Tahmina Watson
WATSON IMMIGRATION LAW
The founder and lead attorney at Watson Immigration Law, Tahmina Watson is a passionate supporter of U.S. immigration rights and a tireless advocate for her clients. Specializing in securing visas for entrepreneurs, investors, and business executives and their employees, she has more than two decades of experience assisting immigrants and their families. Originally a barrister in London, England, Tahmina relocated to America in 2005, obtained bar admissions in New York and Washington, and began to focus exclusively on U.S. immigration and naturalization law.Tahmina's law practice is just one facet of her ongoing immigration advocacy on a national scale. She is a published author, having written two books: The Startup Visa, addressing the shortcomings of current visa options for immigrant-led startups; and Legal Heroes, a timely celebration of lawyers and other stakeholders who came together to resist the regressive policies of the Trump era. She is an adjunct fellow of the Washington, D.C. think tank The Niskanen Center, advising on immigration policy matters, and a frequent contributor to policy update proposals to USCIS and government officials. Tahmina is also a prolific blogger and podcaster, running the Watson Immigration Law Blog and hosting radio segments and guest podcasts through Tahmina Talks Immigration.In her spare time, Tahmina is an avid birder and nature photographer, a harmonium player, and a student of language, with fluency in Bengali and conversational skills in Hindi and Urdu. She lives with her family in Seattle, Washington and eagerly represents clients worldwide.
Seattle
206-292-5237
Sarah S. Rama
SARAH S. RAMA, ESQ., LLM
Sarah S. Rama is exclusively focused on immigration law. She was the driving force behind the creation of the B-2 Amateur Athlete Showcase Visa, which enables Major League Baseball teams to “try out” free agent prospects in the U.S. before signing a contract. Attorney Rama has worked with international rugby teams, Major League Baseball free agent prospects before and after signing, international hockey teams, and soccer teams throughout Europe. In addition to sport immigration visas, Attorney Rama and her team specialize in international investor visas, corporate immigration, consular processing, and visa denials, spanning P, E, B, L, and O visas. Clients praise her expertise, success rate, personalized service, and genuine interest in clients.
*Admitted in MA only – practice limited to federal immigration only.
West Palm Beach, FL and Boston, MA
561-744-2611 or 978-744-2611
Diamela (“Dee”) del Castillo-Payet
SHUTTS & BOWEN LLP
Shutts & Bowen has been serving clients worldwide for more than 100 years. The firm currently has nearly 300 attorneys throughout Florida, 60+ of which have been named among the best lawyers in America. The firm provides comprehensive legal services to individuals, families, and companies seeking immigration visas. Shutts & Bowen partner Diamela (“Dee”) del Castillo-Payet specializes in employment-based (temporary and permanent) and family-based immigration, particularly E-2, O-2, and L-1 visas. She has taught business law courses as an adjunct professor at the University of Miami, and has published articles in professional business and legal journals. She is fluent in Spanish and English.
Miami, FL
305-347-7368
Samuel D. Newbold
CHIESA SHAHINIAN & GIANTOMASI PC
For the past 45 years, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi (formerly Wolff & Samson) has represented clients ranging from Fortune 10 corporations to family-run businesses. The firm provides exceptional legal counsel and personal service to a wide range of private and public sector clients. Attorney Samuel Newbold is the chair of the firm’s Immigration Law Group. He works closely with foreign nationals seeking immigration solutions for their companies and employees. Mr. Newbold is also heavily involved in the EB5 program, having successfully represented hundreds of EB-5 investors as well as Regional Centers and developers seeking to raise EB-5 capital for their projects. He’s a frequent speaker on immigration issues throughout New York City and across the country.
New York City
212-324-7263
Jaymen Chavda
CHUGH, LLP
Attorney Jaymen Chavda is a Partner at Chugh, LLP’s Atlanta office. In his 10+ years of legal practice, Mr. Chavda has represented hundreds of individual visa applicants and corporate clients, and has developed a keen specialty in the technology fields. Mr. Chavda also has considerable experience with clients in healthcare, hospitality, and other trades.Chugh, LLP is a full-service law firm based out of Los Angeles with offices in Atlanta, Santa Clara, Edison, NJ, Washington, D.C. and numerous sites throughout India. The firm focuses on immigration, corporate/commercial law, real estate, taxation and also handles a range of corporate litigation matters. As an established firm comprised of more than 100 lawyers and tax professionals and more than 300 personnel worldwide, Chugh has a proven track record of expertise dating back 35+ years. The firm’s clients include individuals as well as major international firms across technology, finance and other industries. To date, the firm has incorporated more than 6,000 new companies, filed 200,000+ tax returns, and handled more than 300,000 immigration petitions.
