Nancy-Jo Merritt
Ms. Merritt practices solely in the field of immigration and nationality law and has nearly three decades of experience representing domestic and international companies with issues concerning foreign national employees and business immigration matters. She provides strategic counseling to clients on issues such as employment policies for a foreign national workforce, management of work authorization and immigrant visa "green card" process, and development of compliance programs.Ms. Merritt has successfully challenged the federal government’s interpretation of immigration law in a number of matters and writes and lectures frequently on developing issues in immigration law. Ms. Merritt’s extensive immigration experience includes in-depth knowledge of procedural developments at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, US Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (formerly within the INS) to help business clients comply with stringent federal responsibilities. She has a high level of expertise in conducting workplace audits of employment verification documentation and compliance with regulations governing work authorization of foreign national workers.
Articles and Presentations
Complying with Ethical Obligations/Dealing with Fraud in Client Context, 41st Annual Immigration & Naturalization Institute, 2008Immigration and Nationality Law Handbook, Senior Editor, Annual publication of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, 1993 – Present
Employers Guide to Work Authorization/Enforcement Issues, 40th Annual Immigration & Naturalization Institute 2007, p. 447.
Ethical Issues in Written Communications, 38th Annual Immigration & Naturalization Institute, 2005, p. 351.
International Travel and Entry to the United States, 37th Annual Immigration & Naturalization Institute, 2004, p. 461.
Nonimmigrant Options for Foreign National Employees in the Hospitality Industry, Immigration and Nationality Law Handbook, Co-Author (with Deborah Notkin), American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2004-2005 Edition
Homeland Security, Business Insecurity: Immigration Practice in Uncertain Times, Editor (with Charles M. Miller and Laura Foote Reiff), American Immigration Lawyers Association, 2003
“H-3 Trainee Visas”, in Professionals: A Matter of Degree, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Fourth Edition, 2003
Introducing the 1996 Immigration Reform Act, Editor, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 1996
United States Immigration, The Credit Suisse Guide to Managing Your Personal Wealth, 1995
Understanding Immigration Law, Career Press, 1992
Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986: What Employers Need to Know, Arizona Bar Journal, May 1987
Professional and Community Activities
Member, State Bar of ArizonaMember, Maricopa County Bar Association
Member, American Bar Association
Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association
Fellow, Arizona Bar Foundation
Founder, Arizona Coalition for Immigration Representation
Co-Founder, Immigrants’ List Political Action Committee
Adjunct Professor, Phoenix School of Law
Member, Board of Directors, Lost Boys Center
Member, Board of Directors, American Immigration Law Foundation
Admissions
Arizona, 1978Education and Honors
J.D., Arizona State University, 1978M.A., Arizona State University, 1974
B.A., Arizona State University, 1964
Certificate of Commendation, Maricopa County Volunteer Lawyers Program, 1988
Recipient, American Immigration Lawyers Association Pro Bono Award, 1989
Chambers USA, Leading Lawyers for Business, 2010
Top 100 Lawyers In Arizona
Best Lawyers in America®, Immigration Law, 1991-2011
Who's Who Legal
The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers
Southwest Super Lawyers®, Immigration, 2009
E: nmerritt@fclaw.com
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Email ProfilePractice Areas
Asia Practice
Immigration Law
Labor and Employment
School Law
Restaurant and Food Services
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