Photo of Michelle Shepard

Counsel

Michelle Shepard

Photo of Michelle Shepard
Photo of Michelle Shepard
  • People

Counsel

Michelle Shepard

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Boston

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Boston

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Boston

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

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Michelle, Counsel at Fragomen’s Boston office, has more than 12 years of immigration experience, including with nonimmigrant and immigrant visa petitions, Requests for Evidence and other nonimmigrant visa related filings (Denials, NOIR, NOID, 221(g)), H-1B and AC21 matters.

Prior to joining Fragomen, Michelle was a Partner at an immigration law firm in Boston, where she managed the immigrant visa team. She assisted clients permanent residency strategy and family-based green card processing, including marriage-based and immediate-relative based filings. Michelle also previously managed her prior firm’s nonimmigrant visa department, including all aspects of H-1B, L-1, TN, E-3 and B-1 matters, among others. She worked with corporate clients to help them grow their businesses by ensuring their employees and employees’ families had the necessary visa strategy in place.

During law school, Michelle wrote for and was published in the New England Journal of International and Comparative Law.

Education

  • New England Law - Boston, J.D., 2012
  • Johnson and Wales University, B.S., 2009

More from Michelle

Admissions

Bar Admissions: Massachusetts, Georgia

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2026 to 2027

Listed in Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star,” 2020-2022

Professional accomplishments

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

Treasurer, AILA New England Chapter, 2023-2024

Member, AILA New England Chapter

Member, Law Student Liaison Committee, AILA New England Chapter

Member, Conference Planning Committee, AILA New England Chapter

Member, New England ProVisors

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “Life After Graduation: Immigration 101.” Fragomen and Interstride, Webinar, 12 February 2025.

Speaker, “Introductions, FDNS Site Visits, and RFE/Notice Expectations as a Result of the FY2024 CAP.” ITServe Alliance, Webinar, 10 May 2023.

Speaker, “Compliance Audits and Immigration Updates.” ITServe Alliance New England Chapter, 22 March 2023.

Michelle’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

December 3, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Family Based Immigration OverviewRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Michelle’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

December 3, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Family Based Immigration OverviewRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Michelle’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

December 3, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Family Based Immigration OverviewRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Boston

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Michelle’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

December 3, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Family Based Immigration OverviewRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Boston

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Michelle’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

December 3, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Family Based Immigration OverviewRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Boston

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Michelle’s insights

August 20, 2026 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more

December 3, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Family Based Immigration OverviewRead more

August 21, 2025 | Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America™Read more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Awards

Fragomen Named a Top 10 Finalist for the 2026 Cartus Masters Cup

Fragomen is a Top 10 finalist for the 2026 Cartus Masters Cup, Cartus’ highest supplier honor recognizing exceptional service, collaboration, innovation and commitment to clients and relocating employees.

Learn more

Media mentions

SHRM: Proposed $103,265 H-1B Is Changing Talent Acquisition Strategy

Partner Bo Cooper discusses the proposed $103,265 H-1B fee, potential legal challenges and its broader implications for employers and high-skilled immigration.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: The Hidden Sacrifices of Chasing an H-1B Career in America

Partner Aaron Blumberg discusses how proposed changes to the H-1B program could affect workers facing layoffs and families navigating dependent visa status.

Learn more

Blog post

Permanent Residence in Germany: Why Eligible Foreign Nationals Should Consider Applying Early

Senior Associate Arta Djahanschiri outlines the principal pathways to permanent residence in Germany, the flexibility and security the status can provide and why eligible foreign nationals should consider applying early.

Learn more

Blog post

Proposed Changes to Naturalisation by Residency in Ireland: What Does it Mean for Employers and Global Mobility Programmes?

Immigration Manager Jo Crawford examines proposed changes to Ireland’s naturalisation requirements and what they could mean for employers and global mobility programmes, including talent retention, workforce planning and business mobility. 

Learn more

Fragomen news

Comment on DHS Proposed $103,265 Fee on Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions.Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Receives Three 2026 Cartus Awards

Fragomen received three recognitions at the 2026 Cartus Global Network Conference for excellence in service, sustainability leadership and global citizenship.

Learn more

Blog post

Net Migration Policy: An Explainer Comparing Australia, Canada and the UK

Partner Jack (Eui Chul) Kim, Senior Counsel Dr. Anna Boucher, UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit and Articling Student David Mucz examine how Australia, Canada and the UK measure net migration. They compare efforts to reduce migration with the need to maintain access to international talent, and explain the potential effects on employers, labor markets and economic growth.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: White House H-1B Order Puts Employer Layoffs Under Microscope

Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses how US employers should consider displacement and conduct a risk analysis when assessing H-1B filings in light of recent policy changes.

