US Immigration Podcast

Interviews with Leaders in Immigration

Natasha Bell: Special Immigration Concerns for Private Placement Memorandums (Ep. 20)

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In this episode we talk to business attorney Natasha Bell about Special Immigration Concerns for Private Placement Memorandums.

 

 

Natasha BellNatasha is a graduate of Emory University and Duke University School of Law, Natasha is a partner of 360 Venture Law (Shmalo Turner), LLP, a specialized corporate law firm working with emerging growth companies, along with start-up and fast-growing entrepreneurial companies and their investors.  Before joining 360 Venture Law, Natasha was the founding member of The Bell Firm, LLC and an attorney with Morris, Manning, and Martin.  Prior to her legal career, Natasha was on the staff of a local government official.

In this episode you will hear:

  • What is a Private Placement Memorandum and why they are used?
  • What does it mean to offer a private security (either through debt or equity)?
  • Why do you need at least one exception to offer a  debt or equity security privately?
  • What is a material disclosure?
  • Why are disclosures of risk factors important?
  • Various SEC 506 regulations relevant to Immigration:
    • Regulation D: Domestic offer
    • Regulation S: International offer
    • Regulation C: Advertisement of offerings

 

Natasha also shares with us:

  • Best Business Advice: Just Start, you will figure out the rest as you go.  “Leap and the net will appear”
  • Personal Success Habits:  Big read, great listener
  • Tool:  WiFi.  Tech Savvy firm loves to be digitally connected
  • Parting Thoughts: If you are in the exciting place in your business development where you need funds, congratulations.  She also offers her firm’s help.

Carmenza Gonzalez: Business Development Consulting for Immigrating Companies (Ep. 19)

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In this episode we talk to business import consultant Carmenza Gonzalez on business development consulting for companies inbound to the US market

Carmenza GonzalezCZA Inc., a Global Business Development Consulting firm headquartered in Winter Park, Florida, specializing in assisting foreign companies interested in entering the USA market. Also helps Florida companies export their products and services globally. She is a Certified Export Trade Specialist, a graduate of Leadership Orlando Class 60. She received her Executive MBA Certificate a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs from Rollins College. She travels abroad promoting her services, resulting on current projects in different industries such as software development, life sciences, aviation, and simulation.

In this episode you will hear:

  • What is Business development consulting
  • Market Research inbound
  • Hand holding – invites
  • Points of failure, don’t execute before you engage
  • Team members for success
    • Business Development Consultant
    • Immigration Attorney
    • Certified Public Accountant or International Taxation Attorney
    • A Banker that understand import/export transactions

 

Rebecca also shares with us:

  • Best Business Advice: Always do the right thing. Be very honest, be clear and be specific.
  • Personal Success Habits: Love what you do. Be organized. Balance personal life.
  • Most Vital tool to business: Phone for personal conversations.
  • Parting Thoughts: Build a team before you start marching

Ryan Barshop: From the front lines front lines at the Consulate in the Philippines (Ep. 18)

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In this episode we talk to Immigration Attorney Ryan Barshop on how he supports Immigration on the front lines at the Consular office at the US Embassy in Manila, Philippines

 

 

Ryan BarshopRyan Barshop, Esq., is a American national educated at Suffolk University (B.S. American History, Cum Laude) and Thomas M. Cooley Law School (Juris Doctor, Cum Laude). Originally from New York City, Ryan first arrived in the Philippines in 2003 as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer working with underprivileged youth through the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development in Tarlac City, Tarlac. After successfully completing Peace Corps, Ryan moved to Hong Kong where he spent two years working in education before entering law school. While in law school, Ryan was the receipt of several academic awards, served as an associate editor of law journal, and externed at the Superior Court of Guam where he drafted numerous Decisions and Orders for the court.

A member of the New York State Bar and the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Ryan is licensed to practice immigration law throughout the United States and federal territories. He serves as a U.S. Immigration and Consular Practice/ Direct Consular Processing Lawyer providing in-depth U.S. immigration services and consular processing advice to clients in the Philippines and abroad. He is well-versed and highly knowledgeable in the complex system that composes U.S. immigration law and consular processing at the US Embassy in Manila.

In this episode you will hear:

  • How the consulate office fits into the overall immigration process
  • What Consular officers look for in various petitions
  • Recent Changes to the Embassy in the Philippines
  • How engaging a US Immigration Attorney at the consulate can strengthen an established immigration team

Ryan also shares with us:

  • Best Business Advice: It is called the practice of law for a reason – there is always room to learn
  • Personal Success Habits:  He is always available
  • Parting Thoughts: Feel free to reach out to him if you need help from the Philippines

Rebecca Black: I-9 Compliance (and Consequences) (Ep. 16)

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In this episode we talk to Immigration Attorney Rebecca Black about I-9 Compliance and how to avoid the costly consequences that could arise from an audit.

Rebecca BlackAfter 15 years in the restaurant business and 5 years doing outside sales for a light industrial temporary business, Rebecca realized she was destined to become an immigration attorney. With her MBA and business experience, she started working on business immigration cases and have since represented clients on family as well as business issues in front of the immigration service, prepared asylum cases and represented clients in deporation court.

In this episode you will hear:

  • The I-9 form can look deceptively simple
  • How a business employing legal workers still received a $40k fine
  • My own personal I-9 story
  • How I-9 enforcement has stepped up since 9/11/01
  • Types of verification documents accepted (A or B and C documents)
  • Common mistakes made on the I-9 form
  • Common I-9 audit ‘red flags’

 

Here are the government forms mentioned on this show.

 

Rebecca also shares with us:

  • Best Business Advice: Always check the most recent regulations
  • Personal Success Habits: Great work ethic coupled with a lot of energy
  • Parting Thoughts: She encourages support for Immigration reform and gives reasons why

Guillermo Wasserman: International Business Practice Opportunities, Best Practices and Legal Challenges (Ep. 15)

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In this episode we talk to Attorney Guillermo Wasserman International Business Practice Opportunities, Best Practices, and Legal Challenges.

Guillermo WassermanGuillermo is a seasoned international lawyer, fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, trained in both civil and common law legal systems, with significant experience in international business transactions, particularly with respect to Latin American markets.  He regularly assists his clients to bridge business, legal and cultural gaps in international business transactions involving a wide-range of industries and business sectors in the U.S., Latin America and beyond. He is admitted to practice law in Georgia, USA and Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In this episode you will hear:

  • What is “International Business Practice”
  • How political boarders create opportunities
  • Best practices when researching, crafting and executing a cross boarder agreement
  • Legal challenges with enforcement and other unforeseen issues
  • How to strategically protect intellectual property

Guillermo also shares with us:

  • Best Business Advice: Due diligence, due diligence, due diligence
  • Personal Success Habits: Be thorough and exercise patience
  • Parting Thoughts: The world is full of opportunities… for those that prepare and are ready to work hard