David M. Serwer

Partner

Baker & McKenzie LLP

Chicago

T + 1 312 861 7990

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Biography

David M. Serwer represents and advises employers in legal matters related to the global transfer of personnel. He is a frequent speaker on topics relating to US immigration law and compliance, and has written numerous articles for US and international publications. Mr. Serwer is editor of the Firm’s Global Immigration & Mobility Update, and was co-author of the United States Business Immigration Manual. He is also actively engaged in pro bono legal work, managing and directing 2-3 naturalization clinics per year and represents 10-20 naturalization applications each year at naturalization hearings.

Practice Focus

Mr. Serwer’s practice focuses on global migration and executive transfers. He advises on corporate and employment-based immigration law — including non-immigrant work visa petitions, permanent employment certification applications and immigrant visa petitions. Together with his Chicago colleagues, Mr. Serwer manages approximately 2,000 cases on behalf of multinational companies — with each file or employee having a non-immigrant visa and possible immigrant visa matter pending.

Representative Legal Matters

Assisted clients in the transfer of foreign employees with specialized knowledge to help in the technical development of a product or management of US operations.
Provided advice to US companies seeking to keep foreign workers beyond the finite non-immigrant visa period.
Designed creative and streamlined strategies in obtaining permanent residence for its foreign clients.
Wrote appeals to the appropriate administrative board review when the government does not approve a visa petition.
Assisted clients in complying with employment verification requirements and accompanying anti-discrimination provisions.

Professional Associations and Memberships

American Immigration Lawyers Association
Chicago Bar Association - Chair, Young Lawyer's Section's Immigration Law Committee

Admissions

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois~United States (1996)
Illinois~United States (1996)
Illinois Supreme Court~United States (1996)

Education

Chicago-Kent College of Law (IIT) (J.D.) (1996)
University of Michigan (B.A.) (1993)

Languages

English

Speaker, "Worksite Preparedness: USCIS Random Site Visits," September 24, 2009

Moderator, "Latin American Developments - Cross Border Transfers in a Changing Economy," July 16, 2009

Moderator, "Breaking Down the H-1B Barriers: Expanding into Canada," April 7, 2009

Co-editor, Global Immigration & Mobility Update (Baker McKenzie’s quarterly newsletter with a circulation of 16,000 that covers hot topics in immigration law for multinational employers)

Co-author, US Business Immigration Manual (Baker McKenzie’s how-to guide for obtaining temporary visas and permanent resident status for foreign students, temporary workers, executives, professors, researchers and families of employees studying or working in the US)

Speaker, “I-9 Workforce Enforcement Inspections: What all Employers Need to Know,” February 22, 2007

Speaker, “I-9 Workforce Registration” Breakfast Briefing sponsored by Baker McKenzie, July 19, 2006

Baker & McKenzie LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership organized under the laws of the State of Illinois (USA) and is a member of Baker & McKenzie International, a Verein organized under the laws of Switzerland.