George Ernst

George Ernst is a Partner at Hall Booth Smith’s Little Rock office, where he focuses on immigration, international business, and labor and employment law. With over a decade of experience, he represents multinational corporations and professionals navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration regulations and compliance.

George earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh and an LL.M. from Humboldt University in Berlin. He holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in German and Philosophy from the University of Kansas, both awarded with honors. He is admitted to practice in Arkansas, Pennsylvania, and multiple federal courts, including the U.S. District Courts in Arkansas and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

George’s practice centers on employment-based immigration, including EB-5 investor visas, EB-1 and EB-2 green cards, national interest waivers, and E-2 treaty investor visas. George also advises on H-1B and O-1 visas for STEM professionals and individuals of extraordinary ability. He is bilingual in English and German, adding international fluency to his legal acumen.

George is consistently recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for Immigration Law and named to Lawdragon’s 100 Leading Immigration Lawyers. He is a frequent speaker on immigration compliance, visa sponsorship, and regulatory developments impacting U.S. employers and global talent.

Beyond his legal practice, George Ernst serves on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Arkansas and Friends of KLRE/KUAR. His experience, thought leadership, and commitment to global business solutions make him a trusted legal advisor for clients across industries.

George continues to lead in his field by delivering practical, forward-thinking strategies for today’s evolving immigration and employment law challenges.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
• Former Partner, Cross, Gunter, Witherspoon & Galchus, P.C.
• Former Partner, Roberts Law Firm, P.A.
• Former Counsel, Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates & Woodyard, P.L.L.C.
• Member, Arkansas Bar Association
• Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association

Licensed State

• Arkansas
• Pennsylvania

Education

• Humboldt University of Berlin
  Master of Laws (LL.M.)
• University of Pittsburgh
  Juris Doctor (J.D.)
• University of Kansas
  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Awards & Badges