Workshop “Recent Developments in U.S. Visa and Immigration Laws”
Companies who plan to do business in the U.S. face many questions. Besides topics such as company formation, product liability and contract drafting, the requirement of a work permit is regularly a crucial aspect when it comes to planning and implementing a successful market entry. Besides choosing the correct visa type, in particular the question regarding the possibility to perform without a visa is of great importance. Something as simple as a planned business trip or the installation of a delivered machine already poses unexpected problems for many German companies. In this context, it is important to know that the first step must already be the right step. It is essential to be well prepared!
In this workshop, experienced U.S. immigration lawyers will present new developments and give important information regarding U.S. visa and immigration law, increased controls, security measures and consequences in view of statutory violations. You will be provided with first-hand insights regarding changes in the Green Card procedure, the prerequisites for installation work, entry requirements for business travelers, the most important visa categories and requirements for a successful visa application. In addition, the particular issues in connection with U.S. startup companies will be explained in greater detail.
Our Speakers
Hilde Holland
Attorney at Law and Partner, Wuersch & Gering LLP
Hilde Holland is a renowned U.S. immigration attorney. For more than 25 years, Ms. Holland has represented foreign and domestic companies and individuals from a wide variety of industries in matters concerning U.S. work visas and permits, permanent residency (Green Card) applications, family-based immigration, and (dual) citizenship matters.
As part of her practice, Ms. Holland provides strategic consultations on U.S. immigration matters and advises her clients on compliance with U.S. immigration laws.
Ms. Holland earned her law degree from University of Cologne, Germany, and is a member of the New York Bar Association. Furthermore, she is an Officer and Director of the German American Chamber of Commerce New York.
Teri Simmons
Attorney at Law and Partner, Arnall Golden Gregory LLP
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Teri A. Simmons is a partner in and leads the International Immigration and Naturalization Practice. She also serves as practice leader of the German Business Practice. Ms. Simmons has been practicing law since 1989 and has represented companies as large as the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games, for which she managed visa processing for thousands, as well as middle-sized companies and individual EB-5 Investors.Teri focuses her practice on the management of legal services supporting foreign-owned business entities and individuals investing in the United States in the areas of corporate, employment and immigration law. She manages companies’ global immigration needs, as well as both U.S. immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing for businesses and families (temporary work visas and green cards) and the immigration consequences of mergers and acquisitions.
Brendan C. James,
Consul, Non-Immigrant Visa Unit, U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt
Brendan James is a U.S. Consul at the United States Consulate General in Frankfurt. His primary portfolios are investor visas (E-Visas) and outreach to the business community in Germany. Prior to his assignment in Germany he served as the Deputy Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, and has had assignments in Tajikistan, Washington D.C., and Ireland. Mr. James holds an M.B.A. in Finance and a B.A. in International Relations.
Peter Limberger
Chairman and CEO, CL Enterprises LLC
Peter Limberger is a German native and citizen. An engineer by training, he has worked in various positions for large companies, such as Mannesmann AG, in several countries around the world. With German unification, he started his second career as independent entrepreneur. He acquired and started several manufacturing companies in particular in the field of automation and robotics in Germany, Switzerland, France and China.
Since 2011, Peter has been living in Illinois where he directs as Chairman and CEO the businesses and investments of CL Enterprises, the family investment office which he founded jointly with his wife Inga Carus. CLE has invested in agriculture, agro-industry, real estate and manufacturing businesses including a brewery.
Dr. Siegmar Pohl
Attorney-at-Law and Rechtsanwalt, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Siegmar Pohl is a partner in the San Francisco office of the global law firm Squire Patton Boggs. He advises German companies that do business in the U.S. – by selling their products, setting up subsidiaries, or by acquiring or investing in U.S. companies. As part of his corporate law practice, he helps structure companies and their operations to comply with US immigration law and visa requirements.
Dr. Pohl has over 20 years of experience practicing law in Germany and the US. This deep understanding of both legal systems enable him to effectively advise on the optimal legal strategy for cross-border businesses. He holds legal degrees from the University of Iowa and the University of Bonn (Ph.D.). Siegmar regularly holds guest lectures at the Bucerius Law School in Hamburg and is a Member of the Board of the German American Business Association of California.
Moderator
Susanne Gellert, LL.M.
Vice President
German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc., New York
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Susanne Gellert has been working for the German American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. for more than ten years. She is the Director of the Legal and Business Development Consulting Department. As of January 2018, she holds the position of Vice President.
The Legal & Consulting Department advises, supports and represents German companies that wish to develop or expand their business activities in the United States by providing market entry services and legal advice and support.
Susanne Gellert studied law at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, Universidad de Sevilla (Spain) and Fordham Law School (New York). She is admitted to the bar in Germany and New York.