EB-1A Associate Attorney

Meltzer Hellrung•Chicago, IL

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

Meltzer Hellrung is building out its complex individual petitions group, focused on working with high-skilled individuals in pursuing O-1, EB-1A, EB-1B, and NIW petitions. Meltzer Hellrung assesses risk for clients at the consultation stage and is willing to work with individuals who accept the risks involved, as long as applications are not frivolous. Meltzer Hellrung does not turn away applicants because the firm cannot confidently guarantee approvals. The firm’s Associate Attorney / Sr. Associate Attorney - Complex Individual Petitions position will support and lead individuals (and sometimes their employers) through the process of securing work visas and green cards for foreign national employees. Meltzer Hellrung’s clients span from individual entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies and venture-backed unicorns. The Associate Attorney / Sr. Associate Attorney - Complex Individual Petitions is fundamentally responsible for helping clients make strategic decisions in structuring applications, determining what visas to apply for, and the best way to secure those benefits. The Associate Attorney / Sr. Associate Attorney - Complex Individual Petitions collaborates with other attorneys and paralegals to prepare and review petitions to the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Labor, and the Department of State. The practice is fast-moving and deadline-driven, requiring excellent prioritization across multiple active matters, consultations, and client communications each day. A significant part of the job is responding to communication from clients by email and phone.

Requirements

Licensed attorney in the United States
At least 3 years of experience in a high-volume business immigration environment
Demonstrated expertise with O-1, EB-1A, EB-1B, and NIW processes. Expertise is demonstrated by having at least two years of experience working dedicated to these complex petitions, or at least four years of experience where the attorney has been at least 30% dedicated to similar petitions
Experience independently managing client account relationships
Experience managing paralegals for application preparation

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated ability to generate and keep clients is strongly desired.

Responsibilities

Evaluate cases and assist in providing case strategies and/or solutions to issues
Guide clients and employees through immigration processes
Conduct regular phone calls with clients regarding legal updates, immigration process updates, company immigration policy, and best practices
Review petitions and responses to governmental inquiries for US immigration benefits prepared by paralegals and junior attorneys
Draft complex narratives and legal arguments for EB-1A, EB-1B, NIW, and O-1 petitions and related RFEs / NOIDs
Respond to client and foreign national communication
Provides support and leadership to assigned team(s), including junior attorneys and paralegals
Provide coverage for attorneys on vacation and leave of absence
May liaise with other attorneys or departments in the firm on projects and initiatives
Perform legal research and prepare legal memoranda and/or legal briefs
Maintain professionalism, responsiveness, and sound boundaries in high-expectation client relationships
Develop criterion-by-criterion case strategies and evidentiary plans for O-1, EB-1A, EB-1B, and NIW matters.
Advise clients on evidentiary sufficiency, including media documentation, recommendation letters, expert letters, authorship/judging evidence, translations, and exhibit strategy.