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Firms collaborated to move NYC-based immigration team from Epstein Becker Green to Berry Appleman & Leiden, giving clients on-the-ground support in the New York area
DALLAS, October 2, 2018 – Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) LLP, one of the world’s largest immigration law firms, is expanding to New York City (NYC) through the addition of Epstein Becker & Green’s 60-person NYC-based immigration team led by Robert Groban, Jr. Reflecting BAL’s commitment to a major US growth plan, this move enables the firm to offer its clients on-the-ground support in a key US market and expand its business further in several industry sectors including financial services.
As the global immigration market continues to face rapid change and increased complexity, businesses need an immigration partner with a large-enough footprint and the right capabilities to effectively address their challenges. On the heels of its recent alliance with Deloitte UK, which significantly expanded BAL’s global capabilities, BAL’s landmark NYC office establishes its presence in one of the largest US markets and begins its further expansion across the US.
“Our entry into New York City is an important one for our firm and our clients. It supports our focus on growing the firm’s US presence – across regions and industries – so we can better serve the needs of today’s businesses in the areas that matter most to them,” said Jeremy Fudge, BAL Managing Partner. “With Bob Groban’s expertise in immigration risk management and litigation and established position in the NYC market, this expansion will enable us to continue to give our clients the access, expertise and innovation they need to keep their businesses moving ahead.”
With this new office, BAL can now offer businesses:
“We are thrilled to become part of the BAL team,” said Robert Groban, Jr., head of BAL’s NYC office. “There are a lot of dynamics in play within global immigration, and businesses need every advantage to keep pace. Together, we can now deliver a whole new level of immigration services to our clients they simply can’t get elsewhere.”
“We are pleased to have found a home for our New York City-based immigration practice, a transition on which we had planned and have worked with BAL during most of 2018,” said David W. Garland, Chair of Epstein Becker Green’s National Employment, Labor & Workforce Management Steering Committee. “Epstein Becker Green will continue to deliver innovative and integrated workforce management solutions to our clients, including immigration, simply from a group more appropriately sized and located for us. We also wish our former colleagues well at BAL.”
BAL’s new office space is 19,000 square feet and is located at Eleven Times Square in Midtown Manhattan. The new office will open on October 15, which is the date the group will officially join BAL.
About BAL BAL is singularly focused on meeting the immigration challenges of corporate clients around the world in ways that make immigration more strategic and clients more successful. Established in 1980, the firm provides unmatched immigration expertise, top-notch information security and leading technology innovation like its Cobalt® digital immigration services platform. In 2018, the firm formed a strategic alliance with Deloitte UK to create the world’s first global immigration service delivery model. BAL and its leaders are highly ranked in every major legal publication, including Best Lawyers, Chambers, The Legal 500, and Who’s Who Legal. See website for details: www.bal.com.
Media Contact: Emily Albrecht Senior Director — Marketing & Communications ealbrecht@bal.com 469-559-0174
Best Lawyers recognized nine Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP lawyers as “The Best Lawyers in America” for 2019. The BAL attorneys listed by Best Lawyers are:
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based on a peer review process designed to capture the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
For 2018, U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers ranked BAL as a “Best Law Firm” nationally as well as in the metropolitan areas of Boston, Mass., Houston, Texas, San Francisco, Calif., Oakland, Calif., and Washington, D.C. Firms included on the 2018 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. To be eligible for a ranking as a “Best Law Firm”, a law firm must have at least one lawyer listed on “The Best Lawyers in America” list for that particular location and specialty. The 2019 “Best Law Firm” rankings will be released later this year.
Copyright © 2018 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.
The Legal 500 has once again ranked Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL) as a Tier 1 firm. The publication analyzes law firms worldwide and states that BAL “is a powerhouse in immigration law.” BAL’s lawyers “attract praise for offering ‘proactive solutions’ to a wide range of immigration matters.”
