Alexander Dgebuadze

Alexander Dgebuadze is a founding partner of Sostrin Immigration Lawyers, LLP.  Prior to launching the firm, he established and oversaw labor certification programs at several mid-size immigration law firms and a major commercial litigation firm.

Mr. Dgebuadze has earned an outstanding reputation for his work with US employers and individuals, thanks to his comprehensive approach to temporary and permanent visas, compliance and planning.  He manages a large investor visa practice focusing on start-up businesses, as well as the firm’s PERM Labor Certification practice, with emphasis on academic, automotive, entertainment, healthcare, R&D, information technology and social media sectors.  He counsels clients on international transfer strategies, and complex challenges by USCIS and DOL.  His expertise extends to exceptional ability and “special recruitment” labor certifications, H-1B exemptions/“cap” planning, LCA and I-9 compliance, and permanent visas for extraordinary ability individuals and outstanding professors and researchers.

Given the growing complexity of business immigration law issues, Mr. Dgebuadze is frequently sought for advice and representation on difficult challenges and appeals for USCIS and DOL cases.

Mr. Dgebuadze is included in The International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, and U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyers, publications that list top attorneys based on extensive peer review.  An active member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Mr. Dgebuadze has served on numerous national and regional committees. 

Mr. Dgebuadze has written on a wide range of immigration law topics for leading professional publications, and has served as co-editor of AILA’s PERM Labor Certification Survival Guide, 2015-16 ed., contributing editor to AILA's Guide to PERM Labor Certification: Strategies, Samples, and Guidance for Achieving Success (2011), and as a labor certification chapter editor for Kurzban's Immigration Law Source Book, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018 editions. Mr. Dgebuadze is a frequent speaker at professional conferences, corporations and academic institutions, and has trained and mentored numerous lawyers and staff.

 

Professional Service and Affiliations: 

• Co-Editor, AILA’s PERM Labor Certification Survival Guide, 2015-16 ed.
• Contributing Editor, AILA's Guide to PERM Labor Certification: Strategies, Samples, and Guidance for Achieving Success, 2012 ed.
• Editor, PERM labor Certification Chapter, Kurzban's Immigration Law Source Book, 13^th ed. (2012), 14^th ed. (2014), 15^th ed. (2016) and 16^th ed. (2018)
• Member, AILA Board of Publications, 2014 to Present
• Member, AILA CIS Ombudsman Liaison Committee, 2012-13
• Member, AILA Healthcare Professionals/Physicians Committee, 2011-12
• Member, AILA Business Committee, 2011-12
• Liaison, AILA, Southern California Chapter, Department of Motor Vehicles, 2010-11
• Liaison, AILA, Southern California Chapter, Congressional Relations, 2009-10
• Liaison, AILA, Southern California Chapter, Labor Market Information Division Liaison, 2008-10

Publications:

1. “PERM BALCA Review,” (with K. Miner et al.), Immigration Practice Pointers, 2018-19 Edition (2018).
2. “Pre- and Post-PERM Filing Challenges: Improving Your Odds of Success,” (with E. Garvish et. Al.), Immigration Practice Pointers, 2017-18 Edition (2017).
3. “BALCA Decisions Relevant to the International Medical Graduate Practice,” (with S. Peterson et al.), Advanced Issues for J-1 Physician Employers & Practitioners Handbook, Physician Immigration Law Institute, 2016 Edition (2016).
4. “Documenting Unusual Travel Requirements,” AILA’s PERM Labor Certification Survival Guide, 2015-16 Edition (2015).
5. “Occupational Challenges When Completing Form ETA 9089,” (with S. Peterson Stensrud et al.), Immigration Practice Pointers, 2014-15 Edition (2014).
6. “Immigration Options for the Best and the Brightest,” (with R. Sostrin), What Every Lawyer Needs to Know About Immigration Law, American Bar Association: Section of Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice, 2014 Edition (2014).
7. “PERM Cases Involving a Telecommuting, Roving, or Traveling Employee,” (with C. Haight et al.), 26th Annual AILA California Chapters Conference Handbook, AILA (2013).
8. "Knowing What to Do and When to Do It: A Step-by-Step Guide to Successful PERM Labor Certification Practice," (with Shannon Barnes et al.), AILA's Guide to PERM Labor Certification: Strategies, Samples, and Guidance for Achieving Success, 2011 Edition (2011).
9. “When and How Should Employers Use Kellogg Language in PERM Applications?”, AILA's Guide to PERM Labor Certification: Strategies, Samples, and Guidance for Achieving Success, 2011 Edition (2011).
10. “Hiring the Best Qualified Worker: PERM’s “Infeasibility to Train” Exception,” AILA's Guide to PERM Labor Certification: Strategies, Samples, and Guidance for Achieving Success, 2011 Edition (2011).
11. “Special Recruitment Procedures: New Developments,” (with W. McKinney), published in Immigration Options for Academics & Researchers, 2^nd Edition (2011).
12. “H-1B Visas for Physicians-in-Training: A Marathon or an Obstacle Course?” (with R. Sostrin), The Physician Immigration Book, ILW (2011).
13. Update: Schedule A, Group II: Immigrant Visa Standards and Practice Tips” (with R. Sostrin), Immigration Options for Academics & Researchers, 2^nd Edition (2011).
14. “Dissecting USCIS’ E-1-1 RFE Template” (with S. Seltzer, D. Berger, R. Sostrin, D. Butte, and S. Buffett), 13^th Annual AILA New York Chapter Immigration Symposium Handbook (2010).
15. “State of the Union in the Universe of EB-1 Petitions” (with R. Sostrin), Immigration & Nationality Law Handbook, 2010-11 Edition (2010).
16. “Schedule A, Group II: Immigrant Visa Standards and Practice Tips” (with R. Sostrin), Immigration & Nationality Law Handbook, 2010-11 Edition (2010).
17. “PERM’s “Infeasibility to Train” Exception: A Tool for Hiring the Best Qualified Worker, 15 Bender’s Immigration Bulletin, 1059 (Aug. 2010).
18. “EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program – A Challenging Landscape,” (with N. Bhora et al.), 2009 AILA Fall Topics CLE Conference (AILA 2009).
19. “Process and Procedure at Phnom Penh, Cambodia – U.S. Embassy,” The Visa Processing Guide and Consular Posts Handbook, AILA, 2006-07 Edition (2006).
20. “Process and Procedure at Phnom Penh, Cambodia – U.S. Embassy,” The Visa Processing Guide and Consular Posts Handbook, AILA, 2005-06 Edition (2005).

