of Law, New Orleans, Louisiana
    • J.D. – 2005
    • Honors: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
    • Honors: International Law Certificate
    • Honors: Recipient, Dr. and Mrs. Jack Andonie Endowed Scholarship for Law
    • Honors: Recipient, Warren E. Mouledoux Professional Responsibility Award
  • George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia
    • B.A. – 2000
    • Honors: cum laude
    • Major: International Affairs
  • Institute for European Studies, Paris
    • 1999

Bar Admissions

  • Louisiana, 2005
  • U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana, 2008

Professional Associations

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association, Member
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association's Midsouth section, Vice-Chair
  • AILA Mid-South Chapter, Secretary
  • American Immigration Lawyers Association's Midsouth section, Past Chair
  • Women’s Leadership Academy, Loyola University
  • NAFSA: Association of International Educators
  • Federal Bar Association

Honors

  • Super Lawyers® Louisiana Rising Star in Immigration Law
  • New Orleans Magazine Best Lawyers

Classes & Seminars

  • Co-Presenter, My Friend Told Me, NAFSA Region II & IV Bi-Regional Conference, Omaha, Nebraska
  • Co-Presenter, Working in the U.S. and Pathways to USC, NAFSA Region III Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Co-Presenter, When Good Students Go Bad, NAFSA Webinar
  • Co-Presenter, Working with U.S. Congress and State Legislatures: Advocacy and Assistance, NAFSA Annual Conference, Kansas City
  • Co-Presenter, Travel and Visa Applications: The Basics and the Latest, NAFSA Region II Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • Co-Presenter, When Good Students Go Bad, NAFSA Annual Conference, Los Angeles, California
  • Co-Presenter, CSI-Critical Services for Internationals: Countries Healing from Trauma, NAFSA Annual Conference, Los Angeles, California
  • Presenter, iCert Update, AILA Mid-South Annual Conference, Memphis, TN
  • Co-Presenter, Avoiding the H-1B Cap; Alternatives to H Status, AILA Mid-South Annual Conference
  • Presenter, Travel and Visa Applications: The Basics and the Latest, Bi-annual meeting, Meridian, MS, Mississippi Association of International Educators
  • Co-Presenter, Trends in Student Immigration Advising and SEVIS/F-1 Updates, Bi-Annual meeting, Jackson, Mississippi, Mississippi Association of International Educators
  • Presenter, My Friend Told Me and Immigration in Troubled Times: What You Need to Know, Bi-Annual meeting, Mississippi Association of International Educators
  • Presenter, H-1B and Permanent Residency Workshops, Georgia Tech
  • Presenter, Guide to Post-Graduation Work Authorization for International Students Location, University of W. Georgia
  • Presenter, Beyond OPT, University of Alabama at Huntsville
  • Presenter, Immigration Update, Miami Dade Community College
  • Presenter, H-1B and Permanent Residency Workshops, Florida International University
  • Presenter, Immigration Workshop, Florida Atlantic University
  • Presenter, Overview of Immigration Law For Non Practitioners, New Orleans Bar Association
  • Presenter, Immigration Update for Employers, Fundamentals of Employment Law, Sterling Education Services, Pensacola, FL
  • Presenter, Immigration: Legal Compliance in the Age of E-Verify and Worksite Enforcement, CUPA – Western Region
  • Presenter, Petitioning for Foreign Nationals – Non-Immigrant Visas, Lorman Education Services, Gulfport, MS
  • Presenter, Avoiding Immigration Regulations’ Fines and Sanctions, Walking the Line: Contracting and Construction Law In Louisiana, Sterling Education Services, New Orleans, LA
  • Presenter, Immigration Update for Employers, Employment Law from A to Z, Lorman Education Services
  • Presenter, Beyond I-9 Compliance, Lorman Education Services, New Orleans
  • Presenter, H-1B and Alternatives, NACE
  • Presenter, The Immigration Reform Bill, Professional Access and Equity Committee, 6th Annual Multicultural Conference, UNC Wilmington
Family photo of Elaine Kimbrell