B.A., University of California, Berkeley
J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law
ERC – Global Mobility Specialist
Rankings:
Chambers USA Guide: “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” 2011
International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers 2011
Who’s Who Legal: California
Immigration law experience:
Christy has been passionate about immigration all her life, and has dedicated all of her professional and volunteer efforts to this field. She has been helping foreign nationals since 1997 and practicing business immigration law since 2001 with prominent law firms. She has extensive experience partnering with corporate clients, from startup companies to Fortune 500 companies, and with non-profit research and educational institutions. Christy’s client base has also included multinational professional consulting firms, technology companies, artists, outstanding researchers/professors, and other talented individuals.
Christy is certified by the Employee Relocation Council (ERC) as a Global Mobility Specialist (GMS). This training enables her to better understand and identify solutions for the range of global mobility issues facing clients, from relocation resources to cross-cultural considerations.
Her volunteer and internship activities have included participating in the Immigration Law Clinic at U.C. Hastings College of the Law, teaching a naturalization class with Asian Law Alliance, volunteering with the Immigration Clinic at Asian Law Caucus, researching and authoring immigration manuals for the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, and clerking with a renowned law firm that litigated many challenging immigrant cases. She served as a contributing author to ILW.com’s The Consular Post Book (Edition 2009-2010) on the subject of visa processing at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai, People’s Republic of China.
Christy is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Asian American Bar Association of the Greater Bay Area. She is fluent in Vietnamese.
What is your connection with immigration?
My family came to the U.S. as political refugees. I remember signing my naturalization certificate when I was 10 years old and attending the oath ceremony. Today, when I take clients to the local USCIS office in San Francisco, I still fondly recall the exciting day I became a naturalized citizen there.
What is a fun fact about you?
I love hula/Tahitian dancing!
B.A., Stanford University
M.P.A., Harvard University
J.D., University of California, Hastings
Rankings:
“Nation’s Top 20 Immigration Attorneys” and one of the “Nation’s Most Powerful Employment Attorneys” – Human Resource Executive Magazine (2009-Present)
One of the “100 Women of Influence in Silicon Valley” – Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal 2011
The only Northern California attorney with a “Star Individual” ranking – Chambers Global and Chambers USA, Guides to the World’s Leading Lawyers
Best Lawyers in America® 2010
International Who’s Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers 2011
Super Lawyers of Northern California 2010 (Thomson Reuters)
#1 Woman-Owned Law Firm in San Francisco – SF Business Times
Immigration law experience:
Former Deputy Attorney General in California, Julie Pearl founded her award-winning firm in 1995, along with Alan Nelson, the former head of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service under Presidents Reagan and Bush Sr. Within three years, she developed ImmigrationTracker, the immigration management system now used by over 75% of top immigration law firms who buy case management software (according to IndUS Business Journal and American Lawyer Media), as well as many Fortune 1000 companies, hospitals and universities.
Julie won a Cisco Systems Growing with Technology Award (Customer Service Category) and was profiled in the book The Moral Advantage, Getting Ahead in Business by Doing the Right Thing (Stanford University Project on Good Works) for applying the “Golden Rule” to her clients’ needs. She has authored several legal publications, including chapters and articles on U.S. and global immigration topics and corporate compliance. She also contributed to Inside the Minds: Leading Executives on Creating a Leadership Plan, Evaluating Risks, and Managing Cyclical Growth.
She is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of California, all Federal courts and the United States Court of International Trade. A founding member of the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers (ABIL) and former Vice Chair of the American Bar Association’s Immigration Subcommittee, Julie has spoken on immigration topics to dozens of human resources, legal, accounting, and other business and professional organizations. Julie ranked #2 in the American Bar Association’s Client Counseling Competition (Combined Finals for Australia, Canada, U.K. and U.S.) She has lived in five countries and speaks three languages.
What is your connection with immigration?
All four grandparents were immigrants, as were so many people in our family circle. Then I lived at the International Students’ House at Stanford University (I’m a dual Canadian-U.S. citizen). Some of my fellow classmates were among the brightest stars I’d ever met — individuals with the potential to change history in their fields — yet they were all worried about how to stay securely in the U.S. once their student visas expired. I vowed that I would learn all I could about every single way to help a talented person get a green card or visa in America.
What is a fun fact about you?
While in high school, I placed 6th in Michigan for Giant Slalom ski racing, and my athletic career has been “downhill” since then! A few years later, I leg-wrestled with actress Holly Hunter. (She won).
