Partner
Joseph J. (JJ) Shepherd
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Languages
- English
Contact information
With more than 15 years of experience, JJ provides comprehensive advice to employers and individuals on all aspects of US immigration and nationality law, with a particular emphasis on immigration compliance.
JJ has extensive experience managing employment-based US immigration programs for multinational clients across a diverse range of industries, including technology, financial services, information media, automotive, mining, food and beverage, defense and entertainment. He also provides tailored immigration counsel to individual, corporate and institutional clients in fields such as research, higher education, film and television and professional sports.
JJ frequently volunteers with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and is deeply committed to advancing US immigration law and policy. He currently serves as the Chair of the AILA National USCIS Regulatory and Policy Changes Subcommittee and as a member of the AILA National USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Committee. JJ is the former Chair of the AILA California Service Center Liaison Committee and previously served on several other national AILA committees and working groups, including the AILA USCIS Case Assistance Committee, the AILA Publications Committee and the AILA Service Center Operations (SCOPS) Liaison Committee, to name a few.
JJ has authored numerous articles and practice pointers published by AILA and is frequently invited to speak at national conferences and seminars regarding emerging trends and best practices in US immigration law and policy.
Education
- Brooklyn Law School, J.D., 2009
- Tulane University, B.A., 2004
More from Joseph J. (JJ)
Admissions
Bar Admissions: Massachusetts
Court Admissions: U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law
Awards
Named to Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, 2026
Listed in International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Attorneys, Who’s Who Legal, 2016
Recipient of the American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law Award for “Significant Contributions to the Advancement of Law” as Contributing Author of the Family and Medical Leave Act, 2011 Cumulative Supplement
Professional accomplishments
Chair, AILA National USCIS Regulatory and Policy Changes Subcommittee, 2023-present
Member, AILA National USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Committee, 2022-present
Former Member, AILA National Publications Committee, 2022-2024
Former Member, AILA National USCIS Case Assistance Committee, 2020-2022
Former Chair, AILA National USCIS California Service Center Liaison Committee, 2018-2020
Former Member, AILA National USCIS Service Center Operations Liaison Committee, 2017-2020
Former Member, AILA National Advanced Business and EB-5 Issues Conference Committee, 2018-2019
Former Vice Chair, AILA National USCIS California Service Center Liaison Committee, 2017-2018
Former Member, AILA National Online Resources Task Force, 2017-2018
Former Member, AILA National Athletics, Culture, Entertainment and Science Committee, 2015-2017
Former Liaison, AILA Southern California Chapter DOS Committee, 2016-2017
Former Liaison, AILA Southern California Chapter USCIS District 23 Committee, 2015-2016
Former Member, AILA National LGBT Immigration Issues Working Group, 2014-2015
Former Liaison, AILA Southern California Chapter Congressional Advocacy Committee, 2014-2015
Former Liaison, AILA Southern California Chapter LGBT Committee, 2013-2014
Publications and lectures
Faculty/Discussion Leader, “H-1B: Specialty Occupations Outside the Box.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, New York, NY, 16 June 2022.
Author, “H-1B: Specialty Occupations Outside the Box.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Immigration Practice Pointers, June 2022.
Faculty/Speaker, “The Lifecycle of PERM.” American Immigration Lawyers Association New York Chapter, web seminar, 16 February 2022.
Faculty/Speaker, “AILA H-1B Online Course – Module 5: Meeting the Requirements: Specialty Occupation and the Beneficiary’s Degree.” AILA University, web course, 15 October 2021.
Contributor, "Follow the Selection Notice: Filing an H-1B Cap Petition for a U.S. Master’s Degree Holder Selected Under the Regular H-1B Cap.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Practice Pointers, 13 April 2021.
Faculty/Speaker, "Q & A with the AILA USCIS Case Assistance Committee (CAC).” American Immigration Lawyers Association, web seminar, 3 February 2021.
Contributor, “Tips for Reviewing Form I-485 for an Employment-Based AOS.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Practice Pointers, 9 October 2020.
Faculty/Speaker, “H-1B RFE Trends and Strategies for Winning at CSC, NSC, TSC, and VSC.” American Immigration Lawyers Association, web seminar, 4 August 2020.
Contributor, “Filing Tips and Resources for FY2021 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Immigration Practice Pointers, 21 May 2020.
Contributor, “Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the New Electronic H-1B Registration Process.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Immigration Practice Pointers, 17 December 2019.
