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Ryan M. Freel

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Ryan M. Freel

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333 W Wacker Dr 15th Floor

Chicago IL 60606

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Ryan helps multinational Fortune 500 companies build custom immigration programs across multiple global jurisdictions. He is skilled in helping clients move worldwide workforces quickly and efficiently, while ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations. Additionally, he works closely with clients to help set up their electronic systems for greater efficiency, using APIs to manage risks and compliance.

Counseling companies across several industries, Ryan focuses on the energy, tech, defense and relocation sectors. He is also experienced in M&A/divestiture projects with an immigration component, helping leadership execute on immediate compliance and minimize loss of productivity.

Specific to the energy industry, clients rely on Ryan’s keen insight on the challenges related to a rotational workforce in remote locations and international waters, and determining the necessary offshore compliance. In 2014, Ryan was seconded to a well-known oil field services company as the Immigration Program Lead. In this capacity, Ryan successfully implemented and co-managed a comprehensive global immigration program.

Serving as the head of the firm’s Houston office, Ryan uses his 20-plus years of experience in various roles within the firm, including posts overseas in the Asia Pacific region, to help clients solve their most complex immigration and global mobility challenges.

Additionally, Ryan looks to his own passion for travel and learning about new cultures, and experience of living abroad—both personally and professionally—to help him inform his work and how he relates to his clients’ needs. Having worked in-house for a period of years, Ryan also has a deep understanding of the priorities from that side of a case. He uses this experience to help clients navigate each part of the immigration process, providing the answers to the questions that matter to everyone involved, and ultimately working together to achieve a successful result.

Clients appreciate Ryan’s transparent and proactive approach and his dedication to making an impact on their immigration programs. His client philosophy has resulted in many long-term relationships and continued collaboration with companies in the U.S. and abroad.                                                      

Ryan’s commitment to building relationships also extends to the firm where he is known for his mentorship. He strongly believes in helping young lawyers in their career progression but also learning from them and applying what he has learned to his own practice. Active in the community, Ryan often looks for ways to partner with Houston-area organizations where he and the entire office can donate their time and help, further fostering a culture of togetherness and mentorship.

Serving as the head of the firm’s Houston office, Ryan uses his 20-plus years of experience in various roles within the firm, including posts overseas in the Asia Pacific region, to help clients solve their most complex immigration and global mobility challenges.

Additionally, Ryan looks to his own passion for travel and learning about new cultures, and experience of living abroad—both personally and professionally—to help him inform his work and how he relates to his clients’ needs. Having worked in-house for a period of years, Ryan also has a deep understanding of the priorities from that side of a case. He uses this experience to help clients navigate each part of the immigration process, providing the answers to the questions that matter to everyone involved, and ultimately working together to achieve a successful result.

Clients appreciate Ryan’s transparent and proactive approach and his dedication to making an impact on their immigration programs. His client philosophy has resulted in many long-term relationships and continued collaboration with companies in the U.S. and abroad.                                                      

Ryan’s commitment to building relationships also extends to the firm where he is known for his mentorship. He strongly believes in helping young lawyers in their career progression but also learning from them and applying what he has learned to his own practice. Active in the community, Ryan often looks for ways to partner with Houston-area organizations where he and the entire office can donate their time and help, further fostering a culture of togetherness and mentorship.

Education

  • University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 1999
  • Salve Regina University, B.A., cum laude , 1996

More from Ryan

Admissions

Bar Admissions: Texas, New York

Practice Limited to Federal Immigration & Nationality Law

Awards

Outstanding Mentor Award (Houston Young Lawyers Association), 2022-2023

Listed in Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), 2024-2026

Listed in Chambers USA (Chambers and Partners), 2021-2026

Professional accomplishments

Member, Australian-American Chamber of Commence

Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association

Member, Brazil-Texas Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors, Houston Relocation Professionals, 2025-2028

Member, Houston Relocation Professionals

Member, New York State Bar Association

Member, Society for Human Resource Management

Member, Texas Bar Association 

 

Former Member, Employee Relocation Council (GMS Certified)

Former Member, Singapore International Chamber of Commerce

Former Member, American Bar Association

Experience

Following a sale of a technology company, managed all the immigration compliance aspects across seven countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating abrupt changes in regulations, border closures, entry restrictions and quarantine requirements for a large number of affected employees.

