Lauren Sigg

Lauren M. Sigg

(she/her/hers)

Partner

Lauren M. Sigg

(she/her/hers)

Partner

  • Overview

    Biography

    Lauren Sigg practices in the area of U.S. immigration law, and she focuses on business immigration. She is a member of the firm’s Immigration Group.

    General Corporate Immigration

    Lauren helps multinational companies, organizations, and institutions staff their U.S. offices by obtaining appropriate immigration status for their employees. She represents a range of clients, such as manufacturing and technology companies, hospitals, and academic institutions. Lauren's assistance allows clients to retain valuable key business people, scientists, researchers, and other professionals, as she helps them obtain both temporary and permanent immigration status. While her practice includes all business-related nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions, she focuses on applications for Labor Certification, complex H-1B petitions, petitions for outstanding researchers and individuals with extraordinary ability, and naturalization matters. Lauren is a Six Sigma Green Belt.

    Immigration for “Cap-Exempt” Entities (Institutions of Higher Education, and Certain Other Non-Profit Organizations)

    Lauren represents colleges and universities with regard to their immigration needs, including filing cap-exempt H-1B petitions, providing advice regarding J-1 issues, and preparing/filing special handling green card cases. She also works with entities affiliated with institutions of higher education, including hospitals and health centers. Lauren has prepared and filed applications to waive the two year home residency requirement for physicians in both Massachusetts and Connecticut, which allows clients to attract and retain top talent.

    Employment Eligibility – Verification and Compliance

    Lauren counsels employers on the Immigration Reform and Control Act and all requirements for employment verification and documentation, I-9 form matters, and E-Verify. She provides advice and training regarding I-9 obligations, and has assisted with questions arising during I-9 audits completed both internally and based on government requests.

    Export Control

    Lauren also provides advice and guidance regarding import/export control issues and regulations, including compliance and enforcement issues. She advises clients on compliance with trade regulations, including Export Administration Regulations (EAR), provides clients with classification counseling, and assists them with I-129 certifications for immigration, compliance programs and training.

    Pro Bono

    Lauren is committed to doing pro bono work, and regularly assists those in need of immigration-related assistance. She recently assisted with filing an extraordinary ability petition for a professor, who is also seeking asylum in the U.S. She also helped a ballet school with its application to bring foreign students to the United States. She routinely has assisted with filing special immigrant juvenile petitions, to allow these juveniles to obtain U.S. permanent resident status. Lauren serves as a member of the Hartford Advisory Board for the Pro Bono Partnership. 

    Lauren has been listed as a Rising Star in Connecticut Super Lawyers® from 2013 to 2018. A frequent author on pressing topics in immigration law, she most recently co-authored "The H-1B Quagmire: Colleges and Universities Develop Programs to Combat H-1B Gridlock," and "Foreign-Born Entrepreneurs Have Visa Options," both published in the Connecticut Law Tribune.

     

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

      • Enable biotechnology companies, educational institutions, and hospitals to retain valuable scientists, researchers, chemists, and professors by obtaining both temporary and permanent immigration status, including preparing Outstanding Researchers, Outstanding Professor, and Extraordinary Ability petitions.

      • Apply for and obtain permanent resident status for employees through the Alien Labor Certification process through the U.S. Department of Labor’s PERM system.

      • Successfully assisted German and Mexican-owned companies in their efforts to bring employees to the United States in E-2 status as managers and essential workers.

      • Helped hospitals and health centers in Massachusetts and Connecticut obtain Conrad 30 waivers of the two year home residency requirement for physicians, to allow the physicians to stay and work in the United States in medically underserved locations.

      • Assisted with filing J-1 applications through a Department of State designated entity to allow foreign nationals to come to the U.S. for training or internships. 

    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      Selected as a Rising Star to the Connecticut Super Lawyers list from 2013 to 2018.

