George Ernst

George Ernst is a Partner in our Little Rock office whose practice specializes in immigration, international business, and labor and employment matters. Also proficient in German, he has over a decade of experience representing multi-national corporations across various industries.

His practice focuses on advising clients in highly complex matters relating to the employment of foreign nationals under the EB-5 program for international investors, EB-1 and EB-2 visas for employment-based immigration, national interest waivers, E-2 treaty investor visas, and both H-1b and O-1 temporary work visas for STEM professionals, specialty occupations, and individuals of extraordinary ability.

Because of the nature of immigration representation, George is able to represent clients on issues pertaining to U.S. immigration laws and procedures throughout the United States and abroad, without geographic limitation.

Prior to joining HBS, George served as a director with a local law firm where he gained experience in business immigration matters and supported the firm’s employment defense practice group, specifically related to assisting employers in government-initiated I-9 audits and charges. He also frequently writes and lectures on matters relation to immigration and employment law.

George earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh where he served as the Executive Editor for the Journal of Technology Law and Policy. George went on to receive his Master of Laws at the Humboldt University of Berlin. He also earned his Bachelor of Arts, with honors, in German and Philosophy at the University of Kansas.

Recognition

•The Best Lawyers in America , Immigration Law, Best Lawyers, 2023-2026
•100 Leading Immigration Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2023-2024
•Awarded in: Immigration, International Business
•Mid-South Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2019-2020

Presentations

•Hiring Foreign National Workers & Immigration Primer
University of Arizona Little Rock’s Talk to an Attorney Series; October 4, 2023
•An Afternoon in HR
HBS Helping Businesses Succeed Series; September 21, 2023
•What Every Employer Needs to Know About the Impact of Recent NLRB Rulings and the Challenges Surrounding Immigration Compliance
Leading Age 2023 Annual Meeting + EXPO; June 22, 2023

Publications

•Considering H-1B Sponsorship In 2024? Here’s What Employers Need To Know
HR Legal & Compliance Excellence; December 29, 2023
•New USCIS Guidance for O-1B Visas Has Implications for TV, Movie Industries
The Legal Intelligencer; August 2, 2023
•U.S. Immigration: Navigating the Maze of H-1B Visa Program in 2023
HR Legal & Compliance Excellence; February 28, 2023

In the Press

FY 2027 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 4

February 3, 2026

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (https://www.uscis.gov/) has announced that the initial registration period for the FY 2027 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 4, 2026, and will close at noon Eastern on March 19, 2026.