Joshua Mirer

Joshua S. Mirer

Partner

Joshua S. Mirer

Partner

  • Overview

    Biography

    Joshua Mirer serves as co-chair of the firm’s Immigration Practice Group and has more than 20 years of experience counseling multinational Fortune 100 and Global 500 companies on all their corporate immigration-related legal needs. Josh serves as primary outside counsel concerning U.S. immigration matters for global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and for Raytheon Technologies Corporation and all of its business units operating in the United States.

    Corporate U.S. Immigration

    The majority of Josh’s work involves advising businesses on nonimmigrant and immigrant visas for their employees and preparing visa petitions for submission to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. He counsels clients through an assessment of temporary and permanent options, and issues involving timing and cost. He also provides advice regarding employee pay and benefits, promotion, relocation, travel, and termination related to employees requiring sponsorship. Josh has developed best practices for employers regarding U.S. immigration sponsorship.

    Preparation and Filing of U.S. Immigration Cases

    Josh prepares visa petitions and business immigration cases for submission to government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the U.S. Department of State. These cases include, but are not limited to, petitions and applications for temporary business visitors, temporary employment visas, and exchange visitors, as well as Program Electronic Review Management (PERM) applications and employment-based immigrant petitions, including outstanding researchers and extraordinary ability cases. As a Six Sigma Green Belt, Josh has overseen the strategic filing of thousands of successful cases. His efforts have enabled pharmaceutical, biotech and manufacturing companies, educational institutions, and hospitals to recruit and retain talented professionals.

    Employment Eligibility – Verification and Compliance

    Josh counsels employers on the Immigration Reform and Control Act and related issues, including I-9 and worksite enforcement issues. He provides training to employers on their I-9 obligations, and responds to government audits and site visits regarding sponsored employees. He also has provided immigration compliance training to human resources professionals, recruiters, executives and managers, business owners, and in-house counsel for a variety of clients and business organizations, including one of the world's largest chemical and pharmaceutical companies.

    Pro Bono

    Josh frequently provides pro bono representation to those needing immigration assistance. He secured an O-1 extraordinary ability non-immigrant visa for a world renowned ballet dancer from Bolivia to join a U.S. ballet company. His work on behalf of the Center for Children’s Advocacy’s immigrant clients prompted the organization to name him as a “Pro Bono Legal Champion.” In another case, Josh assisted with an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to help an individual who is appealing removal from the United States under Convention Against Torture (CAT) protections.

    Josh regularly writes on employment and immigration-related matters. He co-authored a chapter concerning worksite compliance in a Matthew Bender publication on labor and employment law. He also served as a peer editor for the treatise Business Immigration Law & Practice, published by the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and is mentioned in the publication's acknowledgements. In addition, Josh contributes to the firm's Health Law Diagnosis blog.

    Josh also co-authored an article in Worldwide ERC’s MOBILITY magazine entitled “Hiring a Foreign National Worker: What U.S. Employers Need to Know,” which discusses the most widely used work authorized categories for U.S. employers who would like to hire foreign nationals, as well as issues for U.S. employers to consider. The article also describes the actions that must be taken by U.S. employers when a foreign national worker is employed in the U.S.

    Josh has served as a faculty member for Sterling Educational Services' immigration series. He has presented to the Danbury Chamber of Commerce, Connecticut Business & Industry Association and the Connecticut Bar Association on business immigration and related topics. 

  • Experience
    • Experience

      Experience

      • In 2016 alone, oversaw the preparation and filing of over 300 L-1 petitions approved for a Fortune 100 manufacturing company, enabling client to transfer employees such as multinational managers, executives, and individuals with specialized knowledge. 

      • Successfully assisted German, French and Mexican-owned companies in their efforts to bring employees to the United States in E2 status, including managers and essential workers.

      • Counseled one of the 30 largest financial institutions in the United States with regard to post-acquisition I-9 compliance issues and provided guidance for self-audit.