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      Pro Bono Partnership
      Hartford Advisory Board

      Interval House
      Board of Directors
      Chair of Governance Committee
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "Constructing a Successful Workforce: Hiring and Retaining Foreign National Engineers," co-authored with Megan R. Naughton, published in the December newsletter of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (December 2022)
      • » more info

        • Constructing a Successful Workforce: Hiring and Retaining Foreign National Engineers

        "Constructing a Successful Workforce: Hiring and Retaining Foreign National Engineers," co-authored by Lauren M. Sigg and Megan R. Naughton, published in the December newsletter of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (December 2022)

        Civil engineering firms continue to seek to benefit from the technical skills and varied experiences of a broader array of non-U.S. citizen job candidates. The article discusses current legal options for expanding the professional employee pipeline in the civil engineering sector through taking advantage of opportunities to hire and retain foreign national engineers and students on a temporary (non-immigrant) or permanent (immigrant) basis. To read the article, click here. 


      "Hiring and Retaining Talent: Immigration for Educational Institutions," co-authored with Megan R. Naughton, published in University Business (9/23/2022)
      • » more info

        • Hiring and Retaining Talent: Immigration for Educational Institutions

        "Hiring and Retaining Talent: Immigration for Educational Institutions," co-authored by Lauren M. Sigg and Megan R. Naughton, published in University Business (9/23/2022)

        Recognizing that many institutions of higher education recruit talented faculty from around the world, the authors discuss a number of the most common nonimmigrant and immigrant options for colleges and universities, along with some considerations when determining and selecting the correct category. Among the options mentioned are the H-1B visa category – the most common nonimmigrant visa category for institutions of higher education – and the J-1 category, which allows foreign nationals to come to the U.S. temporarily and is commonly used in higher education for research scholars and professors.


      "The H-1B Quagmire: Colleges and Universities Develop Programs to Combat H-1B Gridlock," published in Connecticut Law Tribune, co-authored with Megan R. Naughton (10/21/2016)

      "Foreign-Born Entrepreneurs Have Visa Options," published in Connecticut Law Tribune, co-authored with Joshua S. Mirer and Megan R. Naughton (10/27/2014)

      "Employment And Immigration Law: The Annual Immigration Gold Rush," published in Connecticut Law Tribune, co-authored with Megan R. Naughton and Joshua S. Mirer (1/23/2014)

      "Maintaining A Green Card While Working Abroad," published in Connecticut Law Tribune, co-authored with Megan R. Naughton (10/18/2013)

      "Doctors Can Clear Immigration Hurdles," published in Connecticut Law Tribune (10/19/2012)

    • Presentations

      Presentations

      "Expanding the Civil Engineering Pipeline: Hiring non-U.S. Citizen Engineers and Students," co-presented with Megan R. Naughton, sponsored by the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (1/19/2023)
      • » more info

        • Expanding the Civil Engineering Pipeline: Hiring non-U.S. Citizen Engineers and Students

        "Expanding the Civil Engineering Pipeline: Hiring non-U.S. Citizen Engineers and Students," co-presented by Megan R. Naughton and Lauren M. Sigg, sponsored by the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee of the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section (1/19/2023)

        Civil engineering firms continue to seek to benefit from the technical skills and varied experiences of a broader array of non-U.S. citizen job candidates. The webinar discussed current legal options for expanding the professional employee pipeline in the civil engineering sector through taking advantage of opportunities to hire and retain foreign national engineers and students on a temporary (non-immigrant) or permanent (immigrant) basis.


      "Hiring and Retaining Talent: Immigration Best Practices for Educational Institutions," as an R+C-hosted webinar (8/9/2022)
      • » more info

        • Hiring and Retaining Talent: Immigration Best Practices for Educational Institutions

        "Hiring and Retaining Talent: Immigration Best Practices for Educational Institutions," presented by Lauren M. Sigg, as an R+C-hosted webinar (8/9/2022)
        The webinar discussed best practices when hiring and retaining talent from outside the U.S. The presentation covered relevant non-immigrant categories and green card options and processes use by colleges and universities, including some of the benefits and drawbacks of each category.

