FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Donna Hurd
(608) 251-5000
MADISON, Wis. – The law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP today announced that Grant Sovern has joined the firm’s immigration law practice group as a partner in the Madison office. Quarles and Brady is one of the few large law firms in Wisconsin to offer a full range of immigration services, in recognition of the growing participation of foreign nationals in the Wisconsin economy.
“Grant’s extensive immigration law experience, including work in the high-tech, biotech, healthcare and other professional industries will be an asset to the firm and our clients,” said Donald Schott, managing partner of Quarles & Brady’s Madison office. “We have recognized that Madison’s growing and vibrant economy is drawing employees and companies from around the country and the world. Grant’s wealth of experience will allow us to better respond to Madison’s growing legal needs.”
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that the immigrant population in Wisconsin rose 31% from 2000 to 2004, outpacing the national average of 10.1%. This number includes people who are U.S. permanent residents, but may not have counted the many highly educated foreign nationals who come temporarily to Wisconsin, and, more specifically, Madison to work in the growing technology and biotechnology sectors. Quarles & Brady represents many companies and individuals in this arena.
Prior to joining the firm, Sovern served as a partner in the Boston office of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., a major East Coast law firm. Sovern’s experience includes counseling companies on developing, maintaining, and defending immigration compliance programs, obtaining visas and green cards for scientists, doctors, technology professionals and others, as well as lending expertise in the areas of family immigration, asylum, and nationality/citizenship law.
Sovern earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in both International Relations and History from Tufts University, and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He has served as an international election supervisor for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in Bosnia and Hercegovina and as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger, West Africa. He speaks French and Zarma.
Sovern is an active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and was selected as one of Massachusetts Best Lawyers Under 40 in 2005 by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. Earlier this year, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court gave Sovern one its three annual awards, in recognition of his pro bono work in the area of immigration.
Quarles & Brady LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 400 attorneys practicing from offices in Milwaukee and Madison, Wis.; Chicago, Ill.; Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; and Naples, Fla. The firm offers an array of legal services to corporate and individual clients that range from small, entrepreneurial businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Quarles & Brady represents clients in a broad range of industries and practice areas, including but not limited to the following: antitrust and trade regulation; bankruptcy; commercial litigation; corporate law; public finance; creditor’s rights; employee benefits; environmental law; financial institutions; federal Indian and gaming law; government relations; health care; immigration; information technology; insurance law; intellectual property; international law; labor and employment law; public utilities; product liability; real estate development and finance; school law; state and federal tax; tax-exempt organizations; trusts and estates; and white-collar crime. Additional information about the firm may be found at www.quarles.com.
