R. Blake Chisam

Partner

Blake Chisam

R. Blake Chisam
R. Blake Chisam
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Partner

Blake Chisam

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  • United StatesUnited States

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  • English

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[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

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Get in touch

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  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin
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Blake is a Partner at Fragomen’s Washington, DC office, where he focuses on risk management and compliance, along with government strategies.

Blake was previously senior counsel to the immigration subcommittee for the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, where he worked on policy and oversight issues related to employment-based immigration, international law, border security, immigration enforcement, refugee issues, naturalization and citizenship. In addition to his former role with the House Judiciary Committee, Blake served as Staff Director and Chief Counsel for the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics Committee) from 2009-2011, and counsel to the Ethics Committee Chair and Senior Policy Advisor to Representative Zoe Lofgren in 2009. During his tenure, Blake directed an unprecedented number of complex Congressional ethics investigations and served as lead counsel in high-profile House ethics disciplinary hearings.

Prior to his government service, Blake practiced immigration and nationality law in the private sector. His practice focused on advising organizations with respect to immigration-related policy, employment issues and other related matters. Blake is a sought-after speaker and guest lecturer and has published many commentaries on immigration law including a book, Immigration Practice, which he co-authored. In 2000, he was awarded the Meritorious Public Service Award by former Attorney General Janet Reno.

Education

  • Temple University School of Law, J.D., 1994
  • Auburn University, B.A., summa cum laude , 1991
  • University of Alabama, Bachelor of Arts Studies, 1988

More from Blake

Admissions

Bar admissions: New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland

Court Admissions: U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania; U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Western District of Oklahoma

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2026

Named to "Crisis Leadership Trailblazers," The National Law Journal, 2020

Director’s Award for Meritorious Public Service, U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (2001)

Professional accomplishments

Member, American Bar Association

Experience

Directed scores of Congressional investigations and oversight hearings on wide range of topics, including employment-based immigration, global immigration, federal claims processes, and ethics

Negotiated and drafted complex legislation

Advised Members of Congress on immigration and other policy matters

Litigated complex cases before state, federal and administrative tribunals

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “Roundtable 2: Beyond Compliance: Rethinking Talent Mobility Risk in a More Complex Workforce Era.” People 1st| USA, Jersey City, NJ, 27 May 2026.

Speaker, “Roundtable: Are You as Compliant as You Think? Rethinking LCA and PERM as Enterprise Risk.” GME Live | Americas 2026, 27 May 2026.

Quoted, “DHS proposes sweeping expansion of biometric data collection.” Global Mobility Lawyer, 6 November 2025.

Co-author, “Cos. Should Prepare For Harsher H-1B Program Enforcement.” Law360, 7 October 2020.

Co-author, “The Blunt H-1B Instrument Hidden in Trump Orders.” Law360, 26 August 2020.

Guest Lecturer, Temple University Beasley School of Law (2011).

Contributing Editor, Immigration Practice (Juris Publishing 2008, 2009, 2010).

Author (with Robert C. Divine), Immigration Practice (Juris Publishing 2005, 2006).

Author, “BALCA’s Health America Decision Doesn’t Go Far Enough” (2006).

Author, “Ethics: What Do You Do When A Qualified U.S. Worker Applies?” (2006).

Author (with Ana Avendano), Immigration Issues in the Workplace, Section of Labor and Employment Law, Labor Law Series (2005).

Author, “Civil & Criminal Federal Case Update” (2005).

Author, “Writing and the REAL ID” (2005).

Author, “H-1B Myths and Realities,” American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) 2004-2005 Annual Handbook (2004).

Author, “PERM Practice Advisory” (2004).

Author, DSN Retailing Today, “The Time is Right to Reform Immigration” (2004).

Author, PHJW Client Alerts, including “Key Immigration Compliance Decisions” (2002) and “The New Anti-Terrorism Act: Consequences for U.S. and Foreign Corporations” (2001).

Author, “The Right to Asylum and Need for Legal Representation of People with Mental Disabilities in Immigration Proceedings,” Mental & Physical Disability Law Reporter, Vol. 25, No. 4, pp. 511-516 (July/Aug. 2001).

Author, ALI-ABA Study Materials, “Temporary Work Authorization for Specialty Occupation Workers (H-1B),” “L-1 Intracompany Transfers of Managers, Executives and Employees with Specialized Knowledge,” and “Admission of Professionals Under NAFTA” (2001).

Presenter, Center on the Administration of Criminal Law and NYU Annual Survey of American Law Spring 2011 Symposium, “Policing, Regulating and Prosecuting Corruption” (2011).

Presenter, 41st Annual Immigration & Naturalization Institute, Practicing Law Institute (2008).

Presenter, 25th Annual Legislative & Regulatory Roundtable, Electronic Industries Alliance (2007).

Presenter, AILA Teleconference, “Help Me Help Myself: Why Managing your Practice Well is the ‘Right’ Thing as Well as the ‘Smart’ Thing To Do” (2007).

