First Admitted: 1993, Ohio

Professional Webpage: https://www.shihabimmigrationfirm.com/our-firm/gus-m-shihab/

Bar/Professional Activity:

Invited to accompany the Director of Investor Relations for CMB Regional Centers on a tour of 9 Middle Eastern cities as legal advisor to meet with a group of potential investors who desire to participate in the US Citizenship & Immigration Services Alien Entrepreneur program. CMB Regional Centers funded the entire trip. Cities visited are: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, Manama, Jeddah, Mecca, Medina and Riyadh. The trip took 3 weeks. , 2023
Invited by the American Immigration Lawyers Association to be an Annual Conference Navigator to help first-time AC attendees get the most out of their experience at the annual conference in Chicago June 12-15, 2024. , 2024
In discussions with the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS) to present a segment at an upcoming conference regarding recruiting foreign medical and allied medical professionals. There were hopes that this segment would occur at the SAMS annual conference in Istanbul, Turkey; however, the agenda did not allow it. Discussions are ongoing for inclusion in future conferences. , 2024
Invited by the American Immigration Lawyers Association to be part of a speaker panel to present a session on PERM Labor Certification at the Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida in June 2023. As part of this panel, I participated in the publication of a journal article to be included in the conference proceedings. , 2023
Recommended as Diversity, Equity and Inclusion speaker by the American Immigration Lawyers Association. , 2022
Between June 2022 and October 2022 with weekly or biweekly virtual meetings with 41 participants, served on the national 2023 Annual Conference Committee of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association to design seminar outlines for the Business Immigration track of the Annual Conference on Immigration Law, which will be held in Orlando, Florida in June 2023. In the process, we devised 31 breakout sessions on corporate immigration law and recommended speakers. , 2022
Presently and since 2021 serve as the Chair of the Litigation Committee at the Ohio Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association , 2021
Chair Ohio AILA Chapter Legislative Committee, 2019
Advocacy Committee Liaison, Ohio Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association., 2011
Chapter Chair, Ohio Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association., 2009
Vice Chair, Ohio Chapter, American Immigration Lawyers Association., 2004

Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):

Jury verdict of $8,000,000 - Franklin County Convention Facilities Authorities vs. C.P. Maple St, LLC. This is an eminent domain case which culminated in the government's acquisition of 4 contiguous acres in downtown Columbus, Ohio for the construction of the Blue Jackets, Nationwide Arena. The original offer was for $4,900,000. , 1998
$1,630,575 settlement. The case caption is: Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority vs. Chavez Urban Land Associates, et. al. This was an eminent domain project for the taking of half an acre on Vine Street in downtown Columbus, Ohio. The original offer was for $913, 125. After 10 months of litigation, the case was settled for $1,630,575., 1998

Videos:

This video explains the entire process of filing an employment-based permanent residence process through the PERM labor certification method. , PERM Green Card At a Glance, Public, 2022
An update regarding a class action lawsuit filed against the USCIS regarding delays in adjudicating applications for work authorization filed by spouses of intracompany transferee workers. , L1 H4 EAD Lawsuit | Delays Lawsuit Against USCIS, Public, 2022
This video explains 10 potential red flags in the drafting of a PERM Labor Certification Application that could cause it to be selected for audit by the US Department of Labor. , 10 Reasons for PERM Audit | Why Your Application Gets Audited, Public, 2022
This video discusses how to prepare for a marriage based green card interview with the US Citizenship & Immigration Services. , 5 to Do's Before Marriage Green Card Interview With USCIS, Public, 2022
This video explains the entire process of filing a PERM labor certification application. , The Process of Applying for a PERM Simplified, Public, 2022
This video describes changing employers and preserving an ongoing employment based permanent residence application. , Green Card I-485 Portability Simplified. | PERM, I140 and Change in Employment, Public, 2022
This video describes 3 variations for filing a Petition to Remove the Conditions during marriage termination or separation. , Conditional Green Card Divorce & Separation - Three Variations, Public, 2022
This video describes 5 reasons for PERM denial without an audit notice issued by the US Department of Labor. , 5 Reasons for PERM Denial without Audit | PERM Denied but No Audit, Public, 2022
BBC interview over the impact of the undocumented workers on the US workforce., BBC Interview - Immigration Legalization, Immigration, 2008

