Brandi Knox

Counsel employers on immigration policy, strategy, and compliance - NELSON

MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH LLP

Atlanta, GA 30339

ac2k7l@r.postjobfree.com - 404-***-****

WORK EXPERIENCE

Counsel employers on immigration policy, strategy, and compliance NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH LLP - Atlanta, GA - 2016 to Present Manage the firm's immigration practice group including personnel management and client management.

• Assign and review casework for a team of 15 direct reports including paralegals and attorneys

• Ensure team members are reliable, follow instructions and respond to internal and external stakeholders' directions in a timely and polite manner.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all clients - managing workflow, escalations and billing.

• Collaborates with internal stakeholders in connection with requests for proposals and other ad hoc projects.

• Oversee the firm's immigration compliance practice which includes Form I-9 verification, E-verify and other immigration-related compliance requirements.

• Support clients' compliance activities and serve as subject matter expert for Form I-9 and E-Verify issues.

• Perform internal audits and draft supporting documents such as audit checklists, correction log, memos to file and employee request for correction letters.

• Conduct ongoing compliance trainings as well as in-house trainings for non-immigration attorneys and support staff.

• Author in-house media including newsletters and blogs regarding relevant immigration topics and updates.

• Conduct immigration-related presentations at Society For Human Resources Managers (SHRM) conferences and other firm-sponsored conferences

Senior Immigration Associate

OGLETREE, DEAKINS, NASH, SMOAK & STEWART, P.C - Atlanta, GA - 2012 to 2016

• Assisted business executives with developing comprehensive hiring protocol for foreign talent.

• Counseled employers on immigration policy, strategy, and compliance.

• Interpreted Immigration and Nationality Act, BIA, and BALCA rulings for individuals and businesses.

• Managed Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 clients' immigration matters including leading weekly case status meetings, overseeing reporting and conducting trainings for managers and talent acquisition.

• Managed support staff, appropriately delegating responsibilities among paralegals and reviewing petitions for accuracy.

• Conducted I-9 audits and document review.

• Worked collaboratively with employment attorneys on Wage and Hour cases involving H-1B sponsored employees.

• Regularly managed a large caseload while maintaining accuracy and meeting multiple deadlines.

• Prepared PERM applications, I-140 petitions (EB-1, EB-2 including NIW and Exceptional Ability.

• Prepared H-1B, L, TN, R, U, E-1/E-2/E- Registration, and O petitions/extensions including applicable forms support statements and supporting documentation.

• Researched complex issues in connection with preparation of responses to requests for evidence.

• Evaluated findings and develop strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of applications and petitions.

• Regularly conducted in-house trainings for non-immigration attorneys and support staff.

• Authored in-house media including newsletters and blogs regarding relevant immigration topics and updates.

• Regularly conducted immigration-related presentations at Society For Human Resources Managers (SHRM) conferences and other firm-sponsored conferences including Breakfast Briefings. Counsel

LITTLER MENDELSON, P.C - Atlanta, GA - 2010 to 2012

• Managed Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 clients' immigration matters which included leading weekly case status meetings, overseeing reporting and conducting trainings for managers and talent acquisition.

• Managed support staff, appropriately delegating responsibilities among paralegals and reviewing petitions for accuracy.

• Counseled employers on immigration policy, strategy, and compliance.

• Interpreted Immigration and Nationality Act, BIA, and BALCA rulings for individuals and businesses.

• Prepared PERM applications, I-140 petitions (EB-1, EB-2 including NIW and Exceptional Ability), and I-485 applications.

• Through firm pro bono initiatives, gained experience with removal defense including Voluntary Departure, Bond Hearings, Cancellation of Removal and Motion to Terminate.

• Prepared H-1B, L, TN, R, U, E, and O petitions/extensions including applicable forms support statements and supporting documentation.

• Researched complex issues in connection with preparation of responses to requests for evidence, notices of intent to deny and motions to reopen.

• Evaluated findings and developed strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of applications and petitions.