Managing Partner Jeremy Fudge is recognized in Dallas as “dedicated to serving the firm’s employees who in turn make BAL the platinum standard for client service, strategy and program management in global mobility.” Partner Kortney Gibson is also recommended in Dallas and manages some of the largest immigration programs in the U.S., with a particularly strong showing in the telecom sphere. In Houston, Partner Roberto Caballero is recognized for his specialization in managing immigration programs for large oil and gas companies, while Founding Partner and The Legal Hall of Fame member David Berry is noted for assisting a multinational military contractor with immigration issues. Partner Vernadette Antonio oversees the San Francisco office’s global visa practice and attracted praise for “her ability to ‘think outside the box’”. The publication also recognized the work in Washington, DC, of Partner Lynden Melmed and Senior Counsel Jeffrey Gorsky, as well as San Francisco-based Kelli Duehning, who recently joined the firm from the Western Law Division of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
About The Legal 500
For 29 years, The Legal 500 has been analyzing the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research program 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. 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.
Law360 named Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) one of the best firms for both women and minority attorneys. The ranking distinguishes firms that consistently demonstrate above-average hiring and promoting of both women and minorities. BAL is one of the seven firms with 20-149 lawyers recognized by Law360. BAL consistently ranks among its peers on Law360’s annual Diversity Snapshot and Glass Ceiling Report.
In 2018, Law360 ranked BAL second in its peer group for the Best Law Firms for Female Attorneys in the 2018 Glass Ceiling Report and fifth in its peer group for the Best Law Firms for Minority Attorneys in the 2018 Diversity Snapshot. When looking at firm leadership, specifically, Law360 recognized BAL as a 2018 Ceiling Smasher with 42 percent of BAL’s equity partners identifying as female. Minority equity partners make up 28 percent of BAL’s leadership and BAL ranks ninth for the Best Law Firms for Minority Equity Partners on Law360.
As Law360 reports, few firms maintain above-average diversity at all levels when looking at race, ethnicity and gender, often excelling in one aspect of diversity while lagging on another. BAL consistently ranks high for diversity representation at all levels – from associates to equity partners.
Law 360 surveyed more than 300 U.S. firms, or vereins with a U.S. component, about their overall and minority headcount numbers as of Dec. 31, 2017. Only U.S.-based attorneys were included in the survey, and firms must have at least 20 U.S.-based attorneys to participate. Some BAL attorneys declined to self-identify a race.
For the third consecutive year, Law360 has named BAL as one of the nation’s Best US Law Firms for Minority Attorneys in its annual Diversity Snapshot. Law360 also named BAL a Best Law Firm for Minority Equity Partners for the second year in a row.
According to Law360, BAL has above-average minority representation at all levels of the firm, ranking fifth among its peer group for minority attorney representation and ninth for minority equity partner representation. At BAL, minority attorneys make up more than 37 percent of attorneys, 29 percent of partners and 28 percent of equity partners. By contrast, Law360’s 2017 Diversity Snapshot shows that racial and ethnic minorities make up just shy of 16 percent of the attorneys employed by U.S. law firms, a number that inched up incrementally over the previous year. Among the more than 300 law firms surveyed, minorities make up about 9 percent of partners.
Law360 surveyed more than 300 US firms, or vereins with a U.S. component, about their overall and minority headcount numbers as of Dec. 31, 2017. Only U.S.-based attorneys were included in the survey, and firms had to have at least 20 U.S.-based attorneys to participate. Some BAL attorneys declined to self-identify a race.
Alliance supports global businesses in staying ahead in a rapidly-changing global immigration environment
DALLAS, June 6, 2018 – Berry Appleman & Leiden (BAL) LLP, one of the world’s largest immigration law firms, today announced a first-of-its-kind strategic alliance with Deloitte UK. The alliance represents an industry first offering, combining the best of Deloitte’s scale, expertise and breadth outside of the US with BAL’s legal expertise and high quality immigration services in the US.
In an increasingly complex environment, today’s multinational businesses are struggling to gain the right level of market insights, make the most of big data and integrate their mobility services to advance their immigration programs. It can be particularly tough to find service providers with large enough footprints to effectively address global challenges and to stay ahead of ever-increasing requirements for secure, innovative technologies. This alliance addresses those needs, bringing BAL’s technology and innovation leadership together with the global acumen and scale of Deloitte Global. It gives multinational organizations the global perspectives and footprint and continuous innovation they need to stay ahead in today’s rapidly-changing immigration market.
