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Important Updates
June 5, 2025 | United StatesBusiness Standard: Could Social Media Silence Cost You a US Student Visa? Experts Weigh In
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June 5, 2025 | United StatesBusiness Standard: Could Social Media Silence Cost You a US Student Visa? Experts Weigh In
June 6, 2025 | TaiwanTaiwan: Visa-Free Entry for Dominican Republic Nationals Ends
June 6, 2025 | United StatesThe Hollywood Reporter: Will Trump Torch L.A.’s Olympics?
June 6, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: DHS Announces End of Temporary Protected Status for Nepal
June 6, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: District Court Temporarily Blocks F/M/J Ban for Incoming Harvard Students
June 5, 2025 | United StatesBusiness Standard: Could Social Media Silence Cost You a US Student Visa? Experts Weigh In
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Photo of John Brendel

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John Brendel

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Photo of John Brendel
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John Brendel

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T:+1 412 230 3110

Pittsburgh, PA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1 PPG Place, Suite 3100

Pittsburgh PA 15222

United States

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Email

[email protected]

T:+1 412 230 3110

Pittsburgh, PA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1 PPG Place, Suite 3100

Pittsburgh PA 15222

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 412 230 3110

Pittsburgh, PA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1 PPG Place, Suite 3100

Pittsburgh PA 15222

United States

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John’s practice focuses on employment and investment immigration law, helping companies navigate the complexities of operating in a global marketplace.

He advises clients on a broad range of employment and investment immigration matters, assisting international individuals seeking to work or invest in the United States. John has extensive experience in handling cases involving alien investors and “H-1B Dependent” employers, as well as scientists, engineers and physicians pursuing both immigrant (permanent) and nonimmigrant (temporary) visas.

John’s clients include IT companies, manufacturing firms, financial institutions, hospitals, universities, technology startups and individual investors and entrepreneurs. He has represented clients before U.S. consular offices in India and Europe, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

He also conducts immigration-related due diligence for buyers and represents employers in Department of Labor H-1B visa investigations. He frequently lectures on immigration topics at conferences presented by the International Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the American Council on International Personnel and the Information Technology Association of America.

In addition to his practice, John is a founding member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and a former chair of the Immigration Policy Committee for the Information Technology Association of America. His community involvement includes serving as a board member for the Jefferson Memorial Park and Funeral Home, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Western Pennsylvania. John was also an Adjunct Professor at University of Pittsburgh School of Law and Duquesne University School of Law.

John honed his international business experience as vice president and general counsel of Mastech/IGATE Corp., a global IT services provider, earlier in his career.

He also conducts immigration-related due diligence for buyers and represents employers in Department of Labor H-1B visa investigations. He frequently lectures on immigration topics at conferences presented by the International Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the American Council on International Personnel and the Information Technology Association of America.

In addition to his practice, John is a founding member of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and a former chair of the Immigration Policy Committee for the Information Technology Association of America. His community involvement includes serving as a board member for the Jefferson Memorial Park and Funeral Home, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Western Pennsylvania. John was also an Adjunct Professor at University of Pittsburgh School of Law and Duquesne University School of Law.

John honed his international business experience as vice president and general counsel of Mastech/IGATE Corp., a global IT services provider, earlier in his career.

Education

  • Harvard University, J.D., 1976
  • Cornell University, B.A., 1973

More from John

Admissions

Bar Admissions: Pennsylvania

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Recognized as 'Lawyer of the Year' for Immigration Law in Pittsburgh by The Best Lawyers in America, 2015, 2020 and 2025

Recognized by international Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers

Recognized by and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition

Professional accomplishments

Founding Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Pittsburgh Chapter

Board Member, Jefferson Memorial Park and Funeral Home

Board Member, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Western Pennsylvania

Former Chair, Immigration Policy Committee for the Information Technology Association of America

John’s insights

February 11, 2025 | Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Fragomen opens downtown office, hires 6 attorneys from Pittsburgh's 4th-biggest law firmRead more

February 10, 2025 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Opens New Pittsburgh Office, Welcomes Four New Partners and Two CounselRead more

John’s insights

February 11, 2025 | Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Fragomen opens downtown office, hires 6 attorneys from Pittsburgh's 4th-biggest law firmRead more

February 10, 2025 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Opens New Pittsburgh Office, Welcomes Four New Partners and Two CounselRead more

John’s insights

February 11, 2025 | Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Fragomen opens downtown office, hires 6 attorneys from Pittsburgh's 4th-biggest law firmRead more

February 10, 2025 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Opens New Pittsburgh Office, Welcomes Four New Partners and Two CounselRead more

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 412 230 3110

Pittsburgh, PA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1 PPG Place, Suite 3100

Pittsburgh PA 15222

United States

John’s insights

February 11, 2025 | Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Fragomen opens downtown office, hires 6 attorneys from Pittsburgh's 4th-biggest law firmRead more

February 10, 2025 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Opens New Pittsburgh Office, Welcomes Four New Partners and Two CounselRead more

Share

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Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 412 230 3110

Pittsburgh, PA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1 PPG Place, Suite 3100

Pittsburgh PA 15222

United States

John’s insights

February 11, 2025 | Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Fragomen opens downtown office, hires 6 attorneys from Pittsburgh's 4th-biggest law firmRead more

February 10, 2025 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Opens New Pittsburgh Office, Welcomes Four New Partners and Two CounselRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 412 230 3110

Pittsburgh, PA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1 PPG Place, Suite 3100

Pittsburgh PA 15222

United States

John’s insights

February 11, 2025 | Media mentions

Pittsburgh Business Times: Fragomen opens downtown office, hires 6 attorneys from Pittsburgh's 4th-biggest law firmRead more

February 10, 2025 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Opens New Pittsburgh Office, Welcomes Four New Partners and Two CounselRead more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

The Hollywood Reporter: Will Trump Torch L.A.’s Olympics?

