Jennifer Cory

Partner, Immigration Solutions

t: +1 704.350.6337
e: jennifer.cory@wbd-us.com
Charlotte, NC, US
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As the leader of Womble Bond Dickinson’s Immigration Solutions practice group, Jennifer Cory uses her vast experience of over two (2) decades to navigate the complexities of United States immigration law. Jennifer designs efficient, effective visa strategies for her clients, who include educators, entrepreneurs, executives, innovators, and investors in key industry sectors such as academia, automotive, financial, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and technology. Her comprehensive guidance ensures that companies and individuals alike understand and comply with the web of multiple and often confusing regulations that govern the authorized employment and status of non-citizens.

Jennifer’s clients contribute to all aspects of everyday life. They develop and manufacture versatile and cutting-edge products used in our homes, vehicles, and work environments, conduct research and development that ensures the safety of the prescriptions that keep us healthy and train the minds of the next generation of globally-oriented citizens.

Certified as a Specialist in Immigration Law by the North Carolina State Bar, included in Best Lawyers in America in the field of Immigration Law, and listed in Who’s Who Legal for Corporate Immigration, Jennifer is a locally, nationally, and globally recognized expert. Jennifer graduated from Hollins College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and French. She completed her Juris Doctor at Stetson University College of Law.

Jeff Widdison

Counsel, Immigration Solutions

t: +1 704.444.2950
e: jeff.widdison@wbd-us.com
Charlotte, NC, US
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Jeff Widdison is an immigration attorney that represents clients in employment-based permanent residency cases, consular processing, nonimmigrant visa applications, naturalizations, family-based filings, administrative appeals to the AAO and BIA, employer sanctions, petitions for review with U.S. Circuit Courts, mandamus and APA causes of action filings with U.S. District Courts, and has a wealth of experience in representing clients with removal defense. He has been recognized as a Board Certified Immigration Specialist in Immigration Law by the North Carolina State Bar since 2012.

He previously worked for the US Department of Justice/Executive Office for Immigration Review. In that role he assisted Immigration Judges of the Denver, Salt Lake City, and Newark Immigration Courts in adjudicating removal proceedings and deciding the merits of claims of relief from removal such as asylum and adjustment of status.

Jeff frequently speaks both nationally and at local events on subjects of immigration law.

Margaret “Carr” Hughes

Director of Operations/Immigration Team Lead

t: +1 704.350.6390
e: carr.hughes@wbd-us.com

Carr Duncan graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Affairs. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in Higher Education from the University of Arizona. Carr possesses over twenty (20) years of immigration law experience and for over a decade managed the immigration program for a large financial institution. Currently, Carr coordinates and implements the team’s operating systems and processes.

Sherry Fuertes

Senior Immigration Paralegal

t: +1 704.444.2947
e: sherry.fuertes@wbd-us.com

Sherry Fuertes attended Gaston Community College before beginning a career in the field of immigration law in 2010. Over the span of her career, she’s worked with a variety of applications including naturalization and citizenship, humanitarian relief, family-based petitions, and removal defense. Although born in the U.S., Sherry spent her formative years in her parent’s home country of Mexico and is fluent in Spanish. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, hand-lettering, and traveling.

Aaron McCommons

Immigration Team Lead

t: +1 704.350.6324
e: aaron.mccommons@wbd-us.com

In 1998, Aaron McCommons graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He has over twenty (20) years of experience in the field of corporate immigration and global mobility. In his most recent position, he served as an Immigration Senior Case Manager, where he coordinated all nonimmigrant and immigrant visa matters for hundreds of foreign nationals employed by companies specializing in the hospitality and medical sectors.

Sydney Welch

Staff Attorney

t: +1 919.484.2303
e: sydney.welch@wbd-us.com

Sydney Welch is an immigration attorney and a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law, earning her Juris Doctor in 2023. While in law school, Sydney completed internships with the United States District Courts for the Middle District and Western District of North Carolina and with the Supreme Court of North Carolina. She served as Executive Editor of the First Amendment Law Review and completed many hours of pro bono work in the immigration, criminal defense, and public policy fields. Sydney worked in the Immigration Clinic at UNC Law and represented asylum claimants before the U.S. Asylum Office in Arlington, Virginia. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting with a minor in Legal Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2019. Sydney enjoys hiking, swimming, and playing with her beagle, Winnie.

Courtney Haynes

Senior Immigration Paralegal

t: +1 704.444.2937
e: courtney.haynes@wbd-us.com

Courtney Haynes graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in History Education. While there, she spent a semester at the University of Limerick in Ireland, studying European History. She completed the Paralegal Certificate Program at the Charlotte School of Law in 2014 and received the designation of North Carolina State Bar Certified Paralegal in 2015. Courtney has worked in the immigration field since 2014. She enjoys spending time in the kitchen, exercising, anything motorsports, and spending time outside with her husband.

Justine Brunt

Immigration Paralegal

t: +1 704.350.6314
e: justine.brunt@wbd-us.com

Justine Brunt graduated from UNC Wilmington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Anthropology, and a minor in Middle East and Islamic Studies. After graduating college, she was accepted into Peace Corps Morocco but the COVID pandemic changed her plans and she has found a new passion for learning the process of immigration law. Justine enjoys listening to podcasts, exploring the city, and playing with her dog Sadie.

Trisha Bogar Gaunya

Immigration Paralegal

t: +1 704.350.6367
e: trisha.bogar@wbd-us.com

Trisha Gaunya graduated from Connecticut College with a Bachelor of Arts in Hispanic Studies and Latin American Studies. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Massachusetts at Boston. Trisha began working in the field of immigration law in 2018 and has used her fluency in Spanish in a range of family, humanitarian, and employment-based cases. She enjoys traveling, baking, and spending time outdoors hiking with her husband and two dogs.

Hannah Beauregard

Administrative Assistant

t: +1 704.350.6307
e: hannah.beauregard@wbd-us.com

Originally from Richmond, Virginia, Hannah Beauregard moved to Charlotte, NC to pursue a career in immigration law. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies from Randolph-Macon College. Most recently, Hannah served as Assistant Team Leader for the Southwest Region of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). She served four different communities, diverse in their needs and backgrounds, throughout Colorado and Oklahoma. Outside of work, Hannah volunteers as a “Big Buddy” for Comfort Zone Camp (CZC), enjoys biking, spending time with friends and family, and dancing.