Laura Mazel has been practicing corporate immigration law since 1990. A native New Englander, Ms. Mazel became intrigued with the international world while living with relatives who worked in the Foreign Service. In college, Ms. Mazel was awarded a university grant to study at the Institute of Political Studies in Paris. Ms. Mazel is proud to have represented members of the National Academy of Sciences. Ms. Mazel advises start-up and multinational corporations and non-profit medical research and academic institutions nationwide in all aspects of corporate immigration as they scale. Ms. Mazel provides proactive advice on the immigration consequences and benefits related to growth, mergers, acquisitions and other corporate restructuring in the high-tech and biotech industries.

Laura trains in-house human resource representatives on I-9 audits and compliance with DOL requirements under the H-1B and labor certification programs. Chambers and Partners USA and International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers have recognized her as a top immigration attorney. Chambers relates that sources laud her “astute intellect and pragmatic, commercial approach.” Ms. Mazel devotes her pro bono efforts to counseling advocacy groups and hospitals including patients in immigration status matters.

Education:

The Johns Hopkins University, B.A., International Studies 1984. Northeastern University School of Law, J.D. 1989.

Professional Memberships:

Oregon Bar Member; Elected member, Oregon Bar House of Delegates, 2012 – 2017; 2018 - 2021; American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Latin America Chapter Board Member, 2021 to present; AILA Asian Pacific Chapter Steering Committee Member; AILA Santa Clara Chapter Practice Advisory Liaison; U.S. Department of Labor American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)

U.S. Department of Labor Liaison Committees, National and Regional (1999-2005); Chair, Oregon Chapter of AILA (1994).

Recent Speaking Engagements:

“Advanced PERM Issues and Department of Labor Updates” Annual AILA South Florida Chapter Conference, Miami, FL, February 2024; “Labor Certs, Extraordinary Ability, National Interest: The Path of Least Resistance,” Annual LACC conference, Montevideo, Uruguay, November 2023; L-1“Intracompany Transfers Fighting the USCIS Battle” October 2021 LACC Webinar; “Shrimps on a Barbie: Adapting Ethically to Evolving Business Models” 2021 Annual APAC Conference ; “H-1B Season – It’s That Time of Year Again” January 2021, LACC Webinar; “RFEs NOIDs, Audits and Policy Memos du jour, April 2021 LACC Webinar; “Nonimmigrant Entrepreneur Visa Options" 2020 Annual Conference of California Chapters, “Effective Use of Expert Opinions to Win Proactive Filings" December 2018 Webinar, AILA LACC Chapter “Immigration I-9 Audits and Compliance” AILA LLAC Chapter, Lima Peru November 2018; “Business Visas – Now Not to Become an Unhappy Traveler” AILA California Chapter Chairs Conference, November 2016, “Global Mobility- Transfers Inbound to the U.S. and Outbound to Europe,” Webinar, December 2015; "PERM labor certification," AILA California Chapter Chairs Conference, November 2015; "Cross Border Workforce and Virtual Worker Compliance Issues," HR West, April 2014; “Comprehensive Immigration Reform,” Association of Independent Research Institutes’ Annual Conference, Washington, DC, September 2013; “Effective Immigration Compliance for Business,” Sterling Education Services Seminar, San Francisco, March 2013; “Is there an IMAGE Problem?” HR West, May 2012; “Immigration Basics,” Seminar at Bar Association of San Francisco, March 2012.

Recent Publications: Which Way Is Up? ~ Reflections on Downgrades, Upgrades, and Porting 2022 Annual LACC Conference, Mexico City; “Adapting Ethically to Evolving Business Models” 2021 Annual APAC Conference; “Nonimmigrant Entrepreneur Visa Options" 2020 Annual Conference of California Chapters; “H-1B Strategies” -2019 Annual LACC conference; “Navigating the Nonimmigrant Maze – How Not to Become an Unhappy Traveler and What to Do if Disaster Strikes” 29th Annual AILA California Chapter Conference Handbook, November 2016; "Tips for Successful, Audit-Proof PERMs," 28th Annual AILA California Chapter Conference Handbook, November 2015; "Tech Attorneys Can Help Sway Legislators on Immigration Policy,” The Recorder, February 2014.