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Practice groups led by Brigitte Hocking and Dustin J. O’Quinn join the firm’s Dallas and Houston offices
Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL) announced today that recognized immigration attorneys Brigitte Hocking and Dustin J. O’Quinn are joining the firm. Ms. Hocking joins the firm’s Dallas office as a partner, after leading an immigration group at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP for over a decade. Mr. O’Quinn, who led the immigration practice at Gardere Wynne & Sewell, LLP, will join the BAL leadership team in the firm’s Houston office. The law firm now has approximately 400 employees worldwide and is one of the fastest growing corporate immigration law firms in the country.
A well-respected leader in the field, Ms. Hocking brings more than 15 years of corporate immigration experience to the firm. She has represented a wide range of Fortune 500 and smaller corporations in all aspects of U.S. business immigration, including due diligence considerations for mergers and acquisitions affecting large numbers of foreign national employees. A bilingual speaker on immigration topics, she was the keynote speaker at the seminar on U.S. Business Immigration Law sponsored by The National Association of Corporate Attorneys in Mexico City in September 2013. She graduated from Southern Methodist University Law School.
“Brigitte and her team bring new capabilities and expertise to our growing Texas practice,” said Jeremy Fudge, Managing Partner of BAL. “Brigitte has an exceptional reputation within the immigration community and she will fit right in at our firm with her focus on exceptional client service.”
Mr. O’Quinn, who most recently ran the immigration practice at Gardere Wynne & Sewell, LLP, will help lead the firm’s Houston office. A noted bilingual speaker on a range of U.S. immigration topics, he serves as the Vice President of the Immigration and Nationality Law Section (Employment-Based Issues) of the State Bar of Texas and also sits on the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Initiative. His experience includes I-9 audits and compliance and he frequently advises multinational corporations on the immigration consequences of mergers and acquisitions. He graduated from the University of Texas Law School and served as Editor-In-Chief of the Texas Review of Entertainment and Sports Law.
“With offices in six countries and the industry’s leading technology platform, we can attract the best immigration attorneys in the field,” said Partner Lynden Melmed, who served as Chief Counsel of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and now runs the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. “We are confident that Ms. Hocking and Mr. O’Quinn will strengthen our service capabilities and allow us to continue to meet our client needs worldwide.”<br/ >
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Media Contact: Emily Albrecht Senior Director — Marketing & Communications ealbrecht@bal.com 469-559-0174
Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of Rob Caballero from senior associate to partner. In addition, the firm has promoted two partners, Frieda Garcia and Carla Tarazi, to shareholder.
Rob Caballero represents a wide range of clients, including Global Fortune 100 corporations, regional companies and start-up ventures. Practicing out of the firm’s Houston office, Mr. Caballero is the past Chair of the AILA Texas Chapter and previously held the positions of Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice Chair. He served two terms as Chair of AILA’s Gay/Lesbian Interest Group and LGBT Immigration Issues Working Group, and was a member of AILA’s EB-5 Investor Committee as well as the Strategic Planning Committee. He sits on the Board of Directors for Equality Texas and the National Campaign Board for the Victory Fund.
Frieda Garcia represents multinational corporations in a wide range of industries, including technology, communication, financial services, media and nursing, and advises them regarding all aspects of immigration, regulations, policy and compliance. Ms. Garcia, who works in the San Francisco office, joined Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP in 2001 and was promoted to partner in 2009.
Carla Tarazi has a diverse background in all aspects of employment and family-based immigration law, including citizenship matters. Ms. Tarazi focuses her practice on representing multinational corporate clients in employment-based immigration issues, specifically PERM labor certifications, preference visa petitions, and both consular processing and adjustment of status applications. Ms. Tarazi works in the San Francisco office. She joined Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP in 1998 and was promoted to partner in 2008.
“These attorneys have made tremendous contributions to the firm and we are pleased to recognize their dedication to our clients and to the practice of immigration law,” said Jeremy Fudge, Managing Partner of the firm. “The firm continues its commitment to promoting from within and valuing diversity.”
Founding Partner David Berry added, “With operations in six countries and over 350 employees, it is important that we continue to broaden our management team. Carla, Frieda and Rob have a track record of client service and legal expertise, and their promotions will further strengthen the firm’s platform and capabilities.”