Margaret A. Catillaz

Maggie Catillaz counsels multinational corporations, educational institutions, hospitals and other health care facilities, smaller employers and individuals on immigration matters including permanent residence, labor certifications, temporary work visas, NAFTA issues, and employment eligibility verification requirements. Her experience includes the following:

• Representing multinational corporations in securing the transfer of key foreign personnel into the United States under appropriate work visas.
• Representing universities and colleges in connection with securing work authorizations for foreign faculty members and with issues relating to foreign students.
• Representing research scholars, physicians, and medical groups in securing waivers of the two-year foreign residence requirement.
• Representing health care facilities in securing employment of foreign physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals.
• Securing Labor Certification from the Department of Labor under the PERM system for positions for which there are no available United States workers.
• Assisting clients in compliance with pertinent immigration regulations for employment verification and in I-9 audits.
• Assisting clients involved in mergers and acquisitions to assure compliance with immigration regulations.

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

• President, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2000-2001
• Member, Board of Governors, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 1989-2012; Board Emeritus 2013-Present
• AILA Leadership Roles: Member, INS General Counsel Liaison Committee, 2001-2002; Chair,AILA Annual Conference, 1994; Chair, AILA INS Headquarters Liaison Committee, 1994; Vice-Chair, Special Task Force on Women in Immigration Law, 1994; Chair, Eastern Region Liaison Committee, 1992; Chair, Business Immigration Committee, 1991; Labor Regulations Committee, 1990; Core Regulation Campaign Committee, 1990; Nonimmigrant Law Reform Task Force, 1989
• Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 1980-Present
• President, Volunteer Legal Services Project, 1992-1993; Board Member 1989-1994
• Member and former President, International Business Council, Rochester Business Alliance (formerly Rochester Chamber of Commerce)
• Member, National Association of College and University Attorneys
• Member, New York State Bar Association; Vice-Chair – International Law & Practice Section NYSBA 1988-1994; Executive Committee, Trial Lawyers Section, NYSBA 1989-1990
• Member, Monroe County Bar Association, Service on Judiciary Committee, Vice-Chair, 1993-1994; Nominating Committee, Gender Fairness Committee
• Admitted, Federal District Courts, Western District of New York, 1977; Northern District of New York, 1981; U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, New York, 2008
• Faculty, National Institute for Trial Advocacy, 1988
• Member, Advisory Council, RIT International Business Certificate Program, 1992-1994
• Member, Annual Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Civic Awards Committee, 1992-1998

HONORS & AWARDS

• Finalist, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Women’s Council “ATHENA Awards,” 2014 and 1994
• Recognized by Chambers USA 2005-Present in the field of Immigration (NY), Named as a National and Upstate New York “Senior Statesmen” by Chambers USA from 2016-2022
• Selected by peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America^® for Immigration Law, every year since 1991; One of 16 in the entire state of New York in 1992-1993 for work in the field of Immigration
• Selected to the Upstate New York Super Lawyers list, 2007-2019
• Selected to the Top 25: Women Upstate New York Super Lawyers list, 2008, 2009 and 2012
• AV Preeminent^® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• Listed in International Who’s Who in Corporate Immigration Lawyers, 1998-Present
• Empire State Counsel, 2009

NEWS

Press Releases

• Harter Secrest & Emery Attorneys Recognized in 2022 Best Lawyers in America© and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, August 19, 2021
• Harter Secrest & Emery Shines in Prestigious Chambers USA 2020 Rankings, April 24, 2020
• Harter Secrest & Emery Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers In America 2020, August 15, 2019
• Harter Secrest & Emery Attorneys Named to 2019 Upstate New York Super Lawyers, Rising Stars Lists, August 14, 2019
• Harter Secrest & Emery Shines in Prestigious Chambers USA 2019 Rankings, April 25, 2019

