James A. Bach Attorney

First Admitted: 1980, California

Professional Webpage: https://www.immilaw.com/attorney-profiles

Bar/Professional Activity:

Fee Arbitrator, State Bar of California, 2025
Speaker at American Immigration Lawyers Association California Chapters Convention (Los Angeles), 2022
Presenter and published author for American Immigration Lawyers Association national convention, ethics and practice management (Boston), 2014
Ethics Forum Moderator, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2025
Fee Arbitrator, The Bar Association of San Francisco, 2022
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association Legal Ethics Committee, 2023
Hawaii Bar Association (Inactive), 2025
Chair, State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, Immigration and Nationality Advisory Commission, 2013
Chair, Bay Area Lawyers Network (an MCLE-approved forum for scholarly legal discussions in specialty practice areas). www.baln.org, 2025
Commissioner, State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, Immigration and Nationality Advisory Commission, 2012
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Member, 2025

Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):

In the Matter of MELTWATER NEWS US1, INC. Prevailing party in published precedent decision with nation-wide impact: U.S. Department of Labor, Issue Date: 16 July 2014 Appeal from Department of Labor Prevailing Wage Determination in connection with PERM labor certification, 2014

Special Licenses/Certifications:

Certified Immigration and Naturalization Law Specialist, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, 2025

Honors/Awards:

Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers; A/V rated for two decades, A/V rating, Martindale-Hubbell, 2025
AVVO RATING10, Avvo, 2025
Most Trusted Employment Law Attorney - California, Global Mobility Immigration and Logistics Awards, 2015

Educational Background:

Dartmouth College, Bachelor's degree, Major: Literature and Creative Writing, 1975

White Papers:

Discussion of potential liability that can be incurred when submitting an affidavit of support., What Is An "Affidavit Of Support"?, 2007
Overview of labor certification procedures and the role of the labor certification in obtaining permanent residence status., PERM Changes Labor Certification Procedure, 2005
Focus on the permanent bar for immigrating as a result of a material misrepresentation, A Lie Can Exclude You From the United States Forever, 2007
Analysis of the laws permitting "portability", or change of employers, for applicants for nonimmigrant and immigrant visas based on employment., Portability: Can You Change Jobs Without Jeopardizing Your Immigration Status?, 2005
Analysis of priority immigration for managers of multi-national companies and those with extraordinary ability., A Closer Look At Employment-Based Immigration: First Preference EB-1, 2009
A summary of new OPT STEM regulations, to assist employers in preparing OPT extension applications without an attorney., Optional Practical Training for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Majors: An Employer's Perspective, 2016
Focus on labor certification strategies in developing minimum job requirements and evaluating U.S. job applicants, Labor Certification Strategies, 2009

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

Lecturer, "The Homeland Security Act of 2002", MCLE, 2002, "The Homeland Security Act of 2002", 2002
Analysis of California Rule of Professional Conduct 3.10(a) (prohibiting threats), and federal and state extortion laws. Published by the American Immigration Lawyers Association, November 2023., Author, The Limits of Attorney Threats, Legal Ethics, 2023
MCLE-approved lecture on attorney competence, Sole Lecturer, Attorney Competence, Bay Area Lawyers Network, 2019
Sole lecturer in MCLE-approved seminar, Bay Area Lawyers Network, January 22, 2019, MCLE-Approved Lecturer, What Is Our Immigration System, And Is It Broken? A Summary Of US Immigration Statutes., 2023
Lecturer, "Remedies for Illegal Immigrants and their Employers", MCLE, 2001, "Remedies for Illegal Immigrants and their Employers", 2001
Lead Author, How to Secure Your H-1B Visa: A Practical Guide for International Professionals and Their US Employers, Apress, 2012, Author, How to Secure Your H-1B Visa: A Practical Guide for International Professionals and Their US Employers
Lecturer, Bay Area Lawyers Network, Dartmouth Lawyers Association, 2001
Chair, Bay Area Lawyers Network (leading and coordinating the delivery of 9 MCLE approved lectures each year), 2017
Lecturer, "The Immigration Battle in the U.S.", MCLE, 2016
Panel Speaker, Immigration Options After College Graduation, Dartmouth Lawyers Association, 2017
MCLE-approved lecture for other attorneys on visa options for start-up and growing companies, and changes in adjudications resulting from the "Buy American, Hire American" Executive Order , Speaker, Visa Options For Startups, Dartmouth Lawyers Association, 2018
Lecturer, "Texas v. United States: Immigration Politics, Policy, and the Law", MCLE, 2015
Lecturer, "Visa Options for Investors", MCLE, 2014
Lecturer, "An Anatomy of an I-9 Audit", MCLE, 2013
Lecturer, "Immigration Based on Extraordinary Ability", MCLE, 2011
Lecturer, "Family Immigration Overview", MCLE, 2009
Lecturer, "The Current State of Social Security No-Match Letters", MCLE, 2008
Lecturer, "The H-1B Visa: Working Status for Professionals", MCLE, 2007
Lecturer, Avoiding Liability in H-1B Cases, Center For Continuing Education, 2011
Lecturer, Immigration Opportunities for the World's, Center for Continuing Education, 2011
Sole Author and Panel Speaker, Effective Responses To Fee Disputes and Claims Of Malpractice, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2014
Lecturer, "Implied Attorney/Client Relationship and Withdrawal as Attorney", MCLE, 2006
Lecturer, "Dual Representation of Clients with Potentially Conflicting Interests”, MCLE, 2005
Forum Moderator, InfoNet Forum on Advanced Issues for Immigration Attorneys, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), 2017
Author, The HR Manager's Guide to Immigration Law, CreateSpace, an Amazon company, 2011
Lecturer, "Immigration Strategies for the Very Rich and the Very Poor", MCLE, 2004
Lecturer, "Overview of Employment-Based Immigration and PERM Regulations", MCLE, 2003

Firm News (Newsletters):

Explores the proper minimum job requirements in labor certification applications, including concepts such as "unduly restrictive" requirements, and discusses acceptable reasons for rejecting American applicants., Job Requirements and Interviews in Labor Certification Cases

Industry Groups:

All Industries
Engineering
IT
Technology

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