L1 visa -- Foreign Law Firm

[ISLawFirm 0]

I’m about to start the L1 visa paperwork, but need to know whether it’s just a dream or can it actually work. 
My parents established a Law Firm in Panama (Central America) in 1999, and I became partner and started working in 2014.
I want to open a branch in the USA.

I would be moving with my wife. I understand that she will get the L2. What kind of work can she do with it? 
The Firm will start small......I don’t know if I have to pay taxes and if I need to employ USA citizens.

 

Has anyone been through this and how did it work out for you?

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

So I don't know an awful lot about L visas (I'm sure others here know much more), but what I do know is that they have become harder and harder to get because many people were using them as kind of pretexts to just move to the US, particularly in the kind of context (small family firm where it's easy to become a "manager") that you are talking about. You say it's a law firm, are you licensed to practice law in the US and in the state you want to move to? And um of course you have to pay taxes, I presume you're planning on making an income. I have to say... from your questions you need to do a lot more research... it's not a rubber stamp visa by any means. You'd probably do best by starting with an immigration attorney who specializes in L visas to tell you if you even have any chance of success with the visa, before you start thinking about jobs for your wife.

[Boiler 45,898]

Are you licensed to practice in the US?

[Coco8 1,042]

L1 paperwork is usually put together by lawyers. It is not a DIY process. 

 

[ISLawFirm 0]

No, I'm not licensed to practice law in the US. I'm a licensed lawyer in Panama with Masters in Banking Law and an MBA.  But a lawyer that i talked to (in the US) said that i could work at the law firm branch as a foreign attorney, advising on foreign law. Idk if thats actually possible. 

 

[Boiler 45,898]

I can think of no reason why you could not set up such a business, obviously the devil would be in the details, good business plan etc.

 

I can think of comparable circumstances, my Brother did a stint in the US, now he is an Accountant but not a US CPA.

[CEE53147 559]

State laws apply to attorneys and many other professionals practicing in that state.  What might be legal in one may not necessarily be legal in another.  You need US legal representation.

[ISLawFirm 0]

It will be based in VA. From what I've read, as long as it is advising on international law, it should be fine. 

 

I'm so anxious...i don't wanna waste money or time

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

8 hours ago, ISLawFirm said:

It will be based in VA. From what I've read, as long as it is advising on international law, it should be fine. 

 

I'm so anxious...i don't wanna waste money or time

What is your actual underlying intent here? Is it to expand the family business, or is it for you and your family to live in the US?

 

please don’t take this the wrong way, but I find your last sentence very strange given your background. You should be consulting with a competent immigration attorney to advise you on the likelihood of success in your application and to guide you with it if it looks to have a decent chance of being approved. 

As for wasting money and time... generally, US visas are neither cheap nor fast.

[Boiler 45,898]

A Lawyer should know the need to employ good legal advise.

[CEE53147 559]

No responsible company would take legal advice from someone not licensed to practice law in the US.   Your foreign credential mean nothing as a sole practitioner.  Your attempt to use your practice in Panama as a way to a work visa in the US is not likely to work. If you want to practice law in the US, review the ways to become a properly licensed attorney. And, don't sign up with any but a very reliable law school.  This is the case where the source of a degree is important.

 

If you want to work in the US,  find an H-1B sponsor.