David M. Serwer

He | Him | His

Partner

Chicago
T +1.312.416.6221
F +1.312.416.6201

Overview

David Serwer has more than 25 years of experience counseling companies on all aspects of employment-based immigration law, including the submission of applications for temporary work authorization and applications for permanent residence for his clients’ employees. Representing clients from start-ups to Fortune 100 multinational companies, he develops strategies to help them make strategic and informed decisions regarding their business needs and assesses the legislative and agency activity that could affect their workforce. David meets with and counsels his clients’ legal, human resources and executive teams on immigration-related corporate compliance, M&A strategies and policy implementation. Industries with which he has experience include IT, healthcare, manufacturing, engineering and financial.

David is a frequent speaker on topics relating to U.S. immigration law and compliance, and he has written numerous articles for U.S. and international publications. He currently serves as the firm's Immigration Team Lead.

Select Experience

  • Represents domestic and multinational corporations in planning for temporary assignments, long-term employment and relocation strategies for foreign nationals in the U.S.
  • Analyzed the impact of corporate transactions on foreign national populations for multinational companies, ensuring corporate compliance by directing the submission of government notifications or alternative visa strategies.
  • Developed and audited corporate immigration compliance programs and policies, such as I-9, Public Access File compliance, business traveler, third party placement, reimbursement agreements and permanent residence sponsorship.
More »

Experience

  • Represents domestic and multinational corporations in planning for temporary assignments, long-term employment and relocation strategies for foreign nationals in the U.S.
  • Analyzed the impact of corporate transactions on foreign national populations for multinational companies, ensuring corporate compliance by directing the submission of government notifications or alternative visa strategies.
  • Developed and audited corporate immigration compliance programs and policies, such as I-9, Public Access File compliance, business traveler, third party placement, reimbursement agreements and permanent residence sponsorship.
  • Advised a multinational employer on risks to E visa eligibility due to incremental changes in ownership and developed an action plan to transition hundreds of employees from E to L status if threshold was reached.
  • Defended a large multinational company in a DOL Wage & Hour investigation regarding allegations of Labor Condition Application noncompliance, which resulted in DOL ending its investigation with no fines or penalties assessed.
  • Provided strategic immigration case support for successful major immigration litigation that USCIS has cited in published policy guidance.
  • Represented a publicly traded company to develop I-9 audit processes and training and interfaced with DOL regarding E-Verify noncompliance.

Recognitions and Memberships

Memberships

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • Chicago Bar Association

Community

  • National Immigrant Justice Center: Board Member
  • The Japan America Society of Chicago: Board Member

Pro Bono

  • Led pro bono naturalization clinics supported by the National Immigrant Justice Center and represented dozens of applicants at naturalization interviews.

Admissions

  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • Supreme Court of Illinois
  • Illinois

Education

  • J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, 1996
  • B.A., University of Michigan, 1993

Blog

In The Blogs

Previous Next
Employment Law Spotlight
Back to the Future: USCIS Resumes Expedited Processing of H-4 and L-2 Applications When Filed Concurrently with an H-1B or L-1 Petition
By John A. Foerster, David M. Serwer
January 26, 2023
In a settlement, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has agreed to return to processing dependent H-4 and L-2 applications at the same time as the H-1B or L-1 petition when filed concurrently. This settlement has...
Read More ->