B.A., University of California, San Diego
J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law
Rankings:
Chambers USA Guide: “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” 2011
Immigration law experience:
Sameer has handled a wide variety of immigration matters for high-tech companies, startups, hospitals, universities, investors and individuals. Before joining Pearl Law Group, Sameer worked for two full-service immigration law firms in San Francisco, where he gained extensive experience in a range of immigration matters.
Responding to the evolving needs of corporate clients, he has performed global immigration services for the past several years. He continually demonstrates how to provide a single point of contact for companies with U.S. inbound and outbound and non-U.S. immigration. He also helps employers customize workflows and reporting tools. Sameer has appeared on behalf of his clients before USCIS in naturalization and adjustment of status proceedings, and before the Immigration Court in removal proceedings.
What is your connection with immigration?
My mother left the U.S. and went back to India to give birth to me! As a result, I lived much of my life as permanent resident in the U.S., and spent many early mornings standing in line at the INS office, trying to correct various misspellings of my name on the green card. When I became an immigration attorney, I applied for my own U.S. citizenship.
What is a fun fact about you?
I was an extra in a martial-arts movie (starring Ernie Hudson, the fourth Ghostbuster) that went straight to DVD. Since I was in the credits, I have my own IMDB page!
B.S., University of Split, Dubrovnik, Croatia
ERC – Global Mobility Specialist
Immigration law experience:
Said Boskovic is the firm’s Global Immigration Manager. He has managed immigration cases in more than 50 countries for dozens of Fortune 1000 and other companies. Multi-lingual and highly resourceful, he can quickly answer questions on how to move employees into all of the key destination cities of the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Over the past decade, he has established systems for expertly moving employees to specific destinations, from the process flow for immigration/relocation to the templates and training programs used internally by HR and managers to help improve the efficiency and quality of global transfers.
Prior to joining Pearl Law Group, Said was part of Ernst & Young’s Global Mobility Team where he was responsible for developing immigration policies and procedures. He was engaged in global communication with all levels of personnel and management in 32 countries. Prior to that, he worked for a large employment and immigration law firm where he acted as visa and immigration subject matter expert for dozens of Fortune 1000 and other companies. Said earned his Bachelor’s degree in Trade and International Economic Relations, and is fluent in several languages.
What is your connection with immigration?
Fleeing war-torn Dubrovnik in search of a safer life, I bounced around to several countries in Northern Europe before finally resettling in the U.S. in 1997. While my immigration was not initially by choice, the United States has fulfilled my ambition for furthering my education and professional experience. I know first-hand that immigration can be, at times, a grueling and emotional process. This personal experience helps me to understand the multi-faceted complexity of the immigration process for the individuals with whom we work.
What is a fun fact about you?
Growing up, I wanted to become a professional tennis player.
B.A., Santa Clara University
J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law
Immigration law experience:
Tu has been dedicated to the practice of corporate immigration law since 2006. She has experience in handling the gamut of nonimmigrant and immigrant business immigration matters for companies of all sizes from start-ups to established, multinational corporations. Her areas of focus include nonimmigrant visas for professionals, intra-company transferees, NAFTA professionals, and individuals of extraordinary ability, labor certifications, and immigrant visa petitions.
Prior to joining Pearl Law Group, Tu established her immigration background at the world’s largest immigration law firms, including seven years as an Immigration Paralegal while attending law school. Tu is currently admitted to practice in the state of California and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
What is your connection with immigration?
My mother was 8 months pregnant with me when our family fled the Vietnam War and arrived in the U.S. as refugees. As a result, I am the first natural born U.S. Citizen in my family, but I remember well the long waits at the Immigration and Naturalization office in Chicago while my family processed their immigration documents and eventually gained citizenship. After completing my undergraduate degree and spending some time in Corporate Law, I was offered a position in Business Immigration law. Remembering the huge and lasting impact the immigration process had on my own family, I consciously made the change and have never looked back.
What is a fun fact about you?
My name is spelled ‘Tu’ but pronounced ‘Du’ because I grew up in a small Midwest town and nobody could get the correct pronunciation of my native name. We couldn’t go with the phonetic “Two” pronunciation because that’s what my older sister was being called. Also, I am a die hard Chicago Bears fan and haven’t missed a game in almost 15 years!
B.A., cum laude, Cornell University
J.D., with honors, University of Maryland School of Law
Immigration law experience:
Tiffany has been dedicated to the practice of corporate immigration law since 2004. She represents and manages Fortune 500 technology clients, advising them on all aspects of U.S. business immigration law, including nonimmigrant work visas and applications for permanent residence. She also advises companies on general immigration policies, planning, and I-9 compliance.
Before joining Pearl Law Group, Tiffany was an Associate with the immigration practice at Littler Mendelson. She previously worked for a full-service immigration firm in New York City.
