Law School Alumna Takes Legal Education Skills Abroad to Launch Immigration Firm
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Janice Flynn (JD ’03) did not set out to build her legal career abroad. However, after graduating from UIC Law’s part-time evening program, she moved to London where she ultimately founded her own immigration law firm, Flynn Hodkinson.
Flynn’s path to the law began in Chicago, where she discovered her interest in immigration law while working as a paralegal at a local firm. Drawn to the international scope of the practice and the opportunity to help people navigate major life changes, she found the work both meaningful and intellectually engaging. That early experience gave her a clear sense of the kind of law she wanted to practice and laid the foundation for the career that followed.
Founded in 2012 in the United Kingdom, Flynn Hodkinson focuses on U.S. immigration and nationality law, serving both companies and individuals abroad. Since then, the firm has grown into an established practice with a strong team and a respected reputation in the field.
Looking back, Flynn is especially proud of what she has built. In addition to growing her firm, she has earned recognition in her field and has become a frequent speaker at professional conferences. Through her practice, she helps clients navigate some of the most significant moments in their lives, from employment-based immigration matters to family-based petitions and questions of citizenship.
Flynn credits her legal education at UIC Law for helping to prepare her for that work. Beyond building a strong foundation in the law, the experience strengthened her ability to think critically, ask the right questions, and work through complex legal systems; skills that continue to shape her practice today.
Now leading her firm from London, Flynn continues to guide clients through the complexities of U.S. immigration law while reflecting on the lessons that shaped her own journey.
For current law students, she offers a reminder to embrace uncertainty and trust the process. “There’s not always going to be a black-and-white answer,” Flynn said. “Take your time, do your research and find a solution that makes sense.”