PRESENTATIONS

• Conference Chair, Immigration Law Conferences, New York State Bar Association, annually from 2004-Present.
• Speaker and Planning Chair, “Introduction and Overview of Immigration System,” U.S. Immigration Law Conference, NYSBA 2014
• “IBC Upstate NY Trade Conference & Expo,” Eyes on the Future Radio Show, WHAM 1180, June 2013
• Speaker and Moderator, “Immigration Reform,” Annual Northern Border Immigration Conference, Albany, NY, 2013
• Speaker, “Anticipating, Avoiding and Attacking NIV RFEs,” AILA Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, 2012
• Speaker and Conference Chair, “Overview of Status,” Immigration Law Conference 2012: Basics & Beyond, NYSBA, New York, NY, 2012
• Speaker and Planning Chair, “H-1Bs in Peril, Current Issues in Immigration for the U.S. Employer,” NYSBA, NYC, 2012
• Speaker, “Avoiding Pitfalls Regarding Ability to Pay in the I-140 Context,” National Webinar, AILA, 2010
• Speaker, “H-1B Options for Physicians,” AILA, Washington, DC, 2009
• Speaker, “Dealing with Corporate Downsizing and Layoffs,” AILA Fall Conference, Pittsburgh, PA, 2009
• Speaker, “Federal Preemption: Challenging the Constitutionality of State Immigration Laws,” AILA Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV, 2009
• Speaker, “Immigration Issues for MBA Candidates,” Warner School of Business, Syracuse University, July 2009
• Speaker, “Cross-Border Issues,” The Capitol Corridor Conference, Watertown, NY, April 2009
• Speaker, “PERM Audits,” NJ Bar Association, Advanced Corporate Immigration Conference, Newark, NJ 2008
• Speaker, “Cost Benefit Issues of Immigration Expense,” EACUBO Annual Conference, Toronto, 2008
• Speaker, “File That I-140 Quickly,” AILA Immigration Symposium, NY, December 2008
• Speaker and Planning Chair, “Immigration Corporate Compliance Programs,” NYSBA Conference: The New ERA of Worksite Enforcement, New York, NY, 2008
• Speaker, “Preserving the Immigration Infrastructure in Corporate Reorganization,” AILA Annual Conference, Vancouver, Canada, 2008
• Speaker, “Immigration Basics & More,” ALI-ABA, Washington, DC, 2008
• Speaker and Program Chair, “Overview of Status,” Immigration Law Conference 2008, Basics & Beyond, New York, NY, 2008
• Keynote Speaker, “International Career Expo,” Simon School, University of Rochester, 2007
• Speaker, “Immigration Issues in Higher Education,” Conference on Law and Higher Education, Stetson University, 2007
• Speaker, “PERM-Continuing Problems,” New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Advanced Corporate Immigration Law Conference, Newark, NJ, 2007
• Speaker, “Update on Immigration Issues Affecting Foreign Faculty,” Conference on Law and Higher Education, Stetson University, 2006
• Speaker, “PERM Strategies,” Annual Conference, AILA, San Antonio, TX, 2006
• Speaker, “Completing the Permanent Residence Process,” Immigration Law: Basics and More, ALI-ABA Immigration Conference, Washington, DC, 2006
• Speaker, 2006 Immigration Conference, NYSBA, New York, NY, 2006
• Speaker, “Entrepreneurs & Investors: U.S. Immigration Through Investment, Global Immigration Summit, London, 2005
• Speaker, “Immigration Strategies to Expand the Talent Pool,” Buffalo Niagara Human Resource Association, Buffalo, NY, 2005
• Speaker, “Update on Immigration Issues Affecting Foreign Faculty,” Stetson University 26th Annual National Conference on Law and Higher Education, 2005
• Speaker and Program Chair, “Recruitment Requirements,” The New Labor Certification Regulations Conference, NYSBA, New York, NY, 2005
• Speaker, “Achieving Competitive Advantage Through Immigration: Faculty Recruiting and Retention Issues,” Stetson University 25th Annual National Conference on Law and Higher Education, 2004
• Speaker and Planning Chair, “Proposed Changes to the Labor Certification Process,” Immigration Law Conference, NYSBA, New York, NY, 2004
• Speaker, “Executives and Managers,” 2004 Global Immigration Summit, International Bar Association, New York, NY, 2004
• Speaker, “U.S. Immigration for the Innovator or Entrepreneur,” Global Business Immigration Conference, London, England, 2003
• Speaker, “How It All Works: The Immigration System and The Involved Agencies,” ALI-ABA Immigration Law Conference, Washington, DC, 2003
• Speaker, “Managing the Manager: Identifying and Advising Executives and Managers,” AILA Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, 2003
• Speaker, “News from USCIS,” 6th Annual AILA New York Chapter Immigration Conference, New York, NY, 2003
• Speaker, “Hot Issues from INS Headquarters,” Keeping Pace with the Changing Immigration Law Landscape, U.S. and Canadian Immigration Law Conference sponsored by Upstate New York Chapter of AILA and the Bar Association of Erie County, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada 2002
• Speaker, “Avoiding Labor Certification,” AILA Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA, 2002
• Presenter, International Business Council Annual Trade Banquet, Rochester, NY 2002
• Speaker, “Global Options for International Intracompany or Affiliate Transferees,” Global Immigration Summit, AILA, New York, NY, 2002
