Michigan State University College of Law,
J.D., 2010
Trial Practice Institute Certification
Moot Court and Trial Advocacy Board
University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
B.S. and B.A., 2006
Missouri
American Immigration Lawyers Association
American Bar Association
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Thompson Coburn LLP
Associate, 2014-Present
Project Attorney - Immigration, 2012-2013
Williams Venker & Sanders LLC
Contract Document Review, 2011
St. Charles Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Rule 13 Intern, 2009
Immigration Law Clinic, St. Vincent Catholic Charities
Internship, 2009
St. Vincent Home for Children
Board of Trustees, 2016-Present
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
Pro bono immigration assistance, 2014-Present
Melinda is a business immigration attorney who helps clients hire and retain foreign national workers in the United States and transfer employees between international offices.
She practices exclusively in the area of immigration and advises clients across the country on this evolving and highly dynamic area of law.
Melinda assists domestic and international corporate clients in all aspects of employment-based immigration, including obtaining temporary H-1B and L-1 work authorization for foreign national employees, and assisting companies with sponsoring employees to become lawful permanent residents (green cards).
Drawing on her experience in preparing immigration petitions for employees in high-tech sectors, Melinda frequently works with clients looking to hire or retain business professionals, including software developers, engineers, and financial analysts. She also has experience helping health care clients obtain Conrad 30 Waivers, which allow foreign national doctors to remain in the U.S. after completing their medical training.
In addition, Melinda assists clients with family-based petitions, obtaining status and work authorization for dependent family members. She also supports applications to become naturalized U.S. citizens and facilitates visa applications for global travel.
Melinda recognizes the significant time and cost pressures organizations face when making decisions about foreign national employees, and works closely with employers to develop short- and long-term immigration strategies to accommodate the business' immediate workforce needs and future human resources objectives.
It’s H-1B cap lottery season time!
USCIS expands premium processing services on certain backlogged immigration cases
USCIS updates guidance on employment authorization for certain E and L nonimmigrant spouses
"Growing in a Hostile Environment,"
Thompson Coburn HR Seminar April 2019
"To Infinity and Beyond the Border: Immigration Issues and Investigations/ICE Enforcement In The New Administration,"
Thompson Coburn HR Seminar, April 2018
"Warp Speed Ahead: Navigating Business Immigration in 2017,"
Thompson Coburn HR Seminar, April 2017
"Navigating the Rocky Road of Immigration Law,"
Thompson Coburn HR Seminar, March 2015
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