Faculty/Discussion Leader, “H-1B RFEs in 2019 and Strategies for Responding: What’s Trending?” American Immigration Lawyers Association, web seminar, 22 August 2019.
Faculty/Speaker, “The East Coast/West Coast Rivalry (VSC/CSC): Evidence in Arts, Entertainment, and Innovation.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Athletics, Culture, Entertainment, and Science (ACES) Conference, 2 August 2019.
Author, “Evidence in Arts, Entertainment, and Innovation.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Immigration Practice Pointers, August 2019.
Faculty/Speaker, “Congressional Advocacy for Your Clients.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, 20 June 2019
Contributor, “Expert Opinion Testimony: Yes, It’s Evidence USCIS Should Consider!” American Immigration Lawyers Association Immigration Practice Pointers, 22 March 2019.
Contributor, “H-1B Petitions for the Same Beneficiary and Considerations for the FY2020 H-1B Cap Season.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Immigration Practice Pointers, 15 February 2019.
Faculty/Discussion Leader, “Preparing for H-1B Season FY 2020: Filing Tips and Pitfalls to Avoid.” American Immigration Lawyers Association, web seminar, 31 January 2019.
Faculty/Speaker, “Getting USCIS to Say ‘Yes’ After the RFE.” 2019 American Immigration Lawyers Association Midwinter CLE Conference, Indian Wells, CA, 25 January 2019.
Faculty/Discussion Leader, “Navigating Consular and Service Center Roadblocks.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA, 15 June 2018.
Author, “Navigating Consular and Service Center Roadblocks: Resources to Get a Case Back on Track.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Immigration Practice Pointers, June 2018.
Faculty/Speaker, “Getting Ready for H-1B Season FY 2019: Filing Tips and Pitfalls to Avoid.” American Immigration Lawyers Association, web seminar, 30 January 2018.
Faculty/Speaker, “USCIS Service Center Panel.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Ohio Chapters Fall Conference, Columbus, OH, 6 October 2017.
Contributor, “Responding to H-1B RFEs Raising Level 1 or Level 2 Wage Issues.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Immigration Practice Pointers, 5 September 2017.
Faculty/Discussion Leader, “Introduction to O and P Visas: Athletes, Artists, Musicians, Entertainers, Olympians and Movie Stars!” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, 23 June 2017.
Faculty/Speaker, “Acting for Others: Using Agents as Petitioners in O-1/P-1 Visas.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV, 25 June 2016.
Author, “Acting for Others: Using Agents as Petitioners in O-1/P-1 Visas.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Immigration Practice Pointers, June 2016.
Faculty/Speaker, “Deciphering the E Visa from the Mirage.” American Immigration Lawyers Association Southern California Annual Winter CLE Conference, Palm Springs, CA, 5 March 2016.
Contributor, Global Business Immigration Practice Guide, 2015.
Author, “New Rule Allows F-2 and M-2 Spouses and Children to Engage in Part-time, Post-secondary Academic Study at SEVP-certified Schools.” Bender's Immigration Bulletin, 30 April 2015.
Author, “Obama's Executive Actions on Immigration: Business Edition.” ILW.com, 24 November 2014.
Author, “What’s Next After 'Winning' in the Diversity Visa Lottery?” Inside Immigration Monograph Series, May 2014.
Author, “P-1 Visas for Individual Athletes and Coaches of U.S.-based Teams and Franchises of Amateur Sports Leagues and Associations Abroad.” Immigration Options for Artists & Entertainers, March 2014.
Author, “Streamlining Experiential H-1B Petitions.” Inside Immigration Monograph Series, September 2013.
Author, “Global Trends on Immigration Protectionism During the Economic Recession.” AILA Global Immigration Forum Conference Handbook, 2012.
Author, “In Defense of (Same-Sex) Marriage – How DOMA Separates Binational Families and Why it Must be Abolished.” Bender's Immigration Bulletin, 6 January 2012.
Author, “Preventative Lawyering: Navigating H-1B.” American Immigration Lawyers Association New Members Division Newsletter, 27 September 2011.
Contributing Author, The Family and Medical Leave Act, 2011 Cumulative Supplement, American Bar Association Section of Labor and Employment Law, August 2011.
Joseph J. (JJ)’s insights
August 21, 2025 | Awards
July 27, 2025 — July 30, 2025 | Meeting
January 6, 2025 | Fragomen news
