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Middle East Expert Hadi Allawi Leads Team of Immigration Professionals
March 14, 2017 – Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) announced today it has officially opened its new regional head office in Dubai. BAL previously announced that Hadi Allawi had been hired as Managing Director, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) from the firm’s London office. Allawi now manages a UAE-based team of experienced professionals dedicated to immigration matters in the MENA region, and is responsible for the strategic positioning and growth of the firm in the region.
Allawi is a recognized MENA expert specializing in business strategy, intelligence and geopolitical risk analysis across multiple industries. Prior to joining BAL, Allawi led the MENA desk of a London-based specialist advisory firm assisting major multinational companies with operations in the region.
“BAL recognizes the importance of the Middle East to our clients, and it is an exciting time to be able to partner with them in a more direct manner,” said BAL managing partner Jeremy Fudge. “Dubai is the starting point for BAL’s presence in the region and we expect to expand our footprint in line with demand.”
“Clients always expect the highest level of service when working with BAL,” said Allawi. “I am delighted to open BAL’s first office in the Middle East. As immigration challenges increase in the region, BAL will be optimally positioned to advise on mobility strategies and immigration issues.”
“We recognize that the Middle East poses unique challenges best addressed by on-site experts. Hadi and his team understand the nuances of the region’s immigration processes and will hone efficiencies and compliance,” said Emily King, Managing Director, Europe.
Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
Media Contact: Emily Albrecht Senior Director — Marketing & Communications ealbrecht@bal.com 469-559-0174
Founding Partner David Berry was named the Best Lawyers® 2017 Immigration “Lawyer of the Year” in San Francisco.
Mr. Berry’s nomination follows BAL’s recent ranking by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers as a “Best Law Firm.” BAL is also ranked as a “Best Law Firm” in the metropolitan areas of Houston and San Francisco.
Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer review evaluation. For the 2017 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, 7.3 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in almost 55,000 leading lawyers being included in the new edition. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.
San Francisco, CA — Berry Appleman & Leiden, one of the world’s leading corporate immigration law firms, today announced that Paul Rynerson and Jessica Mullins-Ta are being promoted to Partner.
“Paul and Jessica are two outstanding lawyers doing great work for their clients,” said BAL Managing Partner, Jeremy Fudge. “Paul excels at offering strategic immigration advice to his clients and Jessica thrives in consulting with clients to create solutions to their workforce needs. We look forward to both attorneys continuing their great work as Partners.”
Paul Rynerson previously served as a Senior Associate in the Dallas office of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. His practice focuses on employment-based immigration matters, including immigrant visa matters covering all aspects of the permanent residency process, nonimmigrant visa matters, I-9 and other compliance issues. Rynerson is an expert in managing PERM programs for large technology clients of the firm and also has experience in the finance, energy, non-profit, and manufacturing industries.
Jessica Mullins-Ta previously served as a Senior Associate in the Dallas office of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP, handling a wide array of cases for corporate clients. She serves clients in obtaining nonimmigrant visas, both in the US and abroad, and represents employers of all sizes with labor certification cases. Mullins-Ta also represents clients obtaining permanent residence as International Managers, Outstanding Ability, Researchers, and National Interest Waivers. Her experience includes working with a wide array of corporate clients, including public and private universities, publicly traded international companies, religious organizations, and privately owned companies.
Throughout her career, Mullins-Ta has been a sought-after speaker on corporate immigration, including most recently:
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers have ranked Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP as a national “Best Law Firm” for a second year running. BAL is also ranked in 2017 as a “Best Law Firm” in the metropolitan areas of Houston, Texas, and San Francisco, Calif.
Firms included on the 2017 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.
The U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. To be eligible for a ranking, a law firm must have at least one lawyer listed in the 22nd Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© list for that particular location and specialty.
The 2017 “Best Law Firms” rankings can be seen in their entirety by visiting bestlawfirms.usnews.com.
The following is a roundup of recent developments concerning Brexit negotiations and the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union.
Political
Points-based system out
Prime Minister Theresa May last week rejected the idea of an objective points-based system for controlling migration from the European Union to the United Kingdom, saying she supports a system that would give the government more subjective control over who comes into the country and when.
“What the British people voted for on 23 June was to bring some control into the movement of people from the European Union into the U.K,” she said. “A points-based system does not give you that control.”
May offered her remarks 5 September at the G20 summit in China. While May pulled a points-based system off the table, it remains to be seen what type of migration system the U.K. might put in place – and how a new system would impact migration for both EEA and non-EEA workers.
