Congratulations to Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm Partner Colleen F. Molner, who was honored this week as a Charlotte Business Journal 2025 40 Under 40 Award recipient!
The prestigious recognition is awarded each year to 40 members of the local Charlotte region 40 years of age or younger who “are rising stars in their respective career fields and emerging leaders in the local community.”
“I am incredibly honored to be named among this year’s CBJ 40 Under 40 and am proud to be in such inspiring company, especially as a native Charlottean.” Molner said. “This recognition is a reflection of the important work that we do each day to support our clients throughout their immigration journeys, and the impact that we are making in our local community and beyond. I’m proud to be part of an extraordinary group that approaches that responsibility with care, integrity and thoughtfulness, and I am grateful for the support from my colleagues, mentors, family and friends who have undoubtedly contributed to this achievement.”
Molner and the other 2025 award winners were recognized at a ceremony Thursday at The Westin Charlotte Hotel.
Other Garfinkel Immigration Partners, associates and staff members also attended the ceremony to honor Molner, along with her family.
There were more than 300 nominations for the 2025 40 Under 40 awards, Charlotte Business Journal Publisher T.J. McCullough said during the ceremony.
“To be selected out of such a large pool of qualified applicants is quite the honor, and we are proud to recognize the 40 honorees that are shaping the Charlotte region through their considerable professional achievements and community involvement,” McCullough said. “They will undoubtedly continue to shine for many more years to come.”
Molner is certified as a Specialist in Immigration Law by the North Carolina State Bar, the highest level of specialization attainable in the state. She is an award-winning immigration practitioner who has more than a decade long track record advising local, regional, national and international businesses.
Molner oversees the Firm’s Healthcare Specialty Practice Group, which is dedicated to providing innovative legal solutions to the healthcare community, including physicians, nurses, medical technicians and therapists, as well as IT and HR professionals in health-related industries.
She also has vast experience working with a variety of other industries including in the automotive, engineering, information technology and manufacturing sectors as well as advising employers on merger and acquisition issues affecting their immigrant employees.
Further, Molner is an active member and volunteer in the Mecklenburg Bar Association and 26th Judicial District Bar. She is regularly invited to and serves as a speaker/panelist at regional and international conferences and consistently publishes thought leadership content. She is actively committed to and recognized for pro bono work and advocacy, and encourages and mentors the Firm’s associates in that area.
With 10 attorneys — five of whom are certified as Specialists in Immigration Law by the North Carolina State Bar — and more than 35 experienced paralegals and administrative personnel, Garfinkel Immigration is one of the largest law firms in the Southeast United States dedicated exclusively to the practice of immigration law.
Garfinkel Immigration has consistently been honored as a Tier 1 firm in Charlotte for Immigration Law by Best Law Firms® and with a top-level Band 1 designation in the prestigious Chambers USA’s Immigration in North Carolina Legal Rankings. The Firm’s attorneys are regularly recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®, Who’s Who Legal, for their pro bono work, and more.
Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm builds strong relationships with its clients based on trust and performance, leveraging creative approaches and industry-leading expertise to provide insight and legal advice. The Firm is known for its responsiveness, close contact, partnership with HR managers and leadership and, of course, effectiveness in executing the legal work.
Garfinkel Immigration’s top priority is providing high quality legal service to the businesses and individuals it serves.