Photo of Christopher Wendt

Counsel

Christopher L. Wendt

Photo of Christopher Wendt
Photo of Christopher Wendt
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Counsel

Christopher L. Wendt

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 612 355 6550

Minneapolis

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Ste 300

Minneapolis MN 55416

United States

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Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 612 355 6550

Minneapolis

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Ste 300

Minneapolis MN 55416

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 612 355 6550

Minneapolis

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Ste 300

Minneapolis MN 55416

United States

Connect via Linkedin
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With nearly three decades of experience at the intersection of immigration law and healthcare, Christopher advises health care institutions, research organizations and academic medical centers on the full range of U.S. immigration matters affecting physicians, allied health professionals and international scholars. His practice spans every stage of the immigration process, from nonimmigrant status through permanent residence, including clinical care and research waivers.

Christopher’s experience includes 23 years at Mayo Clinic, where he served as in-house immigration counsel supporting one of the world's leading academic medical centers. This gives him a practical, institution-level perspective on the workforce, compliance and operational challenges facing healthcare organizations. He understands firsthand how immigration decisions affect patient care, research continuity, regulatory obligations and long-term talent strategy.

Clients describe Christopher as a strategic advisor who anticipates issues before they arise and structures guidance around what organizations are building, not only what they need today. They value his judgment under pressure and his ability to advocate clearly and directly when outcomes are uncertain, while remaining focused on the human impact of immigration decisions.

Christopher advises on program design, process improvement and risk management and has led the restructuring of internal and external immigration functions at large health systems. He holds a silver certification in business process analysis and has helped organizations build immigration programs that are efficient, scalable and aligned with long-term workforce planning.

His approach is also informed by personal experience navigating immigration systems, including international work and the challenges of maintaining lawful status, as well as later sponsoring a family member through the U.S. immigration process. Christopher maintains a longstanding commitment to access to justice and has provided pro bono representation to asylum seekers, permanent residence and naturalization applicants, advised nonprofit organizations and delivered training for churches through the Minnesota-Dakota AILA Chapter's faith-based taskforce.

For more than 15 years, Christopher also chaired the pro bono committee within Mayo Clinic's legal department, coordinating service opportunities across multiple legal disciplines. In 2025, he was appointed the inaugural chair of the Minnesota Board of Civil Legal Aid, an independent judicial branch agency responsible for ensuring access to high-quality civil legal services across all Minnesota counties.

Christopher speaks English and Russian.

Christopher advises on program design, process improvement and risk management and has led the restructuring of internal and external immigration functions at large health systems. He holds a silver certification in business process analysis and has helped organizations build immigration programs that are efficient, scalable and aligned with long-term workforce planning.

His approach is also informed by personal experience navigating immigration systems, including international work and the challenges of maintaining lawful status, as well as later sponsoring a family member through the U.S. immigration process. Christopher maintains a longstanding commitment to access to justice and has provided pro bono representation to asylum seekers, permanent residence and naturalization applicants, advised nonprofit organizations and delivered training for churches through the Minnesota-Dakota AILA Chapter's faith-based taskforce.

For more than 15 years, Christopher also chaired the pro bono committee within Mayo Clinic's legal department, coordinating service opportunities across multiple legal disciplines. In 2025, he was appointed the inaugural chair of the Minnesota Board of Civil Legal Aid, an independent judicial branch agency responsible for ensuring access to high-quality civil legal services across all Minnesota counties.

Christopher speaks English and Russian.

Education

  • University of Michigan Law School, J.D., cum laude, 1998
  • Beloit College, B.A., cum laude, 1993

More from Christopher

Admissions

Bar Admissions: Minnesota

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Named an Emerging Leader, Minnesota Supreme Court Legal Services Planning Committee, 2010-2011

Named an “Up and Coming Attorney”, Minnesota Lawyer, 2008

Hessel E. Yntema Award, 1997-1998

Professional accomplishments

Special Certifications:

Policy Fellow Certificate, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 2015

Christopher’s insights

June 17, 2026 | Media mentions

Michigan Law’s Law Quadrangle: Christopher Wendt, ’98: At the Intersection of Immigration and Health Care WorkersRead more

June 16, 2026 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Welcomes Christopher Wendt as CounselRead more

Christopher’s insights

June 17, 2026 | Media mentions

Michigan Law’s Law Quadrangle: Christopher Wendt, ’98: At the Intersection of Immigration and Health Care WorkersRead more

June 16, 2026 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Welcomes Christopher Wendt as CounselRead more

Christopher’s insights

June 17, 2026 | Media mentions

Michigan Law’s Law Quadrangle: Christopher Wendt, ’98: At the Intersection of Immigration and Health Care WorkersRead more

June 16, 2026 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Welcomes Christopher Wendt as CounselRead more

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 612 355 6550

Minneapolis

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Ste 300

Minneapolis MN 55416

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Christopher’s insights

June 17, 2026 | Media mentions

Michigan Law’s Law Quadrangle: Christopher Wendt, ’98: At the Intersection of Immigration and Health Care WorkersRead more

