Important Updates
Important Updates
April 20, 2026 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: Share Agent ‘Bad Actor’ Data With Universities, Home Office Told
April 21, 2026 | Russia, Saudi ArabiaRussia/Saudi Arabia: Mutual Visa-Free Entry Forthcoming
April 21, 2026 | NetherlandsThe Sunday Times: How to Make Your Move from the UK to the Netherlands
April 21, 2026 | VietnamVietnam: Pre-Arrival Declaration Now Required in Ho Chi Minh City
April 20, 2026 | United Kingdom12 Fragomen Lawyers Named to 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List
April 20, 2026 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: Share Agent ‘Bad Actor’ Data With Universities, Home Office Told
April 21, 2026 | Russia, Saudi ArabiaRussia/Saudi Arabia: Mutual Visa-Free Entry Forthcoming
April 21, 2026 | NetherlandsThe Sunday Times: How to Make Your Move from the UK to the Netherlands
April 21, 2026 | VietnamVietnam: Pre-Arrival Declaration Now Required in Ho Chi Minh City
April 20, 2026 | United Kingdom12 Fragomen Lawyers Named to 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List
April 20, 2026 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: Share Agent ‘Bad Actor’ Data With Universities, Home Office Told
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Photo of Michelle Shepard

Counsel

Michelle Shepard

Photo of Michelle Shepard
Photo of Michelle Shepard
  • People

Counsel

Michelle Shepard

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  • United StatesUnited States

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  • English

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Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Fragomen in Boston, MA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Get in touch

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  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T:+1 857 305 4434

F:+1 617 226 4561

Fragomen in Boston, MA

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

Fragomen in Boston, MA

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

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

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

February 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Life After Graduation: Immigration 101Read more

Michelle’s insights

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

February 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Life After Graduation: Immigration 101Read more

Michelle’s insights

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

February 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Life After Graduation: Immigration 101Read more

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

Fragomen in Boston, MA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Michelle’s insights

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

February 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Life After Graduation: Immigration 101Read more

Share

  • Twitter
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  • 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

Fragomen in Boston, MA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Michelle’s insights

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

February 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Life After Graduation: Immigration 101Read more

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

Fragomen in Boston, MA

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

100 High St, 3rd Floor

Boston MA 02110

United States

Michelle’s insights

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

February 12, 2025 | Webinar

Fragomen and Interstride Webinar Series: Life After Graduation: Immigration 101Read more

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

The Sunday Times: How to Make Your Move from the UK to the NetherlandsLearn more

Awards

12 Fragomen Lawyers Named to 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List

Twelve Fragomen lawyers are recognized on the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List, reflecting their commitment to providing free legal assistance to those in need.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: Share Agent ‘Bad Actor’ Data With Universities, Home Office Told

Senior Immigration Manager Jonathan Hill discusses new UK guidance suggesting the Home Office may use data to assess agent trust, raising questions about transparency and compliance demands.

Learn more

Video

Understanding Thai Visa Categories: Travel, Work, Study, Retirement and More

In this video, Partner Aim-on Larpisal provides a high-level overview of common Thai visa categories and how they are structured based on purpose of stay, including tourism, work, education and long-term residence.

Learn more

Work authorization

The H-1B Cap Lottery FY 2027 is Complete: What Employers Should Do Next

Partner Chad Blocker outlines what employers should do following completion of the FY 2027 H-1B cap lottery, explains the factors behind lower demand and higher selection rates and highlights key filing risks, timelines and alternative visa options to consider next.

Learn more

Media mentions

EB-5 Investors: May Visa Bulletin Advances EB-5 Dates for Chinese Investors, Cautions Retrogression for India

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses China’s EB-5 Unreserved category advancing to September 22, 2026, while India’s dates remain unchanged with potential for retrogression amid sustained demand.

Learn more

Media mentions

Citywealth: Tens of Thousands Leave the Gulf for the UK, For Now

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole discusses Middle East-based UHNW clients making short-term moves driven by schooling and timing considerations.

