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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.
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.
Media Contact: Emily Albrecht Senior Director — Marketing & Communications ealbrecht@bal.com 469-559-0174
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.
Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP is pleased to announce that Michelle Funk has been promoted to a Partner of the firm. Ms. Funk is based in the northern Virginia office, where she assists businesses in establishing and managing global immigration programs. “Michelle is a talented and well-respected attorney within the firm and the immigration community,” said Jeremy Fudge, Managing Partner. “She is the consummate team player who will strengthen our global platform.”
Ms. Funk graduated from Georgetown University Law Center and is active within the American Immigration Lawyers Association, currently serving on the Department of Labor Liaison Committee and previously serving as Chair of the Washington D.C. Chapter.
Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL) announced today that Hadi Allawi has been hired as Managing Director, Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
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.
Allawi brings considerable expertise to BAL’s MENA London-based practice. He will continue to expand and manage a team of experienced professionals who are dedicated to immigration matters in the region.
“I am honoured to join the BAL team and support the firm’s continued growth to ensure we deliver exceptional service to our clients,” said Allawi. “I look forward to leveraging my ten years of experience in the region to make BAL the leading provider of immigration services in the Middle East.”
BAL Managing Director Emily King, who had previously led the firm’s strategy in the Middle East, stated: “The Middle East is of great interest to many of our clients. Hadi brings considerable on-the-ground-knowledge to our matters in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, and elsewhere in the region. He knows the challenges in the region and how to overcome them.”
Jeremy Fudge, BAL Managing Partner, stated: “Hadi joins a strong team with a unique service offering for MENA and his expertise will give a truly strategic benefit to our clients in this region.”
Law360 ranks BAL as one of the nation’s best law firms for female attorneys and partners in the recent Glass Ceiling report. The publication calls BAL a Ceiling Smasher and ranks the firm number three in the 100 Best Law Firms for Female Attorneys and number two in the 25 Best Law Firms for Female Partners.
“We are honored to be acknowledged as pace setters who recognize diversity in the workplace. BAL strives to create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to excel,” stated Frieda Garcia, one of the firm’s equity partners.
Law360 surveyed over 300 U.S. firms, or vereins with a U.S. component, about their overall and female headcount as of December 31, 2015. Only U.S.-based attorneys were included in the survey.
Berry Appleman & Leiden’s Managing Director, Asia Christina Karl and Managing Director, Oceania Tim Denney were awarded the 2016 Worldwide ERC Meritorious Service Award at the Global Workforce Summit: Talent Mobility in APAC in Shanghai, China on March 17, 2016.
The Meritorious Service Awards are granted annually to those professionals who have demonstrated commitment to the service of global mobility and who have contributed significantly to the Worldwide ERC through speaking at events, serving on committees, and writing articles for Mobility magazine.
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.