JACQUELINE L. WATSON is an El Paso native and undergraduate alum of the University of Texas at El Paso. She earned her J.D. at the University of Texas School of Law and has practiced immigration law since 1999. She joined Hines & Leigh in April 2004.

Jacqueline was formerly an attorney with the Political Asylum Project of Austin, now American Gateways, a non-profit organization representing immigrants and asylum seekers in Central Texas. In 2003, she joined Texas Lawyers Care, a department of the State Bar of Texas, where she provided support services to pro bono attorneys and legal aid programs. She has continued to volunteer with American Gateways as a pro bono attorney and a mentor.

Jacqueline is a frequent speaker on immigration law topics. In addition to her work with American Gateways, she is a pro bono attorney with Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas and is a member of the Board of Directors of Helping the Aging, Needy and Disabled, Inc. (H.A.N.D.). She is also on the Community Advisory Committee for the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum’s exhibit, “Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America through Galveston Island.” She was selected for inclusion in the Rising Stars list published in Texas Super Lawyers magazine for 2009 and 2010. Jacqueline is certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Immigration and Nationality Law.