McEntee Law Group Celebrates Nominations for 2026 Immie Awards

Dream Team

We are immensely proud to announce that two of our amazing immigration attorneys have been nominated for a 2026 Immie award.  

The Immies are national awards, presented by The Build Fellowship. Across ten categories, nominee immigration lawyers, paralegals and other advocates are honored for their "... innovation, resilience, advocacy, and leadership...” in the immigration legal sector.

McEntee Law Group (MLG) Partner James Hollis’ Thought Leader of the Year nomination recognizes his impact in progressing the immigration field through his written work, public engagement and advocacy.

MLG Senior Attorney, Irene Lee, also earned a nomination in the Associate of the Year category, which “celebrates the next generation” of immigration law leaders.  

Dedicated Practices Serving Global Talent and Businesses  

James joined MLG, in 2025, as Head of our nationally recognized Sports, Entertainment & Business Immigration Division.  

His practice focuses on developing successful case strategies in highly discretionary visa categories including O-1, P-1, EB-1, EB-2 NIW visas / green cards. He has built a strong reputation in his work advising entrepreneurs, professionals and talent workers in the sports and entertainment arenas.

MLG also welcomed Irene in 2025, and she is now a key member of our business immigration team. She advises companies ranging from emerging startups to industry-leading corporations, helping them to develop strategic and compliance-driven immigration programs. Having worked for many years in the Bay Area, she has also developed a particular interest in using technology to advance immigration legal practice.  

Beyond Casework: Contributions That Shape Immigration Law

MLG is an immigrant-founded firm and a prominent voice in the legal community, and we have garnered acclaim for our influential advocacy work. Our Founding Partner, Fiona McEntee, has been featured by major media outlets including CNN, MSNBC, BBC, and The New York Times.

Continuing this tradition, James and Irene’s support for the immigration law community stretches far beyond their client representation. They are regular educational content creators on MLG’s own media channels and deliver presentations to university and professional audiences - helping them to navigate the increasingly complex immigration landscape.

James is a trusted authority on immigration matters and has been quoted in notable publications, such as Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal. His Consular Update newsletter, in which he provides updates and vital insight on U.S. visa processing, has a significant industry following.  

In a former life James served as a Lecturer in Business Immigration Law at the Catholic University School of Law in Washington, D.C., helping educate the next generation of immigration lawyers.

How to Show Your Support for the Nominees

James and Irene’s nominations underscore the growing importance of thought leadership in and tireless commitment to the immigration field. Our attorneys do not just advocate for their clients, they educate the public, mentor peers, and help shape the future of the profession.

The 2026 Immie Awards ceremony will take place during the AILA National Conference in San Diego on June 17, where winners across multiple categories will be announced.  

Vote for James here: https://buildfellowship.com/immies-2026/nominee/james-hollis  
Vote for Irene here: https://buildfellowship.com/immies-2026/nominee/irene-lee