Important Updates
Important Updates
August 26, 2025 | Moldova Moldova: Digital Nomad Visa Program Forthcoming
August 28, 2025 | AlgeriaAlgeria: Accession to Hague Convention
August 27, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Amended Social Security Contributions for Saudi Nationals
August 27, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: DHS Proposes to Replace Admission for Duration of Status with Fixed Periods of Stay for F, J, and I Nonimmigrants, Eliminate Deference to Prior Adjudications
August 27, 2025 | 🌐Worldwide/Ukraine: Temporary Protection Status - Country-Specific Updates
August 26, 2025 | Moldova Moldova: Digital Nomad Visa Program Forthcoming
August 28, 2025 | AlgeriaAlgeria: Accession to Hague Convention
August 27, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Amended Social Security Contributions for Saudi Nationals
August 27, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: DHS Proposes to Replace Admission for Duration of Status with Fixed Periods of Stay for F, J, and I Nonimmigrants, Eliminate Deference to Prior Adjudications
August 27, 2025 | 🌐Worldwide/Ukraine: Temporary Protection Status - Country-Specific Updates
August 26, 2025 | Moldova Moldova: Digital Nomad Visa Program Forthcoming
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Karin-Lastelle_

Senior Counsel

Karin Lestelle

Karin-Lastelle_
Karin-Lastelle_
  • People

Senior Counsel

Karin Lestelle

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

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  • English
  • French

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[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

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Learn more

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Learn more

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Learn more

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In this video, Senior Manager Ben Morgan offers a comprehensive overview of Greek citizenship by descent—a key pathway for individuals with Greek ancestry to obtain citizenship.

Learn more

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Learn more

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Associates Stephanie Fitton and Halil Kaya and Paralegal Marcus Alexander Lang-Rawlings discuss how UK changes to the Skilled Worker visa in 2025 are reshaping sports sector employment.

Learn more

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