Speaking Engagements:

1. “PERM for Physicians,” Physician Immigration Law Institute, Washington, DC (Dec. 9, 2018) (invited).
2. “Immigration Hot Topics and New Developments,” Loyola Marymount University President’s Cabinet and Deans’ Council, Palos Verdes, CA (Aug. 8, 2018 (invited).
3. “PERM BALCA & FAQ Review,” Annual Conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, San Francisco, CA (Jun. 16, 2018) (invited).
4. “Temporary and Permanent Work Visas,” Immigration Seminar at Credit Sesame, Inc., San Francisco, CA (Feb. 9, 2008) (invited).
5. “Pre- and Post-PERM Filing Challenges: Improving Your Odds of Success,” Annual Conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, New Orleans, LA (Jun. 22, 2017) (invited).
6. “Temporary and Permanent Work Visas,” Immigration Seminar at Dollar Shave Club, Inc., Marina Del Rey, CA (Mar. 17, 2017) (invited).
7. “Temporary and Permanent Work Visas,” Immigration Seminar at Futuris Automotive (US) Inc., Newark, CA (Mar. 3, 2017) (invited).
8. “PERM for Physicians,” Physician Immigration Law Institute, Advanced Issues for J-1 Physician Employers & Practitioners, Washington, DC (Dec. 4-5, 2016) (invited).
9. “OMG! The New STEM OPT,” 29^th Annual AILA California Chapters Conference, San Francisco, CA (Nov. 11, 2016) (invited; discussion leader).
10. “Climbing the Visa Ladder: Moving to a Higher Immigrant Visa Category,” Annual Conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Las Vegas, NV (Jun. 24, 2016).
11. “Top Five PERM Issues,” Web Seminar of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (May 24, 2016).
12. “Alternatives to H-1B,” 4^th Annual Winter CLE Conference of AILA Southern California Chapter, Cathedral City, CA (Mar. 5, 2016).
13. “Physician Immigration for Experts,” Web Seminar of ILW.com (Jan. 7, 2016).
14. “Key Legal Concepts in the PERM Process,” Paralegals Conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Las Vegas, NV (Aug. 27, 2015).
15. “PERM Fundamentals – Part II,” Annual Conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, National Harbor, MD (Jun. 19, 2015).
16. “Options for Filing a Self-Sponsored Green Card Petition,” Seminar of the California Institute of Technology and Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA (Mar. 18, 2015).
17. “PERM for Physicians,” Web Seminar of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (Jan. 13, 2015).
18. “Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Petitions,” Fundamentals Conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, New Orleans, LA (Oct. 16, 2014)
19. “Occupation-Specific Challenges When Completing the Form ETA 9089,” Annual Conference of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Boston, MA (Jun. 20, 2014).
20. “Transitioning to Temporary Work Visas and Permanent Residence,” 2-Part Immigration Seminar at Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL (Feb. 15, 2014).
21. “PERM Hot Topics,” 26^th Annual AILA California Chapters Conference, Anaheim, CA (Nov. 9, 2013).
22. “Strategy Development for Prevailing Wage and Unique Work Site and Travel Issues,” Web Seminar of ILW.com (Feb. 14, 2013).
23. “Immigration Visa Options for International Professionals (Graduating Students & Scholars),” Immigration Seminar at Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL (Feb. 25, 2012).
24. “Permanent Residency without Labor Certification: EB-1(1), EB-1(2) and EB-2,” Web Seminar of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (Jun. 26, 2012).
25. “Understanding Prevailing Wages and Actual Wages,” 24^th Annual AILA California Chapters Conference, Anaheim, CA (Nov. 12, 2011).

Education:

William Mitchell College of Law, Juris Doctor
University of Minnesota, Master of Arts, Political Science
Agricultural University of Georgia, Master and Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

 

Bar and Court Memberships:  

Minnesota Supreme Court