VISANOW’s legal department draws on a strong foundation of legal and international
experience. We provide assistance and counsel in areas such as application
preparation; establishment of corporate immigration policies, guidelines and procedures;
evaluation of strategic issues like PERM; and ongoing education/training of HR management
with respect to immigration issues.
Robert C. Meltzer, Esq.
Robert C. Meltzer has taken VISANOW from concept to reality and now leads the company
in its pursuit of revolutionizing immigration process management. Beginning his
career at the legal office of the United Nations World Health Organization in Geneva,
Switzerland, Robert concentrated on public international law, international contracts
and international copyright. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1986, he entered private
practice where he continued in international law and expanded his practice to include
immigration law. After practicing immigration law for over 15 years, he realized
the potential to utilize technology to streamline the management of the immigration
process and founded VISANOW.
Robert is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and has
been a member of the International and Immigration Law Section of the Illinois State
Bar Association since 1985. He has experience in all appellate processes in the
practice of immigration law and has represented clients before the United States
Supreme Court on immigration law issues. He is an author, lecturer and a recent
Adjunct Professor of International Law at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago-Kent
College of Law.
Robert was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of
Colorado, Boulder and a Juris Doctor from Northern Illinois University College of
Law. In addition to his traditional U.S. legal education, Robert furthered his international
legal education by receiving certificates and diplomas from the Henri Dunant Institute
in Geneva, Switzerland; The Institute de Internationale Droits de L'homme in Strasbourg,
France; and the University of Salzburg/McGeorge School of Law in Salzburg, Austria.
Shawn Hope, Esq.
Shawn Hope brings a great deal of legal expertise in diverse practice areas to the
VISANOW Legal Team. This past experience enables him to provide expertise in drafting
and distributing immigration practice advisories, researching changes in immigration
law and drafting memoranda recommending compliance strategies. Additionally, Shawn
composes legal responses to Requests for Evidence, as well as prepares PERM filings
and nonimmigrant visa petitions. Shawn also serves as the liaison between the legal
and IT departments in order to aid in the constant evolution of the VISANOW's immigration
practice.
Shawn received his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago and graduated
from Michigan State University with a degree in Business Administration/Pre-law.
He studied International Business Transactions and Japanese Legal Systems in Tokyo,
Japan. Shawn is a member of the Michigan State Bar Association.
Caroline Tang, Esq.
Caroline Tang brings to VISANOW a diverse legal background, including a practical
client-side experience that provides her with a unique understanding of our clients'
needs. As a human resources liaison for a major global corporation, Caroline was
responsible for the acquisition of immigrant and non-immigrant visas for foreign
workers. She has also provided pro bono legal services for the National Immigrant
Justice Center. This rewarding experience furthered her insight into immigration
law and serves her well as she prepares filings, responds to Requests for Evidence
and researches and analyzes immigration laws and statutes.
Caroline received her J.D. from Boston University School of Law and a B.A. from
Northwestern University. While at Boston University, she served as an Editor for
the American Journal of Law and Medicine and participated in the BU Legislation
Clinic. During law school, she also worked as a research assistant at Harvard University's
Kennedy School of Government. Caroline is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. She is a member
of the State Bar of California, Illinois State Bar Association, and Chicago Bar
Association.
Agnes C. Rudinsky, Esq.
Agnes C. Rudinsky brings to VISANOW a strong legal background in the field of immigration
law having practiced exclusively in the area of immigration and nationality law.
Agnes's prior experience has been to advise clients on the full range of immigration
matters, representing large multinational companies, hospitals, churches, entrepreneurs,
family-owned businesses, and specialized workers on temporary and permanent resident
proceedings. Her expertise includes H, E, L, and R nonimmigrant visas, employment
based permanent resident, and PERM labor certification. In addition to her business
immigration work, she has assisted U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens in
successfully bringing their families together through the US immigration application
process. This prior experience lends itself well to assisting VISANOW clients needs
for filing non-immigrant and immigrant visas, providing legal counsel, and preparing
legal responses for Request for Evidence.
Agnes received her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School and earned
a BA from Wellesley College. In law school, she completed a one-year internship
with the Notre Dame Immigration Clinic, which involved conducting intake interviews,
and filing adjustment status and U.S. citizenship applications for low income individuals.
She also competed in 2003 Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition.
She speaks, reads, and writes Korean fluently.
Emily A. Chen, Esq.
With a strong legal background and zeal for learning foreign cultures, Emily A.
Chen utilizes this experience to provide VISANOW clients comprehensive legal counsel
and understanding of foreign nationals' unique situations. Her diverse legal background
includes in-depth experience in labor, employment, contract, commercial, property
law and other areas of civil litigation. She supports her clients through every
step of the immigration process, from strategic planning to reviewing applications
to following up on case issues. She also provides direct support on an individual
client level through legal counseling and researching client issues.
Emily received her J.D. from Northern Illinois University (NIU) College of Law and
earned a BA from the University of Chicago. While at NIU, she sought to expand her
knowledge of the law outside of the classroom setting, serving as Research Editor
of the NIU Law Review, actively participating in the moot court program, and studying
international law abroad in China and France. She has mastered intermediate fluency
in French and basic fluency in Mandarin. Emily is a member of the Chicago Bar Association.