Special Licenses/Certifications:

Licensed Professional Engineer in Ohio., 1990
Licensed Professional Engineer in Ohio. , 2024

Pro bono/Community Service:

Volunteer at the American Immigration Lawyers Association to provide "Low Bono" Immigration Assistance to Afghan clients. , 2024
Volunteer for pro bono work through the Legal Aid Society of Columbus, the Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO), and the Ohio Poverty Law Center (OPLC) to assist clients desiring certain immigration representation. , 2024
Invited to speak to the Nepali Community in Columbus in May 2024 regarding concerns about immigration law issues. , 2024
Currently collaborating with the Legal Aid Society of Columbus to represent an indigent foreign national in naturalization proceedings. , 2023
Collaborated with the Legal Aid of Society of Columbus by accepting a pro bono for an indigent immigrant to file Application for extension of his permanent residence card and naturalization application. , 2022
Volunteered before the Ohio State Legal Services Association and Ohio's Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association for Citizenship Clinic event. The event was unfortunately canceled due lack of interest. , 2022
Columbus International Program - Board Member and Advisory Committee Member., 2012
Represent the 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Natalia Laschenova in her quest to obtain legal status in the United States in Integrity Gymnastics & Pure Power Cheerleading LLC v. U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services, et al.. Our firm has accepted this case on a pro bono basis. The case is still pending in the US District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. , 2010

Honors/Awards:

Selected as peer-voted Best Lawyer by a process through Columbus CEO Magazine. , Best Lawyers, Columbus CEO Magazine, 2022
Selected by Peers as Top Lawyer in the practice of immigration law in Columbus, Ohio. , Top Lawyers, Columbus CEO Magazine, 2023
The article focused on visa obstacles and opportunities for foreign nationals to bolster business and enrich the economy in Columbus, Ohio. , Immigration Impact on Business, Columbus CEO Magazine, 2016
Top Lawyer, Columbus CEO Magazine, 2011
Featured in special page as Top Lawyer in Columbus, Ohio. Issue included other prominent lawyers who were honored separately including Betty Montgomery (former Ohio Attorney General). , Top Lawyer, Columbus CEO Magazine, 2012
An exclusive society of lawyers who achieved more than a 2 million dollar verdict or settlement on behalf of their clients., Life Member, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2005

Educational Background:

The Ohio State University, College of Engineering, 1983

White Papers:

Coauthored in-depth article about the nuts and bolts of planning and filing a PERM Labor Certificate Application. This article will be published in the AILA Conference Proceedings in the upcoming national conference in June 2023. , Mastering the Complexities of PERM, Immigration Lawyers, 2023
Coauthored an article for inclusion in the proceedings of the American Immigration Lawyers Association annual conference. , Imperfect Naturalization - Analyzing the Risks of Naturalizing Lawful Permanent Residents with Criminal Offenses, Immigration Lawyers, 2011
Coauthored an article for inclusion in the conference proceedings of the American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference. , Hiring and Retaining Talent to Fit Your Firm’s Culture, Immigration Lawyers, 2012
Authored a short article on the public forum Avvo.com on how to file an H-1B visa petition. , How to Apply for a Specialty Occupation (H-1b) Visa, Public, 2010
A step-by-step manual to process a fiancé visa application. , How to File a Fiancé Visa, Public, 2010
A brief article on the public forum avvo.com about how to file a green card application based on marriage to a US Citizen. , How to File a Spousal Petition, Public, 2010
A brief explanation on the public forum avvo.com on how to transfer an employment-based green card application to another employer. , How to Port your I-485 to another employer, Public, 2010