Presenter, AILA Teleconference, “Employment Law for Immigration Lawyers” (2007).

Presenter, American Bar Association, “Immigration Issues in the Workplace” (2005).

Presenter, American Bar Association, “On the Fulcrum: Managing Migration and Protecting ‘U.S. Workers’ in the Real World Under Immigration and Employment Laws” (2005).

Moderator and Presenter, Immigration Lawyers on the Web, “The REAL ID Act of 2005” (2005).

Presenter, Immigration Lawyers on the Web, “PERM: An Up-to-the-Minute Course” (2005).

Presenter, AILA Annual Conference, “Labor & Employment Law FAQs” (2005).

Presenter, AILA Annual Conference, “H-1B Myths and Realities” (2004).

Presenter, Human Resources Professionals Update, “Immigration Compliance Issues” (2004).

Presenter, Nuts and Bolts of Immigration Law, “Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications” and “Removal Proceedings and Defense” (2004).

Presenter, Society for Philosophy and Geography, “Sentries at the Gates: The Politics of Global Migration Control” (2004).

Presenter, Alabama Self Insurers Association, “Immigration Issues in the Workplace” (2004).

Presenter, State of Georgia, Department of Human Resources, Refugee Program Conference, “Immigration Compliance: Exploring the Intersections of Immigration and Employment Law” (2003).

Presenter, Emerging Issues in Immigration & Employment Law, “Is There Life After INS?” (2003).

Presenter, Emerging Issues in Immigration & Employment Law, “Intersections of Immigration and Employment Law” (2003).

Presenter, Emerging Issues in Immigration & Employment Law, “Impact of 9/11/2001” (2002).

Presenter, National Alliance for Multicultural Mental Health Annual Conference, “Immigration Proceedings & the Mentally Disabled” (2002).

Presenter, AILA Teleconference, “H-1Bs - Documenting Degree and Degree Equivalency and Specialty Occupations” (2002).

Presenter, ABA Annual Conference, “Immigration Detention: Perversities and Prospects” (2001).

Presenter, ALI/ABA Conference on Immigration Law, “Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications” (2001).

Presenter, Detention Watch Network Conference, “Advanced Topics on Immigration Relief” and “New Developments in Asylum Law” (2001).

Presenter, York County Bar Association CLE Program, “At the Intersection of Criminal and Immigration Law: Issues, Developments & Strategies” (1998).

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 202 349 2060

F:+1 202 371 2898

Washington, DC

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1101 15th St NW STE 700

Washington DC 20005

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Blake’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

People 1st | USARead more

May 27, 2026 | Conference

GME Live | Americas 2026Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

AIP: Trump Administration Proposes New Six-Figure H-1B Fee

Partner Bo Cooper discusses the potential impact of the proposed $103,265 fee for cap-subject H-1B petitions on US employers and international talent in AIP.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Blog post

Luxury Retail’s Evolving Talent Needs: When Business-Critical Skills Don’t Fit Traditional Immigration Categories

In our latest blog, Canada Managing Partner Cosmina Morariu explores how aligning mobility with talent planning can help brands deploy critical expertise where it is needed.

Learn more

Podcast

Moving HQ to the Middle East: A Success Perspective with VEON - Beyond Borders Series | The Immigration Conversation

Partner Ali Haider and Director Shoaib Khaleeli speak with VEON Chief People Officer Jameel Asghar about leadership, future-ready talent, organisational resilience and VEON’s decision to relocate its headquarters to Dubai.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Trump Administration Pauses Immigrant Visa Applications

Senior US Consular Manager Brian Simmons discusses the impact of the Trump administration’s worldwide pause on immigrant visa applications and the disruption caused by last-minute interview cancellations in the Financial Times.

Learn more

Blog post

Latin America’s Evolving Mobility Landscape: Opportunity and Complexity Advancing Together

Latin America and the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria explores how stronger compliance expectations, processing constraints and increasingly fragmented immigration policies are reshaping workforce mobility across the region—and where new pathways for specialized talent are emerging.

Learn more

Media mentions

Proposed $103,265 H-1B Fee: Fragomen Attorneys Examine the Potential Impact

Partners Bo Cooper and K. Edward Raleigh and Senior Counsel Mitchell Wexler discuss the potential impact of a proposed $103,265 fee for cap-subject H-1B petitions on employers and foreign talent.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Blog post

2026 Immigration Regulatory Changes: What Academic Medical Centers Need to Know

In this blog, Counsel Christopher Wendt examines four developments AMCs should have on their radar and why preparing for them may require coordination across immigration, GME, research administration, HR, benefits, finance and more.

Learn more

Blog post

Five Questions to Consider Before Seeking Residence or Citizenship in Europe

Senior Manager Andreia Florina Ghimis and Manager Pierangelo D’Errico outline five key questions to ask before seeking residency in Europe.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Receives Brandon Hall Group™ Gold HCM Excellence Award® for Leadership Development

Fragomen received a Brandon Hall Group™ Gold HCM Excellence Award® in the Best Leadership Development Program category for our Leadership Lifecycle initiative.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: Unpacking the New Overseas Talent ‘Concierge’ Service

Partner Charlotte Wills and Senior Manager Harry Goldstraw discuss the UK’s new overseas talent “concierge” service and what it means for high-growth businesses recruiting international talent.

