Attorney Rachael C. MacLaughlin is an Immigration Attorney at the Tampa Office. Ms. MacLaughlin was born in the United States and raised in Yucatan, Mexico. Ms. MacLaughlin witnessed how her mother battled with a complex immigration system when her family moved back to the United States. As such, Ms. MacLaughlin developed a passion for immigration. Ms. MacLaughlin graduated with a double major in political science and international studies as well as a minor in German from the University of South Florida thus obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree.
Ms. MacLaughlin then decided to pursue her Master of Arts degree at the University of Flensburg where she took part in a joint program hosted by the University of Flensburg and the University of Southern Denmark. The two years that Ms. MacLaughlin lived in Germany; she was able to observe how Germany responded to the Syrian refugee crisis. Ms. MacLaughlin was able to witness how a community came together to provide new shelter for so many displaced people and even implemented education programs to teach refugees and asylees various skills aimed at facilitating assimilation. Ms. MacLaughlin is a fervent believer of human rights and always dreamt of finding a career path that would allow her to help those in society who are most vulnerable.
Upon returning to the United States, Ms. MacLaughlin worked for the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office as a child protective investigator trainee, where she investigated cases of child abuse, abandonment, and neglect. Fueled by a desire to further help her community, Ms. MacLaughlin attended W.M.U Thomas M. Cooley Law School’s Tampa campus and attained her J.D. degree. While at law school, Ms. MacLaughlin had the opportunity to partake in an Externship with Bassey Immigration Law Center P.A. Where she was able to utilize her combined knowledge and experience to aid in cases involving special immigrant juvenile (SIJ), asylum, VAWA, U-visas, family-based petitions e.t.c.
Outside of work, Ms. MacLaughlin enjoys travelling, learning about varying cultures, reading, trying diverse foods, and watching tv shows. She also enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends and her two dogs.
EDUCATION
- WMU Thomas M. Cooley Law School (Juris Doctor, 2021)
- University of Flensburg/University of Southern Denmark (Masters, 2017)
- University of South Florida (Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/International Studies 2014)
MEMBERSHIPS & COURT ADMISSIONS
LANGUAGES
Ms. MacLaughlin and the team are well equipped to resolve the immigration challenges you face. Contact us or call our Tampa office at 813-592-4093 or our Clearwater office at 727-472-3995 to get accurate answers to your immigration questions today.
