Partner
Joseph J. (JJ) Shepherd
Country / Territory
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Languages
- English
Contact information
JJ is a Partner at Fragomen's New York office with more than 15 years of experience advising multinational organizations and individuals on U.S. immigration and nationality law. He helps employers develop and implement immigration strategies, compliance frameworks and global immigration and mobility programs that align with business objectives, workforce planning initiatives and the movement of key talent across international operations.
JJ has extensive experience managing employment-based U.S. immigration programs for multinational clients across a diverse range of industries, including technology, financial services, information media, fashion, automotive, food and beverage, defense, entertainment, mining and related sectors. Working closely with legal, human resources and business stakeholders, he advises on immigration program development, workforce planning, global immigration coordination, compliance and risk mitigation for organizations sponsoring key talent across a broad spectrum of temporary and permanent immigration categories.
JJ is actively involved with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and is deeply committed to advancing U.S. immigration law and policy. Through his leadership roles with AILA, JJ regularly drafts and contributes to formal comments submitted to the Department of Homeland Security regarding proposed regulations, agency guidance and other significant immigration policy developments. He currently serves as a member of the AILA National USCIS Regulatory and Policy Changes Subcommittee and the AILA National USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Committee. JJ is the former Chair of the AILA National USCIS Regulatory and Policy Changes Subcommittee and 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, among others.
JJ has authored numerous articles, policy briefs and practice pointers published by AILA and is frequently invited to speak at national conferences and seminars regarding emerging trends, regulatory developments and best practices in U.S. 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 to 2027
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
Member, AILA National USCIS Regulatory and Policy Changes Subcommittee, 2025-present
Member, AILA National USCIS HQ (Benefits Policy) Committee, 2022-present
Former Chair, AILA National USCIS Regulatory and Policy Changes Subcommittee, 2023-2025
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/Speaker, “How are In-House Counsel Assisting their Employers in Adjusting to the Current Administration’s Actions in Ways that Best Protect their Companies and Values,” 2025 Lavender Law Conference & Career Fair, New York, NY, 29 July 2025.
Faculty/Speaker, “Intro to the EB Immigrant Visas.” AILA Annual Conference, Aurora, CO, 20 June 2025.
Contributor, “Updated USCIS Guidance for O Visa Petition Adjudications.” AILA Immigration Practice Pointers, 4 February 2025.
Contributor, “Trump Administration Day One Executive Orders.” AILA Immigration Policy Briefs, 24 January 2025.
Contributor, “Top Ten Key Takeaways of the H-1B Modernization Rule.” AILA Immigration Practice Pointers, 24 December 2024.
Contributor, “Filing Tips and Resources for FY2025 Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions.” AILA Immigration Practice Pointers, 28 March 2024.
Faculty/Speaker, “CLE 101: H-1B and I-9 Compliance.” AILA New York Chapter, Webinar, 21 February 2024.
Contributor, “Implementation of ‘Beneficiary Centric’ Selection Process for H-1B Registrations.” AILA Immigration Practice Pointers, 14 February 2024.
Faculty/Speaker, “Workshop: Deep Dive into Responding to H-1B RFEs.” AILA Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, 22 June 2023.
Contributor, “How to Follow Up on Cases Filed Via Premium Processing.” AILA Immigration Practice Pointers, 26 July 2022.
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 20, 2026 | Awards
August 21, 2025 | Awards
July 27, 2025 — July 30, 2025 | Meeting