Atlanta
770-881-9209
Hafiz Uddin
DEWAN & ASSOCIATES, PLLC
Hafiz UddinDEWAN & ASSOCIATES, PLLCHafiz Uddin is the Managing Attorney at Dewan & Associates PLLC. In his 20+ years of legal practice, Mr. Uddin has successfully represented a wide range of individual and corporate clients with regard to an array of immigration matters, with an emphasis on E-1 and E-2 visas, L-1 intracompany transferee cases, and EB-1 and other EB immigrant matters. Mr. Uddin also has extensive experience with clients seeking EB-5 visas, both through regional center filings and via direct investment.Dewan & Associates has served clients from more than 50 countries, zealously representing companies in every industry from IT/software to healthcare to financial services. The attorneys and staff at Dewan & Associates bring more than 40 years of experience to the table and strive to obtain the best possible outcome in every immigration case. The firm’s leadership understands that efficiency in managing legal costs is a priority for all successful businesses, especially in today’s challenging economic times. Dewan & Associates’ highly skilled team of attorneys and counsel stay abreast with every facet of immigration law and compliance as it evolves, ensuring that the firm always safeguards the best interests of its clients in the U.S. and abroad.
New York City
212-629-8899
John Exner
Jackson Lewis P.C.
John Exner focuses on the representation of businesses and individual clients in a variety of employment-based immigration matters, including extensive work with E-2 investor visas and EB-5 filings. He has a particularly strong focus in the healthcare, medical research, video game, education, engineering, aviation, automotive, athletics, telecommunications, fashion, music, and entertainment industries, and has represented foreign nationals and employers in each of these industries in a wide range of immigration matters.
Los Angeles
213-337-3837
Caroly Pedersen
AMERICAN IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER
Attorney Caroly Pedersen has over 28 years of experience in immigration & citizenship law. As a small firm, American Immigration Law Center offers friendly, personalized service and compassionate, caring legal representation. Associates speak English and Spanish.
Weston, Florida
954-382-5378
David Katona
KATONA & MIR, LLP
David Katona specializes exclusively in immigration law, which he has been practicing for 17 years. Mr. Katona regularly lectures and writes articles on immigration-related topics, and he’s very active with the American Immigration Lawyers Association. His firm’s services are highly individualized and cost-effective. In addition to English, he speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and Hungarian.
New York City
212-944-1529
Monica Lukoschek
U.S. IMMIGRATION LAW GROUP, LLP
Run by first-generation Americans, U.S. Immigration Law Group, LLP is a full-service immigration law firm built on integrity and exceptional service. The practice offers reliable, responsive, and experienced attorneys in all areas of U.S. immigration and nationality law. Attorney Monica Lukoschek says, “I’ve been practicing solely in employment-based immigration for 30 years. We put personal service into everything we do. Our values are compassion and going above and beyond.”
Santa Ana, California
949-480-9345
Ramachandran (“Ram”) Balaraman
THE RAM LAW FIRM, PA
Ram and his partner Joe specialize in immigration and nationality law, handling complex immigration cases that other attorneys often won’t take — such as those with criminal elements or unusual legal arguments. He has 11 years of experience, including many at large law firms, and speaks frequently at his local AILA chapter and other Bar Associations. His team speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Hindi, and Tamil.
Orlando, Florida
407-270-9554
Kelly Wachs
LAW OFFICE OF KELLY S. WACHS
Kelly Wachs has been practicing employment-based immigration law for 25 years. Her office specializes in employment-based immigration and serves clients in Silicon Valley, the San Francisco Bay Area, nationwide, and globally. The firm has extensive experience representing start-ups, high-tech firms, hospitals, universities, entrepreneurs, and investors. Kelly and her staff answer phone calls and emails promptly, and they don’t bill you by the minute nor have hidden costs. In 2017, her firm was named one of the fastest-growing law firms in the U.S. Kelly and her attorneys speak English, French, Spanish, Hindi, and Punjabi.
Aptos, California
831-661-5210
Maria Schneider
MUSILLO UNKENHOLT, LLC
Musillo Unkenholt serves individual and corporate immigration clients with a partnership-focused spirit. The firm prides itself on being forward-thinking, nimble, progressive, and creative in its solutions for clients. Musillo Unkenholt offers a flat-fee approach that encourages clients to stay in communication as much as they want and not be afraid to reach out. Senior Associate Attorney Maria Schneider has been with the firm since 2011. In her spare time, she volunteers and works on immigration-related causes, such as teaching at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Law and founding the Immigration Practice Group at the Cincinnati Bar Association, where she also sits on the Board of Trustees. Maria is licensed in the State of Ohio.