Amberley Johnson
As Global Immigration Services Manager, Amberley is responsible for overseeing all
global immigration matters for VISANOW. With over ten years of experience in the
field of global immigration, Amberley utilizes her expertise and VISANOW's world-wide
partner network to strategically advise VISANOW clients regarding their employee's
global mobility needs and to ensure positive outcomes for complex client situations.
Amberley frequently represents VISANOW as speaker at industry events and contributing
writer for publications such as Mobility Magazine covering trends and regulatory
issues facing global immigration. Prior to joining VISANOW, Amberley was the Managing
Consultant for a well known boutique global immigration firm managing the daily
operations of the firm's 68 global offices.
Amberley holds a Masters Degree in both Business Management as well as Human Resources
Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Amberley is a member of the Society
for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and The Employment Relocation Council (ERC).
Sue Patel
Sue Patel brings an energized and professional approach to her role as Paralegal
at VISANOW. Sue prepares a variety of non-immigrant and immigrant visas, as well
as manages the myriad of documents pertaining to these visas. Sue's prior work experience
as a Law Clerk has helped to hone her skills in the areas of organization and document
processing, which she has successfully transitioned into her current role with VISANOW.
Sue received a Bachelor of Arts and Science, majoring in Political Science from
DePaul University. During her undergraduate years, she participated in a study abroad
program in Dublin, Ireland. Her fondness for the country kept her there for an internship
at the Irish Parliament, which gave her a great deal of insight on foreign government
policies and procedures. Sue also received her Paralegal Certificate from Roosevelt
University and is fluent in Gujarati.
Paulina Mollenkamp
Paulina K. Mollenkamp brings a diverse legal background to the field of immigration
law. She was raised in Warsaw Poland, and as a result speaks both English and Polish
fluently. Being an immigrant herself, Paulina brings a unique perspective to the
immigration law practice. Paulina prepares a variety of immigrant and non-immigrant
visas, manages document intake, and actively assist with all facets of the PERM
process.
Paulina received her Masters of Business Administration and Bachelors of Science
from Roosevelt University. Additionally, Paulina is a certified Paralegal, receiving
her certificate from the ABA accredited Paralegal Lawyer's Assistant Program of
Roosevelt University. Paulina started her immigration career working for a not-for-profit
organization, helping Polish citizens obtain legal status within the U.S.
Amber Easton
Amber has over ten years of immigration industry experience ranging from corporate
to law firm environments, qualifying her uniquely for the role of Paralegal on VISANOW's
team.
During her corporate days, Amber worked as an Immigration Manager, gaining extensive
experience in immigration processing and employer compliance issues which she is
now applying to the benefit of VISANOW's clients. Amber has authored legal content
for law firm websites, newsletters, and developed visa and residency permit processes
for expatriate workforces. Working at traditional law firms, Amber acquired particular
expertise in assisting corporate clients with employment eligibility verification
spanning I-9 compliance issues, nonimmigrant visa petitions, labor certification
applications and employment-based immigrant petitions, naturalization applications,
immigration compliance relating to mergers and acquisitions, and coordinating work
permit and visa applications requiring host-country filings (including EU, Pacific
Rim, and Latin American countries).
A native Canadian, Amber holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a Psychology emphasis
from the University of Windsor and has obtained her Paralegal Diploma.
Candace Savino
Candace Savino brings avidity and a keen sense of awareness to the role of Paralegal
on VISANOW's legal team. While studying, she worked as the General Manager of the
university's radio station, a role that made her comfortable with leadership and
organization. After graduating, Candace joined the fast-paced video gaming industry
where she wrote content and managed a popular blog.
Candace received her Bachelor of Arts in History from Boston College and is currently
pursuing a Paralegal Diploma.
Ashley Petty
Ashley Petty brings professionalism and personality to the Paralegal role at VISANOW.
Her prior work experience in immigration law has thoroughly developed her research
capabilities in addition to her strong legal writing and analytical skills. Ashley
prepares a variety of immigrant and non-immigrant visas and effectively contributes
to the legal team’s versatility with her strong background in family-based
casework.
Ashley received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona with a major
in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. She is also a certified Paralegal having
earned her certificate, with Honors, from Roosevelt University's ABA-approved Paralegal
Studies Program.
Svetlana Bondar
Svetlana brings a unique perspective to her role as Paralegal at VISANOW, being
the beneficiary of the diversity visa lottery herself. Born in Russia to a Bulgarian
father and a Ukrainian mother, she is fluent in all three languages as a result.
Svetlana prepares a variety of immigrant and non-immigrant visas, handles document
intake, and serves as a liaison between legal department and U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services.
Svetlana comes to the legal field from a career in the medical profession, having
practiced as a Behavioral Health Counselor for over 2 years. While transitioning
from the medical field to the legal field, she returned to school for paralegal
studies and obtained her paralegal certificate from the ABA accredited Paralegal
Studies Program of Roosevelt University. Svetlana also holds a Bachelor of Arts
degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she majored in Psychology
and minored in Biological Sciences.