First Admitted: 2009, California

Professional Webpage: https://www.jspvisa.com/beckerson-christopher-g

Bar/Professional Activity:

American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2010
U.S. Immigration Courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals
California State Bar, 2009

Special Licenses/Certifications:

Certified Legal Specialty: Immigration & Nationality Law (State Bar of California), 2018

Pro bono/Community Service:

Helped unaccompanied minor from Guatemala fleeing domestic violence to obtain lawful permanent residence in the United States., 2021

Honors/Awards:

AILA Business Section Steering Committee member 2024 to present, Business Section Steering Committee, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2024
Member of the Fundamentals Track sub-committee, responsible for fine-tuning track content and helping select speakers., Annual Conference Planning Committee, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2024
AILA National Business Section Steering Committee, Business Section Steering Committee, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2022
AILA NorCal Co-Liaison to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services' San Francisco Field Office 2019 to 2022, Co-Liaison to U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services' San Francisco Field Office, American Immigration Lawyers Association, NorCal Chapter, 2019
AILA NorCal Co-Liaison to U.S. Customs & Border Protection’s San Francisco Field Office 2016-2019, Co-Liaison to U.S. Customs & Border Protection’s San Francisco Field Office, American Immigration Lawyers Association, NorCal Chapter, 2016
Senior Articles Editor 2008-2009, Berkeley Journal of Employment & Labor Law, University of California, Berkeley School of Law, 2008
Associate Editor 2003-2004, Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal, Oxford University, 2003

Educational Background:

University of California, Berkeley; LLM Law, 2009
University of Oxford; BCL Law, 2004
King's College, London; LLB Law, 2002

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

While there are a limited number of visas available, the H-1B specialty occupation visa category has long served as the “workhorse” visa for foreign nationals coming to the United States to engage in temporary “professional” employment. Panelists will provide an overview and discuss how the process works, identify best practices for avoiding common problems, and alert new practitioners to current challenges. Is the employer offering a position that qualifies as a “specialty occupation?” Is the employer offering and willing to pay the higher of the actual or prevailing wage? Does the foreign national qualify for the offered position? Attorney’s fees, filing fees, and fees for premium processing The H-1B cap, registration process, and the lottery Preparing an H-1B visa petition, document retention, and postings , Discussion Leader, H-1B Visa Overview, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Legal, 2024
Employer Obligations in Terminations and LayoffsWith tech layoffs sweeping across Silicon Valley, employers who sponsor foreign nationals for visas or lawful permanent residence need to understand their unique responsibilities under U.S. law. Panelists will discuss the legal obligations that employers have when terminating or laying off visa holders. They also will provide insight on how employers can comply with these requirements while also protecting their business interests. · Employer obligations for common visa types: USCIS notice requirements, return transportation home, Public Access File (PAF) maintenance · Grace periods, gardening leave, and whether employers should give employees advice · How layoffs can affect PERM labor market tests · Special issues for students on OPT and STEM OPT · Dual representation and avoiding conflicts, Discussion Leader, Employer's Immigration Obligations in Terminations and Layoffs, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Legal, 2023

Industry Groups:

Software; Biotechology; Higher Education; Medical

Chris Beckerson