Kimberley A. Chandler started her legal career in 1981, when she graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law. She started practicing immigration law soon thereafter.

Kim has represented clients in all types of immigration matters before a number of governmental agencies and departments, including the Department of State, the Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security. Her clients include companies of all different sizes and industries based in the United States and various other countries, as well as individuals from around the world.

Examples of types of cases in which Kim commonly provides representation include:

• For professional workers in a variety of industries, including high-tech, health care, mining, education, government and resort/tourism, Kim has secured temporary nonimmigrant visas.
  
• Kim has represented foreign investors who are creating new enterprises in the U.S. and seeking temporary, E-2 status or permanent residency.
  
• Athletes have retained Kim to represent them in obtaining permanent, or temporary, authorization to coach or participate in U.S. sports teams.
  
• Employees wanting to work in the U.S. and their employers hire Kim to secure permanent resident status for the employees and their families.
  
• Persons wanting to become U.S. citizens retain Kim to represent them in the naturalization process.
  
• Multi-national companies expanding U.S. operations have retained Kim to assist them in bringing executives, managers and persons with specialized skills and knowledge to the U.S. to assist with expansion efforts.
  
• U.S. companies wanting advice and representation relating to the I-9 process have retained Kim.
  
• U.S. citizens marrying non-citizens seek Kim's representation in the process of obtaining permanent residency for the foreign-born spouse.
  
• Persons of extraordinary or exceptional ability hire Kim to establish the uniqueness and/or exceptional level of their skills for the purpose of acquiring either a temporary or permanent immigration status.
  
• Adoption by United States citizens of children born overseas.

Having practiced in the field of immigration law for more than 20 years, Kim has become experienced in most types of immigration matters. As many of her clients will attest, Kim enjoys the challenge of finding solutions to complex immigration issues of all types.

Rothgerber Johnson & Lyons LLP, Special Counsel, 1990 – 2000.

Solo Practitioner, 1982 – 1990.

Member and Past President of the Colorado Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Current member and past officer/board member of the Japan America Society of Colorado.

Board Member, SafeHouse Denver, 1999-2001.

Listed in Best Lawyers in America Consumers Edition.

A-V Martindale-Hubbell Rating.

Regularly writes and speaks on immigration topics.

Member, Board of Editors, Articles Editor, University of Colorado Law Review.

Bachelor of Arts degree, 1974, Cornell University.

NEWS

H-1B QUOTA REACHED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012 (OCT. 2011 - SEPT. 2012)

The annual cap of 65,000 H-1B visas for the 2012 fiscal year, which began October 1, 2011, was reached on November 22, 2011. The window of time to apply for the 2012 visas ran from April 1, 2011 to November 22, 2011; and the next window, applicable to the 2013 fiscal year, will not open until April 1, 2012. As the economy strengthens, it is likely that the quota of 65,000 will be reached well before November of 2012, so plan to file for new H-1Bs as early in the year as possible. Bear in mind that as long as demand exceeds the annual supply of H-1Bs, the start date of new H-1B workers may need to be deferred until October 1, when a new allotment of H-1B visas becomes available. .

Remember that not all foreign workers are subject to the caps. Existing employees applying for extension of current H-1B status are not subject to a cap, and certain employers are exempted. Additionally, certain students authorized for optional practical training ("OPT") may be eligible to continue working in optional practical training status until H-1B visas become available.

EMPLOYMENT VISAS SURGE AHEAD

The China and India second preference cut-off dates have advanced rapidly in recent months. This is welcome news to the Chinese and Indian workers, and their United States-based employers, who have been waiting years to file for U.S. permanent residency.

IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION, 2011

In 2011, several bills were introduced in Congress that relate to immigration issues other than enforcement, which dominated the immigration legislation arena in previous years. Chandler Law Firm, LLC applauds the increased attention to immigration issues and, particularly, to reform of the existing legal immigration system. Easing restrictions on the immigration of highly-skilled persons and entrepreneurs is the subject of several recently-introduced bills.