About Jennifer
Jennifer Atkinson completed her legal studies at Cornell University, earning a J.D. in 1993 after concentrating on public interest law. She arrived at Cornell after an undergraduate degree in zoology from Connecticut College in 1985. The combination of science and law shaped an early career that balanced fieldwork and legal advocacy.
Her first legal position came immediately after law school. In 1993 she joined the Conservation Law Foundation as a staff lawyer in its Marine Program. That role placed her at the intersection of environmental science and regulatory law. She worked on policy and enforcement questions that touched fisheries, coastal management, and conservation projects in the North Atlantic.
In 2000 she founded Terra Nova Consulting and returned to lead it again in 2011 as principal. Between those stints she served as Marine Program Director for the Quebec-Labrador Foundation in 2004. Those years were a mix of program leadership, stakeholder negotiation, and practical problem-solving. The consulting work involved advising organizations on marine and coastal issues, while the foundation role required managing teams and funding relationships.
At a point in her career Jennifer shifted into immigration law. She opened the Law Office of Jennifer Atkinson in 2013 and began handling immigration matters directly. Her practice later included roles at established firms. In 2019 she was listed as an immigration lawyer at Goeschl Law Corporation and at Gallagher, Villeneuve and DeGeer, PLLC. The record shows a professional trajectory that moved from environmental law and program management into the immigration field.
In Massachusetts she has focused on representing individuals and families on immigration issues. Her background combines years of public interest work, organizational leadership, and private practice. Colleagues and clients have encountered a lawyer who understands administrative processes, prepares case documentation, and represents clients before relevant agencies. She has worked in both small office settings and as part of larger firm teams.
As of 2026 Jennifer Atkinson practices immigration law at Gallagher, Villeneuve and DeGeer, PLLC in Massachusetts.
