Peter F. Asaad

Peter F. Assad

 Peter F. Asaad, Esq.
 Managing Partner

pasaad [at] immigrationsolutions [dot] com

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The firm’s Managing Partner, Peter F. Asaad, was named in Washingtonian magazine’s 2011 “Best Lawyers” list as one of the “Top Lawyers” in immigration law in its selection of “Washington’s Best Legal Minds.”  Inclusion on the list is based on peer-review and referrals.  Washington, D.C. area attorneys were surveyed on which competitors they would recommend or seek out when handling cases requiring immigration law expertise and have overwhelmingly chosen Mr. Asaad.  The American Bar Association has also recognized him “as one of the nation’s leading litigators” in the field of immigration law.  Achieving a high-level of distinction in the field for his demonstrated legal ability and ethical standards, Mr. Asaad has also been awarded a top  AV® certification national Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the world’s oldest attorney rating system, based upon extensive confidential peer review from members of the Bar.  The AV® certification is the highest rating – a testament to the fact that other attorneys throughout the profession have ranked the attorney at the very highest level of professional excellence.  In fact, Mr. Asaad’s rating is a 5.0 out of 5.0.  The AV Peer Rating identifies a select group of lawyers with very high pre-eminent expertise, experience, integrity, and overall professional excellence.  People who require legal services whether it be individuals, corporations, or peers can confidently refer to AV Peer Ratings knowing that the listed lawyers have a desired level of professional experience. Once regarded as the only attorney rating system in the world, Martindale-Hubbell is still today the most relied upon resource by other attorneys seeking to refer cases to the best attorneys capable of handling the case. Attorneys trust the “AV” Martindale-Hubbell rating to help them make those referrals.

Elected by his peers to further the education of immigration lawyers, Mr. Asaad currently serves as the President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) of DC (covering the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia). As President, Mr. Asaad has been chosen by his peers to lead 900 immigration attorneys to advance the association’s goals and objectives. Mr. Asaad also serves as an Adjunct Professor at American University, Washington College of Law, where he teaches and develops an advanced course on business immigration law. Mr. Asaad also serves as Co-Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Immigration Litigation Committee and previously served as Chair of the DC Bar Immigration & Human Rights Committee.  Additionally, Mr. Asaad serves approximately 700 HR professionals and their businesses on the board of the Human Resources Association for the National Capital Area (HRA-NCA), the official Washington, DC Chapter of the Society of Human Resources Professionals (SHRM) as its Vice-President for Legislative Affairs Chair.

Currently as the Managing Partner of Immigration Solutions Group, PLLC, Mr. Asaad represents U.S. companies and multinational corporations to help manage their employees’ employment eligibility needs and develop effective streamlined immigration and compliance programs. He advises clients on all business-related and employment-based visa matters including various I-9 compliance issues on a day-to-day basis.  Mr. Asaad also specializes on the needs of immigrant entrepreneurs and foreign investors in creating U.S. subsidiaries and affiliates as well as new U.S. businesses.

Mr. Asaad is a Member of The Partnership for a New American Economy bringing together a bipartisan group of mayors from across the country and business leaders from all sectors of the economy and all 50 states to raise awareness of the economic benefits of sensible immigration reform. Members range from industry leaders to small business owners, employing over 4 million people and generating over $1.4 trillion in annual sales, while the mayors represent cities of all sizes with a combined population of over 35 million residents. Business and municipal leaders from across the country are joining together to highlight the critical need to fix our broken system. Our economic prosperity depends on it.

An authority on complex issues in U.S. immigration law, Mr. Asaad has been a guest speaker on behalf of Washington Post Radio, the District of Columbia Bar, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, as well as for other institutional bodies and news media groups. Previously, Mr. Asaad served as Lead Counsel for WJLA ABC News Legal Resource Center.  On the forefront of immigration law and policy, Mr. Asaad is Chairman of the National Council for Innovation as well as the Senior Immigration Policy Advisor to Global Science Partnerships for the 21st Century (GSP21), a U.S. Department of State endorsed non-profit organization founded by the former Science and Technology Advisor to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell. Additionally, Mr. Asaad served on a DC Bar Steering Committee and was an appointee of the U.S. attorney defense panel of the District of Columbia – selected to the position by judges of the Court.  Born in Chicago as a first generation American to Egyptian immigrants, Mr. Asaad brings first-hand understanding to foreign nationals from various countries and cultures.

