Important Updates
Important Updates
February 23, 2026 | PeruPeru: Delays in Adjudication of In-Country Visa Applications
February 23, 2026 | CanadaCanadian Lawyer Magazine: Fragomen, Immigration Firm, Adds Julie Lessard as Partner in Montréal
February 23, 2026 | European UnionEuropean Union: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and Entry/Exit System (EES) Launch Status
February 23, 2026 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
February 23, 2026 | New ZealandNew Zealand: National Occupation List for Expanded and Selected Roles Reclassified
February 23, 2026 | PeruPeru: Delays in Adjudication of In-Country Visa Applications
February 23, 2026 | CanadaCanadian Lawyer Magazine: Fragomen, Immigration Firm, Adds Julie Lessard as Partner in Montréal
February 23, 2026 | European UnionEuropean Union: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and Entry/Exit System (EES) Launch Status
February 23, 2026 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
February 23, 2026 | New ZealandNew Zealand: National Occupation List for Expanded and Selected Roles Reclassified
February 23, 2026 | PeruPeru: Delays in Adjudication of In-Country Visa Applications
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James Pack

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Partner

James Pack

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  • United StatesUnited States

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[email protected]

T:+1 949 862 9443

F:+1 949 261 2821

Irvine, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

18401 Von Karman Ave #255

Irvine CA 92612

United States

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  • English

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[email protected]

T:+1 949 862 9443

F:+1 949 261 2821

Irvine, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

18401 Von Karman Ave #255

Irvine CA 92612

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 949 862 9443

F:+1 949 261 2821

Irvine, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

18401 Von Karman Ave #255

Irvine CA 92612

United States

Connect via Linkedin
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Leading the firm's Irvine office, James has built a well-rounded, robust immigration practice that delivers Fragomen’s large-firm resources with a small-firm service touch.

The common denominator of his practice is its variety. He represents clients of many sizes from every stage in the corporate lifecycle, from Fortune 500 companies through individual entrepreneurs (and their families).

They are drawn from a diversity of industries and sectors, including technology (semiconductor, biomedical and wireless companies) entertainment (movie studios, animation studios and video game producers), manufacturing (appliances and electric vehicle manufacturers) and pharmaceutical companies.

This wide-ranging experience allows James to deploy the full range of immigration options on behalf of his clients. He develops effective strategies that are tailored to the specific challenges of each client; he particularly enjoys helping companies with a handful of employees transition into programs managing hundreds of immigration cases.

Relentless improvement and re-evaluation of processes are key to his success. He subjects new client programs and policies to an exhaustive analysis to define the client’s objectives and capabilities; longtime clients benefit from periodic and regular reimagination of their programs from the ground up.

James serves his profession and the wider community through the Orange County Bar Association, which he has served in several capacities. He is currently a board member of the Association’s charitable fund. He has also served as Chair of the Southern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and as President of the Orange County Asian American Bar Association.

This wide-ranging experience allows James to deploy the full range of immigration options on behalf of his clients. He develops effective strategies that are tailored to the specific challenges of each client; he particularly enjoys helping companies with a handful of employees transition into programs managing hundreds of immigration cases.

Relentless improvement and re-evaluation of processes are key to his success. He subjects new client programs and policies to an exhaustive analysis to define the client’s objectives and capabilities; longtime clients benefit from periodic and regular reimagination of their programs from the ground up.

James serves his profession and the wider community through the Orange County Bar Association, which he has served in several capacities. He is currently a board member of the Association’s charitable fund. He has also served as Chair of the Southern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and as President of the Orange County Asian American Bar Association.

