Michelle D. Barhorst

Associate

Columbus
T +1.614.462.2631
F +1.614.462.2616

Overview

Focused on the healthcare and insurance industries, Michelle Barhorst is a business immigration attorney with in-depth knowledge of temporary work visas and green card processes. Drawing from several years of experience as an immigration paralegal, she handles cases involving complex family and employment-based immigration matters, as well as removal defense and asylum.

Michelle brings a comprehensive approach to her immigration law practice, combining her passion for immigration law with her experiences living abroad. She works on enabling companies to hire and retain talented foreign professionals.

Select Experience

  • Obtained work visas for employees, including H-1B specialty occupation, L‑1 intra-company transferee (manager and specialized knowledge), O-1 extraordinary ability, E-3 visas for Australian professionals, E-2 treaty investors, P-1A professional athletes and TN NAFTA professionals.
  • Obtained green cards for clients in EB-1A extraordinary ability and EB-2 advanced degree classifications, as well as PERM labor certification.
  • Secured J-1 visa waivers for foreign physicians and medical researchers.
More »

Experience

  • Obtained work visas for employees, including H-1B specialty occupation, L‑1 intra-company transferee (manager and specialized knowledge), O-1 extraordinary ability, E-3 visas for Australian professionals, E-2 treaty investors, P-1A professional athletes and TN NAFTA professionals.
  • Obtained green cards for clients in EB-1A extraordinary ability and EB-2 advanced degree classifications, as well as PERM labor certification.
  • Secured J-1 visa waivers for foreign physicians and medical researchers.
  • Obtained religious worker visas and permanent resident status for religious workers.
  • Prepared and filed Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Adjustment of Status, Fiancé, Asylum and Consular Processing cases.
  • Assisted clients in obtaining U.S. citizenship and family-based green cards.
  • Advised clients on I-9 and E-Verify compliance.
  • Assisted in obtaining waivers of inadmissibility for foreign nationals seeking immigrant visas.

Recognitions and Memberships

Memberships

  • American Immigration Lawyers Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Ohio State Bar Association
  • Columbus Bar Association

Pro Bono

  • Assisted in numerous cases of individuals seeking asylum in the United States.
  • In multiple cases, assisted victims of human trafficking in obtaining immigration benefits.
  • Assists with pro bono naturalization clinics for the Legal Aid Society of Columbus.

Admissions

  • Ohio

Education

  • J.D., Capital University Law School, 2019, cum laude
  • B.S., Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, 2013, cum laude; Criminal Justice Society