About Paul C.
Paul C. Hannaford trained in the United Kingdom and later moved his practice to New York. He earned an LL.B. from the University of Northumbria and completed further legal study at Independent Colleges, where he took the NY Bar Preparatory Course in 2010. Those years set the stage for a transatlantic legal career grounded in statutory and procedural law.
Early in his career Hannaford built experience in matters that would lead him toward immigration work. He combined classroom study with hands-on matters and pro bono efforts, learning to manage complex filings and client expectations. By the time he began participating in organized immigration groups, he had already developed a steady approach to case preparation and client communication.
Since 2012 Hannaford has volunteered as a pro bono lawyer for Kids in Need of Defense. That role put him in regular contact with young people facing immigration proceedings. The work required quick intake assessments, careful document assembly, and courtroom appearances on behalf of children who often had no other legal support. He also joined the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Northeast chapter the same year, attending regional programs and discussions on policy and practice.
Hannaford’s pathway to practice involved both study and membership in professional networks. He is licensed in New York and has completed the New York State bar examination process. Those credentials allowed him to open a practice that centers on immigration law, informed by volunteer work and continuing education through professional associations.
Colleagues describe him as methodical in court preparation and attentive in interviews. He tends to prioritize clarity in the client relationship, explaining steps and likely timelines in plain language rather than legal jargon. That approach has informed how he staffs matters at his office and how he handles intake for new clients.
He founded Hannaford Immigration Law to provide direct representation in immigration matters and related proceedings. The firm handles filings, applications, and hearings and draws on community contacts and pro bono networks when clients need extra support. Hannaford continues to participate in AILA events and pro bono clinics, maintaining regular contact with local practitioners and advocates.
He now practices immigration law at Hannaford Immigration Law, representing clients in immigration-related cases and providing counsel on procedural and relief options.