“Immigration is now a C-Suite priority and the landscape is more complex than ever before. Today’s global businesses need innovative thinking, global scale and deep expertise,” said Jeremy Fudge, BAL Managing Partner. “We’re offering clients the very best of two leading organizations, delivering a level of expertise, scale, control and accountability they can’t get anywhere else.”
BAL’s global clients can continue to expect the high-level of technology innovation reflected in products like BAL’s Cobalt® digital immigration services platform, top-notch information security and unmatched immigration expertise they’ve come to know. When served through this alliance, BAL clients will now experience the added benefit of:
“With the increased need for cross-border business travel, global organizations are recognizing the value of a firm that can bring a global footprint to help support the challenges of delivery and corporate compliance,” said Kalvinder Dhillon, Deloitte Global Immigration Lead. “Our ability to provide a fully global, end-to-end service will help employers move talent where it’s needed and enhance their compliance.”
Under this alliance, BAL will remain an independent entity in the US. Deloitte Global will acquire BAL’s non-US operations and assets in the UK, Singapore, Australia, Dubai, China, South Africa, Mozambique and Brazil. Deloitte US does not provide immigration or legal services and is not a party to the alliance with Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP, nor is it a party to the acquisition of BAL’s non-US assets. References to Deloitte Global are references to the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”). Deloitte UK is the sponsor of the alliance. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients.
About BAL Established in 1980, BAL powers human achievement through immigration expertise, people-centered client services and innovative technology. BAL, with 13 offices across the United States and global coverage in more than 185 countries around the world, operates as a single entity through its oneBAL culture — a uniquely holistic approach, intentionally structured as one team, one brand, one P&L, one standard of excellence and one unifying technology. This united approach enables the firm to deliver the highest level of knowledge, insights and resources from across the entire organization.
At BAL, we pursue the exceptional. To learn more visit bal.com.
Law360 again distinguished BAL as one of the nation’s best law firms for female attorneys, including partners, in its 2018 Glass Ceiling Report.
BAL is one of the top firms advancing equality at the top, and earned the designation of Law360 Ceiling Smasher. Forty-two percent of BAL’s equity partners identify as female—one of the largest percentages among the firms surveyed.. Law360 surveyed more than 300 law firms and, despite women making up more than 40 percent of law school students for decades, only one in five of the equity partners at those law firms identified as female.
As part of the report, Law360 also ranked BAL second in its peer group for the Best Law Firms for Female Attorneys, moving the firm up from last year’s ranking of third. To be eligible for the ranking, BAL had to report above-average representation of female attorneys at all levels – from attorneys to equity partners.
Law360 surveyed more than 300 U.S. firms, or vereins with a U.S. component, about their overall and female headcount numbers as of Dec. 31, 2017. Only U.S.-based attorneys were included in the survey, and firms must have at least 20 U.S.-based attorneys to participate.
For the tenth year in a row, BAL is ranked a “Band 1” firm for the Nationwide, California and Texas categories in the newly released 2018 Chambers USA Guide, an annual ranking of the best law firms based on independent research and interviews with lawyers and clients worldwide.
Chambers calls BAL a “powerful force in corporate immigration with the capacity to handle a range of highly complex matters, with substantial consular, auditing and compliance experience.” According to the guide, market insiders highlighted the firm’s use of technology to streamline its legal services: “They have a single customizable global database that provides us insight into our cases, excellent news updates and transparency of process.” Interviewees also praised the firm’s “high-caliber” team and its ability to “address the needs of clients locally and nationally.” The firm was recognized for “regularly advising multinational companies on their immigration programs and global mobility strategies, offering data analytics, management reporting and training services.”