While attending law school, Tiffany was selected as a Writing Fellow for the University of Maryland. She was Notes and Comments Editor for Margins: Maryland’s Law Journal on Race, Religion, Gender, and Class. She also served as an Asper Fellow for Judge John Gossart, Jr. with the U.S. Immigration Court in Baltimore, Maryland, and completed a U.S. Department of State internship with the U.S. consulate in Manila, Philippines.
What is your connection with immigration?
My father was also an immigration attorney. He immigrated to the U.S. and attended law school here. I’m the second generation in my family to practice immigration law.
What is a fun fact about you?
Although most people learn to ride a bike as a kid, I just picked it up a few years ago. Now I have both a mountain bike and a road bike, and I try to squeeze in a ride whenever I can.
B.A., cum laude, University of California, Los Angeles
J.D., Santa Clara University School of Law
Immigration law experience:
Addie has been dedicated to the practice of corporate immigration law since 2000. She represents and manages a range of corporate clients, from start-up companies to Fortune 500 technology clients, advising them on all aspects of U.S. business immigration law, including nonimmigrant work visas and applications for permanent residence. She also advises companies on general immigration policies, planning, and I-9 compliance.
Before joining Pearl Law Group, Addie managed the immigration practice at a multi-practice firm.
While attending law school, Addie volunteered at The Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center (KGACLC) where she assisted low-income residents obtain immigration advice. Addie continues to be involved in pro-bono legal work, assisting both juveniles and domestic violence victims in obtaining proper immigration status, and volunteering at local naturalization workshops.
What is your connection with immigration?
During law school I participated in a course at the local law center that was designed around providing immigration advice to low-income residents. We law students would interview the clients and work with volunteer attorneys to provide advice, solutions, and additional resources to these individuals and families. The clients were tremendously grateful for our advice, and it became apparent to me how much immigration affected their lives. The first time I was able to tell one of those clients that we would help with her immigration case, she broke down in tears. This was the moment I knew I wanted to devote my life to the practice immigration law.
What is a fun fact about you?
Throughout high school I worked at a frozen yogurt shop. I ate so much frozen yogurt in those four years that I can barely stand the sight of it now! However, I still love gummy bears.
B.A., University of Washington, Seattle
J.D., Golden Gate University, San Francisco
Rankings:
Chambers USA Guide: “America’s Leading Business Lawyers” 2011
Immigration law experience:
Kate handles the range of immigrant and nonimmigrant business immigration matters, including employment visas for professionals, intra-company transferees, investors, and trainees. She garnered her experience initially at the world’s largest immigration law firms, including six years as an Immigration Paralegal and Law Clerk while attending law school. In addition, she acquired experience developing and implementing practical business immigration solutions for individual professionals and corporations alike.
Kate was an Editor of the Golden Gate Law Review. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Having lived in France, Germany, Norway, and New Zealand, Kate relishes international travel. She is also an avid runner.
What is your connection with immigration?
I became interested in the process of moving people living abroad myself. I also love representing culturally diverse clients.
What is a fun fact about you?
I love bike-commuting.
B.A., University of Arizona
M.B.A., Thunderbird School of Global Management
ERC – Global Mobility Specialist
Immigration law experience:
Kristy Pagel-Stumpp is the firm’s Global Program Manager. Prior to joining Pearl Law Group, Kristy managed corporate client accounts for two prominent immigration law firms in the country. She provided consultation on a variety of global visa and work permit matters, helped clients implement internal policies to centralize their immigration program, resolved escalations and developed resources for individuals, mid-size and large multinational companies in a wide range of industries. She has spoken on global immigration matters and trends for several relocation roundtables. She has also created process flows, manuals, complex matrices and other tools to help companies streamline their processes and better service their business and expat employees.
Kristy has an M.B.A in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and gained extensive training and experience in global business strategies, cross-cultural communications, business development, project management and operations. She has studied abroad in Seoul, South Korea and Prague, Czech Republic.
What is your connection with immigration?
I came to the U.S. on a medical visa from South Korea at age eight and was later adopted by my American family. My parents helped me through the lengthy naturalization process and celebrated with me after the citizenship ceremony when I was eighteen. I still remember trying to cram for the naturalization test!
As a part of my naturalization process, I got to change and pick my own ‘American’ name. At the time, I loved The Phantom of the Opera and was a big fan of the Babysitters’ Club book series, which is why I decided on Kristy.
What is a fun fact about you?
I won a trip to Aruba at a fundraising benefit one year and lasik eye surgery at another! No lottery win yet…but my fingers are crossed.
Diverse in Background, Consistent in Quality
- how to care to so much about our clients, and
- how to understand so well the realities of global mobility
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