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Berry Appleman & Leiden is pleased to announce that Jeff Gorsky is joining the firm after serving in senior legal positions at the U.S. Department of State for three decades. Gorsky will be based in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.
“Jeff served as a high-ranking lawyer in the office that handles the most complex and sensitive immigration issues from around the world,” said Lynden Melmed, a partner in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. “He understands how consular officers approach visa decisions day in and day out, and he has been a respected advisor to top policy makers in government. We are confident that his background will enhance and build on our firm’s unique government affairs capabilities.”
Gorsky’s career at the Department of State spanned over three decades. He worked as a Foreign Service Officer, managed the nonimmigrant visa section in Medellin, Colombia, served as consular chief in Bilbao, Spain, and finished his career as Chief of the Legal Advisory section of the Visa Office. He received numerous awards over the course of his government career, including two State Department Superior Honor Awards.
“I am honored to be joining the most respected immigration firm in the world,” Gorsky said. “Berry Appleman & Leiden is known within the government for its integrity and its ability to effectively represent their clients. I look forward to being part of their team and supporting their clients.”
Media Contact: Emily Albrecht Senior Director — Marketing & Communications ealbrecht@bal.com 469-559-0174
The Legal 500 has once again ranked Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL) as tier one, noting that, “The group is ‘adept at finding compliance solutions to mobility challenges’, and managing partner Jeremy Fudge in Dallas is ‘experienced, smart and responsive’.” BAL was also recognized for the firm’s strength in Texas, with the publication noting that, “the firm is especially strong in Texas, where it has three offices and provides global assistance to energy clients headquartered in the state.” It was also noted that BAL is, “well known for assisting clients with establishing overseas offices and thus has a good understanding of emerging markets.” BAL was also recognized for expertise in advising on non-immigrant visas, green card petitions, immigration support for corporate restructuring, compliance and consular affairs.
Founding Partner David Berry, Managing Partner Jeremy Fudge, and Partner Lynden Melmed were recognized as leading attorneys, and the publication noted that, “Lynden Melmed in the Washington DC office is a former government adviser and is renowned for representing clients in compliance audits and government investigations.” Partners Edward Rios, Vernadette Antonio, Frieda Garcia, Petra Tang, Carla Tarazi, Susan Wehrer, Brigitte Hocking and Kortney Gibson were also named, with the publication adding that, “Roberto Caballero in Houston is, “‘driven and efficient.'”
About The Legal 500
For 27 years, The Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research programme revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market. The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms in 106 jurisdictions.
The rankings are based on a series of criteria, but simply put, we highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel. Our research is based on feedback from 250,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of researchers who have unrivalled experience in the legal market.
The Legal 500 produces a wide ranging series of resources for in-house lawyers including roundtables, client insight reports and recognises and rewards the best in-house lawyers through our Corporate Counsel 100 series and The Legal 500 Awards. Please use the tabs at the top of the screen to find out more.
CHAMBERS USA 2015 PUBLISHED RANKINGS
Once again, BAL has been ranked by Chambers USA as a Band 1 firm in the Nationwide category as well as in the states of its largest offices, California and Texas.
NATIONWIDE BAND 1 Known for: Recognized as one of the leading and largest immigration groups in the nation. Possesses tremendous firepower to manage the corporate immigration programs and global movement of a high volume of clients. Provides comprehensive expertise across the full suite of non-immigrant and immigrant employment visa categories. Adept at briefing multinational corporates on compliance best practices.
Strengths: “They provide clear and creative solutions to difficult cases.” “We feel comfortable that we are maintaining full compliance and that our employees are kept up to date on their cases at all times.”
Notable practitioners: The “very smart and adept” David Berry stands out as one of the firm’s most capable and eminent attorneys. Operating out of the San Francisco office, he expertly guides multinational corporations through the compliance process and provides insightful counsel on the immigration consequences of M&A activity.
Lynden Melmed combines a deep understanding of immigration law with an unique insight into the federal government branches, formed during his position as Chief Counsel of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). He is considered a go-to practitioner for advice on highly sensitive issues that involve government audits and immigration investigations.
CALIFORNIA BAND 1 Known for: Powerful West Coast presence as part of a prominent national practice representing a range of major organizations. Provides sophisticated advice on a broad array of corporate immigration matters including compliance, global migration and inbound visas.
Strengths: “… they take the experience of the entire process very seriously. They jump in to help whenever they can, which is critical for us.”
Work highlights: Secured a decisive victory for a substantial technology company regarding the requirements of online job advertisements as part of the PERM labor certification process.
Notable practitioners “Talented lawyer” David Berry is held in high regard by market commentators, who appreciate his “very cordial” approach. His expertise spans a range of challenging issues faced by employers, from corporate compliance to due diligence following mergers and acquisitions.
San Francisco partner Susan Wehrer excels at advising clients on a host of business immigration matters including the labor certification process, petitions for individuals of extraordinary ability and adjustment of status applications. Sources describe her as a “dynamic, smart and excellent lawyer.”
TEXAS BAND 1 Known for: Market-leading presence with a nationwide profile in all areas of corporate immigration. Represents major corporates from the oil and gas, technology and engineering industries among others in a range of matters, including the implementation of global mobility and compliance programs.
Strengths: “The tracking system they have is phenomenal. On a daily basis, I am amazed when I get something across after giving them such short notice. They are very proactive and that is hugely important to us.”
“The knowledge is really there. Whenever we have issues, they present us with comprehensive legal options.”
Notable practitioners: Shawn Orme is joint head of the firm’s global immigration practice and is a respected figure in the Texas immigration community. One source notes: “I’ve seen his analysis and respect his work. He is an excellent business immigration attorney.”
Eminent practitioner: Managing partner Jeremy Fudge has an extensive background in business immigration, particularly acting on behalf of large corporates. Sources note his ability to “know and understand larger companies’ needs and meet their expectations with efficient and cost-effective legal representation.”
About Chambers USA
Since 1990, Chambers has published the world’s leading guides to the legal profession and has built a reputation for in-depth, objective research.
The publication has a team of over 140 highly qualified full-time researchers who conduct thousands of interviews with lawyers and their clients worldwide. Working with editors, they identify and rank the world’s best lawyers (i.e. those who perform best according to the criteria most valued by clients – such as technical expertise, business acumen, prompt delivery, value for money). No lawyer can buy their way into Chamber’s rankings. As a result, their directories – published annually – are known to be the most accurate and the most reliable.
Source: Chambers USA
In its 2015 publication, Chambers Global has awarded BAL an elevated ranking, noting that BAL, “Maintains a well-established reputation for corporate immigration, with a strong foundation in the USA. With a spread of offices worldwide, the firm is well placed to provide global immigration services, including in relation to M&A transactions and compliance. It is highlighted by interviewees for providing outstanding strategic and service-oriented advice.” Notable practitioners listed for BALinclude Partners David Berry, Jeremy Fudge and Shawn Orme, and Managing Directors Christina Karl, Emily King and Daniela Lima.
About Chambers Global Chambers Global covers over 190 countries across the world. It also includes Region-wide and Global-wide sections. The research team is unique in its size, talent and range of international experience. 150 full-time researchers and editors speak over 20 different languages. Based in the London office, they conduct in-depth telephone interviews with lawyers and clients around the world.
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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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.”