Important Updates
Important Updates
December 12, 2025 | PolandPoland: Extensive Reforms Include Digital-Only Rule for Residence Permits and Work Permit Exemption Restrictions
December 12, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Shortage Occupation List Updates in Wallonia and Flanders
December 12, 2025 | United States, United KingdomLeading Britain's Conversation: The US Wants to Review Your Instagram Stories - Just in Time for the World Cup
December 12, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
December 12, 2025 | United States, New ZealandNewstalk ZB: Explained: Do Prospective Kiwi Tourists to the US Need to Be Careful?
December 12, 2025 | PolandPoland: Extensive Reforms Include Digital-Only Rule for Residence Permits and Work Permit Exemption Restrictions
December 12, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Shortage Occupation List Updates in Wallonia and Flanders
December 12, 2025 | United States, United KingdomLeading Britain's Conversation: The US Wants to Review Your Instagram Stories - Just in Time for the World Cup
December 12, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
December 12, 2025 | United States, New ZealandNewstalk ZB: Explained: Do Prospective Kiwi Tourists to the US Need to Be Careful?
December 12, 2025 | PolandPoland: Extensive Reforms Include Digital-Only Rule for Residence Permits and Work Permit Exemption Restrictions
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationFragomen Consulting EuropeImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
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, 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

  • PrintPrint
  • SaveSave

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
  • 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

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

Video

Minimum Annual Remuneration Threshold Increases for Employment Permits in Ireland | #MobilityMinute

In the Mobility Minute, Practice Leader Colm Collins outlines upcoming changes to Ireland’s employment permit qualifying criteria and the steps employers should take ahead of the 1 March 2026 implementation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Leading Britain's Conversation: The US Wants to Review Your Instagram Stories - Just in Time for the World Cup

Partner Charlotte Slocombe discusses what travellers to the US under the Visa Waiver Program need to disclose and consider before travelling.

Learn more

Media mentions

Newstalk ZB: Explained: Do Prospective Kiwi Tourists to the US Need to Be Careful?

Counsel Brian Hunt discussed US Customs and Border Protection's proposed changes to the ESTA application process regarding social media and additional personal information.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: The Trump Gold Card: All That Glitters Is Not Gold for Indians

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler explains key considerations for Indian applicants under the new Gold Card program.

Learn more

Video

Apostille vs. Legalisation | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Manager Maja Sugui outlines key legalisation requirements when the Apostille Convention does not apply or when country-specific exceptions exist.

Learn more

Media mentions

Sports Illustrated: 2026 World Cup Visitors to US Set to Face Extreme Social Media Scrutiny

Partner Bo Cooper highlights that visitors to the US under the visa waiver program for the 2026 World Cup could face a more extensive ESTA application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

New India Abroad: Firms Ensuring H-1B Workers in US to Avoid New Fee, Says Top Immigration Lawyer

Partners Aaron Blumberg and K. Edward Raleigh outline how recent US visa policy changes affect H-1B and H-4 workers and how employers are adjusting compliance and work authorization processes.

Learn more

Media mentions

Tagesspiegel: Arbeitskräfte aus dem Nahen Osten: Neue Partnerschaft erleichtert Immigration

Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer emphasizes the importance of legal support in helping skilled professionals navigate work-based immigration to Germany.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Expands HPI Visa: What’s New in 2025

The UK expands its High Potential Individual (HPI) visa for 2025, broadening eligibility for global graduates and entrepreneurs while introducing new requirements and application caps

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: US Plans to Scrutinize Foreign Tourists’ Social Media History

Partner Bo Cooper discusses the US proposal to expand social media screening for visitors from visa waiver countries and the broader shift it represents in travel vetting.

Learn more

Video

UK Widens Access to the High Potential Individual Visa to Attract the World’s Top Graduate Talent | #MobilityMinute

The latest Mobility Minute features Manager Alex Hood discussing recent updates to the UK’s High Potential Individual route, including expanded university eligibility, a new annual cap and modernized governance measures.

Learn more

Media mentions

International Organisation of Employers: The Gulf Experience: Building a Skilled Workforce in the UAE

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses how the UAE’s flexible migration policies attract talent and support a competitive labour market.

Learn more

Video

Minimum Annual Remuneration Threshold Increases for Employment Permits in Ireland | #MobilityMinute

In the Mobility Minute, Practice Leader Colm Collins outlines upcoming changes to Ireland’s employment permit qualifying criteria and the steps employers should take ahead of the 1 March 2026 implementation.

Learn more

Media mentions

Leading Britain's Conversation: The US Wants to Review Your Instagram Stories - Just in Time for the World Cup

Partner Charlotte Slocombe discusses what travellers to the US under the Visa Waiver Program need to disclose and consider before travelling.

Learn more

Media mentions

Newstalk ZB: Explained: Do Prospective Kiwi Tourists to the US Need to Be Careful?

Counsel Brian Hunt discussed US Customs and Border Protection's proposed changes to the ESTA application process regarding social media and additional personal information.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: The Trump Gold Card: All That Glitters Is Not Gold for Indians

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler explains key considerations for Indian applicants under the new Gold Card program.

Learn more

Video

Apostille vs. Legalisation | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Manager Maja Sugui outlines key legalisation requirements when the Apostille Convention does not apply or when country-specific exceptions exist.

Learn more

Media mentions

Sports Illustrated: 2026 World Cup Visitors to US Set to Face Extreme Social Media Scrutiny

Partner Bo Cooper highlights that visitors to the US under the visa waiver program for the 2026 World Cup could face a more extensive ESTA application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

New India Abroad: Firms Ensuring H-1B Workers in US to Avoid New Fee, Says Top Immigration Lawyer

Partners Aaron Blumberg and K. Edward Raleigh outline how recent US visa policy changes affect H-1B and H-4 workers and how employers are adjusting compliance and work authorization processes.

Learn more

Media mentions

Tagesspiegel: Arbeitskräfte aus dem Nahen Osten: Neue Partnerschaft erleichtert Immigration

Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer emphasizes the importance of legal support in helping skilled professionals navigate work-based immigration to Germany.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Expands HPI Visa: What’s New in 2025

The UK expands its High Potential Individual (HPI) visa for 2025, broadening eligibility for global graduates and entrepreneurs while introducing new requirements and application caps

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: US Plans to Scrutinize Foreign Tourists’ Social Media History

Partner Bo Cooper discusses the US proposal to expand social media screening for visitors from visa waiver countries and the broader shift it represents in travel vetting.

Learn more

Video

UK Widens Access to the High Potential Individual Visa to Attract the World’s Top Graduate Talent | #MobilityMinute

The latest Mobility Minute features Manager Alex Hood discussing recent updates to the UK’s High Potential Individual route, including expanded university eligibility, a new annual cap and modernized governance measures.

Learn more

Media mentions

International Organisation of Employers: The Gulf Experience: Building a Skilled Workforce in the UAE

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses how the UAE’s flexible migration policies attract talent and support a competitive labour market.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.