Personal profiles, professional insights: Tatiana Young

In this edition of Personal profiles, professional insights, Tatiana shares how her own immigration story shaped her career, why empathy sits at the heart of her practice, and what she wants individuals and businesses to know before they begin their own immigration planning.

“I’ve been an immigrant since I was 11”

Tatiana’s immigration journey began early. Originally from Russia, she left at the age of 11 and spent time studying in America before moving to the UK at 14.

But what makes her story particularly striking is how quickly she had to become independent in navigating the system.

“So essentially, I’ve been doing my own immigration paperwork since I was 14 years old.”

That early responsibility gave her something many people don’t gain until much later: a practical understanding of how high the stakes can feel, and how overwhelming the process can become when you’re trying to make big life decisions under pressure.

Tatiana even recalls drafting templates for banks to support her student visa applications. Looking back, she’s quietly proud of her 20-year immigration history, which started at such a young age. “I think I’ve done quite well,” she adds.

What drew you into immigration law?

For Tatiana, immigration wasn’t a career choice that arrived in a single moment. It unfolded naturally – in parallel with her own life.

After completing her law degree, she took an immigration module during her LPC and remembers thinking: “Oh, that’s quite convenient because I now need to resolve my immigration status as well.”

What started as a practical alignment soon became a professional direction. Her first internship was in immigration, and from there, the decision almost made itself.

“It just sort of was natural from there… and yeah, I’ve been there ever since.”

Tatiana also observes that many immigration specialists “fall into” the field and stay – because of the impact it offers and the relationships it creates.

Why does immigration require a “personal touch”?

Tatiana’s work spans both business and personal immigration, but one theme runs through every case: people.

“Immigration is very personal,” she explains. “People have to expose themselves completely, bank statements, day-to-day lives, marriages, divorces, their children.”

For Tatiana, this level of disclosure creates a responsibility. Immigration law, she says, is a privilege – because it allows you to understand clients’ lives at a deeper level than many other legal matters.

And because she has been through the system herself, she recognises the emotions behind the paperwork.

That ability to connect is central to how she builds long-term relationships. “Empathy is a core element of immigration practice,” she says simply.

Ask Tatiana what she enjoys most about her work, and she doesn’t lead with technicalities, tribunals, or complex rules. She talks about the moments that immigration makes possible.

It might be spouses reunited after months apart. It might be parents finally living with their children again.

One story she shares has stayed with her: a client who came to the UK from Asia to work, send money home, and eventually bring her son to join her. She took on the demanding reality of NHS work, building stability step by step – only for the Home Office to refuse the child’s application, arguing she lacked “sole responsibility”.

For Tatiana, it was devastating to witness. But it was also a reminder that immigration cases are often about proving the reality of family life in ways that can feel frustratingly granular.

In this case, one small piece of evidence helped turn everything around: a simple message exchange where the son sent his mum a photo of a painful toenail and she instructed him on what to do next – demonstrating a parent’s day-to-day decision-making.

The appeal succeeded, and mother and son were reunited.

“It was so rewarding,” Tatiana says. Then she adds a line that captures her outlook in full:

What are the biggest challenges in immigration right now?

Immigration rules can change quickly, and the pace of policy and process updates can make long-term planning difficult. Tatiana describes one of the toughest parts of her role as helping clients plan for their future when requirements may shift, particularly for those already in the UK working towards settlement.

There are moments, she says, when the advice you need to give isn’t easy to hear – especially for people who have already invested years into building their lives here.

So how does she navigate that challenge?

By being candid, supportive, and solutions-focused.

Even when an outcome is uncertain, Tatiana believes that having a clear set of options can be empowering in itself.

How do you tackle the challenges?

Tatiana describes immigration practice as having two distinct rhythms.

In corporate immigration, the pace can be fast and turnaround times tight.

In private immigration, clients may need a more supportive approach – “a sympathetic ear and empathy and just lots of hand-holding.”

But she sees the relationship-building aspect as one of the greatest rewards. Some clients have even followed her from firm to firm, and she loves the moment when someone returns after years and says: we’ve got a new question, and you were the first person we thought of.

That trust, she believes, is earned by reducing stress and making the process feel manageable.

Why Blake Morgan?

When Tatiana joined Blake Morgan she says the welcome she received stood out immediately.

“I have a really good connection with people. People are very kind and friendly and easy to connect to,” she says.

One moment, in particular, stayed with her: a town hall meeting where Managing Partner Mike Wilson spoke directly to new joiners and asked whether the firm had done everything it could to make them feel comfortable and accepted.

“That was so great, someone on such a high level making sure employees are settled in and comfortable. That sets Blake Morgan 1000 miles apart,” says Tatiana says.

What advice would you give to people starting an immigration journey?

Tatiana’s answer comes quickly: plan ahead.

She reflects on her own experience arriving in the UK at 14 and taking 15 years to secure permanent status – a timeline she believes could have been shortened with better strategic planning early on.

“If my parents would have sought an immigration lawyer, planned ahead, I would have been a permanent resident in 10 years rather than spending another five years paying fees.”

Even in an age where information is widely available online, Tatiana encourages people and businesses to treat immigration like a long-term project: get advice early, check in at key stages, and avoid avoidable cost and stress.

For businesses looking to sponsor overseas talent, her guidance is the same: plan ahead and speak to someone – because good planning can save significant time, money and “headaches”.

And outside of work?

When she’s not working on immigration matters, Tatiana has recently embraced another life-changing journey: becoming a first-time parent.

“You finish one job and you’re off to another job,” she laughs, describing life with a toddler.

She’s looking forward to returning to the outdoors – camping, hiking, and travelling around the UK, especially Wales and Scotland, as her child gets older.

If you’d like to speak to Tatiana about immigration support – whether you’re an individual planning your next steps, or an organisation navigating sponsorship and workforce needs – Blake Morgan’s immigration team can help you move forward with clarity, confidence and a human touch.