Timothy M Wheelwright

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Immigration Law

Durham Jones & Pinegar's Immigration Law Practice Group is headed by Timothy M. Wheelwright. Our immigration law attorneys have extensive experience and a variety of special knowledge in many areas of law specific to the field of business immigration. Our attorneys regularly represent business clients in connection with applications for temporary U.S. work visas and permanent worker visas or Lawful Permanent Residency under all of the employment-based categories for their foreign employees. The group also advises companies about all aspects of complying with federal and state employment eligibility verification laws, employer sanctions, social security "mismatch" letters, creating and implementing Form 1-9 Compliance Plans, and representing companies in a variety of administrative and criminal enforcement actions. Both Mr. Wheelwright and fellow D|J|P immigration attorney Wayne Swan are active members of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
D|J|P's corporate-oriented Immigration Law Practice Group provides the following legal services:

* Advise and assist public, private, and multi-national companies throughout the United States, as well as public universities and other government entities to lawfully employ foreign nationals in the United States on a temporary and permanent basis. We have successfully represented a variety of businesses and individuals to secure temporary employment authorization in the United States in the E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, J-1, L-1A, L-1B, O, P, and TN non-immigrant visa categories. We have also assisted companies and individuals to obtain Lawful Permanent Resident status (“Green Card”) in the United States under most of the employment-based, immigrant visa categories.

* Guide businesses in developing their corporate immigration policy and in complying with federal and state employment eligibility verification (Form I-9/IRCA) laws. These services include conducting private I-9 audits.

* Assist individuals with family-sponsored immigration, waivers, international adoptions, and citizenship.

Our attorneys handle immigration-related matters on a regular basis before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS); U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); Customs and Border Protection (CBP); U.S. Department of Labor (DOL); U.S. Department of State (DOS); U.S. Embassies and Consulates worldwide; U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ); Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR); immigration courts nationwide; the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA); United States District Court; and United States Court of Appeals.

Timothy M Wheelwright
Durham Jones & Pinegar
Broadway Centre #900
111 E Broadway
Salt Lake City UT 84111-5225
Tel: 801 415-3000; 801 297-1456
E-mail: twheelwright@djplaw.com

PRACTICE AREAS
* Immigration Law
* Employment

Mr. Wheelwright is the Chair of the firm’s Immigration Law Practice Group. Since 1997 he has represented local, regional, and national companies and individuals in legal matters involving United States immigration and nationality law. The following is a brief description of the legal services he and his team provide:

* Worksite Enforcement - Advises companies about all aspects of complying with federal and state employment eligibility verification laws (Form I-9 and E-Verify), worksite enforcement, and Social Security “No-Match” letters. Conducts internal audits for companies, evaluates their compliance with such laws, and helps them develop and implement workable compliance plans, training programs, and “Best Practices” to employ a legal workforce. Represents companies that are being investigated and targeted by the United States government for compliance audits and other worksite enforcement actions, including administrative, criminal, and federal contractor debarment proceedings. Has successfully negotiated lower administrative and criminal fines, lower criminal penalties, and alternatives to debarment. Experienced in helping general contractors in the construction industry implement workable I-9 compliance plans for them and their subcontractors. Performs independent I-9 compliance audits.

* Temporary Work Visas - Secures work visas for United States companies who need to employ foreign workers temporarily, including E-3, H-1B, H-1B (Chile), H-1B (Singapore), H-2A, H-2B, J-1, L-1A, L-1B, Blanket L, O, P, R-1, and TN temporary worker visas.

* Permanent Work Visas - Secures Lawful Permanent Resident status (“Green Card”) for foreign workers employed permanently by United States companies under the Outstanding Researcher and Professor, Multinational Manager and Executive, Alien of Exceptional Ability, National Interest Waiver, Member of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees, Professional, Skilled Worker, Other Worker, and Religious Worker categories.

* Foreign Investors - Advises foreign investors regarding the requirements for securing temporary and permanent visas through investing in the United States. These opportunities generally include E-1 and E-2 visas and Green Cards through the Employment Creation (EB-5) category. Collaborates with other attorneys in the firm who have expertise in other areas of law that a foreign investor is likely to confront when investing in the United States (banking, corporate & securities, employment, real estate, tax & estate planning, and technology).

* Educational Institutions - Advises charter schools, school districts, colleges, universities, and their foreign faculty, staff, and students regarding immigration-related issues.

* Individuals - Helps individuals and their family members secure temporary and permanent immigration status in the United States, including United States citizenship.

* Waivers - Helps individuals secure waivers when they cannot be admitted to or are removable from the United States.

* Complex Immigration Issues - Helps individuals whose immigration case involves particularly complicated or novel issues of law that require special attention and expertise.

* International and Domestic Adoptions - Helps United States citizens adopt children internationally and secure immigration-related paperwork for their adopted children. Also represents clients in private-placement, agency, and step-parent adoptions before the Utah State Courts.

Mr. Wheelwright also has substantial experience in employment law, commercial and probate litigation, and general business transactions.