Education

  • Arizona State University, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, J.D., 1997
  • Arizona State University, B.Sc., 1994

More from James

Admissions

Bar Admissions: California, Arizona

Certified Specialist, Immigration & Nationality Law, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2019 to 2026

Named as a 2021 Lawyer of the Year, Best Lawyers, 2021

Professional accomplishments

Former Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association, USCIS Ombudsman Liaison Committee

Former Chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association, California Service Center Liaison Committee

Former Chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Southern California Chapter

Former Chair, Orange County Bar Association Immigration Section

Member, Orange County Bar Association Board of Directors

Former President, Orange County Asian American Bar Association

Chair, Orange County Bar Association Charitable Fund, Annual Golf Tournament Committee

Member, Arizona State University Alumni Group

Experience

Provided immigration counsel to companies that employ highly educated scientists working on cutting-edge wireless communication technologies

Worked with entertainment studios, video game developers, and other companies in the computer graphics design field

Secured an intracompany transfer visa for the Chief Technical Officer of a company that designs and develops custom applications for major online social networking websites and brand name high technology products

Obtained green cards for scientists and engineers working in biotechnology, alternative energy sources, and wildlife conservation through National Interest Waivers and other immigrant visa classifications

Publications and lectures

Quoted, “The 2027 H-1B Season: Revised Strategies for Sponsoring Employers and Implications for Aspirants.” Times of India, 12 February 2026.

Speaker, “Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global Landscape.” Fragomen, Webinar, 10 December 2025.

Speaker, “Immigration Law for Agribusiness Employers.” California Lawyers Association, Webinar, 21 March 2023.

Quoted, “Trump Orders Freeze on Many Work Visas Through End of Year (3).” Bloomberg Law Daily Labor Report, 23 June 2020.

Presenter, “Immigration Impact of COVID-19.” Octane, 13 May 2020.

Quoted, “Fragomen guides US visa holders through fog of pandemic.” Daily Journal, 20 April 2020.

Quoted, “Caution Student-Employees Against Travel Abroad During ‘Cap-Gap’ Period.” Society for Human Resource Management, 18 April 2019.

Moderator, “Managing Client Expectations.” 2018 American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference on Immigration Law, June 2018.

Moderator, “Building a Practice of Extraordinary Clients.” 2017 American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference on Immigration Law, June 2017.

Discussion leader, “Show Me the Money! Corporate Law for the Immigration Practitioner.” Web conference, American Immigration Lawyers Association, March 15, 2016.

Discussion leader, “My ‘Professional’ Employee Doesn’t Have a Degree! NIV Options for Non-Degreed Professionals.” Presentation, American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., June 17, 2015.

Author, “What happens to work visas when employees are laid off?” Daily Journal, June 3, 2015: n. pag. Web.

Panel presenter, “CBP, You Have to Let Me Know—Should I Stay or Should I Go? Issues in Maintaining LPR Status.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, June 2015.

Panel presenter, “The Dangers of Material Misrepresentation and Fraud in Immigration.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, June 2014.

Panel presenter, “Keeping a Proper Scorecard – I-9 Compliance and E-Verify.” Southern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, February 2015.

Panel presenter, “Hot Topics in PERM.” Southern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, January 20, 2010.

Panel presenter, Nexus Journal, Immigration Law Symposium, Chapman University of Law, February 20, 2008.

Panel Presenter, “Immigration Update.” 80th Annual Meeting of the State Bar of California, September 28, 2007.

Panel presenter, “O’s and P’s: Getting Results.” Southern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, February 24, 2004.

James’s insights

February 13, 2026 | Media mentions

Times of India: The 2027 H-1B Season: Revised Strategies for Sponsoring Employers and Implications for AspirantsRead more

December 10, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global LandscapeRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

James’s insights

February 13, 2026 | Media mentions

Times of India: The 2027 H-1B Season: Revised Strategies for Sponsoring Employers and Implications for AspirantsRead more

December 10, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global LandscapeRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

James’s insights

February 13, 2026 | Media mentions

Times of India: The 2027 H-1B Season: Revised Strategies for Sponsoring Employers and Implications for AspirantsRead more

December 10, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global LandscapeRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 949 862 9443

