Adapting to the New Reality: Tips for Immigration Professionals

Petra is a Partner in the San Francisco office of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP, and her immigration practice focuses on business visa issues. Petra advises and represents clients in a variety of industries, with a focus on high tech and finance

Kari Konikowski Blackman is a Senior Associate in Houston, TX. She works primarily in employment-based immigration, including I-9 and E-verify compliance.

She is a founding member of the State Bar of Texas Section on Immigration and Nationality Law and served as the Vice President, Employment-based Issues for the Section. Mrs. Blackman regularly speaks on matters related to corporate immigration law and I-9 compliance. She has contributed to the Immigration Law and Procedure treatise, published nationally, and has authored articles related to The Trump Administration’s travel ban, I-9 compliance and strategies for responding to Requests for Evidence for nonimmigrant visa petitions. Mrs. Blackman received her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.

Sanjee Weliwitigoda is a Senior Associate in BAL’s McLean, Virginia office. His practice covers all types of U.S. employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, as well as PERM-based labor certifications. Sanjee counsels and represents companies across diverse industries, assisting them in mobilizing their global workforce and finding bespoke strategies for their immigration programs.

September is a Senior Director, Client Relationships in the Dallas office of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. She is responsible for overseeing the US immigration program of one of the firm’s largest accounts. September works alongside the firm’s Partners and legal staff to bring the best of BAL to her client and their beneficiaries. September has more than ten years of program management and client services experience. Prior to joining BAL, September worked in the UK and Germany supporting various clients in the technology, retail and oil and gas sectors in developing and expanding their global immigration programs. She has experience managing large scale projects for her clients, supporting them with their immigration needs across the globe. She has sat onsite at client locations, further cultivating her immigration knowledge and client relationship skills.