      • Successfully assisted hospitals and health centers in Massachusetts and Connecticut obtain Conrad 30 waivers of the two year home residency requirement for physicians, to allow the physicians to remain and work in the United States in medically underserved locations. 

      • Successfully filed J-1 applications through a Department of State designated entity to allow foreign nationals to come to the U.S. for training and internships. 

      • Provided immigration training to human resources professionals, recruiters, executives and managers, business owners, and in-house counsel for a variety of clients and business organizations, including Fortune 100 and Global 500 companies and one of the world's largest chemical and pharmaceutical companies.

      • Enabled biotechnology companies, educational institutions, and hospitals to retain valuable key scientists, researchers, chemists, professors, and physicians by obtaining both temporary and permanent immigration status, including Outstanding Researchers and Extraordinary Ability Aliens.

      • Routinely assist multinational companies in staffing their new U.S. offices by successfully obtaining H-1B, E-2 and L-1 status for their executives and technical personnel.

      • Routinely apply for and obtain permanent resident status for employees of our corporate clients through the Alien Labor Certification process thought the DOL’s PERM system.

      • Representation of a New York City-based global management consulting firm to secure an approved L-1 Blanket petition. Converted the majority of its H-1B workforce to L-1B status at U.S. Consulates in India and China. This has allowed for more flexibility regarding staffing, compensation, and client service and no further concerns about H-1B dependency.

      • Representation of a Connecticut-based global technology company concerning one of its employees who was denied a pending PERM application. The U.S. Department of Labor indicated that the company did not list all of its requirements on the PERM application even though the requirements were listed in the ad and that this was prejudicial to U.S. workers. Robinson+Cole refiled the PERM application and successfully argued that the requirements were in fact listed on the application as an alternative and that this was appropriate. The case was reopened relatively quickly, and the employee received her permanent resident status.

      • Representation of a Danish-owned publicly traded company to bring Danish nationals to the U.S. as managers and specialized knowledge personnel. Robinson & Cole filed documentation to register the company with the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen as an E-2 Trader Investor. Also filed substantial documentation with the E-2 application regarding the company's real estate leases, corporate acquisitions, current employees and their immigration status, and the company's initial investment in the U.S.

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    • Professional Associations

      Professional Associations

      American Bar Association (2000 - present)

      Connecticut Bar Association (2000 - present)

      American Immigration Lawyers Association (2001 - present)

      American Immigration Lawyers Association, Connecticut Chapter (2001 - present)

      Foreign Medical Graduate Task Force (2008 - present)

      Connecticut Technology Council (2009 - present)

      Connecticut United for Research Excellence, Inc. (2010 - present)
    • Honors + Awards

      Honors + Awards

      Connecticut Center for Children's Advocacy, 2010 Champion of Children Award

    • Community Involvement

      Community Involvement

      The Village for Families & Children
      Board Member (2010 - 2012)

      Center for Children's Advocacy at the University of Connecticut School of Law
      Outside Immigration Counsel

      The Open Hearth
      Corporator
  • NEWS + PRESS
    • Publications

      Publications

      "U.S. Employers: Is Your Foreign National Employee Internationally Recognized as an Outstanding Researcher? Let’s Find Out — Qualifications for an EB-1B Outstanding Researcher green card case," co-authored with Jennifer L. Shanley, published in Mobility, the monthly magazine of Worldwide ERC® (October 2018)
      • » more info

        • U.S. Employers: Is Your Foreign National Employee Internationally Recognized as an Outstanding Researcher? Let’s Find Out — Qualifications for an EB-1B Outstanding Researcher green card case

        "U.S. Employers: Is Your Foreign National Employee Internationally Recognized as an Outstanding Researcher? Let’s Find Out — Qualifications for an EB-1B Outstanding Researcher green card case," co-authored by Jennifer L. Shanley and Joshua S. Mirer, published in Mobility, the monthly magazine of Worldwide ERC® (October 2018)

        The article covers the qualifications for an EB-1B Outstanding Researcher green card case, case assessment and best practices for a successful EB-1B Outstanding Researcher green card case, tips for a successful petition, and presenting a winning case.

