Important Updates
Important Updates
July 8, 2025 | PortugalPortugal: Automatic Residence Permit Extension
July 8, 2025 | CanadaCanada: IRCC Clarifies New Language and Study Requirements and Other Eligibility Criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permits
July 8, 2025 | United KingdomFragomen, Julia Onslow-Cole Shortlisted for FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards
July 8, 2025 | United KingdomLeading Britain's Conversation: UK Businesses Urged to Act Fast as Immigration Reforms Clash With Industrial Strategy
July 8, 2025 | United StatesPartners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law
July 8, 2025 | PortugalPortugal: Automatic Residence Permit Extension
July 8, 2025 | CanadaCanada: IRCC Clarifies New Language and Study Requirements and Other Eligibility Criteria for Post-Graduation Work Permits
July 8, 2025 | United KingdomFragomen, Julia Onslow-Cole Shortlisted for FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards
July 8, 2025 | United KingdomLeading Britain's Conversation: UK Businesses Urged to Act Fast as Immigration Reforms Clash With Industrial Strategy
July 8, 2025 | United StatesPartners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law
July 8, 2025 | PortugalPortugal: Automatic Residence Permit Extension
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Karin-Lastelle_

Senior Counsel

Karin Lestelle

Karin-Lastelle_
Karin-Lastelle_
  • People

Senior Counsel

Karin Lestelle

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • French

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 909 4148

F:+1 212 758 7215

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

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Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • French

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 909 4148

F:+1 212 758 7215

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • French

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 909 4148

F:+1 212 758 7215

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin
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Karin provides immigration policy guidance, strategic planning counsel and program development and support to international corporations. She works with companies of all sizes across a variety of industries including, financial and banking services, insurance, information technology, consumer and luxury goods, scientific research, accounting and travel. She provides hands-on, personalized advice on complex issues and assists clients with major employment-based temporary and permanent visa categories. As one of few native French speaking immigration attorneys in the U.S., Karin is able to deftly assist companies based in France.

Clients appreciate Karin’s accessibility and transparency. At the start of each case, she ensures that the client clearly understands the entire process, from start to finish and outlines potential challenges as well as possible solutions. She is a trusted advisor on all global mobility matters and is a great collaborator with other key parties in her clients’ immigration journey. Karin is often lauded for her immigration program and policy development due to her deep understanding of her clients’ business, their business objectives and various jurisdictions. She believes strongly in the importance of a personal connection to create long-term relationships.

Karin’s own immigration story guides her commitment to immigration law—not only to create successful outcomes for clients—but also to use her skills in a pro bono capacity. She enjoys working with various refugee and immigrant organizations in New York City to provide legal advice to these populations.

Additionally, Karin is active in the French business community, serves on the Board of Directors of the French-American Chamber of Commerce and is a frequent speaker on immigration law topics.

Karin is bilingual in English and French.

Additionally, Karin is active in the French business community, serves on the Board of Directors of the French-American Chamber of Commerce and is a frequent speaker on immigration law topics.

Karin is bilingual in English and French.

Education

  • George Washington University, The National Law Center, J.D., 1982
  • New York University, B.A., 1979

More from Karin

Admissions

Bar Admissions: New York

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2020 to 2023

Listed in Super Lawyers, 2011 to 2022

Listed as one of “The Top Women” in immigration in New York, Super Lawyers - New York Metro 2016: The Top Women

Professional accomplishments

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Board of Directors, French American Chamber of Commerce in New York

Member, French Founders

Former Chair, Women in Business Committee of French American Chamber of Commerce in New York

Former Member, Alumni Board of the Lycée Français de New York

Experience

Collaborated with major corporate client to develop global immigration program and vendor collaboration with tax and relocation providers.

Assisted prominent athletes, artists, scientists and business leaders with obtaining classification as persons of “extraordinary ability” for nonimmigrant and immigrant visa classification.

Advised multinational companies on the immigration consequences of mergers and acquisitions and other corporate restructurings, including the effects on H-1 and L-1 nonimmigrant visas as well as immigrant visa applications.

Publications and lectures

Panelist, “Hot Topics in post-pandemic Talent Mobility.” French American Chamber of Commerce – New York, 2 February 2023.

Speaker, French American Chamber of Commerce, New York, NY, March 2006, October 2008, April 2014, November 2017, November 2019 and November 2020.

Speaker, “Managing the Impact of COVID-19 on Your Business in the U.S.” Business France, April 23, 2020.

Author, “Immigration Updates.” French American Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter, March 2013.

Author, “Member Article: H-1B & L-1 Updates.” French American Chamber of Commerce Monthly Newsletter, Winter 2011.

Speaker, Agoria, Brussels, Belgium, November 2008.

Speaker, Union Internationale des Avocats, Paris, France, October 2007.

Speaker, KPMG Roundtable, Stamford, CT, July 2007.