Accolades go to founding partner David Berry for his “wide-ranging immigration practice, with experience in regulatory matters and advising on immigration issues arising in corporate transactions.” One client stated: “He’s terrific. He’s a good lawyer and he also understands business. I have a great deal of respect for him.” Jeremy Fudge, BAL’s managing partner, handles a range of immigration law and policy matters for corporate clients. Clients praised his strategic advice, commenting: “He is extremely client-focused, patient and provides direct feedback regarding our business processes.” Chambers notes D.C. partner Lynden Melmed’s expertise advising clients on compliance and government investigation issues. Sources report: “He is extremely knowledgeable and thorough in his work. He is great to work with,” with another adding: “He is absolutely first rate.”
About Chambers Global
Chambers, covering 185 jurisdictions, has ranked the best lawyers since 1990 and is known for its strength-in-depth editorial and research team. Chambers publishes an annual guide ranking the world’s best lawyers on the basis of technical expertise, business acumen, prompt delivery, and value for the money. A team of over 170 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.
RICHARDSON, Texas – March 21, 2018 – Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL), a global law firm that meets the immigration challenges of corporate clients around the world, has moved its two Dallas and Richardson offices to an expanded location at 2400 N. Glenville in Richardson, Texas. This new office, located on three floors, will become a Center of Excellence for BAL’s future growth plans.
“Establishing a COE in Richardson is an integral part of BAL’s dynamic, exciting growth strategy,” said BAL’s firm wide Managing Partner Jeremy Fudge. “By combining our North Texas offices and expanding our operations presence here, we are establishing one strong, centrally located hub that gives our professionals the ability to continue supporting the business operations of leading companies around the globe for years to come, while delivering a high level of service.”
The office now houses about 225 BAL attorneys, paralegals and staff and is the firm’s largest worldwide. The COE is anticipated to reach 320 on-site employees within a year.
Kortney Gibson serves as managing partner of the new location. “In many ways, Richardson is optimal for BAL’s North Texas office and COE,” said Gibson. “The city has a longstanding high-tech and international business focus, and many of our clients are multinational industry leaders in the tech sector or innovative adopters of technology. We consider ourselves a progressive, tech-savvy firm that operates differently from traditional law firms, and we designed our new office with a fresh, thematic focus on our mission and clients to appeal to the talented next generation of professionals. Richardson’s proximity to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport with its significant global connectivity, and this well-situated facility’s recent renovation, were also important factors in our decision.”
BAL has locations in key international markets including: Dubai, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Maputo (Mozambique), Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore and Sydney, and in major U.S. financial and commercial centers Dallas/Richardson, Austin, Boston, Houston, McLean (Virginia), San Francisco and Washington, D.C.
BAL offers a data-driven, globally seamless approach to its work, to maximize its practice and deliver greater efficiencies, resulting in a better client experience. Among the firm’s key points of differentiation are technology and development, artificial intelligence, automation and machine learning, and a consistent focus on cybersecurity knowledge and best practices. The firm also offers a robust knowledge management team; an unrelenting commitment to customer service; a delivery model and internal structure uncommon in the industry; and strong consultative and strategic advisory services at a programmatic level.
BAL again is ranked as a top firm in the Global-wide category in the newly released Chambers Global Guide, an annual ranking of the best international law firms based on independent research and interviews with lawyers and clients worldwide.
Chambers recognizes BAL as an “acclaimed group of immigration specialists which evokes praise for its deep experience in corporate global mobility. The firm offers a broad spectrum of services from application support and immigration programme management to strategic advice on compliance and government relations. An impressive client base benefits from its ever-expanding global footprint, notably with the opening of a first office in the Middle East and a second office in Africa.”
Sources stated they value the firm’s client-centric approach, highlighting its “global online platform and customised reporting” as “one of its strongest points.” They enthuse that “their availability and customer service is top-notch” and “there is an open line of communication – they take on board suggestions and give it all the necessary weight.”
Notable practitioners listed for BAL include Managing Partner Jeremy Fudge, Founding Partner David Berry, Europe Managing Director Emily King, Asia Managing Director Christina Karl, and MENA Managing Director Hadi Allawi.
About Chambers Global 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.