Learn more

Media mentions

Energiewirtschaftliche Tagesfragen: Mitarbeiter aus Drittstaaten im Offshore-Einsatz - Wenn Seemeilen über Legalität entscheiden

Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer examines how immigration rules for offshore wind projects in Germany hinge on nautical boundaries and why careful personnel planning is essential to avoid compliance risks.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Zatrudnienie Kolumbijczyków, Gruzinów i Wenezuelczyków tylko na podstawie wizy i właściwego zezwolenia sprzeczne z ustawą.

Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala comments on a draft regulation restricting work for citizens of Georgia, Colombia and Venezuela in Poland during visa-free stays.

Learn more

Awards

Four Fragomen Attorneys Recognised by The Best Lawyers™ in Australia

Partners Chris Spentzaris and Sasko Markovski, Practice Leader Sarah Tan and Counsel Robert Walsh are recognized by Best Lawyers in Australia for their work in immigration law.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Shortlisted Across Multiple Categories in 2026 EMMA Awards

Fragomen is shortlisted across multiple categories in the 2026 EMMA Awards, recognizing innovation and impact in global mobility and immigration services.

Learn more

Video

How to Get Your French Work Visa After Graduation: Job Seeker / Company Creation Permit

Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit. 

Learn more

Media mentions

The Sunday Times: How to Make Your Move from the UK to the NetherlandsLearn more

Awards

12 Fragomen Lawyers Named to 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List

Twelve Fragomen lawyers are recognized on the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List, reflecting their commitment to providing free legal assistance to those in need.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: Share Agent ‘Bad Actor’ Data With Universities, Home Office Told

Senior Immigration Manager Jonathan Hill discusses new UK guidance suggesting the Home Office may use data to assess agent trust, raising questions about transparency and compliance demands.

Learn more

Video

Understanding Thai Visa Categories: Travel, Work, Study, Retirement and More

In this video, Partner Aim-on Larpisal provides a high-level overview of common Thai visa categories and how they are structured based on purpose of stay, including tourism, work, education and long-term residence.

Learn more

Work authorization

The H-1B Cap Lottery FY 2027 is Complete: What Employers Should Do Next

Partner Chad Blocker outlines what employers should do following completion of the FY 2027 H-1B cap lottery, explains the factors behind lower demand and higher selection rates and highlights key filing risks, timelines and alternative visa options to consider next.

Learn more

Media mentions

EB-5 Investors: May Visa Bulletin Advances EB-5 Dates for Chinese Investors, Cautions Retrogression for India

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses China’s EB-5 Unreserved category advancing to September 22, 2026, while India’s dates remain unchanged with potential for retrogression amid sustained demand.

Learn more

Media mentions

Citywealth: Tens of Thousands Leave the Gulf for the UK, For Now

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole discusses Middle East-based UHNW clients making short-term moves driven by schooling and timing considerations.

Learn more

Media mentions

Energiewirtschaftliche Tagesfragen: Mitarbeiter aus Drittstaaten im Offshore-Einsatz - Wenn Seemeilen über Legalität entscheiden

Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer examines how immigration rules for offshore wind projects in Germany hinge on nautical boundaries and why careful personnel planning is essential to avoid compliance risks.

Learn more

Media mentions

Gazeta Prawna: Zatrudnienie Kolumbijczyków, Gruzinów i Wenezuelczyków tylko na podstawie wizy i właściwego zezwolenia sprzeczne z ustawą.

Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala comments on a draft regulation restricting work for citizens of Georgia, Colombia and Venezuela in Poland during visa-free stays.

Learn more

Awards

Four Fragomen Attorneys Recognised by The Best Lawyers™ in Australia

Partners Chris Spentzaris and Sasko Markovski, Practice Leader Sarah Tan and Counsel Robert Walsh are recognized by Best Lawyers in Australia for their work in immigration law.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Shortlisted Across Multiple Categories in 2026 EMMA Awards

Fragomen is shortlisted across multiple categories in the 2026 EMMA Awards, recognizing innovation and impact in global mobility and immigration services.

Learn more

Video

How to Get Your French Work Visa After Graduation: Job Seeker / Company Creation Permit

Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit. 

Learn more

Stay in touch

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