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NJL People: Rebecca N. Desnoyers

Rebecca’s experience in the area of immigration law began almost 20 years ago in 2001 as a paralegal at a nationally recognized law firm in San Francisco, California. Since then, she has developed a wide range of substantive and practical knowledge in the field of immigration law through various progressive roles, including law clerk and certified student attorney during law school, associate attorney following law school, and now as Special Counsel at NJL. Rebecca’s practice focuses primarily on business immigration, working with and advising employers on employer-sponsored nonimmigrant (H, L, O, TN, E) and immigrant petition matters. She has a particular passion and acumen for this area in light of her sharp attention to detail, strength in writing, and strong interest in assisting employers and individuals with traversing the complexities of the immigration system and achieving their objectives. Rebecca has worked with clients in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, engineering, marketing and advertising, tourism, retail, and others.

Rebecca received her J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law in 2009, a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1999, and is licensed to practice in the State of Minnesota. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).  Rebecca has studied abroad in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica, and is fluent in Spanish.

Key Practice Experience

  • Nonimmigrant visa petitions (H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, TN, E-2, E-3, B-1)
  • PERM labor certification applications
  • Immigrant visa petitions (including EB-1 extraordinary ability, EB-1 outstanding professor and researcher, EB-1 multinational manager or executive, and National Interest Waiver applications)
  • Adjustment of status applications

Key Industry Experience

  • Healthcare
  • Engineering
  • Marketing and Advertising
  • Tourism
  • Retail

Publications and Presentations

  • Co-presenter, Complex Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Codes, AILA Minnesota Dakotas, March 2023
  • Panelist, Immigrants of Extraordinary Ability, 2021 AILA Upper Midwest Immigration Law Conference
  • Panelist, The ABCs of Employment-Based NIV Options, 2019 AILA Upper Midwest Immigration Law Conference
  • Moderator, “Best Practice and Current Litigation Trends in H-2A/H-2B Visas,” 2016 AILA Upper Midwest Immigration Law Conference
  • Co-Author, “Do All Violations of Restraining or Protection Orders in Minnesota Have Immigration Consequences?”, WLG Newsletter, February 2016 (co-author Erica Davis, Esq.)
  • La Accion Deferida Para los Llegados en la Infancia (DACA): un Año Despues y el Futuro, La Matraca Magazine, Edition 196, Week 51/2013, December 20, 2013
  • Case Note: Orozco v. Mukasey When an Entry May Not be an “Admission” and the Fundamental Problems with the Ninth Circuit’s Analysis, 35 Wm. Mitchell L. Rev. 68 (2008) (co-author Ilyce Shugall, Esq.)

Professional Associations

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
    • Member, AILA local Minnesota/Dakotas Chapter
    • Member, AILA Canada Chapter
    • Mentor, Mentorship Program
  • AILA Upper Midwest Immigration Law Conference
    • Advisory Committee, 2023
    • Co-track Manager (Employment-based track), 2023
    • Co-track Manager (Employment-based track), 2017
    • Co-track Manager (Employment-based track), 2016

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