Catillaz Margaret A - Rochester, NY

National Leadership in Business and Higher Education Immigration

In a global economy, recruiting and transferring international talent is vital for corporate innovation. However, immigration statutes, treaties, and labor rules present an intricate web of compliance. For multinational companies, research universities, and foreign executives across Upstate New York, Margaret A. Catillaz offers unmatched legal authority. Practicing as Senior Counsel at Harter Secrest and Emery LLP, founded in 1894 and based at 1600 Bausch and Lomb Place in Rochester, attorney Catillaz has shaped immigration law for nearly five decades.

Admitted to the New York Bar in 1977 after graduating from Rutgers School of Law, Margaret Catillaz established Harter Secrest and Emery immigration practice in 1980. Under her visionary guidance, the group has earned consistent top-tier rankings in Chambers USA as one of only twelve immigration practice groups in New York State recognized for statewide excellence.

Comprehensive Multinational Transfers and Business Visas

Navigating global personnel transfers requires strategic planning to avoid costly operational disruptions. As an acclaimed business and work visa lawyers authority, Margaret Catillaz counsels corporate leadership on the full spectrum of non-immigrant and immigrant visa classifications, including:

• Business and work visa lawyers guidance for L-1A and L-1B intracompany transfers of multinational corporate executives, managers, and specialized knowledge personnel
• H-1B specialty occupation visa petitions, prevailing wage determinations, and labor condition application compliance
• TN professional status petitions under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) for Canadian and Mexican professionals
• O-1 extraordinary ability visas for internationally recognized leaders in science, technology, education, and business
• PERM labor certification processing and employment-based immigrant preference petitions (EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3)
• Comprehensive guidance on EB-1 multinational manager and outstanding researcher permanent residency petitions

Higher Education and Healthcare Immigration Compliance

Academic institutions and medical systems face distinct immigration obstacles when recruiting international professors, post-doctoral scholars, and specialized physicians. Margaret Catillaz is a recognized national authority on higher education immigration, providing counsel on:

• Cap-exempt H-1B petitions, permanent residence sponsorship, and tenure considerations for international university faculty
• J-1 exchange visitor compliance, foreign residence requirement reviews, and J-1 waiver filings
• Immigration solutions for healthcare facilities, including Conrad 30 waivers and clinical physician recruitment
• Immigration-compliant recruiting and international student hiring policies for colleges and universities

Landmark Federal Litigation and Regulatory Defense

Beyond transactional filings, Margaret Catillaz is a formidable legal pioneer who has expanded constitutional protections for foreign professionals. In the landmark federal lawsuit Kirk v. New York State Department of Education, she successfully invalidated a New York statute that restricted professional licensing to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, securing vital equal protection rights for non-immigrant visa holders.

As past National President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), she has testified before Congress and worked with federal officials. Additionally, she guides corporate boards through internal Form I-9 audits, E-Verify compliance, and corporate reorganization due diligence.

Distinguished Representation Backed by Institutional Strength

Clients who hire an attorney of Margaret Catillaz stature benefit not only from her personal insight and five decades of experience, but also from the multidisciplinary depth of Harter Secrest and Emery LLP. Her clients receive coordinated counsel addressing intersecting tax, corporate, and employment concerns.

To consult with Margaret A. Catillaz regarding business immigration or corporate personnel transfers, contact Harter Secrest and Emery LLP at (585) 231-1122 or visit 1600 Bausch and Lomb Place in Rochester to schedule a professional consultation.