Practice Emphasis

  • Specializing in Immigration and Nationality Law, Labor and Employment Law, and Litigation

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia Bar Admission
  • Maryland Bar Admission
  • Fourth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals
  • Other Federal Court Bar Admissions

Education

  • J.D. Cum Laude (Honors), American University, Washington College of Law
  • B.A. Cum Laude (Honors), University of Rochester

Professional Leadership Activities

  • Elected Executive Board Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association, District of Columbia (2008-Present), Currently “Chair-Elect”
  • Co-Chair, American Bar Association, Immigration Litigation Committee (2008-Present)
  • Chairman of the Board and Chief Legal Officer , The Indigent Fund (2004-Present)
  • Judicial Appointed Member, Criminal Defense U.S. Panel, District of Columbia Superior Court (2002-2010)
  • Steering Committee Member, District of Columbia Bar Law Practice Management “2006 Best Section of the Year Award” (2005-2008)
  • Chair, DC Bar Immigration & Human Rights Committee (2007-2008)
  • Co-Chair, American Immigration Lawyers Association, District of Columbia Chapter New Member Division (2005-2007)
  • Former Lead Counsel, ABC News Legal Resource Center (WJLA) (2004-2006)
  • Co-Chair, Technology Subcommittee, District of Columbia Bar Law Practice Management (2005-2006)
  • Steering Committee Member, The Maryland Tech Council (2006-2008)
  • Chair, Interactive Communications Committee, District of Columbia Bar (2004-2005)

Peer Feedback

  • Private Practice Lawyer – “Peter is a top level lawyer in this field and is well respected and well known for his abilities.”
  • Private Practice Lawyer – “Peter Asaad is an attorney of integrity, compassion, and intellect. He is a leader in the Immigration Bar, and is a ready resource for new attorneys entering the profession. He advises not only clients, but also his fellow practioners, on the intricacies of immigration law. He is experienced in both business-related immigration and removal issues, which makes him a unique practitioner that can offer full-service guidance to any client.”
  • Private Practice Lawyer – “Mr. Asaad is a seasoned, sagacious advocate for clients with pressing and often complex immigration needs. Mr. Asaad is compassionate, diligent, and committed to excellence in his tenacious, creative and successful advocacy for clients. Based on my years of knowing Mr. Asaad and his hard work, I recommend him without reservation for clients’ immigration needs.”
  • Private Practice Lawyer – “Mr. Asaad has demonstrated consistent excellence in the field of immigration law. I recommend him without reservation.
  • Government Counsel – “Peter Asaad has consistently demonstrated excellent legal skills and the highest ethical standards.”
  • Private Practice Lawyer – “Peter is an excellent attorney. He knows the subject matter well and has spoken at many conferences and seminars. He also teaches business immigration law at a law school. He has good judgment and analytical skills. He is an ethical attorney and well liked among his peers.”
  • Private Practice Lawyer – “Peter Asaad is a well-respected member of the immigration lawyer community.”
  • Government Counsel – “I have know Mr. Asaad for several years. He is well respected in the legal community and a trusted immigration attorney.”