Adjunct Professor

ASHFORD UNIVERSITY - ONLINE - Clinton, IA - 2010 to 2012

• Evaluated and graded students' written assignments.

• Maintained students' grades and other required records.

• Prepared status updates for course professors regarding students' performance in connection with written assignments.

• Maintained regularly scheduled office hours to advised and assisted students with their writing assignments. OFFICE OF FOREIGN LABOR CERTIFICATION

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR - Atlanta, GA - 2010 to 2010

- 2010

• Conducted routine and non-routine analyses of pending PERM applications selected for audit review.

• Prepared manuals and trained workers in use of new forms, reports and procedures according to OFLC's policy.

• Reviewed documentation received in response to audit notification letters to assure compliance with the PERM program.

• Interpreted 20 CFR section 656 and made recommendations accordingly in connection with novel issues arising during audit review.

Sr. Immigration Specialist

BERRY, APPLEMAN & LEIDEN LLP - Atlanta, GA - 2009 to 2010 Senior Immigration Specialist

On February - Atlanta, GA - 2006 to 2009

• On February 17, 2009, the immigration practice group from Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP merged with Berry, Appleman & Leiden LLP.

PAUL, HASTINGS, JANOFSKY & WALKER LLP, Atlanta, GA Senior Immigration Specialist, 2006-2009

• Managed adjustment of status caseload including preparation of I-485/I-765/I-131 applications.

• Prepared H-1B, L, and TN petitions/extensions including applicable forms and support statements.

• Researched complex issues in connection with preparation of responses to requests for evidence.

• Continuous written and verbal communication with company representatives and employees regarding business immigration matters.

• Worked closely with employers to ensure I-9 compliance.

• Managed client expectations by meeting or exceeding goals and deadlines.

• Updated and maintained database used for tracking expirations and initiating renewal applications and petitions.

• Reviewed and prepared comprehensive case status reports on behalf of clients.

• Evaluated findings and developed strategies and arguments in preparation for presentation of applications and petitions.

Law Clerk

ELLA - New Orleans, LA - March 2006 to May 2006

Drafted demand letters, interpreted contracts and obtained federal and state trademarks and copyrights for indigent artists and musicians returning to the city after Hurricane Katrina. Law Clerk

RAD LAW FIRM - Fort Worth, TX - September 2005 to November 2005 Drafted motions, petitions for damages and answered and drafted Interrogatories, Requests for Production and Requests for Disclosure.

Law Clerk

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE - New York, NY - June 2005 to August 2005 Responsibilities included legal research, memorandum and brief writing, preparation of Hearing and Discovery documents and understanding/interpreting the NFL's Collective Bargaining Agreement for players, teams and agents.

Writing Instructor

TULANE UNIVERSITY A.B. FREEMAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS - New Orleans, LA - 2004 to 2005 Assigned and graded all writing assignments for undergraduate students enrolled in Business Law. Law Clerk

WRIGHT, MOORE & ASSOCIATES - New Orleans, LA - June 2004 to August 2004 Drafted motions, petitions for damages and answered and drafted Interrogatories, Requests for Production and Requests for Disclosure.

Development Specialist

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION - Marietta, GA - 2001 to 2003

• Solicited sponsorship from Fortune 500 companies and private hospitals as well as organized volunteer movements throughout the Metro Atlanta community.

• Helped raise $850,000 dollars for the Metro Atlanta Heart Walk in 2003; the organization's number one fundraising event.

PROFESSIONAL & VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS

• Member, State Bar of Georgia

• Member, National Bar Association

• Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

• Volunteer, "GAIN" Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network

• Volunteer, "CASA" Court Appointed Special Advocate

• Founder, Project BRANDI (Bonding Races and Negotiating Differences with Intelligence)

• Volunteer, Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program

• Member, National Urban League Young Professional Organization

• Member, "GABWA" Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys

• Member, YMCA/Early Childhood Development Policy Council EDUCATION

J. D. and Certificate in Sports Law

TULANE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW - New Orleans, LA

May 2006

B. A. in English Literature

SPELMAN COLLEGE - Atlanta, GA

May 2003

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