Amanda Carrano Franklin

Amanda Franklin is a highly regarded immigration attorney and leader in one of the region’s top business immigration practices. With more than 20 years of experience, she is known for her ability to navigate complex employment-based immigration matters with creativity and precision, serving clients that range from small businesses to Fortune 500 and 1000 companies.

Amanda provides strategic counsel on all aspects of business immigration, including H-1B, L-1, O-1, PERM, and EB categories, while ensuring compliance with ever-changing U.S. immigration laws and regulations. She also guides employers through critical compliance responsibilities, from Form I-9 and E-Verify to Public Access File maintenance and government site visits. In her leadership role, Amanda oversees a dedicated team of paralegals and legal assistants, fostering high standards of excellence and collaboration.

Respected for her forward-thinking approach, Amanda helps organizations anticipate regulatory shifts, minimize risk, and integrate immigration strategies seamlessly into their broader business goals. She has authored industry publications, advised senior executives and HR leaders, and built strong, high-performing legal teams.

Beyond her corporate practice, Amanda is deeply committed to pro bono service. She actively represents military members, human trafficking survivors, and other vulnerable clients in need of skilled immigration advocacy.

Dedicated to both legal excellence and practical business insight, Amanda partners with organizations to deliver tailored solutions that support growth, agility, and success in a global marketplace.

Notable

• Best Lawyers in America, Immigration Law "Ones to Watch," 2023-2025
• Business North Carolina Legal Elite, Immigration, 2023-2025
• Interviewed by WUNC for an April 2025 story on Charlotte immigration attorneys’ advocacy for immigration reform during AILA National Day of Action.
• North Carolina Super Lawyers, "Rising Star", Immigration: Business, 2022
• Chair, Immigration Section, Mecklenburg County Bar 

News

Affiliations

• Mecklenburg County Bar Association
• North Carolina Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• American Immigration Lawyers Association

Publications

• Co-Author, "Make A List, Check It Twice: Preparing For H-1B Cap Filing," Law360, December 2017
• Co-Author, "What to Expect from Proposed Immigration Bill," Law360, June 2013