Learn more

Blog post

A1-Bescheinigung oder Certificate of Coverage (CoC): Welches Dokument wird wann benötigt?

In this blog, Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer explains when A1 certificates and Certificates of Coverage (CoCs) may be required, the key differences between the two documents and what employers should consider before managing international assignments.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™

Fragomen attorneys are recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America™ and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, including Partner Matthew Phillips and Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler as Lawyer of the Year recipients.

Learn more

Media mentions

AIP: Trump Administration Proposes New Six-Figure H-1B Fee

Partner Bo Cooper discusses the potential impact of the proposed $103,265 fee for cap-subject H-1B petitions on US employers and international talent in AIP.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Blog post

Luxury Retail’s Evolving Talent Needs: When Business-Critical Skills Don’t Fit Traditional Immigration Categories

In our latest blog, Canada Managing Partner Cosmina Morariu explores how aligning mobility with talent planning can help brands deploy critical expertise where it is needed.

Learn more

Podcast

Moving HQ to the Middle East: A Success Perspective with VEON - Beyond Borders Series | The Immigration Conversation

Partner Ali Haider and Director Shoaib Khaleeli speak with VEON Chief People Officer Jameel Asghar about leadership, future-ready talent, organisational resilience and VEON’s decision to relocate its headquarters to Dubai.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Trump Administration Pauses Immigrant Visa Applications

Senior US Consular Manager Brian Simmons discusses the impact of the Trump administration’s worldwide pause on immigrant visa applications and the disruption caused by last-minute interview cancellations in the Financial Times.

Learn more

Blog post

Latin America’s Evolving Mobility Landscape: Opportunity and Complexity Advancing Together

Latin America and the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria explores how stronger compliance expectations, processing constraints and increasingly fragmented immigration policies are reshaping workforce mobility across the region—and where new pathways for specialized talent are emerging.

Learn more

Media mentions

Proposed $103,265 H-1B Fee: Fragomen Attorneys Examine the Potential Impact

Partners Bo Cooper and K. Edward Raleigh and Senior Counsel Mitchell Wexler discuss the potential impact of a proposed $103,265 fee for cap-subject H-1B petitions on employers and foreign talent.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Blog post

2026 Immigration Regulatory Changes: What Academic Medical Centers Need to Know

In this blog, Counsel Christopher Wendt examines four developments AMCs should have on their radar and why preparing for them may require coordination across immigration, GME, research administration, HR, benefits, finance and more.

Learn more

Blog post

Five Questions to Consider Before Seeking Residence or Citizenship in Europe

Senior Manager Andreia Florina Ghimis and Manager Pierangelo D’Errico outline five key questions to ask before seeking residency in Europe.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Receives Brandon Hall Group™ Gold HCM Excellence Award® for Leadership Development

Fragomen received a Brandon Hall Group™ Gold HCM Excellence Award® in the Best Leadership Development Program category for our Leadership Lifecycle initiative.

Learn more

Media mentions

People Management: Unpacking the New Overseas Talent ‘Concierge’ Service

Partner Charlotte Wills and Senior Manager Harry Goldstraw discuss the UK’s new overseas talent “concierge” service and what it means for high-growth businesses recruiting international talent.

Learn more

Blog post

A1-Bescheinigung oder Certificate of Coverage (CoC): Welches Dokument wird wann benötigt?

In this blog, Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer explains when A1 certificates and Certificates of Coverage (CoCs) may be required, the key differences between the two documents and what employers should consider before managing international assignments.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™

Fragomen attorneys are recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America™ and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, including Partner Matthew Phillips and Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler as Lawyer of the Year recipients.

Learn more
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Important Updates
Important Updates
August 27, 2026 | 🌐Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations
August 28, 2026 | MalaysiaMalaysia: New Photograph Verification Processes
August 28, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: DHS Proposal to Eliminate 60-Day Nonimmigrant Grace Period Clears Federal Review
August 28, 2026 | 🌐Worldwide: Temporary Ebola-Related Entry Restrictions Introduced
August 27, 2026 | United StatesAIP: Trump Administration Proposes New Six-Figure H-1B Fee
August 27, 2026 | 🌐Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations
August 28, 2026 | MalaysiaMalaysia: New Photograph Verification Processes
August 28, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: DHS Proposal to Eliminate 60-Day Nonimmigrant Grace Period Clears Federal Review
August 28, 2026 | 🌐Worldwide: Temporary Ebola-Related Entry Restrictions Introduced
August 27, 2026 | United StatesAIP: Trump Administration Proposes New Six-Figure H-1B Fee
August 27, 2026 | 🌐Middle East - The Latest News on Mobility and Travel Considerations
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