Melissa McNamee Venceslau

Employment

BERNSTEIN OSBERG-Braun, LLC, Miami, FL
Immigration Attorney, June 15, 2009 to present

Serve as supervising attorney for the employment based component of a full service immigration firm. Work with clients to obtain H-1B, L-1 A/B, TN, PERM Labor Certification, EB-2 and EB-3 Adjustment of Status, family based LPR and naturalization.

MCNAMARA & McCARTHY, P.C., Coral Gables, FL
Immigration Attorney, June 8, 2007 to June 12, 2009

Opened, managed, marketed new branch office in FL for a MA -based law firm.
Managed case load of 400+ cases. Trained and managed 2 legal interns and 1 admin assistant.
Preparation of H-1B, TN, L-1A/B, PERM labor certification, employment and family based LPR, naturalization for corporate and family clients.

NOVELL, INC., Waltham, MA
Corporate Counsel, August 15, 2006 to June 7, 2007, Immigration & Relocation Manager, January 2006 – August 15, 2006, Immigration & Relocation Specialist, August 2, 2004 – December 2005

Actively managed inbound and outbound international transfer of 200+ employees.
In-house preparation of H-1B, TN, L-1, PERM labor certification, employment based LPR, naturalization.
Performed frequent audits of Forms I-9 for 3,000 US employees, PERM file and LCA compliance.
Handled immigration issues in relation to Merger and Acquisition.
Assisted outside counsel in employment law based litigation matters in South America and Asia.
Assisted Senior Corporate Counsel in employment law based responsibilities. Researched and responded to various employment law issues. Drafted Release, Stay Bonus & Retention Bonus Letters.
Until October 2006, managed relocation budget of $1Million, 80 relocations/ year.
Drafted various contracts, including, “Letters of Understanding” governing international transfers.
Drafted, presented and implemented a competitive and cost effective relocation policy.

US DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION REVIEW, Miami, FL
Summer Legal Intern, June 2004 – August 2004
Drafted decisions taken under the advisement of the Immigration Judges following performance of legal research of relevant immigration case law and analysis of the case issue.

MCNAMARA, KOENIG & McCARTHY, P.C., Wellesley, MA
Immigration Legal Assistant, September 2000 – August 2003

Effectively managed client relationships and caseload of 300 plus.
Assisted in preparation of H-1B, TN, L-1A/B work visas, J waivers, labor certification, applications for employment and family based LPR, FOIA, and Naturalization.

LATIN AMERICAN CORPORATION FOR DEVELOPMENT, Quito, Ecuador
Grant Writer / Full-time Intern, Summer 2000
Wrote detailed proposals for funding to North American philanthropists and foundations. Projects aimed at reform of Ecuadorian penal code and general human rights.

Education:

SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL, Boston, MA, Juris Doctor, May 2006

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON, Boston, MA, M.S. Public Affairs, Cum Laude, May 2003

BOSTON UNIVERSITY, Boston, MA, B.A. International Relations & Political Science, Cum Laude, May 2000

LANGUAGES: Fluent Spoken Portuguese, Proficient Spoken and Written Spanish. Basic French & Haitian Creole.

MEMBERSHIPS: Member of American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Massachusetts Bar.

Roger Bernstein | Linda Osberg-Braun
Regina de Moraes | Amy Link | Melissa McNamee

Melissa McNamee Venceslau

Employment

Education:

Visas

NON-IMMIGRANT

IMMIGRANT

LABOR CERTIFICATION

FEATURED VISA CATEGORIES