Learn more

Blog post

The Compliance Risks of International Remote Working and Hush Trips

International remote working can offer valuable flexibility, but undisclosed “hush trips” may expose employers to immigration, social security, insurance, employment-law and tax risks that they cannot properly assess or manage.

Learn more

Blog post

The Narrowing Talent Pipeline: From International Student to Corporate America

Counsel Susan Steger examines recent policy changes and litigation affecting the pathway from F-1 study and practical training through H-1B sponsorship and permanent residence, and the considerations for US employers recruiting and retaining early-career international talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National Interest: How Boosting Your Privacy Will Make America More Secure

Managing Director, Digital Identity Amit Sharma explores how digital identity can strengthen privacy and security.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Named a Top 10 Finalist for the 2026 Cartus Masters Cup

Fragomen is a Top 10 finalist for the 2026 Cartus Masters Cup, Cartus’ highest supplier honor recognizing exceptional service, collaboration, innovation and commitment to clients and relocating employees.

Learn more

Media mentions

SHRM: Proposed $103,265 H-1B Is Changing Talent Acquisition Strategy

Partner Bo Cooper discusses the proposed $103,265 H-1B fee, potential legal challenges and its broader implications for employers and high-skilled immigration.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: The Hidden Sacrifices of Chasing an H-1B Career in America

Partner Aaron Blumberg discusses how proposed changes to the H-1B program could affect workers facing layoffs and families navigating dependent visa status.

Learn more

Blog post

Permanent Residence in Germany: Why Eligible Foreign Nationals Should Consider Applying Early

Senior Associate Arta Djahanschiri outlines the principal pathways to permanent residence in Germany, the flexibility and security the status can provide and why eligible foreign nationals should consider applying early.

Learn more

Blog post

Proposed Changes to Naturalisation by Residency in Ireland: What Does it Mean for Employers and Global Mobility Programmes?

Immigration Manager Jo Crawford examines proposed changes to Ireland’s naturalisation requirements and what they could mean for employers and global mobility programmes, including talent retention, workforce planning and business mobility. 

Learn more

Fragomen news

Comment on DHS Proposed $103,265 Fee on Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions.Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Receives Three 2026 Cartus Awards

Fragomen received three recognitions at the 2026 Cartus Global Network Conference for excellence in service, sustainability leadership and global citizenship.

Learn more

Blog post

Net Migration Policy: An Explainer Comparing Australia, Canada and the UK

Partner Jack (Eui Chul) Kim, Senior Counsel Dr. Anna Boucher, UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit and Articling Student David Mucz examine how Australia, Canada and the UK measure net migration. They compare efforts to reduce migration with the need to maintain access to international talent, and explain the potential effects on employers, labor markets and economic growth.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg Law: White House H-1B Order Puts Employer Layoffs Under Microscope

Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses how US employers should consider displacement and conduct a risk analysis when assessing H-1B filings in light of recent policy changes.

Learn more

Blog post

The Compliance Risks of International Remote Working and Hush Trips

International remote working can offer valuable flexibility, but undisclosed “hush trips” may expose employers to immigration, social security, insurance, employment-law and tax risks that they cannot properly assess or manage.

Learn more

Blog post

The Narrowing Talent Pipeline: From International Student to Corporate America

Counsel Susan Steger examines recent policy changes and litigation affecting the pathway from F-1 study and practical training through H-1B sponsorship and permanent residence, and the considerations for US employers recruiting and retaining early-career international talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The National Interest: How Boosting Your Privacy Will Make America More Secure

Managing Director, Digital Identity Amit Sharma explores how digital identity can strengthen privacy and security.

Learn more
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Important Updates
Important Updates
September 29, 2026 | United StatesSHRM: Proposed $103,265 H-1B Is Changing Talent Acquisition Strategy
September 29, 2026 | BangladeshBangladesh: New Two-Week Filing Window for Visa Extension Applications Implemented
September 29, 2026 | European UnionEuropean Union: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and Entry/Exit System (EES) Launch Status
September 29, 2026Fragomen Named a Top 10 Finalist for the 2026 Cartus Masters Cup
September 29, 2026 | LuxembourgLuxembourg: Simplification of Residence Permit Application Process Forthcoming
September 29, 2026 | United StatesSHRM: Proposed $103,265 H-1B Is Changing Talent Acquisition Strategy
September 29, 2026 | BangladeshBangladesh: New Two-Week Filing Window for Visa Extension Applications Implemented
September 29, 2026 | European UnionEuropean Union: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and Entry/Exit System (EES) Launch Status
September 29, 2026Fragomen Named a Top 10 Finalist for the 2026 Cartus Masters Cup
September 29, 2026 | LuxembourgLuxembourg: Simplification of Residence Permit Application Process Forthcoming
September 29, 2026 | United StatesSHRM: Proposed $103,265 H-1B Is Changing Talent Acquisition Strategy
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