      "Immigration Strategies for Homecare and Hospice—State of the Market," co-presented with Leslie J. Levinson, during the R+C-hosted program (7/27/2022)
      • » more info

        • Immigration Strategies for Homecare and Hospice—State of the Market

        "Immigration Strategies for Homecare and Hospice—State of the Market," co-presented by Leslie J. Levinson and Lauren M. Sigg, during the R+C-hosted program (7/27/2022)

        The presenters discussed the current state of immigration law as it affects homecare and hospice workforces such as nurses, aides, and therapists. The program addressed relevant non-immigrant and immigrant visa categories, including country-specific options and their limitations, and prospects for legislative or regulatory change in both the short and longer term. Participation and questions from the audience were encouraged.


      "As the Ball Drops: Key HR Considerations, including Connecticut’s New Employment Laws and a Special Update on I-9 Compliance for Remote Workplaces," co-presented with Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Rachel V. Kushel and Abby M. Warren, an R+C-hosted webinar (12/13/2021)
      • » more info

        • As the Ball Drops: Key HR Considerations, including Connecticut’s New Employment Laws and a Special Update on I-9 Compliance for Remote Workplaces

        "As the Ball Drops: Key HR Considerations, including Connecticut’s New Employment Laws and a Special Update on I-9 Compliance for Remote Workplaces," co-presented by Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson, Lauren M. Sigg, Rachel V. Kushel and Abby M. Warren, an R+C-hosted webinar (12/13/2021)

        As employers across Connecticut look toward the coming year and prepare their workplaces to meet the challenges and opportunities that will arise, this program focused on important legal developments that could affect Connecticut workplaces and practical tips and advice for complying with those changes. The discussion included state and federal laws, including wage disclosure obligations, recreational marijuana, and employer provisions going into effect in July 2022; Connecticut’s Family and Medical Leave Act, including paid leave; the status of the various COVID-19 vaccine mandates; and other topics. The webinar also featured a special segment on compliance with Form I-9 requirements in the remote workplace. Attendees were encouraged to submit questions.


      "Education Roundtable: Complying with Immigration and Export Control Regulations with International Students and Staff," co-presented with Kathleen M. Porter, an R+C-hosted webinar (10/28/2021)
      • » more info

        • Education Roundtable: Complying with Immigration and Export Control Regulations with International Students and Staff

        "Education Roundtable: Complying with Immigration and Export Control Regulations with International Students and Staff," co-presented by Kathleen M. Porter and Lauren M. Sigg, an R+C-hosted webinar (10/28/2021)

        The webinar discussed considerations for colleges and universities employing foreign nationals as well as some common non-immigrant categories that allow foreign nationals to work temporarily in the U.S., as well as green card options that permit employees to remain in the U.S. permanently. The program also addressed export control considerations and best practices, including deemed export control issues.


      "The Trump Hangover: Takeaways and the Continuing Repercussions," to the Connecticut chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (1/21/2021)
      • » more info

        • The Trump Hangover: Takeaways and the Continuing Repercussions

        "The Trump Hangover: Takeaways and the Continuing Repercussions," presented by Lauren M. Sigg, to the Connecticut chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (1/21/2021)

        Immigration Group member, Lauren Sigg, co-presented the program "The Trump Hangover: Takeaways and the Continuing Repercussions” to the Connecticut chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association on January 21, 2021. The virtual presentation offered an overview of policies, executive orders and regulations implemented by the Trump administration that will continue to impact corporate immigration clients during the transition to the Biden administration.


      "Compliance Issues When Employing Foreign National Employees or Contractors," co-presented with Megan R. Naughton, web conference hosted by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) (5/8/2018)
      • » more info

        • Compliance Issues When Employing Foreign National Employees or Contractors

        "Compliance Issues When Employing Foreign National Employees or Contractors," co-presented by Megan R. Naughton and Lauren M. Sigg, web conference hosted by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE) (5/8/2018)

        The 90-minute web conference, hosted by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE), focused on the risks associated with employing foreign nationals directly or receiving their services through contractors, including highlighting potential work authorization and export control issues. Ms. Naughton and Ms. Sigg reviewed the Form I-9 requirements, discussed trends in government audits/compliance - including site visits and government inquiries - and provided best practices to follow when faced with a government request.


