Fragomen Names Rodney Malpert, Managing Partner of Its Northern California Practice
January 2, 2020

Fragomen is pleased to appoint Rodney Malpert, Managing Partner of its Northern California practice, effective immediately. He succeeds Cynthia Lange, who is maintaining an active role with the firm in the region as Senior Counsel.
Malpert, a Partner since joining Fragomen in 2008, and a member of the firm’s national Executive Committee, will continue to provide strategic counsel and guidance to the firm’s Silicon Valley technology clients, as well as its full array of clients throughout Northern California – ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
“Our clients – all of whom operate in a critical sector for immigration and mobility – demand and deserve responsiveness, agility and superior customer service,” said Malpert, whose ties to the region and, importantly, the Northern California immigration landscape, cover more than 15 years. “Through our deep institutional knowledge of each of our clients and our expertise in dealing with complex immigration issues, the team here and I look forward to building on the great results we have already achieved.”
"Thanks to Cynthia’s tremendous leadership and the dedication of her team, we have achieved so much as a firm and in the region over the past three-plus decades, creating a high-performing culture – all while reinforcing the values we hold true and our steadfast commitment to our clients," said Fragomen Chairman Austin T. Fragomen, Jr. He also cited the pivotal role Lange has played in both growing Fragomen’s presence in the technology and I-9 arena.
“Importantly, Cynthia has conducted her role with passion, the utmost professionalism and an unwavering commitment to our clients,” added Fragomen, Jr. “I, along with the entire Fragomen community, am extremely grateful for all that she has done for Fragomen – and for her continuing contributions to the firm – working with Rod and our outstanding group of immigration professionals.”
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