Managed immigration compliance aspects of a joint venture transaction for an offshore drilling company and provided strategic guidance to help assess the immigration consequences of this transaction on the workforce and ensure minimal disruption to the organization.

Played a critical role in the development of a Fortune 100 company’s Remote Work Policy, which enabled the client to keep its business operating and its employees safe and happy, while complying with evolving processes and regulations.

Provided senior account management leadership for a large multinational IT company and a global oil field services company by establishing global best practices, refining the companies’ global immigration programs and improving operational efficiencies and process improvements to minimize client expenditures.

Led the commercial management of the firm’s Global Co-Counsel Network and established policies for the qualification, selection and ongoing management of the firm’s immigration service providers.

Managed the inception and ongoing operational development of Fragomen’s Singapore and South Africa offices.

Served as Fragomen’s primary point of contact in the establishment and execution of a joint venture between Fragomen and Abacus Consulting in the United Arab Emirates.

Researched and drafted a comprehensive best practices report analyzing five Fortune 500 companies with regard to compliance management of business travelers, immigration program management, use of technology, tracking and monitoring of expiration dates, and internal immigration policies.

Publications and lectures

Speaker, “Staying the Course: Navigating Today’s Immigration Landscape with Confidence and Compliance.” Texas SHRM Global Business Conference, Austin, TX, 18 September 2025.

Speaker, “Corporate Roundtable: Be Aware and Prepared: Immigration Compliance and Audit Readiness.” 2025 Forum for Expatriate Management Americas Summit, Dallas, TX, 15 May 2025.

Speaker, “Accelerate Immigration Assessment for the Offshore energy and Maritime Industries.” 2023 Texas SHRM Global HR Conference, Houston, Texas, 14 September 2023.

Panelist, “Global Mobility and Immigration.” 2023 St. Louis Employee Relocation Council Conference, St. Louis, Missouri, 16 August 2023.

Panelist, “Making the Case: Advocating for International Visa and Immigration Compliance in Your Travel Program.” Global Business Travel Association National Conference, Dallas, Texas, 15 August 2023.

Speaker, “Untapped Talent Pools: Leveraging Digital Nomad Visas in Your Program.”  2023 Gulf Coast Symposium on HR Issues, Houston, Texas, 13 July 2023.

Panelist, “A Focus on Latin America.” Southeastern Regional Relocation Council Spring Event, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 11 May 2023.

Speaker, “Crisis Management for the Unexpected in Global Mobility.” On The Move with US Bank, Podcast, 11 April 2023.

Speaker, “Global Mobility Executive Houston Roundtable.” Global Mobility Executive Leaders Exchange, Houston, Texas, 30 March 2023.

Panelist, “Crisis Management: Lessons Learned in Immigration and Mobility.“ Cartus, Webinar, 21 March 2023.

Co-author, “White Paper: Immigration in the Offshore Energy and Maritime Industry.” Fragomen, 15 March 2023.

Speaker, “Global Mobility and Relocation Round-Up.” Houston Relocation Professional Conference, Houston, Texas, 8 March 2023.

Speaker, “Has The Mobility Industry Opened Pandora's Suitcase? Part II - Business Travel Immigration Compliance.” Minnesota Employee Relocation Council, St. Paul, Minnesota, 13 July 2021.

Co-author, “Cost Savings in the Modern Talent and Mobility World.” Fragomen Whitepaper.

Co-author, “Developing Business Relationships in the Global Immigration Sector.” American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Ryan has served as the firm’s primary speaker on all matters pertaining to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He also lectures on global immigration compliance and best practices to Fortune 500 companies on a regular basis.

