Sharon Barney

Counsel

Sharon Barney is Counsel with Leech Tishman and a member of the Immigration Law, Family Law and Employment Practice Groups. Sharon is based in Leech Tishman’s State College office, and focuses her practice in the area of immigration and family law matters.

Sharon regularly assists clients with family law matters including adoption, divorce, alimony and spousal support, equitable distribution, custody (including relocation and modification issues), child support, and Protection from Abuse (PFA) matters

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During her time as an attorney in Centre County, Sharon has worked as the legal director and staff attorney of a legal program within a domestic violence and sexual assault nonprofit organization. Her background includes representing domestic violence and sexual assault survivors in family law and immigration law matters.

Sharon has a depth of experience in immigration-related legal matters, including employment-based green card applications, adjustment of status applications, naturalization/citizenship petitions, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) relief, and student and visitor visa issues.

Prior to joining Leech Tishman, Sharon was the founding practitioner of the Law Office of Sharon Barney, a State College-based firm, where she provided client-centered legal services in family law, immigration law and victim rights matters.

Academics
J.D, Northeastern University School of Law
B.A. in English, University of Rochester

Admissions
Pennsylvania

Experience
Law Office of Sharon Barney
International Institute of New England
Centre County Women’s Resource Center, Civil Legal Representation Project

Professional Memberships
American Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association (Member, Immigration Law Committee, Education Subcommittee; Co-Vice Chair, Legal Services to the Public Committee, Member, 2017-2018 Bar Leadership Institute, At-Large Chair to Committee and Section Liaisons, Young Lawyers’ Division Executive Council)
Centre County Bar Association (Past Chair, Young Lawyers’ Division; Past Co-Chair, Public Interest/Pro Bono Committee)
American Immigration Lawyers’ Association
Center of Immigrants’ Rights, Penn State Law (Participant, Interdisciplinary Roundtable on Immigration)

Community Involvement
Community Diversity Group (Member)
MidPenn Legal Services (Pro Bono Attorney)
Peaceful Hearts Foundation (Past Board Member)
State College Sunrise Rotary (Member)

Insights

Dec. 11, 2018  |  Client Alerts

USCIS Announces Proposed Rule that May Impact H-1B Visa Lottery Process in 2019

On November 30, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced a notice of proposed…

Sep. 20, 2018  |  Client Alerts

With New Federal Fiscal Year Beginning on October 1, Tips for H-1B Employers and Cap-Gap Students

Aug. 10, 2018  |  Client Alerts

International Students Facing Additional Scrutiny and Restrictions

With the new academic year approaching, students are preparing for classes, homework, and extracurriculars. However,…

Jul. 23, 2018  |  Client Alerts

New USCIS Policy Memos Create Additional Burdens for Foreign Workers and Employers

Earlier this month, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced two major policy changes that…

Jul. 18, 2018  |  Press

Immigration Attorney Featured on Front Page of Pennsylvania Business Central

Leech Tishman Immigration attorney, Sharon Barney, was featured on the front page of the July…

Jun. 1, 2018  |  Press

Immigration Attorney Named Co-Chair of the PBA’s Legal Services to the Public Committee

Leech Tishman Immigration attorney, Sharon Barney, has been named Co-Chair of the PBA’s Legal Services…

Apr. 25, 2018  |  Press

Leech Tishman Attorney Featured in Pennsylvania Business Central Article

Leech Tishman Immigration attorney Sharon Barney was interviewed by Pennsylvania Business Central regarding entrepreneurship. Sharon…

Mar. 7, 2018  |  Press

Leech Tishman Immigration Attorney Quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle

Leech Tishman Immigration attorney Sharon Barney was recently quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle. Read…

Sep. 7, 2017  |  Client Alerts

Trump Administration Announces Rescission of DACA Program

On September 5, 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Department of Homeland Security…

Aug. 29, 2017  |  Client Alerts

Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security Introduce Immigration and Worksite Policy Changes

As with all incoming Presidents, new White House Administrations bring new policy changes. Especially given…

Jul. 5, 2017  |  News

Leech Tishman Attorney Sharon Barney Inducted to 2017-2018 Bar Leadership Institute Class of Pennsylvania Bar Association

STATE COLLEGE, PA – July 5, 2017 – Leech Tishman is pleased to announce that…

May. 2, 2017  |  Client Alerts

USCIS Redesigns Green Cards and Employment Authorization Documents

By Sharon Barney, Esq. On April 19, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) issued…

Events

Jul. 31, 2018  |  Event

Webinar: Supporting International Students in the Job Search

Local Challenges with Hiring & Employing International Students. Employment Practice Group Chair Sally Griffith Cimini…

Jul. 18, 2018  |  Event

The Case for Adjusting Your Perspective – Identifying and Combating Implicit Bias in the Practice of Law

Leech Tishman Immigration and Family Law attorney Sharon Barney will be a panelist for this…