      "Current Real Estate Issues and Trends," co-presented with Michele L. Maresca and George W. Watson III, co-moderator of monthly webinar series sponsored by the Connecticut Chapter of the Counselors of Real Estate and the University of Connecticut Center for Real Estate and Urban Economic Studies (2010-2012)

      "Clean Water Act Update: Storm Water Permitting, Enforcement, and TMDLs," co-presented with Michele L. Maresca and George W. Watson III, Environmental and Utilities Practice Group Roundtable (2009)

    • News

      R+C in the News

      • October 6, 2022

        Lauren Sigg and Megan Naughton Author University Business Article on Hiring and Retaining International Talent

        • » more info

          Lauren Sigg and Megan Naughton Author University Business Article on Hiring and Retaining International Talent

          Immigration Group co-chair Megan Naughton and Partner Lauren Sigg co-authored the article, “Hiring and retaining talent: Immigration for educational institutions,” published in University Business on September 23, 2022. Recognizing that many institutions of higher education recruit talented faculty from around the world, the authors discuss a number of the most common nonimmigrant and immigrant options for colleges and universities, along with some considerations when determining and selecting the correct category. Among the options mentioned are the H-1B visa category – the most common nonimmigrant visa category for institutions of higher education – and the J-1 category, which allows foreign nationals to come to the U.S. temporarily and is commonly used in higher education for research scholars and professors. Read the article.

        • View article
      • April 19, 2022

        Robinson+Cole “Makes Its Mark” with Pro Bono Partnership 25th Anniversary Pledge

        • » more info

          Robinson+Cole “Makes Its Mark” with Pro Bono Partnership 25th Anniversary Pledge

          Robinson+Cole is proud to affirm its continuing commitment as a program participant and financial supporter of the Pro Bono Partnership, which offers business and transactional legal services to nonprofits, as the organization celebrates its 25th Anniversary by launching the “Make Your Mark” Pledge (PBP25 Pledge). Robinson+Cole and other pledging firms can achieve the volunteer initiative’s goal in one of three ways: logging 25 total volunteer hours on Partnership matters; having 25 volunteers who work on Partnership matters; or an individual volunteer working on 25 or more Partnership matters in 2022. Read more about the PBP25 Pledge.

          Since its founding in 1997, the Pro Bono Partnership has assisted more than 4,000 nonprofits in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York on over 19,000 legal matters. These efforts have helped the Partnership’s clients more effectively serve their constituencies and communities, providing essential programs that feed the hungry, house the homeless, promote the arts, and protect the environment.

          Robinson+Cole is proud to be a key sustaining ally in this critical work and thanks each of the dedicated volunteers who give their time and talents to offer crucial legal support. The firm currently has 50 percent of its lawyers logging some manner of pro bono hours as well as paralegals who receive billable hour credit for their pro bono work, underscoring Robinson+Cole’s longstanding commitment to this important contribution to the communities it serves. For nearly 15 years, the Partnership’s Hartford program resided within Robinson+Cole’s downtown Hartford offices. In addition, firm Partner Lauren Sigg serves as a member of its Hartford Advisory Board.

        • View article
      • October 18, 2018

        51 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

        • » more info

          51 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

          A total of 51 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2018. In addition, 32 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas. An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here. View the list of recognized attorneys and their areas of practice.

        • View article
      • May 23, 2018

        Megan Naughton and Lauren Sigg Offer Insights on Foreign National Compliance Issues

        • » more info

          Megan Naughton and Lauren Sigg Offer Insights on Foreign National Compliance Issues

          Immigration Group lawyers Megan R. Naughton and Lauren M. Sigg presented a program on "Compliance Issues When Employing Foreign National Employees or Contractors" on May 8, 2018. The 90-minute web conference, hosted  by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE), focused on the risks associated with employing foreign nationals directly or receiving their services through contractors, including highlighting potential work authorization and export control issues. Ms. Naughton and Ms. Sigg reviewed the Form I-9 requirements, discussed trends in government audits/compliance - including site visits and government inquiries - and provided best practices to follow when faced with a government request.

