UK immigration

Senior Partner and Head of UK Practice

Sophie is Senior Partner and Head of UK Practice at Laura Devine Solicitors.  Recognised for many years by legal directories as a leading expert in UK immigration and nationality law, she is described as being “the best immigration lawyer in the country” and “a force to be reckoned with in the field”; “she sees the big picture and has a thorough and sound historic knowledge which is needed in a subject matter which is constantly changing”.

Sophie’s clients are drawn from all sectors and range from multinational corporations to entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals and families.

Sophie has extensive experience in all aspects of UK business immigration and nationality law and EU free movement. She is skilled in all Tiers of the points-based system (PBS), including sponsored migrants, entrepreneur and investor routes as well as discretionary applications.

Sophie is also widely regarded for her policy work, regularly participating in policy consultations and working parties, including managing the company’s numerous submissions to the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC), Home office and the Home Affairs Select Committee, to which she has provided evidence on a number of occasions.

Sophie is a prolific speaker and commentator on immigration topics, presenting internationally and commenting in the general media. Commended for her “generosity in sharing her knowledge” for the benefit of the profession and immigration law practice in the UK. She was previously Chair of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) for five years, with which she continues to work extensively on various working groups and training. Sophie is currently a member of the Lexis PSL Editorial Consulting Board and The Law Society Brexit Migration Strategic Reference Group.