Immigration: California

THE FIRM This premier immigration specialist is headquartered in San Francisco and is a leading player in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. The seven partner-strong team offers a full spectrum of services to a host of major corporations; it also continues to develop its global migration practice and is increasing its activities regarding worldwide government relations, enabling Fortune and Global 500 companies to set up business units abroad.

Sources say: “There is no doubting the team's focused and business-oriented approach. We would truly be lost without their help.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner Warren Leiden is noted for his incredible experience across all aspects of corporate immigration law. Sources describe him as “a rainmaker: a fine leader who is highly strategic in his thinking and approach." Jeff Appleman has litigated numerous immigration cases in federal courts and his impressive work on H-1B visas continues to keep many clients very happy. The “ever-ready” David Berry focuses on working with human resources professionals to optimize their companies’ immigration programs. Berry manages the firm’s global migration practice and sources sing his praises: “He is consistently thoughtful and assured in his approach to problem solving and always maintains a highly positive attitude.” Susan Wehrer joined the group from Seyfarth Shaw at the end of 2010, as a senior associate. She focuses on business matters, particularly labor certification and tackling the immigration issues regularly faced by startups. Her clients include the healthcare sector, universities, research institutions and Silicon Valley technology companies.

THE FIRM This international business immigration law firm is regularly sought after by a wide range of public and private companies. In addition, it provides assistance to investors, entertainers and international business executives. The group also maintains a fine reputation for its advice on J1 and H-1B visa and green card applications, and continues to expand its global practice in this arena.

Sources say: “A highly recommended team; the attorneys are capable, resourceful and responsive, and service is always good.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Ivener provides particular assistance to persons of extraordinary ability in the field of entertainment. He is described as "one of the premier immigration lawyers in the state; he operates at the absolute cutting edge and has the ability to provide highly creative solutions to the most complex of problems." Both Ivener and David Fullmer are highly skilled in the arranging of EB-5 investor visas. Sources single out Fullmer's "proactive approach to client concerns; he is responsive, personable and really knowledgeable."

THE FIRM This 24-person immigration boutique is particularly noted for its strong business immigration focus. The group continues to strengthen its I-9 and E-verify audit and compliance practice and is also cementing its global immigration footprint with the expansion of its global mobility practice. Clients include LucasFilm Companies, Electronic Arts and URS Corporation.

Sources say: “Pearl Law Group offers exceptional customer service. The team has taken the time to understand how our business operates and each staff member holds a genuine passion for the work we do.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Julie Pearl is the founding member of Pearl Law Group and a former Deputy Attorney General in California. Sources single her out as "a bright, well-organized and strategic thinker; she is a fine practice head and leads her team to meet the highest client service standards.” Sameer Khedekar's clients include investors, individuals, hi-tech companies, universities and hospitals. Khedekar has represented clients in the Immigration Court in removal proceedings and before USCIS in naturalization and adjustment of status proceedings. Kathleen Kunzman's practice incorporates a range of immigration matters, from filing employment visa petitions on behalf of professionals to handling adjustments of status and consular processing immigrant visa applications. Christy Nguyen principally represents multimedia and software companies, as well as artists and entertainers, bio-medical companies, and professional consulting firms. Clients enthuse: “She is able to suggest cost-saving alternatives and best practices based on how our company operates; she really has a firm grasp of how businesses operate."

THE FIRM The client base of this full-service immigration law firm includes multimedia and software companies, professional consulting firms, bio-medical companies and entertainers and artists. The group wins particular acclaim for its highly developed visa application and I-9 and E-verify services.

Sources say: "A really strong, versatile group; the lawyers are knowledgeable straight-talkers who are always on top of their game."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Bernard Wolfsdorf is a renowned leader in the immigration field and is regarded by peers as "a genuine star; extraordinarily knowledgeable and a real expert in the handling of consular and state department matters." Wolfsdorf is also praised for his intelligent drafting, as is his colleague Tien-Li Loke Walsh, whose practice incorporates the whole gamut of immigration law, with a particular emphasis on student and EB-1 visas.

THE FIRM This compact boutique practice provides assistance to a wide range of clients including startup, midsized and multinational companies. It provides a broad scope of immigration services including I-9 compliance, labor certification and applications for investment, as well as other business-related visas and applications for changes of non-immigrant status.

Sources say: “This is a hugely reputable San Francisco firm offering work at a very reasonable cost.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ilana Drummond comes recommended for her direct approach to problem solving. She continues to concentrate on permanent residency matters, corporate immigration policy planning and the implementation of I-9 compliance programs. Norman Plotkin continues to handle matters across the full spectrum of immigration law. Daniel Horne expertly assists individuals and corporations with immigration and nationality matters, with sources particularly singling out "the high quality of his advice."

THE FIRM Larrabee Mehlman Albi Coker provides advice on visa applications, the implementation of immigration strategy relating to hiring and retaining employees, and the potential immigration aspects of workforce reorganizations. Additionally, this San Diego firm offers its corporate clients educational services in the form of I-9 compliance training and mock audits.

Sources say: “A well-known group with a strong local presence; the attorneys are knowledgeable and experienced.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS A “major player in the immigration community,” Sharon Mehlman is a “go-to person” for corporate immigration services, particularly for clients within the hi-tech, biotech, multimedia and communications industries. Multilingual Fausta Albi's client base incorporates research institutes, universities and corporate clients within the biotechnology, IT and scientific research fields. Albi assists clients with labor certification and the adjustment of status and consular processing matters, as well as procuring a wide range of employment-based non-immigrant visas. Diana Vellos Coker has built her practice around handling the corporate immigration matters of educational institutions, corporate entities and hospitals.

