Workflows: Butzel Long Picks Immigration Practice Head

The latest law firm news.

Butzel Long appointed shareholder Linda J. Armstrong in Detroit to lead its immigration department. Armstrong, who’s been with the firm since 1997, also belongs to its global automotive industry group. Her practice focuses on the international movement of personnel and the immigration consequences of corporate restructuring, mergers, and acquisitions.

Armstrong told Bloomberg Law April 18 that she’s not planning any major changes for the firm’s immigration department because the practice is running very well. She has noticed changes recently in the practice of immigration law, however. “It’s harder to get things done than it has been in the past” because “there’s so much more scrutiny on petitions than there used to be,” Armstrong said. “There’s a lot of change in the way the USCIS is adjudicating the petitions.” She said she’s advising her clients to do self-audits because “we’re seeing an increase in I-9 audits and worksite investigations.”

Other News About Worklaw Attorneys

Bryan J. Morben joined Fredrikson & Byron in Minneapolis as an associate in the employment and labor and class action/wage and hour groups.

Gordon & Rees added Jonathan Connolly in San Diego and Daniel O’Shea in Sacramento as associates in its employment practice group.

Gunster added Asghar Syed as a shareholder in Jacksonville, Fla., in its labor and employment and business litigation practice groups.

Messner Reeves promoted Allison J. Dodd in Denver to partner. She focuses her practice on labor and employment, litigation, and crisis management.

Miller Johnson welcomed Jeffrey T. Gray as a member in Grand Rapids, Mich. He will be in the employee benefits and executive compensation practice group.

Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella in Wheaton, Ill., welcomed Jolianne S. Walters as an associate in the employment law group.

Christopher M. Richardson joined the immigration team at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough as counsel in Atlanta.

Pillsbury welcomed Jonathan Ocker as an executive compensation and benefits partner in San Francisco.

To contact the reporter on this story: Gayle Cinquegrani in Washington at gcinquegrani@bloomberglaw.com

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Terence Hyland at thyland@bloomberglaw.com