Immigration: Georgia

THE FIRM This firm is seen as leader in the area of corporate immigration both nationally and within the Georgia market. It provides comprehensive legal counsel on immigration matters including the hiring of foreign nationals and the placement of US citizens into international companies, as well as providing strategic advice regarding compliance with federal regulations.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "outstanding" Daryl Buffenstein continues to enjoy a national reputation in the area of immigration and comes recommended for large-scale and complex matters. Peers particularly praise his "depth of experience" and ability to deliver results.

Deborah Marlowe is noted for her extensive experience of business immigration matters and is also singled out by clients for her responsiveness and range of knowledge. She is particularly recognized for helping clients develop compliance policies for immigration regulation.

Kyle Sherman is regularly called upon to advise clients on employer regulatory compliance and the immigration implications concerning M&A, among other corporate immigration matters.

Karen Winarsky continues to make a name for herself advising clients in the entertainment industry and is also known for experience in assisting manufacturing and IT companies. Clients praise her "great service" and highlight her responsiveness as being key among her attributes.

THE FIRM This team has particular strength in advising and training employers in regulatory compliance and in obtaining both short and long-term work permits for potential employees. It is also noted for its experience in successfully assisting US clients entering the workforce across a range of countries, including Brazil, the UK, Germany, Canada and Singapore. Recent work includes advising UPS on a variety of immigration matters, from the movement of workers globally to ensuring compliance with employment statutes.

Sources say: "The entire team earns high marks. I have never posed a question to which I did not receive a fully explained, accurate legal response."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Eileen Scofield is recommended for her expertise in helping clients orchestrate responses to government investigations and audits. In a highlight, she is assisting Hospitality Staffing Services with employer compliance due diligence. Sources describe her as a "thoughtful, careful lawyer" who is "extremely knowledgeable, easily accessible and a delight to work with."

THE FIRM This group is known for its range of language capabilities, offering a multilingual service to a variety of corporations both large and small. The team also comes recommended for visa processing as well as counseling on immigration issues relating to M&A.

Sources say: "A very strong reputation."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Teri Simmons is singled out by clients in particular for her expertise in German immigration matters. Sources also describe her as "responsive, knowledgeable and connected" and praise her strategic approach to work.

THE FIRM This firm provides an extensive range of business immigration advice on matters including I-9 compliance, visa issues, and counseling corporations on the immigration implications of M&A. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Joycelyn Fleming brings a wealth of experience to her immigration work, which includes assisting businesses within the USA and abroad with visa processing for both short-term and permanent relocations. Sources describe her as "a class act" who is "very careful in her dealings."

THE FIRM This compact but highly equipped immigration boutique has a strong reputation in immigration controversy work as well as counseling businesses and individuals on visa and compliance matters. It is also recommended for deportation work and all manner of immigration litigation.

Sources say: "They're a very strong firm: they have a strong business immigration practice and involvement with public advocacy."

KEY INDIVIDUALS  The "extraordinary" Charles Kuck draws much respect for his broad expertise within immigration law and comes recommended for his representation of both businesses and individuals. Sources single out his "aggressive and skilled" approach to litigation and describe him as "very much an advocate for his client's interests." He is also an active public speaker on immigration policy matters.

THE FIRM This national labor and employment boutique provides a broad array of immigration expertise, from regulatory compliance and company relocation issues to temporary and permanent residency visas and preparing clients for impromptu I-9 audits. The group is sought after by clients across a diverse range of sectors, most notably hospitality, pharmaceutical, technology, construction and financial services.

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Rebecca Sigmund is particularly experienced in helping employers navigate immigration regulations and also comes recommended for her expertise in assisting employees to obtain both temporary and permanent visas. In addition, she is noted for her pro bono work in relation to human trafficking.  

"Standout lawyer" Jay Ruby is highly sought after for counseling employers on the appropriate visas for their employees and is also noted for his expertise in the area of I-9 compliance, as well as immigration issues relating to M&A. 

Sources praise Sarah Hawk's breadth of knowledge and also single out her personable and approachable manner with clients. She is an experienced adviser on the implications of immigration legislation and is also commonly called upon to assist employers with procuring the appropriate visas and work permits for potential employees.

THE FIRM Practitioners at this firm are well equipped to handle all manner of immigration matters, from successfully procuring work permits for employees to defending clients against claims of compliance failure. The group also provides I-9 training for companies and assistance with H-1B issues, and also represents a fine choice for clients in search of representation with regard to contentious immigration matters.

KEY INDIVIDUALS  "Class act" Mark Newman is head of the firm's immigration practice group and continues to be regarded as one of the leading lights among the Georgia immigration community. Peers are quick to single out his his "incredible depth of experience" and "full grasp of the practice."

Aimee Todd draws particular praise from peers for her technical abilities and enjoys a fine track record in obtaining temporary and permanent visas for clients throughout a diverse range of sectors, most notably in education and hospitality.

THE FIRM The immigration practice at this labor and employment boutique is well versed in advising employers throughout the duration of an employee's tenure at a company to ensure compliance with immigration statutes. The group is particularly renowned for assisting employers in placing workers internationally and has an excellent track record with regard to issues concerning EB-1 work visas. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS  Kim Kiel Thompson is chair of the firm's global immigration practice and is singled out by peers as "operating at a very high level of expertise in terms of both visas and I-9 compliance."

THE FIRM This compact yet dynamic firm is roundly praised for its technical skill and depth of knowledge within the area of immigration law. Its five-strong team offers a wealth of experience in both business and family immigration law and also comes recommended for regulatory compliance and disputes work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS  The "strong and reliable" Myron Kramer is well versed in all areas of business immigration. He particularly enjoys a fine track record in assisting corporations with ensuring that their workforces are compliant with US and international immigration laws.

The "very well-respected" Lea Alfano is well versed in both family and business immigration matters and continues to win much praise from the Georgia legal community. 

THE FIRM This international firm's Atlanta-based team is well equipped to deal with all manner of immigration work, including obtaining temporary visas for both domestic and multinational clients and counseling employers on compliance with federal immigration regulations. Its fine roster of clients is drawn from a diverse range of sectors that includes technology, engineering, healthcare and financial services.

KEY INDIVIDUALS James Levine represents a good choice for clients involved in complex business immigration matters and is particularly noted for his expertise in the hiring of foreign professionals for both temporary and permanent placements with US companies.

THE FIRM This team offers expertise across the spectrum of immigration matters, from strategic planning of immigration policies to the preparation and filing of applications on behalf of potential employees. Its practitioners are also experienced in advising companies of their obligations on regulatory compliance. The group counts FTI Consulting, Henkel and NASDAQ among its roster of clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS  The highly regarded James King acts for both domestic and international clients and is noted for his strengths in facilitating the movement of workers who are entering or exiting the country for professional purposes. He is also sought after to advise on developing plans to ensure compliance with immigration regulations. 

Nicole Kersey comes recommended for advising on the navigation of I-9 audits and also has experience in defending clients in government investigations. Clients particularly value her "impressive knowledge base" and her " accessible and accommodating" manner.

Since publication, the "well-regarded" Sharon Poorak has joined the firm from Frazier Soloway and Poorak. She is well known for her expertise in procuring the necessary visas for non-US academics and other professionals. She receives much acclaim from sources, with her client skills being particularly singled out for praise.