Curtis Y. Chow represents employers in all aspects of immigration law and compliance, as well as various employment matters. Mr. Chow assists employers with obtaining immigrant and nonimmigrant visas (“green cards” and temporary work permits) for their foreign employees. Mr. Chow also counsels employers in I-9 and E-Verify employment eligibility issues, including internal audits, government investigation, general compliance issues, and immigration-related discrimination issues.
In addition to his immigration practice, Mr. Chow advises and defends clients in federal and state employment-related lawsuits and administrative charges, including actions alleging discrimination in employment and immigration matters, retaliation, and harassment.
Experience
Mr. Chow regularly counsels business clients on various visa options and long-term immigration strategies for their foreign national employees, as well as compliance with immigration-related employment laws. While Mr. Chow’s primary specialty is in the practice of immigration and naturalization law, he also regularly assists employers in various litigation and administrative law matters. Examples of matters he has handled include:
- Assisting professors and scientists in obtaining classification as EB-1 “Outstanding Researchers” and “Aliens of Extraordinary Ability”
- Assisting foreign investors in obtaining E-2 “Treaty Investor” nonimmigrant visa status
- Assisting employers with obtaining various visa classifications including L-1 and H-1B categories for key employees
- Assisting employers and individuals in obtaining other nonimmigrant visas including O-1, R-1, Q-1, K-1, and B-1/B-2 visas
- Assisting foreign nationals with obtaining marriage-based and other family-based permanent residence and U.S. citizenship based on their relationship to U.S. citizens
- Assisting employers with large scale I-9 audits, risk assessments, and preparing compliance programs
- Counseling employers regarding compliance with federal and state immigration laws
- Representing employers in employment and immigration matters before administrative agencies such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Department of Justice, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Providing litigation support to employers in various matters
- Preparing employment contracts, severance agreements, confidentiality agreements, and restrictive covenants
South Carolina
Professional Activities
- South Carolina Bar Association
- Richland County Bar Association
- American Immigration Lawyers Association
- National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (Immigration Committee and Labor and Employment Law Section)
- SCHI 2011 Trade Show & Seminars - "Immigration and Employment Laws in South Carolina" - Myrtle Beach - February 3, 2011
- Dorchester County Industrial Council Meeting - "SC Immigration Law & I-9 Compliance" - Summerville - August 11, 2010
- Certificate in Employee Relations Law Series - "Overview of Business Immigration” and “H-1B temporary Work Visas for Specialty Occupation Workers" - Columbia - April 7, 2010
- Ogletree Deakins Breakfast Briefing - "Immigration Update: Recent Developments in LLR Enforcement Activities" - Columbia - October 13, 2009