F:+1 949 261 2821

Irvine, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

18401 Von Karman Ave #255

Irvine CA 92612

United States

Connect via Linkedin

James’s insights

February 13, 2026 | Media mentions

Times of India: The 2027 H-1B Season: Revised Strategies for Sponsoring Employers and Implications for AspirantsRead more

December 10, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global LandscapeRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 949 862 9443

F:+1 949 261 2821

Irvine, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

18401 Von Karman Ave #255

Irvine CA 92612

United States

Connect via Linkedin

James’s insights

February 13, 2026 | Media mentions

Times of India: The 2027 H-1B Season: Revised Strategies for Sponsoring Employers and Implications for AspirantsRead more

December 10, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global LandscapeRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 949 862 9443

F:+1 949 261 2821

Irvine, CA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

18401 Von Karman Ave #255

Irvine CA 92612

United States

Connect via Linkedin

James’s insights

February 13, 2026 | Media mentions

Times of India: The 2027 H-1B Season: Revised Strategies for Sponsoring Employers and Implications for AspirantsRead more

December 10, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen Semiconductor Industry Webcast: Workforce Strategies for a Changing Global LandscapeRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

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Partner Diana Quintas outlines key early career visa pathways and practical considerations for employers and graduates navigating entry-level immigration options.

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Learn more

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Destination Services Director Christine Sperr examines how housing market reforms, rent stabilization measures and cost-of-living dynamics in Saudi Arabia are influencing workforce mobility, compensation planning and long-term settlement strategies under Vision 2030.

Learn more

Blog post

Under EU Review: Germany’s Visa Requirements Trigger Infringement Proceedings on Vander Elst Compliance

Manager Dr Adela Schmidt and Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler analyse the European Commission’s infringement proceedings against Germany concerning its Vander Elst visa requirements for third-country nationals providing short-term cross-border services and explain why current compliance obligations remain unchanged.

Learn more

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Venezuela’s Energy Reset: Unlocking Opportunity, Managing Risk and Deploying Talent Strategically

Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria, Senior Associates Sarah Blackmore and Sonya Cole and Senior Regional Knowledge Manager Laura Weingort examine renewed energy interest in Venezuela and outline key immigration pathways, procedural constraints and strategic considerations for compliant talent deployment.

Learn more

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Senior Manager Andreia Ghimis highlights how the EU’s new migration strategy could create opportunities for employers while increasing compliance requirements.

Learn more

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Partner Julia Onslow-Cole is recognised in the Spears 500 guide to leading private client advisers, reflecting her experience advising high-net-worth individuals, families and global businesses on complex UK and European immigration and mobility strategies.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arabian Gulf Business Insight: Saudi Business Visa Rejections Rise as Scrutiny Tightens

Partner Abeer Al Husseini discusses increased scrutiny of Saudi business visas in AGBI, highlighting stricter review of short-term entry used for operational work and the implications for regional employers.

Learn more

Awards

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Australia and New Zealand Managing Partner  Teresa Liu, Partner Charles Johanes, Practice Leaders Hedvika and Leader Ben Lear and Senior Associate Hannah Scanlan are recognized in the 2026 edition of Doyle’s Guide as leading immigration practitioners in Australia.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranked Band 1 in the Chambers Global 2026 Guide

Fragomen is ranked Band 1 for Immigration: Business in the Chambers Global 2026 Guide, marking two decades of recognition since 2006. The firm is also the only firm ranked Band 1 in the Global: Multi-Jurisdictional Immigration category and receives additional individual recognitions in the USA: Business Immigration rankings.

Learn more

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Fragomen Strengthens Canadian Practice with Partner and Counsel Hires in MontréalLearn more

Media mentions

Buffalo Toronto Public Media: IRCC faces processing hurdles as FIFA World Cup draws near

Partner Rick Lamanna provides insight to Buffalo Toronto Public Media on potential IRCC processing challenges as Canada prepares for increased visa demand ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Learn more

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