San Diego Managing Partner Karine Wenger discussed the upcoming Olympic immigration landscape and potential challenges for international participants.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Standard: Could Social Media Silence Cost You a US Student Visa? Experts Weigh In

Partner Daniel Pierce notes that limited social media activity or private accounts could lead to greater scrutiny for international students applying for US visas.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Grows Irish Operations with New Cork Office

Fragomen announces the opening of a new office in Cork, expanding its presence in Ireland to better support clients across the country's southern and western regions.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranked in 2026 Edition of "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers

Fragomen is ranked both nationally and locally in "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers.

Learn more

Awards

Global Mobility Lawyer Recognises Fragomen's Wout van Doren and Tanya Loughran as Tomorrow's Leaders

Global Mobility Lawyer recognises Senior Immigration Manager Wout van Doren and Manager Tanya Loughran as Tomorrow's Leaders.

Learn more

Media mentions

Khaleej Times: 30,000 jobs, AI growth: What Disneyland Abu Dhabi means for the UAE

Partner Shayan Sultan discusses how Disneyland Abu Dhabi could impact hiring, Emiratisation and immigration planning in the UAE.

Learn more

Media mentions

Space-Comm: The Rapid Expansion of the Space Sector, Expected to Reach a Value of $1.8 Trillion by 2035, Marks the Beginning of a New Era in Space Exploration and Innovation

Partner Charlotte Wills and Director Kelly Hardman co-hosted the Space Law Legal Symposium with DLA Piper, highlighting immigration’s role in space sector growth.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: Harvard Dragged Deeper Into Trump's 'America First' Visa Fight

Partner Daniel Pierce highlighted the challenges US universities face under new visa restrictions.

Learn more

Blog post

Unlocking Talent: Why Hiring Graduates on Immigration Permissions Is a Strategic Business Move

Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Salem Barakat shares how hiring graduates on immigration permissions is a strategic business move that unlocks talent and drives innovation.

Learn more

Blog post

A1 Certificate Fraud: Key Takeaways from the 2025 ECJ Decision

Director Wim Cocquyt and Senior Immigration Consultant Marina Ocariz discuss key takeaways from the 2025 ECJ decision on A1 certificate fraud.

Learn more

Media mentions

Dubai Eye: Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI Workforce and Talent Mobility

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI talent shortage and how immigration policies are helping attract talent to the region.

Learn more

Blog post

La Naturalisation française par Décret : Des règles strictes et une exigence accrue de conformité

Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses France's tightening of the naturalization-by-decree process by enforcing stricter language, legal and financial requirements.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Hollywood Reporter: Will Trump Torch L.A.’s Olympics?

San Diego Managing Partner Karine Wenger discussed the upcoming Olympic immigration landscape and potential challenges for international participants.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Standard: Could Social Media Silence Cost You a US Student Visa? Experts Weigh In

Partner Daniel Pierce notes that limited social media activity or private accounts could lead to greater scrutiny for international students applying for US visas.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Grows Irish Operations with New Cork Office

Fragomen announces the opening of a new office in Cork, expanding its presence in Ireland to better support clients across the country's southern and western regions.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranked in 2026 Edition of "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers

Fragomen is ranked both nationally and locally in "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers.

Learn more

Awards

Global Mobility Lawyer Recognises Fragomen's Wout van Doren and Tanya Loughran as Tomorrow's Leaders

Global Mobility Lawyer recognises Senior Immigration Manager Wout van Doren and Manager Tanya Loughran as Tomorrow's Leaders.

Learn more

Media mentions

Khaleej Times: 30,000 jobs, AI growth: What Disneyland Abu Dhabi means for the UAE

Partner Shayan Sultan discusses how Disneyland Abu Dhabi could impact hiring, Emiratisation and immigration planning in the UAE.

Learn more

Media mentions

Space-Comm: The Rapid Expansion of the Space Sector, Expected to Reach a Value of $1.8 Trillion by 2035, Marks the Beginning of a New Era in Space Exploration and Innovation

Partner Charlotte Wills and Director Kelly Hardman co-hosted the Space Law Legal Symposium with DLA Piper, highlighting immigration’s role in space sector growth.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: Harvard Dragged Deeper Into Trump's 'America First' Visa Fight

Partner Daniel Pierce highlighted the challenges US universities face under new visa restrictions.

Learn more

Blog post

Unlocking Talent: Why Hiring Graduates on Immigration Permissions Is a Strategic Business Move

Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Salem Barakat shares how hiring graduates on immigration permissions is a strategic business move that unlocks talent and drives innovation.

Learn more

Blog post

A1 Certificate Fraud: Key Takeaways from the 2025 ECJ Decision

Director Wim Cocquyt and Senior Immigration Consultant Marina Ocariz discuss key takeaways from the 2025 ECJ decision on A1 certificate fraud.

Learn more

Media mentions

Dubai Eye: Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI Workforce and Talent Mobility

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI talent shortage and how immigration policies are helping attract talent to the region.

Learn more

Blog post

La Naturalisation française par Décret : Des règles strictes et une exigence accrue de conformité

Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses France's tightening of the naturalization-by-decree process by enforcing stricter language, legal and financial requirements.

Learn more

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