Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson is the Federal Immigration Litigation Practice Leader at Colombo & Hurd. A seasoned federal litigator, Ms. Wilson brings nearly fifteen years of experience litigating complex immigration cases as an attorney for the United States Department of Justice. She previously served as Assistant Director in the DOJ’s Office of Immigration Litigation and as Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General, where she oversaw some of the nation’s most consequential immigration cases.

At the Department of Justice, Ms. Wilson managed high-stakes litigation involving executive actions, regulations, and statutory challenges across the spectrum of immigration law and policy. She was a founding member of the Employment Litigation Team and created the Mandamus Task Force to address federal litigation over adjudicatory delays in the immigration process. Her leadership contributed to successful Supreme Court petitions and merits briefing, as well as published appellate decisions in multiple circuits. Her work was repeatedly recognized with Civil Division awards, including for her successful defense of the STEM OPT program, a case central to maintaining U.S. competitiveness in high-skilled fields.

At Colombo & Hurd, Ms. Wilson leads the Advocacy and Federal Litigation Practice, providing strategic, high-impact representation designed to both protect individual and corporate clients and advance systemic fairness in immigration adjudications.

She directs the firm’s liaison and escalation strategies with USCIS, the Ombudsman, ICE, DOS and Congressional offices, and when necessary, spearheads rapid litigation responses to secure relief in cases of unlawful denials, unreasonable delays, and improper government action. Her practice includes federal court interventions such as temporary and permanent injunctions, habeas corpus petitions, APA actions, mandamus, appeals, motions to reopen, and reconsideration.

Ms. Wilson is dedicated to challenging improper denials in high-skilled immigration matters where adjudicators disregard expert testimony, apply incorrect evidentiary standards, or misunderstand specialized fields. Her litigation strategy is aimed at restoring approvals and shaping precedent that strengthens due process across the immigration system.

In addition to her practice, Ms. Wilson serves as an Adjunct Professor of Immigration Law at the University of Alabama School of Law, where she mentors the next generation of immigration lawyers.