Selected Representative Matters

  • Immigration counsel to the leading global broadband satellite communications provider for business, governments, and consumers on various business related and employment-based visa matters and I-9 compliance issues.
  • Chief Legal Officer to an international consulting company that specializes in consulting services to governments and private clients in the areas of international business and political/cultural networking.
  • Counsel to International Environmental Organization on various business and employment matters.
  • Counsel to a U.S. government defense employee in obtaining a fiancée visa in a short period of time.
  • Counsel to mother in detention and obtained national exposure to garner congressional intervention for her release.
  • Counsel to foreign national in legal malpractice action against attorney obtaining judgment based on fraud and negligence.
  • Counsel to an Inter-American Health Organization employee’s wife in her removal proceeding protecting her from the 3/10 year bar in a very short period of time.
  • Consultant and counsel in VAWA case to non-citizen victim of extreme cruelty by U.S. citizen ex-spouse.
  • Consultant and counsel to criminal defendant in avoiding immigration consequences of charged crimes and in obtaining U.S. citizenship.
  • Numerous others

Selected National and International Media Appearances

  • Voice of America’s (VOA) Persian News Network (PNN), The Roya Khat Television Program (Straight Talk on H-1Bs), May 7, 2009 (a interactive television program which aims to promote engagement and interaction between Iranians and Americans)
  • Washington Post Radio 107.7 FM and 1500 AM, December 12, 2006: A follow-up to a December 7, 2006, section B, front page article, “Deporting a Model Noncitizen,” By Marc Fisher
  • Clinic Radio 100.3 FM and 980 AM, Clinic Attorney, 2005
  • Middle East Television Network, The “Ask an Attorney,” Alhurra Program, July 7, 2005

In the News

  • Jenna Greene, The Legal Times, “Immigration Lawyers: Great Interest in Deferred Action, But Uncertainty Lurks,” August 15, 2012
  • Lisa R. Bliss, ABA Litigation News, “ABA Support Retooling immigration Court System,” April 19, 2010
  • Moira Herbst, BusinessWeek, “Immigration: When Only ‘Geniuses’ Need Apply Top artists, writers, and musicians are among those awarded O-1 visas each year to add to U.S. culture and the economy,” May 17, 2009
  • Melissa Frederick, The Examiner, “Grassley, Durbin Target Visas for Tech Workers,” June 8, 2007
  • Melissa Frederick, The Examiner, “Legislation Inadequate to Fight Tech Worker Shortage, Advocates Contend,” May 23, 2007
  • Marc Fisher, The Washington Post, “Deporting a Model Noncitizen,” Section B, December 07, 2006
  • Marc Fisher, The Washington Post, Follow-up to “Deporting a Model Noncitizen,” Section B, December 12, 2006

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker and Program Chair, ABA Pro Bono Training: The Essentials of Immigration Court Representation, American Bar Association (February 24, 2011).
  • Moderator, ABA Immigration Litigation Subcommittee Lunch and Learn Series: An Analysis of USCIS Rulemaking and Policy Procedures, American Bar Association (February 23, 2011).
  • Moderator, E-Verify & Chamber of Commerce v. Whiting, American University, Washington College of Law (February 22, 2011).
  • Program Chair and Moderator, DC Bar CLE, The Role of Federal Government Agencies in Immigration Compliance and Employment, District of Columbia Bar –Seven Government Speakers (February 16, 2011).
  • Moderator, ABA Immigration Litigation Subcommittee Lunch and Learn Series: Avoiding Discrimination Claims in the Employment Verification Process: An Introduction to the Office of Special Counsel, American Bar Association (April 23, 2010).
  • Panel Speaker, ABA Administrative Law Annual Conference: What Every Lawyer Should Know About Immigration Law, American Bar Association (November 4, 2010).
  • Moderator, Georgetown University Law Center: Arizona SB 1070 Debate (November 3, 2010).
  • Moderator, ABA Immigration Litigation Subcommittee Lunch and Learn Series: The Year of Arizona, American Bar Association (October 18, 2010).
  • Speaker, Maximizing U.S. Returns on Shared Knowledge: Innovative Frameworks for Technology Transfer and Full Global Engagement – How Do We Maintain the Best and the Brightest? National Academies of Science, Government University Industry Research Roundtable (June 3, 2009) (addressing leaders in science and technology in government, academia, and business).
  • Speaker, New Office, Subsidiary or Affiliate: Investment Alternatives for Immigrant Entrepreneurs, District of Columbia Bar (April 6, 2009).
  • Speaker, High-Skilled Immigration Matters: Current Issues, Tips and Guidance, Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Economic Development, Rockville Innovation Center, November (November 9, 2007).
  • Speaker, Employing Foreign Nationals: Current Issues, Tips and Guidance, Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Economic Development, Wheaton Business Innovation Center (October 24, 2007).
  • Speaker, Employing Foreign Nationals in Today’s Immigration Environment, Society for Human Resources Management, HRA-NCA 2007 Annual Conference (September 2, 2009).
  • Speaker, What Employers Ought to Know about Immigration Law and Regulations, Wheaton Business Innovation Center (April 25, 2007).
  • Speaker, High-Skilled Immigration Matters: Current Issues, Tips and Guidance, Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Economic Development, Rockville Business Innovation Center (March 21, 2007).
  • Speaker, Immigration Reform and What It Means to Technology Companies, Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Economic Development, MTDC Facility in Rockville (February 8, 2007).
  • Speaker, Employing Foreign Nationals in Today’s Immigration Environment, Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Economic Development, Silver Spring Innovation Center (January 10, 2007).
  • Speaker, Employing Foreign Nationals in Today’s Immigration Environment, Montgomery County, Maryland, Department of Economic Development (December 8, 2006).
  • Speaker, Global Immigration Matters: Employment of Foreign Nationals in Today’s Immigration Environment, The Maryland Tech Council (October 13, 2006).
  • Speaker, What All Lawyers Should Know About Immigration Law, District of Columbia Bar (December 7, 2005).

