Immigration Law Practice at Gallop, Johnson & Neuman Doubles Since 2005

St. Louis, Missouri … Thomas J. Campbell, Managing Partner at the law firm Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, L.C., reports that the firm’s Immigration Law Practice Group has experienced nearly a 100 percent increase in case activity since July 2005, primarily among business clients.

“In recent months, the debate regarding immigration in the U.S. has become highly politicized and emotional, and many people equate immigration solely with indigent individuals who enter this country illegally and who are employed in low-wage jobs,” Mr. Campbell said.

“Despite additional restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals to the U.S. since September 11, 2001 and ongoing debates to curtail entry of illegal aliens, our firm’s immigration practice has grown significantly as a result of U.S. companies’ domestic growth and, in many cases, because of their market expansion into foreign countries,” Mr. Campbell said.

Gallop, Johnson & Neuman’s Immigration Law Practice Group began more than 20 years ago, but in July 2005 the firm formally expanded this practice group to address increasing inquiries from people and organizations seeking counsel.

“U.S. immigration procedures in recent years have become far more complex and unpredictable.” Mr. Campbell said. “Our firm has represented many foreign nationals dealing with personal immigration matters, yet the majority of our immigration law clients are corporations, research institutions, medical facilities, universities, not-for-profit entities and multi-national companies.

“In today’s global business environment highly educated, skilled foreign nationals are often urgently needed to provide expertise that domestic employment markets cannot satisfy,” Mr. Campbell said.

“For many growth industries, skilled professionals are not abundant or the pool of skilled U.S. professionals may be depleted in specific disciplines. Companies in these industries seek to sustain their growth by considering professional employment pools in other countries,” he said.

“U.S. companies developing overseas markets often require skilled foreign professionals to assist in the international growth of the business. Our firm is also assisting multi-national businesses that deploy U.S. citizens to work overseas in management and production jobs,” said Mr. Campbell, noting that Gallop, Johnson & Neuman has a network of legal counsel in ten European nations.

The firm’s Immigration Law Practice Group has handled many cases recently concerning U.S. visas for foreign guest workers with specialized skills (H-1B), intra-company transferees (L-1), trade visits (TN), performing artists, athletes and entertainers (P), religious workers (R), as well as applications for permanent U.S. residency based on family and employment and, also, naturalization.

“Despite current public debates about immigration, corporate executives and human resource professionals have known for years that immigration also includes that of highly educated, skilled professionals and families who enter the U.S. legally and contribute to the growth of businesses and the economy as a whole,” Mr. Campbell said. “With increased capabilities for the submission of information in electronic formats, the practice of immigration law is not restricted by geographic boundaries,” he said.

Gallop, Johnson & Neuman has successfully processed more than 150 H-1B visa petitions and over 25 permanent residency petitions. The firm’s Immigration Law Practice Group consists of four attorneys and a paralegal with combined experience of more than 50 years.

Founded in 1976, Gallop, Johnson & Neuman serves public and privately held corporations, small companies, start-up enterprises, entrepreneurs and non-profit entities, as well as individuals and families, in diverse practice areas. It is one of the ten largest law firms in St. Louis. Offices are located at 101 South Hanley Road, Suite 1700, Clayton, Missouri, 63105.

For information about Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, please contact Daniel P. Mauzy at 314.615.6000 or visit the website http://www.GJN.com. Media contact: Jeff Dunlap at 314.993.6925.

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