Senior Counsel
Alex Paterson
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Languages
- English
Contact information
Alex is Senior Counsel based in Fragomen’s London and Sheffield office. She is a dual-qualified Solicitor of England and Wales and Australia and has practiced exclusively in the area of immigration law since 1995. During this time, she has provided legal advice and strategic guidance to some of the world’s largest global companies, in addition to numerous start-ups and small to medium-sized enterprises.
Alex advises companies across a wide range of industries, including financial services, information technology and telecommunications, resources (including oil and gas), as well as professional services organizations, fast-moving consumer goods, business consulting and engineering/construction businesses.
Alex has particular skill and experience in developing and implementing regional and global immigration programmes, helping companies navigate immigration requirements and advising on regional compliance risk, immigration audits and enforcement action scenarios.
Alex helps companies access global talent to support their business establishment and growth. She advises on the most appropriate immigration pathways, ensuring full compliance with immigration law and policy, and supports the individual employees and their families with all immigration related requirements.
Alex is highly active in engaging with Government and other thought leaders in respect of migration strategies and held the role of National Trustee for the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) on behalf of the Firm until February 2018. In late 2016, Alex chaired the launch event in Sydney for CEDA’s highly regarded research report, Migration: The Economic Debate, and was the lead speaker at the Perth launch event.
Alex is a regular speaker, panel contributor and Chair at several mobility, legal and human resources forums in Australia and internationally. She also presents at CPD/CLE sessions. Alex has contributed articles to publications, including The In-House Lawyer and Financier Worldwide.
Prior to her move to the UK, Alex served as Co-Managing Partner of the Australia and New Zealand Practice and Managing Partner of Fragomen’s London office.
Education
- College of Law, Guildford, Law Society Finals, honours , 1992
- College of Law, Guildford, CPE/Diploma in Law, 1991
- University of Kent at Canterbury, B.A., honours , 1990
More from Alex
Admissions
Immigration Credentials: Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1385851)
Legal Qualifications: Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales; Barrister and Solicitor, Supreme Court of Western Australia
Awards
Listed in Who's Who Legal: Corporate Immigration, 2011 to 2022
Legal 500 Asia Pacific, 2011
UK Legal Experts, 2010 and 2011
UK Legal 500 and UK Chambers Legal Directories, 2009, 2010 and 2011
Professional accomplishments
National Trustee, Committee for Economic Development of Australia
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Member, Immigration Law Practitioners' Association
Member, International Bar Association
Member, Law Society of New South Wales
Member, Migration Institute of Australia
Experience
Advised national and international companies on immigration requirements, category availability, sponsorship requirements and obligations
Assisted companies in establishing and maintaining a global immigration programme
Supported clients with audits and compliance-related matters falling under immigration law and policy
Designed immigration programme policies and procedures including management of business visitors and short-term workers, particularly for companies moving large numbers of employees globally
Conducted training and held immigration and compliance briefings for senior management and boards of directors
Contributed to government lobby initiatives and forums discussing impacts of changes to immigration and related law and policy
Publications and lectures
Co-author, “Immigration and Employment Law.” In The Corporate Guide to Expatriate Employment, edited by Jonathan Reuvid, 157-164. UK and U.S.: Kogan Page, 2009. Print.
Alex’s insights
March 27, 2020 | Fragomen news
June 29, 2018 | Immigration analysis
