Contact:
Jennifer R. Rupkey
Director, Client Development
Direct Dial: 414.225.8262
E-Mail: jrrupkey@michaelbest.com
Milwaukee, WI (May 26, 2011) – Michael Best & Friedrich LLP is proud to announce that Kelly Fortier, a partner in the Immigration & International Migration Practice at Michael Best, has been elected Chair of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). AILA is the national association of over 11,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. Founded in 1946, the group provides continuing legal education, government liaison opportunities, professional services, and expertise through its chapters.
Fortier’s practice focuses on employment-based immigration matters. She assists clients in industries including, but not limited to, health care, biotechnology, higher education, advanced technology and manufacturing with nonimmigrant petitions, permanent residence cases, naturalization applications, and employment verification issues. Her immigration work includes B (temporary visitor), E (treaty trader/investor), F (student), H (temporary worker), J (exchange visitor), L (intracompany transferee), O (extraordinary ability in the sciences), R (religious worker), and TN (NAFTA) cases, as well as PERM labor certification, national interest waivers, adjustment of status, consular processing, motions to reopen, citizenship and other immigration-related employment law matters. She provides Form I-9 compliance advice and training as well as social security mismatch notice guidance.
“More and more, companies need to maintain employee mobility to compete globally,” stated José Olivieri, Chair of Michael Best’s Immigration & International Migration Practice Group. “Kelly’s knowledge of the laws surrounding employer-based immigration, coupled with her leadership role within AILA will ensure that Michael Best’s clients are getting the best advice possible so that they can remain competitive in today’s economy and foster the best workforce possible.”
Fortier received a J.D., magna cum laude, from Loyola University in 2003, and a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1998.
About Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Founded in 1848, Michael Best is a leading Midwest-based law firm with more than 230 attorneys. Companies from high-growth start ups to the Fortune 110 rely on us to handle a variety of complex issues. Practice areas include intellectual property and intellectual property litigation; corporate law; health care; labor and employment; immigration; land and resources (environmental and real estate); litigation; life sciences; agriculture; renewable energy; and tax and wealth planning.
Michael Best is the exclusive member firm for Wisconsin of Lex Mundi, the world’s leading association of independent law firms. Lex Mundi member firms are present in more than 160 countries, states and provinces, covering virtually every business market worldwide. Our firm’s membership in Lex Mundi provides us with global reach and access to unparalleled legal resources that enhance our ability to serve our clients’ needs seamlessly around the world. Through Lex Mundi’s trusted network of top-tier member firms, we can provide global support to our clients’ largest business challenges and opportunities. Lex Mundi is the Mark of Excellence for legal services globally. Visit http://www.lexmundi.com to learn more.
