Important Updates
Important Updates
November 18, 2025 | ChinaChina Managing Partner Becky Xia Named Among the "Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025" by Forbes China
November 19, 2025 | HungaryHungary: Increased Scrutiny of Work Permit Applications; Transition to New Digital Application System
November 19, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Takes Preliminary Step Toward Implementation of Gold Card Permanent Residence Program
November 18, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream Suspended
November 18, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Work Permit Exemption for FIFA-Invited Foreign Nationals Announced
November 18, 2025 | ChinaChina Managing Partner Becky Xia Named Among the "Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025" by Forbes China
November 19, 2025 | HungaryHungary: Increased Scrutiny of Work Permit Applications; Transition to New Digital Application System
November 19, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Takes Preliminary Step Toward Implementation of Gold Card Permanent Residence Program
November 18, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Ontario’s Express Entry Skilled Trades Stream Suspended
November 18, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Work Permit Exemption for FIFA-Invited Foreign Nationals Announced
November 18, 2025 | ChinaChina Managing Partner Becky Xia Named Among the "Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025" by Forbes China
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Photo of Michelle Shepard

Counsel

Michelle Shepard

Photo of Michelle Shepard
Photo of Michelle Shepard
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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, 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

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

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

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

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

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

Blog post

UAE Updates Residency Rules to Support Residents Following Marital Status Changes

Manager Ruaida Hussein outlines the UAE’s updated residency rules introducing a one-year residence permit for eligible individuals following divorce or the death of a spouse

Learn more

Awards

China Managing Partner Becky Xia Named Among the "Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025" by Forbes China

China Managing Partner Becky Xia is named among the “Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025” by Forbes China for her leadership in immigration law and contributions to global mobility.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Recognised on The Times’ 2026 Best Law Firms List

Fragomen is featured on The Times’ 2026 Best Law Firms list in the category of immigration.

Learn more

Blog post

Foreign Birth Registration: How to Claim Irish Citizenship Through Ancestry in 2025

Senior Immigration Consultant Patricia Rezmives explains the 2025 process for claiming Irish citizenship through ancestry and key considerations for foreign birth registration.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Named Among Top Firms on Law360 Pulse's 2025 Social Impact Leaders List

Fragomen is recognized on Law360 Pulse's 2025 Social Impact Leaders list.

Learn more

Awards

Partner F. Joseph Paldino Honored with the 2025 Utah State Bar Paul Moxley Outstanding Mentor Award

Partner F. Joseph Paldino is recognized with the Utah State Bar’s Paul Moxley Outstanding Mentor Award for his dedication to mentorship in immigration law and fostering professional growth in the legal community.

Learn more

Blog post

The Compliance Paradox: Why Immigration Compliance Must Become Strategic Governance

In this blog, Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains how modern immigration compliance must evolve from paperwork and formality into a strategic governance discipline that aligns outdated laws with today’s business realities and measures true compliance through systems, behavior and integrity.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Immigration Reforms: A Moment to Shape the System

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines the UK’s evolving immigration framework, outlining recent reforms, upcoming consultations and the key areas where business can help shape the system’s future direction.

Learn more

Media mentions

„Zatrudnianie cudzoziemców po zmianach” – praktyczny przewodnik dla pracodawców

Partner Karolina Schiffter and Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala authored Zatrudnianie cudzoziemców po zmianach, a practical guide for navigating Poland’s new rules for hiring foreign workers.

Learn more

Video

Irish Citizenship by Descent: Are You Eligible?

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin breaks down Irish citizenship by descent, a popular pathway for individuals of Irish ancestry to secure Irish citizenship and passport. 

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™

Eight Fragomen professionals in Mexico City recognized in The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ 2026 edition for excellence in Immigration Law.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Global Mobility Lawyer: DHS proposes sweeping expansion of biometric data collection

Partner Blake Chisam discusses DHS’s proposed rule expanding biometric data collection and continuous vetting, outlining key privacy and compliance implications for employers.

Learn more

Blog post

UAE Updates Residency Rules to Support Residents Following Marital Status Changes

Manager Ruaida Hussein outlines the UAE’s updated residency rules introducing a one-year residence permit for eligible individuals following divorce or the death of a spouse

Learn more

Awards

China Managing Partner Becky Xia Named Among the "Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025" by Forbes China

China Managing Partner Becky Xia is named among the “Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025” by Forbes China for her leadership in immigration law and contributions to global mobility.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Recognised on The Times’ 2026 Best Law Firms List

Fragomen is featured on The Times’ 2026 Best Law Firms list in the category of immigration.

Learn more

Blog post

Foreign Birth Registration: How to Claim Irish Citizenship Through Ancestry in 2025

Senior Immigration Consultant Patricia Rezmives explains the 2025 process for claiming Irish citizenship through ancestry and key considerations for foreign birth registration.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Named Among Top Firms on Law360 Pulse's 2025 Social Impact Leaders List

Fragomen is recognized on Law360 Pulse's 2025 Social Impact Leaders list.

Learn more

Awards

Partner F. Joseph Paldino Honored with the 2025 Utah State Bar Paul Moxley Outstanding Mentor Award

Partner F. Joseph Paldino is recognized with the Utah State Bar’s Paul Moxley Outstanding Mentor Award for his dedication to mentorship in immigration law and fostering professional growth in the legal community.

Learn more

Blog post

The Compliance Paradox: Why Immigration Compliance Must Become Strategic Governance

In this blog, Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains how modern immigration compliance must evolve from paperwork and formality into a strategic governance discipline that aligns outdated laws with today’s business realities and measures true compliance through systems, behavior and integrity.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Immigration Reforms: A Moment to Shape the System

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines the UK’s evolving immigration framework, outlining recent reforms, upcoming consultations and the key areas where business can help shape the system’s future direction.

Learn more

Media mentions

„Zatrudnianie cudzoziemców po zmianach” – praktyczny przewodnik dla pracodawców

Partner Karolina Schiffter and Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala authored Zatrudnianie cudzoziemców po zmianach, a practical guide for navigating Poland’s new rules for hiring foreign workers.

Learn more

Video

Irish Citizenship by Descent: Are You Eligible?

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin breaks down Irish citizenship by descent, a popular pathway for individuals of Irish ancestry to secure Irish citizenship and passport. 

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Edition of The Best Lawyers in Mexico™

Eight Fragomen professionals in Mexico City recognized in The Best Lawyers in Mexico™ 2026 edition for excellence in Immigration Law.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Global Mobility Lawyer: DHS proposes sweeping expansion of biometric data collection

Partner Blake Chisam discusses DHS’s proposed rule expanding biometric data collection and continuous vetting, outlining key privacy and compliance implications for employers.

Learn more

Stay in touch

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