      • June 13, 2014

        Hartford Lawyers Promote AILA Immigration Contest

        • » more info

          Hartford Lawyers Promote AILA Immigration Contest

          In local sites around the country, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) sponsored the 17 Annual Celebrate America Fifth Grade Creative Writing Contest, whose 2014 theme was "Why I Am Glad America Is a Nation of Immigrants." The contest encourages fifth graders to submit written works (essays, poems, and stories) that reflect the theme. Serving as contest coordinator in Connecticut, immigration lawyer Lauren M. Sigg organized the efforts of AILA members to give presentations in several Connecticut fifth grade classrooms, coordinated contest submissions across the state, and organized the evaluations of the submissions. At Duffy Elementary in West Hartford, immigration lawyer Megan R. Naughton discussed the role that immigration has played in shaping our society. Charlie Krajc, a student from Duffy, won Connecticut's first place prize. His essay underscored the hope and bravery of immigrants coming to the United States. Although Charlie did not win the national contest, he and the other Connecticut finalists received gift certificates and were invited to attend and participate in a naturalization ceremony in Hartford on June 6, 2014.

          Please click here to view the West Hartford News article on the contest.

           

      • November 20, 2013

        R&C Lawyers Write Article for Connecticut Law Tribune

        • » more info

          R&C Lawyers Write Article for Connecticut Law Tribune

          Immigration lawyers Lauren M. Sigg and Megan R. Naughton authored the article "Maintaining a Green Card While Working Abroad," published by the Connecticut Law Tribune on October 21, 2013. The article focuses on why permanent residents temporarily leaving the country need to plan ahead and specifically covers the areas of abandoning a green card, keeping a green card, and dealing with family concerns. Please click here to view the article.
      • March 8, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorneys Author Chapter in Global Climate Change Special Pamphlet Series

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          Robinson & Cole Attorneys Author Chapter in Global Climate Change Special Pamphlet Series

          Environmental and Utilities attorneys Earl W. Phillips, Jr., Kirstin M. Etela, Brian C. Freeman, and Lauren M. Vinokur have coauthored a treatise on "Cap-and-Trade: Law and Economics," published by LexisNexis and the American College of Environmental Lawyers. This treatise is the third in a series of ten chapters in the “LexisNexis Global Climate Change Special Pamphlet Series.” The series will address ten topics on federal and state regulatory developments in climate change law, including the regulation of greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, disclosure requirements for public companies under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, and Renewable Portfolio Standards.

      R+C News Releases

      • December 8, 2021

        Robinson+Cole Elects New Partners and Counsel

      • November 27, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Promotes Eight Lawyers to Counsel

      • October 17, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

        • » more info

          Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

          A total of 56 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2017. The Super Lawyers® designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.

          In addition, 29 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here.

          See the list of included lawyers in the news release.

        • View article
      • October 18, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

        • » more info

          Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

          A total of 51 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2016. The Super Lawyers® designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.

          In addition, 23 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” An explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology can be found here.

          See the list of included lawyers in the news release.

        • View article
      • October 19, 2015

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

        • » more info

          Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

          A total of 54 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island for 2015. The Super Lawyers designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.
          In addition, 21 attorneys at the firm were recognized as “Rising Stars.” Read an explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology here. See the list of included lawyers in the news release.

        • View article
      • October 17, 2014

        Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers

        • » more info

          Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers

          A total of 54 Robinson+Cole attorneys were named Super Lawyers® in the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York for 2014.The Super Lawyers® designation is based on regional balloting by attorneys, third-party research, and a peer review process encompassing myriad practice areas.

          In addition, 21 attorneys at the firm were recognized as "Rising Stars." Read an explanation of the Super Lawyers methodology here.

          To see the recognized attorneys and their areas of practice, click here.

        • View article
      • May 7, 2012

        R&C Associates Spend Happy Hour with First Lady Cathy Malloy

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          R&C Associates Spend Happy Hour with First Lady Cathy Malloy

          Cathy Malloy, chief executive officer of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, poses in the 100 Peal Street Gallery with associates from Robinson & Cole LLP on April 11, 2012. The event was sponsored by Robinson & Cole's Associates Council, chaired by labor and employment attorney Britt-Marie K. Cole-Johnson.
        • View article