Second vote debated
Members of Parliament debated the idea of a second referendum last week. Some MPs have argued that the specific details of the U.K.’s exit from the EU, once formulated, should be ratified by voters. Others say that a second referendum would violate the public trust and undermine the clear decision delivered by the 23 June referendum.
The idea has split the Labour Party. Owen Smith said if he is elected Labour Party leader, he would block May from triggering Article 50 exit procedures unless there is a general election or a second referendum to approve the terms of a Brexit. Current Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has ruled out a second referendum.
Past the two-month mark
Some Leave campaigners have expressed frustration and have called for May to invoke Article 50 as soon as possible, thereby triggering the U.K.’s formal withdrawal from the EU. May is standing by her position that further plans are required before any formal exit process is started and that she will not invoke Article 50 until 2017. It is not clear whether May intends to invoke Article 50 in early or late 2017.
It also remains constitutionally unclear whether May has the power to invoke Article 50 on her own. U.K. courts continue to grapple with lawsuits seeking to force May to obtain an Act of Parliament before invoking Article 50, on the expectation that elected MPs would not support any move to “leave” the EU in line with the popular referendum result.
Immigration
Status unchanged
There is still no change to the immigration status of EU workers in the U.K. or British workers in the EU – and there will be no change until after Article 50 is invoked and the U.K. formally exits the union. For a more detailed analysis, see BAL’s Backgrounder on this topic.
New migration stats released
Net migration to the U.K. stood at 327,000 for the year ending March 2016, according to government figures released in August. The figure represents a small dip compared to migration over the same period last year, but net migration numbers have remained largely flat.
Poll: Highly skilled migrants welcome
According to survey published 25 August, only 12 percent of people surveyed want reduced migration of highly skilled workers to the U.K. Forty-six percent would like an increase. Even among Leave voters, 45 percent wanted more high-skilled migration and only 15 percent thought high-skilled migration should be reduced. Current EU free movement rules do not, and cannot, distinguish between highly skilled business migration and lower-skilled migration. Read the full report by British Future here.
Low-skilled EU migrants may need permits
Low-skilled EU migrants may be subject to work permits after the U.K. leaves the EU, the outgoing Migration Advisory Committee chair David Metcalf has said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph. The permits would stem EU migration in industries such as retail, construction and food processing and could be modeled after the seasonal agricultural work-permit scheme.
Business
Short-term bounce
Data released last month showed that July unemployment claims fell, retail spending was up and inflation rose slightly. The figures were some of the first hard economic numbers since the referendum and eased fears of an imminent recession.
Falling Sterling boosts tourism
Tourists are giving a boost to the U.K. by taking advantage of the slide in the pound since the Brexit referendum. In July, tax-free shopping rose 7 percent – visitors from Japan spent nearly double compared with the same month last year, while American visitors spent 46 percent more and Indonesian visitors spent 88 percent more.
Preparing Your Business
Brexit negotiations have not yet begun and a new immigration regime has not been presented, but that does not mean businesses should not start preparing. BAL can assist with a number of services including:
Should you have any questions or require more information on how BAL can help with Brexit planning, please contact us at uk@bal.com.
The Brexit Bulletin has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in the United Kingdom. For additional information, please contact uk@bal.com.
Leading Sub-Sahara African Corporate Immigration Expert Owen Davies Leads Office
Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL) announced today it has officially opened its Maputo, Mozambique Office. BAL had previously announced that Owen Davies had been hired as Managing Director, Africa. Davies is widely recognized as a Sub-Sahara African corporate immigration expert and a leading international corporate immigration lawyer.
“BAL is the leading immigration firm for the energy industry and Mozambique is one of the top countries in Africa for energy exploration,” said managing partner Jeremy Fudge. “Mozambique is a progressive African country with a democratic government that has been focused on providing services back to its population. With substantial infrastructure enhancements, and energy resources that provide revenue to its economy, Mozambique is well-situated to become a focal point for international business and economic growth and stability. Now, with our new BAL office, we are positioned to help energy firms and other businesses partner with this great country in pursuing economic opportunities.”
“I am delighted to be leading BAL’s office in Africa,” Davies said. “I believe that BAL’s globally unified structure is critical to successfully partnering with clients in Africa, where the immigration norm requires multi-country document and process support.”
With nearly twenty years of experience, Davies brings considerable expertise to BAL’s African practice. Consistently ranked as an African immigration expert by the highest bands of legal directories, he is a leading solicitor and advisor to multi-national companies, governments and international trade blocs on global immigration issues, including crisis management and immigration program and policy development.
