Why attend?
The practice of immigration law has become increasingly complex. In order to effectively represent immigration clients, practitioners need to be up-to-date on the current trends and most effective strategies for dealing with the constantly changing immigration landscape. Attend MCLE's 8th Annual Immigration Law Conference 2009 and get the latest information and practice tips. The Conference is geared for practitioners who are conversant with the fundamental principles of immigration law and who confront the challenges of representing clients in the many types of immigrant matters. Hear the panelists address the latest hot topics in immigration law and practice. Choose among the breakout sessions and customize the Conference to suit your particular needs. You won't want to miss this Conference!
Keynote speaker
Lois C. Magee, Director of the Exchange Visitor Program, American Immigration Law Foundation, Washington, D.C., discusses the
J-1 Trainee and Intern categories and provides an overview on American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF) J-1 programs. She offers strategic tips on candidate selection for J-1 programs, discusses the new J-1 regulations, and explains the fundamental components of a successful J-1 program. The presentation includes a
twenty-minute open forum for questions on this important topic. Ms. Magee was named Director of the AILF's Exchange Visitor Program in January 2006. She has been affiliated with a number of citizen exchange organizations, including the International Christian Youth Exchange, AFS Intercultural Programs, and the YMCA International Branch.
Conference Schedule: Monday, May 18, 2009
9:00 - 9:10 a.m.
Welcome and Introduction
- Douglas D. Hauer, Esq., Cochair, Chin & Curtis LLP, Boston
- Eileen F. Morrison, Esq., Cochair, Law Office of Eileen Morrison, Newtonville
9:10 - 9:50 a.m.
Update on the H-1B Cap and Free Trade Nonimmigrant Work
Visas Options (TN, E-3, and H-1B1) in Lieu of H-1B Visas
Overview of free trade visa options for citizens of Canada, Australia,
Chile, and Singapore; Advanced issues in processing TN, E-3, and H-1B1 applications
- Gabriel H. Mozes, Esq., Chin & Curtis, LLP, Boston
9:50 - 10:30 a.m.
Overview of Services Offered in the Information Room and Interviews at the Boston District Office of USCIS
Brief presentation and open Q&A forum on what an attorney can and cannot accomplish in the Information Room at USCIS in Boston and about interview processes for I-485 and I-751 cases
- Madeline C. Cronin, Esq., Iandoli & Desai, PC, Boston
- Leslie T. DiTrani, Esq., Law Office of Leslie Tuttle DiTrani, Cambridge
10:30 - 11:10 a.m.
H-3 and J-1 Training Visas: Strategies for Developing Training
Programs for U.S. Employers
Overview of H-3 and J-1 visa categories and discussion of strategies for using the H-3 and J-1 visa for small and medium-sized businesses
- Douglas D. Hauer, Esq., Cochair, Chin & Curtis LLP, Boston
- Eileen F. Morrison, Esq., Cochair, Law Office of Eileen Morrison, Newtonville
11:10 - 11:20 a.m.
Networking Break
11:20 - 12:00 p.m.
Keynote Presentation: An Overview of the J-1 Intern and Trainee Exchange Visitor Categories & Navigating Recent Regulatory Changes to the J-1 Program
- Lois C. Magee, Director of the Exchange Visitor Program, American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF), Washington, D.C.
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch Break (on your own)
1:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Dual Representation: Ethical Issues for Business and Family Immigration Law Practitioners
- Carolyn J. Fuchs, Esq., Attorney at Law, Boston
- Kristina K. Rost, Esq., Maged & Rost, PC,
Burlington
1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Breakout Sessions I & II: (Choose One)
1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Session I: Advanced Business Track
1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
PERM Labor Certifications and Immigrant Visa Petitions for Small Employers
Issues that arise in preparing labor certifications and I-140 petitions for small employers; Review the life of a PERM labor certification application-from developing a job description and requirements to advising clients on PERM documentation retention obligations after a case is approved
- Susan C. Ellison, Esq. Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy LLP, Boston
- Robin D. O'Donoghue, Esq., 'Donoghue Law Office,
Cambridge
1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
National Interest Waivers and Aliens of Extraordinary Ability
Basics in preparing a national interest waiver or extraordinary ability case with practical guidance on how to conduct a client intake and best practices for responding to USCIS requests for evidence
- Marisa C. Howe, Esq., Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky & Popeo, PC, Boston
1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Advanced Issues in the Adjustment of Status Process: I-140 and I-485 Requests for Evidence and Current Processing Issues
USCIS requests for evidence in I-440 and I-484 cases, I-484 portability and strategies for managing a denial of an I-485 application; Current issues in processing I-140 and I-485 cases
- Sarah M. Coleman, Esq., Chin & Curtis LLP, Boston
- Michele M. Vakili, Esq. Vakili Karimi LLC, Boston
1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Session II: Advanced Family and Removal Issues
1:30 - 4 p.m.
Termination of Familial Relationships in Green Card Cases
Impact of a divorce or death on various family-based immigration processes; In-depth coverage of I-751 strategies and processes for reinstating petitions
- Maureen O'Sullivan, Esq., Kaplan, O'Sullivan & Friedman, Boston
- Estelle F. Regolsky, Esq., Avrin & Regolsky, Jamaica Plain
1:30 - 4 :00p.m.
Litigation Issues and Techniques for Intermediate and Advanced Practitioners
The latest topics in practicing before the Executive Office for Iion of removal; Strategies for terminating proceedings; Knowing when to terminate a client relationship
- William E. Graves, Jr., Esq., Graves & Doyle, Boston
- Ilana E. Greenstein, Esq., Kaplan,
O'Sullivan & Friedman LLP, Boston
- David K. McHaffey, Esq., Barker, Epstein & Loscocco, Boston
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Practicing Immigration Law in the Current Economic Downturn
Immigration consequences of layoffs in PERM green card cases; Salary reductions and H-1B workers; LCA audits; H-1B employer obligations
to terminated workers
- John J. Gallini, Esq., Morse, Barnes-Brown & Pendleton, PC, Waltham
- Douglas D. Hauer, Esq., Cochair, Chin & Curtis, LLP, Boston
- Eileen F. Morrison, Esq., Cochair, Law Office of Eileen Morrison, Newtonville
5:00 p.m.
Reception for Faculty & Registrants