Cincinnati, Ohio
513-744-4085
Neil Weinrib
NEIL A. WEINRIB & ASSOCIATES
Neil A. Weinrib & Associates is renowned nationwide for its involvement in groundbreaking immigration cases over the past 40 years. The firm uses advanced technology and the latest data and research to consistently get outstanding results for its clients. The firm’s work has been highlighted in the New York Times and NY Law Journal. Neil Weinrib and his team specialize in immigration law, with an emphasis on E-1/E-2, EB-5, L-1/EB-1, H-1B, R-1, F-1/J-1, and most other visa types. They are also highly experienced with inadmissibility waivers, complex USCIS requests for evidence (RFE), appeals, motions to reopen/reconsider, and removal matters. Neil often lectures on immigration topics for organizations throughout the U.S., and Super Lawyer Magazine named him a “Super Lawyer.” The office is conveniently located directly across the street from the USCIS office in Manhattan.
New York City
212-964-9282
Andrea F. Szew
SZEW LAW GROUP
Szew Law Group is dedicated to immigration clients and has been helping both individuals and companies secure U.S. visas for over 17 years. Before that, Andrea Szew worked at the prestigious PricewaterhouseCoopers firm. Andrea works closely with companies and entrepreneurs looking to open a business, buy a business, or expand their business into the U.S. to ensure that they understand the tax consequences of the visa options they have. Thanks to her extensive experience in business and taxation, Szew Law Group can provide valuable insight, such as guidance as to which visa classification is best taking into consideration each client’s unique circumstance. Andrea is a long-standing member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and speaks regularly at conferences and engagements worldwide.
Los Angeles
310-477-0047
Timothy Wheelwright
DURHAM JONES & PINEGAR, P.C.
With 20 years of experience in immigration law, Tim Wheelwright consistently ranks among U.S. News and World Report’s Best Lawyers in America and has been named among “Utah’s Legal Elite” by Utah Business magazine. He heads his firm’s Utah and Nevada Immigration Law Group, where he helps clients obtain a wide range of employment-based and investor-based immigration visas. As a full-service law firm, Durham Jones & Pinegar helps foreign investors and multinational companies with a full range of individual and corporate legal needs. They help foreign investors and companies find success as they begin operating in a new culture and business and legal environment. Tim speaks English and Spanish.
Salt Lake City, Utah
801-297-1290
Franklin Tzeng
FRANKLIN INTERNATIONAL LAW GROUP
Franklin Tzeng and his experienced immigration law firm specialize in H-1B, L-1A, EB-1A, and EB-5 visas. Mr. Tzeng brings a strong network throughout not only California but the entire U.S., and he’s been voted top attorney for the past six years. He and his firm pride themselves on making immigration law simple by offering flat rates, easy online appointment scheduling, and more. They’re also very fast to respond to clients, knowing with immigration matters, time is of the essence. Clients consistently praise the attorneys’ patience, expertise, honesty, and efficiency. Attorneys are fluent in Mandarin and English.
Alhambra, CA
626-808-5565
Matthew Kolodziej
JIA LAW GROUP
Jia Law Group is a full-service law firm providing clients with efficient, cost-effective help, including free evaluations of immigration cases, with a response time within 24 hours. The firm assists clients with employment-based immigration visas, non-immigrant worker visas, family-based immigration cases, and more. They also excel in business law and commercial litigation. They have done over $100,000,000 worth of work in business transactions and business litigation. For more than a decade, Matthew Kolodziej has helped companies and individuals obtain visas for investors (EB-5, E-2), skilled workers (H-1B, E-3, TN), and inter-company transferees (L). He advises clients on gaining permanent residence based on labor certification (PERM), outstanding research, and extraordinary ability. He is fluent in Spanish and French.
New York City & Irvine, CA
347-897-6199
Shilpa Malik
VisaNation
Visa Nation (formerly SGM Law Group) is exclusively focused on U.S. immigration law. The firm assists people and businesses with green card petitions, family and marriage visas, business visas such as Es, L1s, O1s, H1-B, and TN visas as well as labor certifications, EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 green card petitions. Shilpa Malik and her team offer highly attentive and personalized service, returning every telephone call and email promptly and in detail. She and her team have extensive experience and a great reputation for offering top-notch representation in immigration cases, successfully handling complex cases in South Florida, New York City, and nationwide. Clients praise Shilpa Malik and her team’s knowledge, hard work, caring approach, reliability, and 24/7 response.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
954-604-6406
Jing An
ALTMAN & AN LLP
Ms. An has been practicing law since 2007 and is Altman & An’s Managing Partner. Ms. An leads the firm’s well-established business immigration practice, representing individual investors, foreign companies, U.S. employers, regional centers, and more. She focuses on the EB-5 program, including complex EB-5 issues. She is experienced in helping clients apply for employees’ L visa status, E-2 visa status, and permanent residency through EB-1C classification. Ms. An also represents immigrants with extraordinary abilities to petition for permanent residency through EB-1 and National Interest Waiver classifications. She is a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association and New York State Bar Association. She actively participates in and sponsors legal events, and regularly gives Continuing Legal Education lectures to lawyers. She also appears on medial reports and television interviews.
Manhattan & Queens, NY
212-363-8008 and 718-445-8008