Country / Territory
Get in touch
Languages
- English
- French
- Spanish
Contact information
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
333 W Wacker Dr 15th Floor
Chicago IL 60606
United States
Michelle is a Partner in the Chicago office of Fragomen and has practiced immigration for over 21 years. With extensive experience in corporate immigration law, Michelle provides strategic immigration representation to multiple startup, multinational and Fortune 500 companies. She leads clients in the establishment and enhancement of their immigration programs while managing risk and compliance-oriented strategies on their behalf. Michelle is a trusted advisor to clients’ business leaders, international mobility, HR, talent acquisition and legal teams, helping them understand the impact of administrative decisions on their immigration programs while successfully navigating through challenging geo-political environments. She represents clients in a multitude of industries from healthcare and technology to manufacturing and finance. She manages client engagement teams focused on providing innovative success-driven solutions to both private clients and global organizations.
Michelle is an active member in the legal and broader community and has a strong commitment to serving others and helping to advance those around her. She was appointed to the American Bar Association’s Commission on Immigration. In this role, Michelle provides critical counsel to the Commission in its efforts to ensure fair treatment and full due process rights for immigrants and refugees within the United States, and helps to develop and implement immigration-related policy for the ABA. Michelle also serves as Policy Officer to the American Bar Association’s International Law Section. She was also appointed to the Board of Directors for the Chinese American Service League (CASL), an organization that has long dedicated its efforts to serving the Chicago community with essential services, including providing immigrants with pathways to citizenship. She serves as Secretary to the Board and is an Executive Committee member on the Board.
A strong advocate for pro bono work, Michelle assists with asylum, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) cases through the ABA and other nationally recognized pro bono organizations. She routinely assists with TPS, DACA and citizenship workshops. She has routinely provided pro bono legal services to immigrant adults and children who are detained at the southern border in Texas and California.
Michelle is regularly recognized as a leading lawyer in well regarded legal and business publications. Michelle speaks English, French and Spanish.
Education
- Boston University, J.D., 2001
- Northwestern University, B.A., honors , 1998
More from Michelle
Admissions
Bar Admissions: Illinois
Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law
Awards
Listed in Best Lawyers, 2021 to 2024
Named to Crain’s Chicago Business’s Notable Women in Law, 2022
Listed in Chambers USA, 2022 to 2023
Listed in Who's Who Legal: Corporate Immigration, Future Leader, 2020 to 2023
Listed in Who's Who Legal: Corporate Immigration, 2019 to 2022
Professional accomplishments
Policy Officer, American Bar Association (ABA) Section of International Law
American Bar Association Presidential Appointment, ABA Commission on Immigration
Chair, ABA Commission on Immigration, 2023-2024
Secretary, Board of Directors, Chinese American Service League
Experience
Counseled businesses on employment strategies, including strategic planning for hiring foreign national talent and development of best practices to establish efficiencies across multiple jurisdictions.
Advised corporate clients in developing compliance programs for defending workplace sanctions and establishing internal processes that ensure timely and compliant on-boarding of international personnel.
Conducted I-9 audits and advised clients on hiring and discrimination issues.
Drafted J-1 waiver applications of the two-year foreign residency requirement.
Submitted H-1B petitions for cap-exempt institutions affiliated with academic and research organizations.
Prepared and submitted religious worker petitions and counseled clients through onsite inspections.
Handled Schedule A Permanent Residency Petitions for Registered Nurses and Physical Therapists.
Managed nonimmigrant and immigrant employment-based visas applications, including PERM labor certifications, national interest waivers, and outstanding researcher and extraordinary ability petitions.
Counseled employers on corporate mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and other forms of corporate reorganization.
Publications and lectures
Speaker, “Making a Virtual Connection: Ensuring an Open and Productive Attorney/Client Relationship While Remote.” Panel Presentation, ABA Commission on Immigration, virtual, 2022.
Speaker, “PERM Audits – Beyond Business Necessity.” Panel Presentation, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Chicago, IL, 2019.
Speaker, “Increasing Diversity at Law Firms: The Role We All Play.” The Women, Diversity & Change Summit, Chicago, IL, 2019.
Speaker, “How to Advise Clients on Global Mobility Matters: Employment, Immigration and Tax Law, Oh My!” Panel presentation, American Bar Association, New York, 2018.
Speaker, “Compliance Issue in the Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9: Raising Awareness for Employers.” Webinar, The Knowledge Group, 2015.
Speaker, “I-9 Verification and Compliance.” Lecture, 2014 Hospitality Law Conference, Houston, TX, 2014.
Panelist, “What you need to know about the latest compliance changes.” Panel presentation, The Forum for Expatriate Management, Oakbrook, IL, 2014.
Panelist, “Preparing for a Smooth Flight: Understanding Global Compliance.” Panel presentation, Midwest Relocation Conference, Rosemont, IL, 2014.
Moderator, “Going Global: A Corporate Case Study in Entering an Emerging Market.” Lecture, 2014 Spring Meeting of the American Bar Association’s Section of International Law, New York, NY, 2014.
Speaker, "The Globalization of Law Practice - Visa Pitfalls to Avoid when Practicing Overseas." Lecture, 2012 Fall Meeting of the American Bar Association’s Section of International Law, Miami Beach, FL, 2012.
Panelist, "Counseling Corporate Compliance in Today's Climate." Panel presentation, Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s 6th Annual Workplace Enforcement and Immigration Conference, Chicago, IL, 2011.
Panelist, "Corporate Compliance." Panel presentation, Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s 5th Annual Workplace Enforcement and Immigration Conference, Chicago, IL, 2010.
Panelist, "E-Verify, IMAGE, and SSNVS." Panel presentation, Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s 4th Annual Workplace Enforcement and Immigration Conference, Chicago, IL, 2009.
Panelist, "Future of Workplace Immigration Compliance: Verification and Storage." Panel presentation, Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s 3rd Annual Workplace Enforcement and Immigration Conference, Chicago, IL, 2008.
Panelist, "Future of Workplace Immigration Compliance: Verification and Storage." Panel presentation, Federal Bar Association Chicago Chapter’s 2nd Annual Workplace Enforcement and Immigration Conference, Chicago, IL, 2007.
Michelle’s insights
February 7, 2024 | Media mentions
November 2, 2023 | Media mentions
August 25, 2023 | Fragomen news