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

In depth analysis of current and proposed PERM Labor Certification process. , Panelist, Mastering the Complexities of PERM, American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, Orlando, Florida., Advanced Level Immigration Attorneys., 2023
Invited by the Renal Physician Association to preset in their annual meeting, which hosted 700 physicians about how to retain foreign physicians. , Speaker, Hiring Physicians with a J1 or H1B Visa, Renal Physician Association Annual Meeting, Physicians, 2023
This segment offered alternative strategies for employing foreign nationals when the H-1B visa cap has been exhausted. , Panelist, Alternative to H-1B Visas, AILA Ohio Chapter, Ohio AILA Chapter CLE, 2008
Worksite enforcement issues., Speaker, When ICE Cometh, Cleveland Bar Association, Attorneys, 2009
This segment dealt with recent updates to case law coming out of the Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals. , Speaker, PERM Audits & BALCA Updates, AILA Ohio Chapter, Ohio AILA Chapter CLE, 2009
This segment dealt with updates on the adjudication of petitions for Aliens with Extraordinary Abilities and petitions for Advanced Degree aliens. , Speaker, Current Trends in I-140 Adjudications at the NSC, AILA Ohio Chapter, Ohio AILA Chapter CLE, 2010
The impact of criminal offenses on naturalizing foreign nationals. , Speaker, Imperfect Naturalization, Analyzing the Risks of Naturalizing Lawful Permanent Residents, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2011 Annual Conference, Immigration Lawyers, 2011
This segment offered practical and legal tips on defending employers before the US Department of Labor, Office of the Administrative Law Judge, against alleged regulatory violations., Speaker, LCA Audits - Effective Negotiation & Litigation Strategies, AILA Ohio Chapter, Ohio AILA Chapter CLE, 2011
This segment offers tips on hiring and retaining the best talent. , Speaker, Attracting the Best Employees, AILA National Conference, 2012
A short seminar regarding completion, record keeping requirements and enforcement relating to Employment Verification Form (Form I-9), Speaker, Immigration Update: Strategies for Effective Corporate Compliance, Human Resource Association of Central Ohio, Human Resources, 2013
Upage on USCIS adjudicatory roles in L-1A and L-1B cases. , Panelst, In-Depth L-1 Visa Issues for the Experienced Practitioner, American Immigration Lawyers Association National Conference, Immigration Lawyers, 2017
Impact of executive order on travel of citizens from certain predominantly Muslim countries to the US. , Speaker, State of the Union: Impact of Executive Orders, Ohio State Bar Association, Attorneys, 2018
Seminar to discuss certain issues relating to immigration law and clients affecting family law practitioner. , Speaker, Immigration Law for the Family Practitioner - Part 1, Ohio State Bar Association, Attorneys, 2018
Seminar to discuss certain issues relating to immigration law and clients affecting family law practitioner. , Speaker, Immigration Law for the Family Practitioner - Part 2, Ohio State Bar Association, Attorneys, 2018
Seminar to discuss certain issues relating to immigration law and clients affecting corporate law practitioner. , Speaker, Immigration Law for the Corporate Law Practitioner, Ohio State Bar Association, 2018
Assist attendees in the best way to navigate from H-1B visa status to immigrant visa under the EB-5 alien entrepreneur program. , Discussion Leader, H-1B to EB-5, ILW, 2018
Provide a lecture regarding the newly created H-1B Visa registration system by the USCIS to select H-1B visa candidates in the FFY 2021 H-1B visa lottery. , Co-speaker, New H-1B Visa Registration, Washington DC AILA Chapter, Washington DC Immigration Bar, 2020
Panelists in this fundamentals session will introduce the grounds of inadmissibility and deportability, when they apply, and the differences between them. Inadmissibility vs. Deportability: INA §212(a) and §237(a) Common Grounds of Inadmissibility Common Grounds of Deportability, Discussion Leader, The Distinction Between Inadmissibility and Deportability, AILA National Conference (held virtually), Immigration Lawyers, 2020

Industry Groups:

Colleges & Universities
Engineering
Families.
Healthcare
Information Technology
Manufacturing

Gus Shihab