Emily King, BAL Managing Director, Europe, who had previously supervised the firm’s strategy in Africa, stated: “Placing our BAL team within Africa offers an enhanced opportunity to be of service to our clients, and promotes a higher level of ground level focus on compliance. We recognize that Africa is a continent that poses unique challenges that are best addressed by experts on-site who can accomplish and manage work that is compliant and honed to each country’s unique needs.”
For the eighth year in a row, BAL ranked as a “Band 1” firm in the Nationwide category and in California and Texas in the newly released 2016 Chambers USA Guide, an annual ranking of the best law firms based on independent research and interviews with lawyers and clients worldwide.
Nationally, BAL is a “powerful force in corporate and business immigration,” able to handle a range of highly complex matters, according to the rankings. BAL’s California office was praised for its global and domestic expertise in the full range of immigration matters, notably excelling on behalf of Silicon Valley-based technology clients. BAL in Texas was recognized for an impressive client roster, covering industries such as energy, technology and entertainment and is noted for its global capabilities.
Individual BAL lawyers also received kudos. Founding Partner David Berry was noted for his work advising international and U.S. clients on compliance issues and the immigration implications of mergers and acquisitions, among other matters. Attorney Partner Lynden Melmed was also singled out for his “invaluable” experience in government legislation and described as “reasoned, balanced and very well respected.”
Described as “bright and talented,” Attorney Partner Susan Wehrer in California was noted for her skill in handling matters related to mergers and acquisitions and I-9 compliance, while “great lawyer,” Managing Partner Jeremy Fudge was ranked as an Eminent Practitioner in Texas and was recognized for his expertise in the full gamut of immigration issues across industries.
Chambers USA quoted clients who described BAL as providing a “fantastic service level” and being “right up there with the other big players in the U.S. immigration space.”
Another client said of BAL: “The best team. They are there when I need them, and think outside of the box when we need them to. It’s a great partnership.”
About Chambers USA
Since 1990, Chambers has published an annual guide ranking the world’s best lawyers based on technical expertise, business acumen, prompt delivery, and value for money. A team of over 140 researchers conducts thousands of interviews worldwide to produce the rankings. Lawyers cannot buy their way into Chamber’s rankings; as a result, its annual directories are considered among the most accurate and reliable.
– Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP
About Chambers USA Since 1990, Chambers has published an annual guide ranking the world’s best lawyers based on technical expertise, business acumen, prompt delivery, and value for money. A team of over 140 researchers conducts thousands of interviews worldwide to produce the rankings. Lawyers cannot buy their way into Chamber’s rankings; as a result, its annual directories are considered among the most accurate and reliable.
BAL ranks second in the top 100 U.S. law firms for minority attorneys, according to Law360’s 2016 Diversity Snapshot.
Law360 states that at BAL and the other top four firms, at least 30 percent of nonpartners are minorities, and at least 20 percent of partners are minorities. According to Law360, the firms on the list have made some headway in shaking up a stubbornly bleak picture of diversity in the legal industry. The rankings indicate that many firms continue to struggle to recruit and retain minority attorneys, despite the fact that the percentage of minorities attending elite law schools hovers around 30 percent, according to data compiled by the American Bar Association.
Carol Mays, Chief Operating Officer at BAL, stated: “We have a successful strategy for hiring the best talent across the globe and strongly believe many different backgrounds and perspectives provide better solutions and make us stronger as a firm.”
Law360 surveyed over 300 U.S. firms about their overall and minority headcount numbers as of Dec. 31, 2015. Only U.S.-based attorneys were included in the survey. Firms are ranked based on three factors: the percentage of partners, both equity and nonequity, who self-identify as minorities; the percentage of nonpartners who self-identify as minorities; and the number of attorneys at the firm who self-identify as minorities.
Berry Appleman & Leiden’s Latin America Managing Director, Daniela Lima, was awarded the 2016 ERC Distinguished Service Award at the recent Americas Mobility Conference in Houston, Texas. Distinguished Service Awards are granted annually to professionals who have demonstrated commitment to the service of global mobility and the Worldwide ERC through committee or task force participation, speaking on or moderating educational panels, authoring articles for Mobility magazine or serving in a leadership capacity. Worldwide ERC is the workforce mobility association for professionals who oversee, manage, or support U.S. domestic and international employee transfer. The organization was founded in 1964 to help members overcome the challenges of workforce mobility, and has grown today to nearly 10,000 service industry members around the world.