Karin’s insights

August 22, 2022 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

October 26, 2020 | Awards

Partner Noreen Quirk Recognized by the New York Law Journal with a 2020 Lifetime Achievement AwardRead more

September 14, 2020 | Fragomen news

Fragomen U.S. attorneys recognized in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in AmericaRead more
More related insights

Karin’s insights

August 22, 2022 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

October 26, 2020 | Awards

Partner Noreen Quirk Recognized by the New York Law Journal with a 2020 Lifetime Achievement AwardRead more

September 14, 2020 | Fragomen news

Fragomen U.S. attorneys recognized in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in AmericaRead more
More related insights

Karin’s insights

August 22, 2022 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

October 26, 2020 | Awards

Partner Noreen Quirk Recognized by the New York Law Journal with a 2020 Lifetime Achievement AwardRead more

September 14, 2020 | Fragomen news

Fragomen U.S. attorneys recognized in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in AmericaRead more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • French

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 909 4148

F:+1 212 758 7215

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Karin’s insights

August 22, 2022 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

October 26, 2020 | Awards

Partner Noreen Quirk Recognized by the New York Law Journal with a 2020 Lifetime Achievement AwardRead more

September 14, 2020 | Fragomen news

Fragomen U.S. attorneys recognized in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in AmericaRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • French

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 909 4148

F:+1 212 758 7215

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Karin’s insights

August 22, 2022 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

October 26, 2020 | Awards

Partner Noreen Quirk Recognized by the New York Law Journal with a 2020 Lifetime Achievement AwardRead more

September 14, 2020 | Fragomen news

Fragomen U.S. attorneys recognized in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in AmericaRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English
  • French

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 212 909 4148

F:+1 212 758 7215

New York, NY

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

1400 Broadway

New York NY 10018

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Karin’s insights

August 22, 2022 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 29th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

October 26, 2020 | Awards

Partner Noreen Quirk Recognized by the New York Law Journal with a 2020 Lifetime Achievement AwardRead more

September 14, 2020 | Fragomen news

Fragomen U.S. attorneys recognized in the 2021 edition of The Best Lawyers in AmericaRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post

2025 APAC and Europe Immigration Trends: Shared Goals, Diverging Tools

This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Learn more

Video

Canada Express Entry Explained: Who’s Eligible and How to Apply

In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen, Julia Onslow-Cole Shortlisted for FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards

Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Leading Britain's Conversation: UK Businesses Urged to Act Fast as Immigration Reforms Clash With Industrial Strategy

Associate Aisha Shahid highlights how upcoming UK immigration reforms may impact key sectors and urges businesses to prepare.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger are named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law list.

Learn more

Blog post

Private Client Options in APAC: Bespoke Services and Residency Planning

Business Immigration Manager Yvonne Lee and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Shirley Kock discuss bespoke services and residency planning options for private clients in the Asia-Pacific region.

Learn more

Media mentions

Público: Os cuidados que pessoas LGBTQIA+ devem ter quando decidirem emigrar

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights the importance of understanding local laws and protections when LGBTQIA+ individuals consider emigrating.

Learn more

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The PIE: Trump Eyes Time Limits on US Student Visas

Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how proposed student visa limits could create challenges and add administrative burdens for international students.

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Podcast

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EB-5: What You Should Know—And Why It Might Be Worth It

Partner Dan Schwarz and Senior Associate Mikhail (Mike) Izrailev provide an overview of the EB-5 visa program, highlighting its benefits and key considerations for potential investors.

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Startup Valley Magazin: Workation: Wettbewerbsvorteil oder rechtliches Minenfeld?

Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer discusses workations as a way to support talent retention, noting the legal, tax and immigration considerations involved.

Learn more

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The 11th Seat: Timor-Leste's ASEAN Debut and the Shifting Map of Regional Mobility

Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Learn more

Blog post

2025 APAC and Europe Immigration Trends: Shared Goals, Diverging Tools

This blog highlights the most significant immigration trends across both Europe and Asia Pacific (APAC) in 2025.

Learn more

Video

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In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen, Julia Onslow-Cole Shortlisted for FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards

Fragomen and Partner Julia Onslow-Cole are shortlisted for the FT Innovative Lawyers Europe 2025 Awards.

Learn more

Media mentions

Leading Britain's Conversation: UK Businesses Urged to Act Fast as Immigration Reforms Clash With Industrial Strategy

Associate Aisha Shahid highlights how upcoming UK immigration reforms may impact key sectors and urges businesses to prepare.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger Named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law

Partners Nadine Bahnan, Ruth Spillane and Karine Wenger are named to San Diego Business Journal’s 2025 Women of Influence in Law list.

Learn more

Blog post

Private Client Options in APAC: Bespoke Services and Residency Planning

Business Immigration Manager Yvonne Lee and Assistant Business Immigration Manager Shirley Kock discuss bespoke services and residency planning options for private clients in the Asia-Pacific region.

Learn more

Media mentions

Público: Os cuidados que pessoas LGBTQIA+ devem ter quando decidirem emigrar

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights the importance of understanding local laws and protections when LGBTQIA+ individuals consider emigrating.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: Trump Eyes Time Limits on US Student Visas

Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how proposed student visa limits could create challenges and add administrative burdens for international students.

Learn more

Podcast

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Learn more

Blog post

EB-5: What You Should Know—And Why It Might Be Worth It

Partner Dan Schwarz and Senior Associate Mikhail (Mike) Izrailev provide an overview of the EB-5 visa program, highlighting its benefits and key considerations for potential investors.

Learn more

Media mentions

Startup Valley Magazin: Workation: Wettbewerbsvorteil oder rechtliches Minenfeld?

Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer discusses workations as a way to support talent retention, noting the legal, tax and immigration considerations involved.

Learn more

Blog post

The 11th Seat: Timor-Leste's ASEAN Debut and the Shifting Map of Regional Mobility

Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Learn more

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