Laura Reiff focuses her practice on business immigration laws and regulations affecting U.S. and foreign companies, as well as related employment compliance and legislative issues.
Laura represents many businesses in creating, managing and using "Regional Centers" that can create indirect jobs toward the 10 new U.S. jobs whose creation can give rise to EB-5 permanent residence for investment. She coordinates this work with attorneys practicing in securities law compliance, with economists identifying "targeted employment areas" and projecting indirect job creation, and with licensed securities brokers coordinating offerings. She also represents individual investors in obtaining conditional permanent residence and in removing conditions from permanent residence.
Areas of Concentration
ˇ Advocacy and representation of clients' interests before legislative bodies, including administrative agencies
ˇ Corporate planning of both permanent and temporary international transfers of personnel
ˇ Compliance with the employer sanctions and antidiscrimination provisions of the immigration law (I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification)
ˇ Obtaining all types of U.S. nonimmigrant visas, including professional visas (H-1B), intracompany transferee visa (L-1), treaty trader/investor visas (E-1/E-2), student visas (F-1), scholar and exchange visas (J-1), cultural visas (Q), and extraordinary ability/artist/athlete visas (O and P)
ˇ Compliance with export control requirements pursuant to the deemed export rule
ˇ Obtaining U.S. permanent residence through employment, investment and family relationships
ˇ Outbound assistance with visa needs in other countries
ˇ Litigation before administrative law judges, as well as litigation in the federal courts
ˇ Advice concerning withholding of social security and taxation of foreign nationals and corporations
ˇ Corporate restructurings and impact on Immigration Status of Foreign National Workplace
Significant Representations
ˇ Represented numerous businesses, trade associations and other entities on immigration legislative matters.
ˇ Represented numerous companies in establishing blanket immigration programs to streamline the transfer of individuals worldwide.
ˇ Represented companies employing foreign professional workers in efforts to increase the number of nonimmigrant visas available to those workers.
ˇ Advised numerous manufacturing and information technology companies on the business immigration aspects of the high technology and other worker shortages.
ˇ Advised businesses on employer sanctions and workplace compliance issues under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Professional & Community Involvement
ˇ Co-Chair, HRLA, Washington, D.C. Metro
ˇ Member, Board of Trustees, American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF)
- Chair, Immigration Policy Committee
ˇ Legal Counsel, Essential Worker Immigration Coalition
ˇ Member, American Bar Association
ˇ Member, Board of Governors, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) (1998-2002)
ˇ Member, District of Columbia Bar Association
ˇ Member, Federal Bar Association
ˇ Member, Maryland Bar Association
ˇ Member, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Labor and Employment Subcommittee on Immigration
Awards & Recognition
ˇ Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Washington, D.C. Super Lawyers (2012)
ˇ Listed, The Best Lawyers in America (2008-2012)
ˇ Listed, Chambers Global, Immigration - Business (2008-2012)
ˇ Listed, Human Resource Executive Magazine "Top 20 Immigration Attorneys in America" (2011)
ˇ Team Member, Law360 "Employment Practice Group of the Year" (2011)
ˇ Listed, The Legal 500 United States (2009-2011)
ˇ Listed, Chambers USA Guide, National - Employment Law (2006-2011)
ˇ Listed, The Legal Times "Leading Lawyers in Immigration" (2006)
ˇ Listed, SmartCEO "Greater Washington Legal Elite" (2006)
ˇ Recipient, "F.E.W.A. Legislative Champion Award" (2006)
ˇ Named, AILA (DC Chapter) "Legislative Advocate of the Year" (2006)
Articles, Publications, & Lectures Laura is regularly invited to speak to various forums, including:
ˇ ABA events
ˇ AILA national conferences
ˇ American Council, Annual Immigrant Achievement Awards Benefits
ˇ Canadian Bar Association events
ˇ Chamber of Commerce events
ˇ Federal Publications/West Group events
ˇ TechServe Alliance annual conferences
ˇ U.S. House of Representatives, House Subcommittee on Immigration Testimony
Laura has been published and quoted in a wide variety of publications, such as HR Magazine, TheLos Angeles Times, CNN, The Washington Post, The San Jose Mercury News and others.
(Also at Washington, D.C. Office)