June 16, 2026 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Welcomes Christopher Wendt as CounselRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 612 355 6550

Minneapolis

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Ste 300

Minneapolis MN 55416

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Christopher’s insights

June 17, 2026 | Media mentions

Michigan Law’s Law Quadrangle: Christopher Wendt, ’98: At the Intersection of Immigration and Health Care WorkersRead more

June 16, 2026 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Welcomes Christopher Wendt as CounselRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • Russian

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 612 355 6550

Minneapolis

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

3033 Excelsior Boulevard, Ste 300

Minneapolis MN 55416

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Christopher’s insights

June 17, 2026 | Media mentions

Michigan Law’s Law Quadrangle: Christopher Wendt, ’98: At the Intersection of Immigration and Health Care WorkersRead more

June 16, 2026 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Welcomes Christopher Wendt as CounselRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

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Partner Raj Naik explores how geopolitical change, increasingly data-driven compliance and evolving talent strategies are reshaping workforce mobility across Europe.

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Partner F. Joseph Paldino and Counsel Clark Cannon Named to Utah Business’ 2026 Legal Elite

Partner F. Joseph Paldino and Counsel Clark Cannon are named to Utah Business’s 2026 Legal Elite for their contributions to immigration law.

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Human Resources Director: Migrant Worker Exploitation: Why It Persists and How HR Can Act

Senior Counsel Dr. Anna Boucher discusses factors that can affect migrant workers and how HR teams can support ongoing immigration and employment compliance.

Learn more

Blog post

Europe’s New Mobility Equation: More Talent, More Oversight, More Complexity

Partner Raj Naik explores how geopolitical change, increasingly data-driven compliance and evolving talent strategies are reshaping workforce mobility across Europe.

Learn more

Awards

Partner F. Joseph Paldino and Counsel Clark Cannon Named to Utah Business’ 2026 Legal Elite

Partner F. Joseph Paldino and Counsel Clark Cannon are named to Utah Business’s 2026 Legal Elite for their contributions to immigration law.

Learn more

Blog post

A More Purposeful UK Immigration System: What Expanded Access to the Global Talent Visa Means for UK Immigration Policy

In our latest blog, UK Government Affairs Strategy Lead @Shuyeb Muquit examines the expanded access to the Global Talent visa and what it signals about the direction of UK immigration policy

Learn more

Video

Polish Citizenship by Descent: Do You Qualify?

Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala and Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek discuss how Polish citizenship by descent works, who may qualify, the documentation typically required and common eligibility challenges.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: Trump Admin Restores USCIS Power to Deny Immigration Requests Outright Without Seeking More Proof

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses USCIS’ restored authority to deny certain immigration benefit requests without first issuing a Request for Evidence and the importance of complete initial filings.

Learn more

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Comment on DHS Proposed Rule on Discretionary Employment AuthorizationLearn more

Blog post

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Partner Shayan Sultan discusses how geopolitical disruption, intensifying talent competition and digital transformation are reshaping workforce mobility and compliance across the Middle East.

Learn more

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Partner Karolina Schiffter Recognised in Lexology Index: Thought Leaders Global Elite 2027

Partner Karolina Schiffter is recognised in the Lexology Index: Thought Leaders Global Elite 2027 report.

Learn more

Blog post

Canada’s Immigration Dual Reality: Narrower Access, Persistent Demand

Partner Jack Kim discusses how Canada’s increasingly selective and complex immigration system is affecting talent access, retention and long-term workforce planning for employers.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Temporary Shortage List Review: What the Migration Advisory Committee's Recommendations Mean for Employers

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit explores what the recommendations mean, what’s still uncertain and what employers should be watching next

Learn more

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In this blog, Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer explains when employers need an A1 certificate for employees traveling or working temporarily within Europe, the application process and how timely planning can help manage social security compliance risks.

Learn more
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Important Updates
Important Updates
August 14, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Extends Certain Ukraine and Sudan TPS EADs for Renewal Applicants Through October 19, 2026
August 14, 2026 | ColombiaColombia: In-Person Immigration Services Suspended at Seven Locations Following Earthquake
August 14, 2026 | AustraliaHuman Resources Director: Migrant Worker Exploitation: Why It Persists and How HR Can Act
August 14, 2026 | RussiaRussia: New Talent Visa Introduced
August 14, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Announces Termination of TPS for Somalia, Effective August 14, 2026
August 14, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Extends Certain Ukraine and Sudan TPS EADs for Renewal Applicants Through October 19, 2026
August 14, 2026 | ColombiaColombia: In-Person Immigration Services Suspended at Seven Locations Following Earthquake
August 14, 2026 | AustraliaHuman Resources Director: Migrant Worker Exploitation: Why It Persists and How HR Can Act
August 14, 2026 | RussiaRussia: New Talent Visa Introduced
August 14, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Announces Termination of TPS for Somalia, Effective August 14, 2026
August 14, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Extends Certain Ukraine and Sudan TPS EADs for Renewal Applicants Through October 19, 2026
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