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February - 2014 - issue > 20 Best Immigration Law Firms 2014

Partnering in Immigration and Naturalization Law

Syeda Tina Tabin
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Syeda Tina Tabin
Having obtained her Juris Doctor from Southwestern University School of Law in 1989, Catherine L. Haight joined a large firm to practice law. In deciding what field of law to practice in, she considered possibilities that would make a difference for both individuals and companies and soon gravitated towards immigration law. In 2002, with 13 years of experience in immigration law, Catherine formed Haight Law Group, PLC, a law firm specializing in employment-based immigration law.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, Haight Law Group serves clients from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. The firm handles employment-based immigration cases filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Embassies and Consular Posts, and the Department of Labor. With special expertise in business and sports related immigration cases, Haight Law Group serves corporate clients across industries such as information technology, engineering, media, entertainment and sports, retail, banking and finance, education, and aerospace. The firm's case load includes immigrant visas (green card cases) such as PERM for obtaining labor certification, EB-1 (Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researcher, and Multinational Manager), EB-2 (National Interest Waiver, Exceptional Ability, and Advanced Degree Holder), and EB-3, along with non-immigrant visas such as H-1B, L-1, and O-1. The law firm also counsels employers regarding government audits of I-9s, H-1B LCA issues, and overall corporate immigration policies.

Over the past decade, Haight Law Group successfully counseled clients through the global financial crisis and major changes at the Department of Homeland Security. Despite much stricter scrutiny of cases and increased enforcement by the government, Haight Law Group continued to succeed, largely due to the firm's adaptive nature and ability to quickly integrate new immigration policies and regulations into their case processes.
Catherine believes that over the years, clients' expectations of,and reliance on, lawyers' abilities and expertise have changed dramatically; clients now clearly recognize the importance of having outside counsel to navigate the increasingly complex immigration landscape. "Immigration law is much more complicated now. It is crucial to partner with our corporate clients to set up processes to ensure accurate and timely case filings that comply with all legal requirements," says Catherine.

The firm's commitment to client service includes providing detailed analyses of immigration options and strategies; fostering open lines of communication to ensure client understanding of the processes involved; and preparing cases promptly and accurately. In order to stay ahead of the curve regarding new policies and trends that could change the landscape for immigration cases, Haight Law Group representatives serve on professional liaison groups and attend local and national conferences to gain insight from government representatives. The firm positions itself to tackle the increasingly complex rules in employment-based immigration, to the benefit of both their clients and the country as a whole.
Going forward, Catherine is looking to assist companies who are in dire need for an expert workforce. "We want to continue to help companies hire and retain the brightest talent from around the globe, thereby attracting and nurturing a highly talented workforce, ultimately leading to a better U.S. economy," says Catherine.
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