Important Updates
Important Updates
March 30, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: Salary Rate Assessment Rules Updated
March 31, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: New Restrictions Introduced for Arrival of Certain Temporary Visa Holders; Iranian Visitors Affected
March 31, 2026 | United KingdomThe Caterer: How to Safeguard Your Sponsor Licences
March 31, 2026 | United StatesTimes of India: US Proposes Sharp Hike in H-1B, PERM Wage Thresholds; May Adversely Impact Entry-Level Hiring
March 31, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Completes FY 2027 H-1B Cap Selection Process
March 30, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: Salary Rate Assessment Rules Updated
March 31, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: New Restrictions Introduced for Arrival of Certain Temporary Visa Holders; Iranian Visitors Affected
March 31, 2026 | United KingdomThe Caterer: How to Safeguard Your Sponsor Licences
March 31, 2026 | United StatesTimes of India: US Proposes Sharp Hike in H-1B, PERM Wage Thresholds; May Adversely Impact Entry-Level Hiring
March 31, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Completes FY 2027 H-1B Cap Selection Process
March 30, 2026 | AustraliaAustralia: Salary Rate Assessment Rules Updated
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Photo of Michelle Shepard

Counsel

Michelle Shepard

Photo of Michelle Shepard
Photo of Michelle Shepard
  • People

Counsel

Michelle Shepard

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

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Languages

  • English

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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
  • 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

Media mentions

The Caterer: How to Safeguard Your Sponsor Licences

Senior Manager Louise Senior outlines key compliance considerations for UK hospitality sponsors as regulatory expectations continue to evolve.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: US Proposes Sharp Hike in H-1B, PERM Wage Thresholds; May Adversely Impact Entry-Level Hiring

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler said proposed H-1B and PERM wage increases could raise hiring costs and apply only to new and pending applications.

Learn more

Work authorization

Falling Demand, Rising Fees: Reassessing the UK’s 2026 Immigration Policy

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit explores the latest UK immigration fee increases and their wider implications for migration trends, labour supply and workforce planning.

Learn more

Video

FIFA Pass for the 2026 World Cup | #MobilityMinute

Partner Karine Wenger outlines US visa considerations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the FIFA Pass priority scheduling system and the importance of early planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

RNZ Asia: Immigration Experts Divided Over Skilled Migrant Residency Reform

Business Immigration Supervisor Fiona Zhou says the restructured Skilled Migrant Category creates clearer pathways and retains skilled workers.

Learn more

Video

Navigating Outbound Services from Germany | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key considerations for managing outbound assignments from Germany, including planning, visa requirements and coordinated global support. 

Learn more

Video

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | Staying in Canada Post-Graduation

Partner Jack Kim discusses one of many immigration pathways for staying in Canada post-graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Learn more

Blog post

Critical Minerals, the Energy Transition and the Global Race for Skills

Senior Client Services Manager Caroline Kanzara-Obinwa explores how global talent shortages and workforce mobility are shaping the future of critical minerals and the energy transition.

Learn more

Video

USA: Red Card or Green Light? US Consular Updates for World Cup 2026 | #FragomenFC - Ep. 15

In FC Podcast episode #15, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster, Senior US Consular Manager Brian Simmons, and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss US entry considerations for the 2026 World Cup, including visa options, policy changes and planning timelines.

Learn more

Media mentions

HR World: Compliance Now: Value Beyond Risk Management

Partner Charlotte Wills explains that treating compliance as a strategic function helps organisations anticipate risk, manage costs and strengthen workforce planning.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Karolina Schiffter Ranked in Chambers & Partners Poland Immigration Guide

Partner Karolina Schiffter is ranked Band 1 in Immigration in the inaugural Chambers & Partners Poland guide, recognizing her leadership in advancing Fragomen’s Poland practice.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Can Staff Visit the USA If They Have a Criminal Record?

Manager Karnig Dukmajian

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: How to Safeguard Your Sponsor Licences

Senior Manager Louise Senior outlines key compliance considerations for UK hospitality sponsors as regulatory expectations continue to evolve.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times of India: US Proposes Sharp Hike in H-1B, PERM Wage Thresholds; May Adversely Impact Entry-Level Hiring

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler said proposed H-1B and PERM wage increases could raise hiring costs and apply only to new and pending applications.

Learn more

Work authorization

Falling Demand, Rising Fees: Reassessing the UK’s 2026 Immigration Policy

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit explores the latest UK immigration fee increases and their wider implications for migration trends, labour supply and workforce planning.

Learn more

Video

FIFA Pass for the 2026 World Cup | #MobilityMinute

Partner Karine Wenger outlines US visa considerations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including the FIFA Pass priority scheduling system and the importance of early planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

RNZ Asia: Immigration Experts Divided Over Skilled Migrant Residency Reform

Business Immigration Supervisor Fiona Zhou says the restructured Skilled Migrant Category creates clearer pathways and retains skilled workers.

Learn more

Video

Navigating Outbound Services from Germany | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler highlights key considerations for managing outbound assignments from Germany, including planning, visa requirements and coordinated global support. 

Learn more

Video

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) | Staying in Canada Post-Graduation

Partner Jack Kim discusses one of many immigration pathways for staying in Canada post-graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).

Learn more

Blog post

Critical Minerals, the Energy Transition and the Global Race for Skills

Senior Client Services Manager Caroline Kanzara-Obinwa explores how global talent shortages and workforce mobility are shaping the future of critical minerals and the energy transition.

Learn more

Video

USA: Red Card or Green Light? US Consular Updates for World Cup 2026 | #FragomenFC - Ep. 15

In FC Podcast episode #15, Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Associate Jake Paul Minster, Senior US Consular Manager Brian Simmons, and Senior Manager Sergio Flores discuss US entry considerations for the 2026 World Cup, including visa options, policy changes and planning timelines.

Learn more

Media mentions

HR World: Compliance Now: Value Beyond Risk Management

Partner Charlotte Wills explains that treating compliance as a strategic function helps organisations anticipate risk, manage costs and strengthen workforce planning.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Karolina Schiffter Ranked in Chambers & Partners Poland Immigration Guide

Partner Karolina Schiffter is ranked Band 1 in Immigration in the inaugural Chambers & Partners Poland guide, recognizing her leadership in advancing Fragomen’s Poland practice.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Can Staff Visit the USA If They Have a Criminal Record?

Manager Karnig Dukmajian

Learn more

Stay in touch

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