Board Memberships

  • The National Council for Innovation (NCI), Chair of the Board
  • Global Science Partnerships for the 21st Century, Board Member (GSP21)
  • The Indigent Fund, Chair of the Board and President

Selected Scholarly Publications

  • Book: “The HR Immigration Pocket Reference,” 2010 Edition, Co-Published with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Immigration Solutions Group, PLLC (ISG)
  • “Ensuring Corporate Compliance: E-Verify and I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification,” Vol. 4, No. 26 Edition of Bloomberg Finance L.P, Bloomberg Law Reports-Labor & Employment, 2010
  • “H-1B: Solutions for Short and Long-Term Needs,” Law360 , April 26, 2010
  • “Obama’s Immigration Agenda: Change Likely in Law and Enforcement,” Workplace Law, Society for Human Resources Management, November 20, 2008
  • “E-Verify: A Trojan Horse at the Employer’s Doorstep,” American University, Washington College of Law, Business Law Brief, Volume 4, Issue 1, Fall, 2008 (a publication recognized by the American Bar Association as the “Magazine of the Year”)
  • “Multinational Managers and Executives,” WJLA, ABC News, Legal Resource Center, 2005
  • “New Employment Visa Reform Passes: Additional H-1B Numbers; One Year Experience Requirement for L-1 Blanket Entrants; Fees and H-1B Dependent Attestations Reinstituted,” WJLA, ABC News, Legal Resource Center, 2006
  • “Guidance for HR Executives and Employers: New PERM Regulations Issued,” WJLA, ABC News, Legal Resource Center, 2005
  • “Guidance for Entry for B-1 Business Visitors,” WJLA, ABC News, Legal Resource Center, 2005
  • “Reaching the H-1B Numerical Limit and Your Alternatives,” WJLA, ABC News, Legal Resource Center, 2004
  • Various other publications

Civic and Charitable Activities

  • Prevent Child Abuse, Metropolitan D.C.
  • Tinley Park Mental Health Center, Adult Education

Other Selected Experiences

  • Judicial Law Clerk for the Senior Judges of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia with special assignment to the Honorable Leonard Braman. In the course of his clerkship, Mr. Asaad gathered the advice and cooperation of various agencies and judges to ultimately devise and implement an approach for addressing petitions for writ of habeas corpus with greater care and efficiency.
  • Member of Michel E. Tigar’s Impact Litigation Team. Mr. Asaad assisted in international human rights cases against Henry Kissinger and others filed before the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
  • Member of the International Human Rights Law Clinic, Washington College of Law.

Languages

  • English
  • Arabic