In addition, Ryan is a speaker and presenter on global immigration law for the following organizations:

  • American Council on International Personnel
  • Association of Corporate Counsel
  • California Bar Association
  • Corporate Relocation Council
  • Council for Global Immigration
  • NAFSA (Association of International Educators)
  • Society for Human Resource Management

Ryan’s insights

June 5, 2026 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Earns Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2026Read more

May 12, 2026 — May 13, 2026 | Conference

2026 FEM Americas Summit & EMMAs AwardsRead more

February 25, 2026 | Meeting

2026 U.S. Immigration Forecast: What’s Next for EmployersRead more
More related insights

Ryan’s insights

June 5, 2026 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Earns Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2026Read more

May 12, 2026 — May 13, 2026 | Conference

2026 FEM Americas Summit & EMMAs AwardsRead more

February 25, 2026 | Meeting

2026 U.S. Immigration Forecast: What’s Next for EmployersRead more
More related insights

Ryan’s insights

June 5, 2026 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Earns Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2026Read more

May 12, 2026 — May 13, 2026 | Conference

2026 FEM Americas Summit & EMMAs AwardsRead more

February 25, 2026 | Meeting

2026 U.S. Immigration Forecast: What’s Next for EmployersRead more
More related insights

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T: +1 281 605 3111

F:+1 281 605 3150

Fragomen in Chicago, IL

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

333 W Wacker Dr 15th Floor

Chicago IL 60606

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Ryan’s insights

June 5, 2026 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Earns Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2026Read more

May 12, 2026 — May 13, 2026 | Conference

2026 FEM Americas Summit & EMMAs AwardsRead more

February 25, 2026 | Meeting

2026 U.S. Immigration Forecast: What’s Next for EmployersRead more
More related insights

Share

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  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T: +1 281 605 3111

F:+1 281 605 3150

Fragomen in Chicago, IL

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

333 W Wacker Dr 15th Floor

Chicago IL 60606

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Ryan’s insights

June 5, 2026 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Earns Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2026Read more

May 12, 2026 — May 13, 2026 | Conference

2026 FEM Americas Summit & EMMAs AwardsRead more

February 25, 2026 | Meeting

2026 U.S. Immigration Forecast: What’s Next for EmployersRead more
More related insights

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Get in touch

Languages

  • English

Contact information

Email

[email protected]

T: +1 281 605 3111

F:+1 281 605 3150

Fragomen in Chicago, IL

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP

333 W Wacker Dr 15th Floor

Chicago IL 60606

United States

Connect via Linkedin

Ryan’s insights

June 5, 2026 | Fragomen news

Fragomen Earns Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2026Read more

May 12, 2026 — May 13, 2026 | Conference

2026 FEM Americas Summit & EMMAs AwardsRead more

February 25, 2026 | Meeting

2026 U.S. Immigration Forecast: What’s Next for EmployersRead more
More related insights

Share

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  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

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Partner Marius Tollenaere outlines the key 2026 EU Blue Card changes employers must understand to stay compliant and competitive.

Learn more

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STV News: What Can Scots Fans Do if Their US Travel Permits Have Been Revoked?

Partner Charlotte Slocombe explained options available to Scotland fans whose US ESTAs have been denied or revoked ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

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Learn more

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Partner K. Edward Raleigh analyzes post‑midterm business immigration risks in Part 3 of this blog series, outlining four possible election outcomes and the practical steps employers should take to prepare for increased enforcement and scrutiny.

Learn more

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Partner Natasha Catterson explains how the UK ETA scheme is changing business travel by requiring pre-travel digital approval for many visa-exempt visitors.

Learn more

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Partner K. Edward Raleigh discusses the recent H-1B fee ruling and the potential for further appeals.

Learn more

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Partner Bo Cooper discussed a federal court decision vacating the $100,000 H-1B fee and noted that further legal proceedings are likely to shape the policy’s future.

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Learn more

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Senior Manager Sergio Flores discusses key immigration and travel considerations for individuals planning to visit Mexico during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, including visa waiver status, passport validity, FMM documentation and potential work-related visa requirements.

Learn more

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PitchBook: Trump’s $100K H-1B Fee Was Meant to Slow Foreign Tech Hiring. It May Not Be Working.

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June 11, 2026 | Republic of the PhilippinesPhilippines: Centralized Processing of Alien Employment Permits
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