THE FIRM This immigration and naturalization-focused boutique represents business clients from a multitude of industries. It advises professionals and trainees requiring temporary work visas, secures visas on behalf of foreign nationals, and provides guidance to foreign executives undergoing intra-company transfers, among other matters. The group has an excellent reputation for its work on labor certifications and is also regularly called upon to assist with I-9/E-verify compliance.

Sources say: “The firm has a very client-centered ethos, and offers sophisticated services at a reasonable cost.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS  With a longstanding reputation as a masterful practitioner in the San Francisco area, Edward Litwin is highly renowned within the field of labor certification. Sources praise his “dedication and cheerful demeanor.”

THE FIRM This group operates out of San Diego and specializes in immigration, citizenship and nationality law. The firm processes applications for permanent residence status and non-immigrant visas, in addition to providing assistance in the deportation, removal and exclusion arena where necessary.

Sources say: “An immigration boutique that has a real forte in citizenship and nationality law.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS  The highly regarded Robert Mautino is a founding member of the firm with a longstanding reputation in the California area for his commitment to immigration law. Kathrin Mautino is managing partner of the firm and places great emphasis on family immigration matters in her personal practice.

THE FIRM Morgan Lewis serves Fortune 100 clients across the USA, in a wide range of industries, and maintains strong relationships with government officials in Washington and the global US consular corps. The firm offers business clients use of a web-based program combining I-9 and E-verify compliance, and issues regular email updates disseminating cutting-edge legal analysis of developments in immigration law.

Sources say: “The lawyers are always highly professional; they keep us updated on changes in the law and have helped us maintain 100% compliance.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Vázquez-Azpiri is lauded for his expertise in the handling of non-immigrant US visas specific to Canadian and Mexican citizens and for his knowledge of the AC-21 portability clause. His clients include Broadcom and Samsung and he attracts praise from commentators for the range of his general knowledge of worldwide immigration. Lance Nagel focuses on immigration compliance, inbound visas and permanent residence issues, as well as nationality and global immigration services. Nagel’s clients particularly appreciate his “sensitivity and superb communication skills.”

THE FIRM Seyfarth Shaw has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Sacramento, and is well equipped to handle strategic planning, issues arising from M&A, compliance audits and internal investigations. The firm’s client base spans the healthcare, software, automotive and manufacturing industries, and includes major universities and research and financial institutions.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Angelo Paparelli shines in this sector, providing forward-thinking solutions to complex immigration law problems, particularly in the context of M&A and corporate restructuring. Sources applaud his “professionalism and gracious manner – he’s excellent and really understands the workings of the US immigration department.”

THE FIRM The group takes care of issues relating to citizenship, visa and green cards applications, deportation and appeals. Its clients particularly benefit from the firm's regular electronic updates on immigration law.

Sources say: “The firm has an amazing website for those in need of immigration assistance – everyone should take a look.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS The widely respected Carl Shusterman is a former US immigration and naturalization service attorney and remains dedicated to assisting individuals and organizations within the healthcare sector.

THE FIRM This boutique is based in San Francisco and its immigration services are divided into the four strategic areas of compliance and counseling, temporary work visas, permanent work visas, and international travel counseling. Its client base extends from small Silicon Valley startups to vast multinationals and it is also noted for its expertise in immigration matters affecting universities and research institutions.

Sources say: “A true gem in the legal community; the partners are responsive, communicate well and are business oriented in their approach."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner Kirsten Schlenger has a flair for languages and is praised by sources for her “sensible, humane approach to handling complex immigration matters.” Mary Jane Weaver represents organizations in the financial services, telecommunications, hi-tech, engineering and animation industries. Clients praise "her proactive manner and creative approach to problem solving." Laura Mazel takes care of business immigration matters from administrative processing to litigation on behalf of corporate and nonprofit entities. Mazel also dedicates much of her time to assisting scientists and medical professionals in hi-tech, biotech and medical research institutions. Sources laud her “astute intellect and pragmatic, commercial approach.”

THE FIRM This firm has offices in Santa Clara, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Irvine and remains a mighty presence in the California area. The firm focuses on providing immigration services to corporate entities, tailoring a strategic overview of potential solutions to best address the needs of the organization in each new case.

Sources say: “The firm has excellent attorneys and the capacity to help a wide range of clients.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Cynthia Lange is managing partner of the firm's North California office and also takes the lead in running the firm’s I-9 service center. Lange’s areas of focus include implementing compliance programs and representing corporate clients in government investigations and audits. Sources single her out as having "a fine, strategic and business-focused approach; she's down to earth and extremely personable and really instills confidence in her clients."

THE FIRM This boutique operates out of San Francisco and Los Angeles and caters to employers requiring assistance with business immigration matters, including hiring and retaining foreign nationals of exceptional ability. The group is particularly known for its work on I-9 compliance and M&A and acts for a range of clients from individual scholars and investors, to startups and large corporations.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner Alan Tafapolsky focuses on counseling clients on issues arising from M&A and wins much praise for the “huge value he places on client relationships.” Similarly, sources admire the “excellent service” provided by Ronald Wada, who concentrates on immigrant and non-immigrant visa petitions in extraordinary ability categories. Additionally, Wada oversees appeals and provides assistance in complex immigration matters. Anthony Smith is managing partner of the LA office and specializes in assisting multinationals and startups with employment-based immigration matters. Sources note that he is “an intelligent and accomplished litigator.”