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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, 2008

Immigration 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 Arizona

Member, 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, 1978

Education and Honors

J.D., Arizona State University, 1978

M.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

Top 100 Lawyers In Arizona

Best Lawyers in America®, Immigration Law, 1991-2010

Who's Who Legal

The International Who's Who of Business Lawyers

Southwest Super Lawyers®, Immigration, 2009

Nancy-Jo Merritt
Director
Phoenix
P: (602) 916-5411
F: (602) 916-5611
E: nmerritt@fclaw.com

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Practice Areas

Immigration Law

Labor and Employment

School Law

Restaurant and Food Services

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Past Newsletters

Past Seminars

41st Annual Immigration & Naturalization Institute: Complying with Ethical Obligations/Dealing with Fraud in Client Context

2005-2006 ASU Alumni Lecture Series