Lesley
Irizarry-Hougan
Immigration Lawyer / Abogada
Seattle Immigration Lawyer
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan is the founder of L.I.H. Law, a respected immigration law firm based in Seattle, Washington, a small, woman-owned business. With over 20 years of experience exclusively practicing immigration law, Lesley is deeply committed to advocating for immigrant communities. Her firm is known not only for its legal excellence and honesty, but also for its cultural accessibility—staffed entirely by Spanish-speaking professionals of Latino heritage.
Drawing from her Puerto Rican heritage, Lesley combines deep empathy with professional expertise to serve clients navigating complex immigration challenges. She specializes in representing survivors of domestic violence, individuals seeking to legalize their status in the United States, and families working toward reunification.
Licensed to practice law in Washington State and Illinois, she is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Her dedication extends beyond the office—Lesley frequently partners with community-based organizations, offers pro bono representation through the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), leads free immigration workshops, and volunteers at legal clinics across Washington State.
Outside of her legal work, Lesley enjoys hiking, practicing Pilates, and spending time with her three children.
Education
Northern Illinois University School of Law, J.D. (2004)
Licenses
Illinois
Washington State
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Associations
Washington State Bar Association
American Immigration Lawyers Association
Awards & Honors
Awarded Northern Illinois University Law School's Young Alumna of the Year (2014)
Received Rockford University's Award of Distinction for Outstanding Young Alum (2014)
Abogada de Inmigración
Lesley Irizarry-Hougan es la fundadora de L.I.H. Law, un bufete respetado de abogados de inmigración en Seattle, Washington, una pequeña empresa propiedad femenina. Con más de 20 años de experiencia dedicados exclusivamente a la práctica del derecho de inmigración, Lesley está profundamente comprometida a la defensa de las comunidades inmigrantes. Su bufete es reconocida no solo por su excelencia legal y honestidad, sino también por su accesibilidad cultural: todo su equipo está compuesto por profesionales de habla hispana y herencia latina.
Con sus raíces puertorriqueñas, Lesley combina una profunda empatía con experiencia profesional para servir a clientes que navegan desafíos migratorios complejos. Se especializa en representar a sobrevivientes de violencia doméstica, individuos que buscan legalizar su estatus en los Estados Unidos, y familias que trabajan hacia la reunificación.
Licenciada en los estados de Washington e Illinois, es miembra activa de la Asociación Americana de Abogados de Inmigración (AILA, por sus siglas en inglés). Su compromiso va más allá de la oficina: Lesley colabora frecuentemente con organizaciones comunitarias, ofrece representación legal pro bono a través del Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), lidera talleres gratuitos de inmigración y se ofrece como voluntaria en clínicas legales en todo el estado de Washington.
Fuera de su labor legal, Lesley disfruta de hacer senderismo, practicar pilates y pasar tiempo con sus tres hijos.
EDUCACIÓN
Northern Illinois University School of Law, J.D. (2004)
LICENCIAS
Estado de Illinois
Estado de Washington
Tribunal de Apelaciones de los EE.UU. para el Noveno Circuito
Corte Federal de Distrito para el Distrito Oeste de Washington
ASOCIACIONES
Washington State Bar Association
American Immigration Lawyers Association
PREMIOS Y HONORES
Awarded Northern Illinois University Law School's Young Alumna of the Year (2014)
Received Rockford University's Award of Distinction for Outstanding Young Alum (2014)
MEDIA COVERAGE
Lesley provided legal advice to a couple on TLC’s 90-Day Fiancé show (March 2021). Here's a quick snippet of her appearance via Entertainment Tonight.
Lesley appeared on Seattle Univision to discuss the Public Charge. Click here for the interview.
Lesley discussed with Seattle Univision’s Jamie Méndez the latest Trump Administration’s immigration changes related to public charge. Click here for the interview.
Lesley appeared on Q13 Fox commenting on a local deportation case. She was referred to as "one of the top immigration attorneys in the state." Click here for the news article and TV interview.
In this Kitsap Sun article (click here), Lesley comments about the unique challenges of addressing domestic violence within immigrant communities and the role of U visas.
Seattle immigration attorney Lesley Irizarry-Hougan from L.I.H. Law was featured on FOX 13 Seattle discussing alarming new ICE enforcement tactics targeting immigrant families in the Puget Sound region (June 2025). Click here for the news article and TV interview.
