Ms. Hirota began her law practice in Ohio as an associate with Taft, Stettinius & Hollister, a large law firm in Cincinnati. After practicing immigration law in Ohio for two years, Ms. Hirota returned to her family in Hawaii and joined Lynch & Farmer in 1997. She was named a partner of Lynch Ichida Thompson Kim & Hirota in 2002 and left that firm to found Hirota & Associates in 2009. Ms. Hirota's practice concentrates solely in U.S. Immigration and Nationality law.
Ms. Hirota is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, having served on the following committees: Hawaii Chapter Chair, 2012 - 2014; Vice Chair & Treasurer, 2011-2012; Hawaii Chapter Congressional Liaison; National EOIR Liaison Committee, 2007-2008; National Mentor, Honolulu District Office practice, 2003-present; USCIS California Service Center Liaison Committee, 2005-2007; National Immigration Reform Committee, 2005-2006; Hawaii Chapter Chair, 2003-2005; Hawaii Chapter Vice Chair, 2001-2003; Hawaii Chapter Secretary, 2000-2001.
Ms. Hirota served the American Immigration Council (formerly American Immigration Law Foundation) on its Legal Action Center Advisory Committee from 2007-2010. She is a lifetime member of the Japan-America Society of Hawaii; a director of the charitable foundation, Hawaii Community Foundation, Hirota Sandla Family Fund in Honor of Dr. Arthur & Bonnie Ennis; Hawaii Pacific University, Career Services Advisory Council, 2006-2008; and is a member of Hawaii Women Lawyers.
Ms. Hirota has been chosen by her peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America each year since 2008 in the field of Immigration Law. She is a frequent public speaker on immigration matters, and has spoken to such groups as Hawaii Public Radio, Hawaii Pacific University, JAG Corps, and the Rotary Club. She was called as expert witness on the Violence Against Women Act by the State Prosecutor's office. For over eight years, Ms. Hirota hosted a weekly call-in radio show on immigration and nationality issues on KPMW 105.5FM based on Maui.
Ms. Hirota enjoys spending time with her family and their Jack Russell Terrier mix Rosie and two siamese cats, Fred and Ted. She is a sports fan, especially of UH basketball and the University of Michigan Wolverines. She enjoys a friendly rivalry in the office with Stella, who graduated from that other Michigan school