• Speaker, “Immigration Law: Basics & More,” ALI-ABA, Washington, DC, 2002
• Speaker, “Update on Nonimmigrant Visa Issues,” Year 2002 Immigration Law Conference, NYSBA, New York, NY, 2002
• Speaker, “Hot Topics in Immigration Law,” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA, 2001
• Speaker, Keynote Presentation at Third Annual New York Chapter Immigration Law Symposium, New York, NY, 2001
• Speaker, Keynote Presentation, Borderline Issues, AILA, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, 2001
• Speaker, Keynote Presentation at 13th Annual AILA California Chapters Conference, San Francisco, CA, 2000
• Speaker, “Avoiding Labor Certification,” ALI-ABA Immigration Law Conference, Washington, DC, 2000
• Speaker, “Employment Based Immigration Update,” NYSBA Year 2000 Immigration Law Update, New York, NY, 2000
• Presenter, 3rd Annual AILA New York Chapter Immigration Law Symposium, New York, NY, 2000
• Speaker, “Update from the INS and State Department,” 33rd Annual Immigration & Naturalization Institute, Practicing Law Institute, New York, NY, 2000
• Speaker, “Immigration Update,” Border Trade Alliance, International Business Council, Rochester, NY, 2000
• Speaker, “The Winds of Washington,” 24th Annual Conference on Immigration and Nationality Law, sponsored by the University of Texas School of Law, 2000
• Speaker, Center for Migration Studies, National Legal Conference, Washington, DC, 2000
• Speaker, “Immigration and Employment Issues for International Students,” University of Rochester, Simon Graduate School of Business, 2000
• Speaker, “Hot Off the Press: Late Breaking Immigration Law,” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, Seattle, WA, 1999
• Speaker, New York State Bar Association, 1998 Immigration Law Conference, New York, NY, 1998
• Speaker, “Employer Sanctions, Verification and Discrimination Issues,” ALI-ABA Immigration Law Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 1998
• Presenter, International Business Council Annual Trade Banquet, Rochester, NY, 1998
• Presenter, Briefing to White House Staffers (President Clinton) on immigration issues, White House, Washington, DC, 1998
• Speaker, “I-9 Compliance Issues,” AILA Annual Conference, Orlando, FL, 1997
• Speaker, “The Implementation of the New Law,” 30th Annual Immigration & Nationalization Institute, Practicing Law Institute, New York, NY, 1997
• Speaker, “H-1B Changes in the HR Bill,” AILA Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ, 1996
• Speaker, “Nonimmigrant Visas; Statutory, Regulatory and Adjudicatory Update,” 1996 Immigration Law Conference, NYSBA, New York, NY, 1996
• Speaker, “Immigration Reform,” Federal Legislative Conference, Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce, 1996
• Speaker, “Verification and I-9 Issues,” AILA New Law Conference, New York, NY, 1996
• Speaker, “New Law – Illegal Immigration Reform & Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996,” AILA Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA, 1996
• Speaker, “Adjustment of Status: New Problems and New Benefits,” Creative Lawyering for the 90s and Beyond, AILA Midyear Conference, Las Vegas, NV, 1996
• Speaker, “Special Problems in Representing Computer Professionals,” 28th Annual Immigration & Naturalization Institute, Practicing Law Institute, New York, NY, 1995
• Speaker, Upstate New York International Trade Council, Rochester, NY, 1994
• Speaker, “Documenting an Employment-Based Petition,” 27th Annual Immigration & Naturalization Institute, Practicing Law Institute, New York, NY, 1994
• Speaker and Program Chair, AILA Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA, 1994
• Speaker, “EB-1 Priority Workers,” 1994 Immigration Law Conference, NYSBA, 1994
• Presenter, International Business Trade Council Annual Trade Banquet, Rochester, NY, 1993
• Speaker, American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada, 1993
• Speaker, “Immigration & Asylum,” NYSBA, International Law & Practice Section, Berlin, Germany, 1993
• Speaker, International Business Council Annual Trade Banquet, Rochester, NY, 1992
• Speaker, “Business Immigration Under the 1990 Act,” National Foreign Trade Council, New York, NY, 1992
• Speaker, “Labor Certification and H-1B LCAs,” AILA, Austin, TX, 1992
• Speaker, “Small Investors: How to Get Into the U.S. and Stay,” American Immigration Lawyers Association Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, 1992
• Speaker, “Immigration Status After Practical Training,” Syracuse University, 1992
• Speaker, “Regulatory Changes,” NAFSA Region X Conference, Rochester, NY, 1991
• Speaker, “What Every Attorney Should Know About the Immigration Act,” Monroe County Bar Association, Rochester, NY, 1991
• Speaker, “Immigration, Types of Visas,” National Foreign Trade Council, Yale Club, New York, NY, 1991
• Speaker, “Permanent Labor Certifications,” AILA Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, 1991
• Speaker, “Immigration Act of 1990,” 1991 Immigration Law Conference, NYSBA, 1991
• Speaker, “Validity of Labor Certifications,” AILA Business Immigration Conference, Atlanta, GA, 1990