Photo of John Brendel

Counsel

John Brendel

Photo of John Brendel
Photo of John Brendel
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Counsel

John Brendel

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

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Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 412 230 3110

Pittsburgh

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

11 Stanwix St. Suite 1150

Pittsburgh PA 15222

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 412 230 3110

Pittsburgh

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

11 Stanwix St. Suite 1150

Pittsburgh PA 15222

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 412 230 3110

Pittsburgh

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

11 Stanwix St. Suite 1150

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 2025-2026

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

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

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

February 11, 2025 | Media mentions

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

John’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

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

February 11, 2025 | Media mentions

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

John’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

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

February 11, 2025 | Media mentions

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

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 412 230 3110

Pittsburgh

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

11 Stanwix St. Suite 1150

Pittsburgh PA 15222

United States

John’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

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

February 11, 2025 | Media mentions

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

Share

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  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 412 230 3110

Pittsburgh

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

11 Stanwix St. Suite 1150

Pittsburgh PA 15222

United States

John’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

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

February 11, 2025 | Media mentions

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

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 412 230 3110

Pittsburgh

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

11 Stanwix St. Suite 1150

Pittsburgh PA 15222

United States

John’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

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

February 11, 2025 | Media mentions

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

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™

Fragomen attorneys are recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America™ and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, including Partner Matthew Phillips and Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler as Lawyer of the Year recipients.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: Trump’s New H-1B Visa Reality for Indians: Unpredictable Costs, Tougher Odds and Greater Risks

Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses evolving H-1B policies and the importance of long-term immigration planning for Indian professionals and US employers.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Blog post

Die Niederlassungserlaubnis nach § 9 Abs. 3a AufenthG: Ein richtiger Schritt zur schnelleren und dauerhaften Integration von Ehegatten von Fachkräften

In unserem aktuellen Blog erläutert Ruben Fiedler, wer von der Regelung profitieren kann, welche Voraussetzungen gelten und was sie für Fachkräfte und ihre Familien in Deutschland bedeutet.

Learn more

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Partner Gustavo Kanashiro discusses the factors driving Brazilian families’ growing interest in the EB-5 program, including wealth planning and long-term mobility.

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Blog post

Africa’s Growing Investment Ambitions Are Reshaping Immigration Policy

Partner Lunga Mani discusses how Africa’s growing investment ambitions are reshaping immigration policy, creating new mobility opportunities alongside increasing compliance and localisation requirements.

Learn more

Blog post

Healthcare Horizons: What Healthcare Employers Should Watch in the 2026 Immigration Regulatory Agenda

Counsel Christopher Wendt looks at the 2026 immigration regulatory agenda and three developments that could have a significant impact on healthcare organizations, from hospitals to research institutions and other clinical employers. 

Learn more

Podcast

Immigration in South Africa

Partner Lunga Mani and Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba discuss South Africa’s evolving immigration landscape and key considerations for employers, foreign nationals and global mobility teams.

Learn more

Blog post

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In this blog, Director Shanaz Haque explores what sponsors should consider when recouping immigration costs — including prohibited costs, salary implications and repayment arrangements.

Learn more

Media mentions

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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

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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.

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

Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™

Fragomen attorneys are recognized in the 2027 editions of The Best Lawyers in America™ and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, including Partner Matthew Phillips and Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler as Lawyer of the Year recipients.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: Trump’s New H-1B Visa Reality for Indians: Unpredictable Costs, Tougher Odds and Greater Risks

Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses evolving H-1B policies and the importance of long-term immigration planning for Indian professionals and US employers.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Blog post

Die Niederlassungserlaubnis nach § 9 Abs. 3a AufenthG: Ein richtiger Schritt zur schnelleren und dauerhaften Integration von Ehegatten von Fachkräften

In unserem aktuellen Blog erläutert Ruben Fiedler, wer von der Regelung profitieren kann, welche Voraussetzungen gelten und was sie für Fachkräfte und ihre Familien in Deutschland bedeutet.

Learn more

Media mentions

EB5 Investors: Brazil Emerges as One of EB-5’s Fastest-Growing Markets Amid Economic Strain

Partner Gustavo Kanashiro discusses the factors driving Brazilian families’ growing interest in the EB-5 program, including wealth planning and long-term mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

Africa’s Growing Investment Ambitions Are Reshaping Immigration Policy

Partner Lunga Mani discusses how Africa’s growing investment ambitions are reshaping immigration policy, creating new mobility opportunities alongside increasing compliance and localisation requirements.

Learn more

Blog post

Healthcare Horizons: What Healthcare Employers Should Watch in the 2026 Immigration Regulatory Agenda

Counsel Christopher Wendt looks at the 2026 immigration regulatory agenda and three developments that could have a significant impact on healthcare organizations, from hospitals to research institutions and other clinical employers. 

Learn more

Podcast

Immigration in South Africa

Partner Lunga Mani and Director Johannes Kgotso Tiba discuss South Africa’s evolving immigration landscape and key considerations for employers, foreign nationals and global mobility teams.

Learn more

Blog post

Recouping Immigration Costs: Are Supportive Employers at Risk of Non-Compliance?

In this blog, Director Shanaz Haque explores what sponsors should consider when recouping immigration costs — including prohibited costs, salary implications and repayment arrangements.

Learn more

Media mentions

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
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Important Updates
Important Updates
August 19, 2026 | BrazilEB5 Investors: Brazil Emerges as One of EB-5’s Fastest-Growing Markets Amid Economic Strain
August 20, 2026 | United StatesFragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™
August 20, 2026 | United StatesTimes of India: Trump’s New H-1B Visa Reality for Indians: Unpredictable Costs, Tougher Odds and Greater Risks
August 19, 2026 | ChileChile: Digital Work Authorization Process Introduced
August 19, 2026 | ColombiaColombia: In-Person Immigration Services Suspended at Seven Locations Following Earthquake
August 19, 2026 | BrazilEB5 Investors: Brazil Emerges as One of EB-5’s Fastest-Growing Markets Amid Economic Strain
August 20, 2026 | United StatesFragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™
August 20, 2026 | United StatesTimes of India: Trump’s New H-1B Visa Reality for Indians: Unpredictable Costs, Tougher Odds and Greater Risks
August 19, 2026 | ChileChile: Digital Work Authorization Process Introduced
August 19, 2026 | ColombiaColombia: In-Person Immigration Services Suspended at Seven Locations Following Earthquake
August 19, 2026 | BrazilEB5 Investors: Brazil Emerges as One of EB-5’s Fastest-Growing Markets Amid Economic Strain
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