Partner
Kristi Nevarez
Country / Territory
Get in touch
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Contact information
Fragomen in Silicon Valley, CA
Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP
2755 Orchard Pkwy
San Jose CA 95134
United States
Kristi understands what Silicon Valley companies need from their local immigration counsel; she has spent the better part of two decades ensuring that Fragomen’s Silicon Valley office is there to meet those needs. She knows the challenges companies face in striking the delicate and effective balance between creating an excellent employee experience with necessary business considerations.
With nearly 25 years of experience in corporate business immigration, Kristi is a trusted advisor to clients across a wide range of industries, including technology, semi-conductor, food and beverage, entertainment, consumer products and legal service providers. Companies look to Kristi for guidance as they support their own employees’ immigration needs and career trajectories while simultaneously making strategic choices for their businesses. Kristi draws on this longstanding experience as immigration counsel to corporate clients to create nuanced approaches to companies’ unique immigration programs. Providing specialized compliance and business risk advice, she helps companies with decades-strong and brand-new programs alike, always working to refresh and/or develop their immigration practices.
In her role as Managing Partner of Fragomen’s Silicon Valley office, Kristi proudly leads an all-female partnership. She provides support for employees as she manages hundreds of attorneys, paralegals and business professionals—all of whom are tirelessly dedicated to providing exceptional legal and strategic business advice to Silicon Valley's top players. A regular presenter on local, national and international panels, industry leaders look to her for her cutting-edge policy and legal analysis to help forecast important trends in immigration.
Education
- Santa Clara University School of Law, J.D., 1996
- Santa Clara University, B.A., 1991
More from Kristi
Admissions
Bar Admissions: California
Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law
Awards
Listed in Chambers USA, 2024-2026
Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2023-2026
Listed among Silicon Valley Business Journal’s “Women in Influence”, 2024
Honored in Silicon Valley Business Journal’s Latinx Business Leadership Awards, 2024
Listed among “Mentorship Award” finalists, The Recorder’s California Legal Awards, 2023
Latina Executive Leadership Program, Hispanic National Bar Association, Class of 2021
Outstanding Young Californian Honoree, California Junior Chamber Foundation, 2009
Santa Clara County Bar Association, Barristers' Leadership Program, 2005
Leadership Santa Clara, Class of 2003
HOPE (Hispanics Organized for Political Equality) Leadership Institute (HLI), Class of 2000
Professional accomplishments
Board Member, Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley
Member, Santa Clara County La Raza Lawyers Association
Unsung Heroes Award Selection Committee Member, Santa Clara County Bar Association (2009)
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Member, Hispanic National Bar Association
Board Member, Alexander Community Law Center (Past Chair, 2001-2005)
Past Advisory Board Member, West Valley College Paralegal Program
Past Member and Member of the Board of Trustees, Santa Clara County Bar Association (2005-2007, 2008-2010)
Past Member of the Board of Directors and Chair, Child Advocates, Diversity Committee (2004-2007)
Past Board Member, Services Immigrant Rights and Education Network (2000-2003)
Publications and lectures
Guest Lecturer, West Valley College Paralegal Program
Speaker, American Council on International Personnel
Speaker, Western Immigration Networking Group
Speaker, California State Bar Annual Conference, International Law Section
Speaker, Corporate Counsel Conference, Hispanic National Bar Association
Speaker, Society for Human Resource Management Employment Law & Compliance Conference
Speaker, “Deference and Duration of Status – The DHS Proposed Rule, Student and Talent Pipeline Impacts and Advocacy Options.” Fragomen, Webinar, 17 September 2025.
Speaker, “Session C3: Reimagining the Future – Strengthening the Pipeline for a More Inclusive Legal Profession.” CMCP 2025 Annual Business Conference, San Francisco, CA, 11 September 2025.
Speaker, “New U.S. Administration: Next Chapter of Global Semiconductor Policy.” Fragomen, Webinar, 20 February 2025.
Speaker, “Immigration Policy Shift: What the Trump Administration Means for Global Companies and Talent (Part III).” Fragomen, Webinar, 23 January 2025.
Speaker, “The Impact of the Incoming Trump Administration on You and Your Employees (Part II).” Fragomen, Webinar, 13 November 2024.
Speaker, “Fragomen Webcast Series - Harris vs. Trump: Key Differences in Immigration Policy (Part I).” Fragomen, Webinar, 17 October 2024.
Kristi’s insights
June 5, 2026 | Fragomen news
November 5, 2025 | Seminar