      • View article

      "US Employers: Work-authorized Visa Options for Hiring a Foreign National Worker," published in Connecticut Lawyer, co-authored with Jennifer L. Shanley (March/April 2018)
      • » more info

        • US Employers: Work-authorized Visa Options for Hiring a Foreign National Worker

        "US Employers: Work-authorized Visa Options for Hiring a Foreign National Worker," published in Connecticut Lawyer, co-authored by Jennifer L. Shanley and Joshua S. Mirer (March/April 2018)

        The article notes that: “Employers in the United States increasingly seek to hire foreign nationals, as they possess unique perspectives and diverse backgrounds, and often have international experience, making them uniquely qualified for a particular position. The hiring process for foreign nationals, however, is different than the hiring process for US citizens.” In the article, Mr. Mirer and Ms. Shanley give a brief overview of some of the most widely used work-authorized categories, as well as their timing and other implications.

      • View article

      "H1B Work Visas Under Attack," published in Business New Haven E-News, co-authored with Megan R. Naughton and Jennifer L. Shanley (1/31/2018)
      • » more info

        • H1B Work Visas Under Attack

        "H1B Work Visas Under Attack," published in Business New Haven E-News, co-authored by Joshua S. Mirer, Megan R. Naughton and Jennifer L. Shanley (1/31/2018)

        In the article, Mr. Mirer, Ms. Naughton, and Ms. Shanley cover the heightened scrutiny faced by H1-B petitions from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under President Trump’s “Buy American and Hire American Executive Order.” The article goes on to say “foreign nationals can still qualify for the increasingly narrow H-1B category. To do so, the employer must understand the type of positions that qualify for an H-1B visa and describe the requirements for the position with specific, yet limited degree requirements, choose the most accurate prevailing wage category and wage level, and, present evidence that the position and the foreign national qualify for an H-1B visa.”

      • View article

      "Hiring a Foreign National Worker: What U.S. Employers Need to Know," published in Mobility Magazine, co-authored with Jennifer L. Shanley (May 2017)
      • » more info

        • Hiring a Foreign National Worker: What U.S. Employers Need to Know

        "Hiring a Foreign National Worker: What U.S. Employers Need to Know," published in Mobility Magazine, co-authored by Joshua S. Mirer and Jennifer L. Shanley (May 2017)

        The topics in the article include the process for foreign nationals entering the U.S. for business activities, assessing whether the foreign national qualifies for a particular work-authorized category, the timing and availability of the most widely used work-authorized categories for foreign nationals, what to do when a nonimmigrant petition is approved, and what happens after the foreign national enters the U.S. in valid nonimmigrant status.

      • View article

      "Foreign-Born Entrepreneurs Have Visa Options," published in Connecticut Law Tribune, co-authored with Lauren M. Sigg and Megan R. Naughton (10/27/2014)

      "Employment And Immigration Law: The Annual Immigration Gold Rush," published in Connecticut Law Tribune, co-authored with Lauren M. Sigg and Megan R. Naughton (1/23/2014)

    • Presentations

      Presentations

      "Employing Nonimmigrant Workers: Creative Solutions for the Labor Shortage," co-presented with Megan R. Naughton, as part of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association’s (CBIA) 2023 Human Resources Conference (3/21/2023)

      "Immigration Issues and Compliance," at Connecticut Business & Industry Association (9/22/06)

      "Perm Talk: How to Avoid Stalling on the Road to Permanent Residence," at Cambridge, Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce (9/20/06)

    • News

      R+C in the News

      • March 22, 2023

        Josh Mirer and Megan Naughton Present on Employing Nonimmigrant Workers at CBIA Human Resources Conference

        • » more info

          Josh Mirer and Megan Naughton Present on Employing Nonimmigrant Workers at CBIA Human Resources Conference

          Joshua Mirer and Megan Naughton, co-chairs of the firm’s Immigration Group, presented the program “Employing Nonimmigrant Workers: Creative Solutions for the Labor Shortage,” presented as part of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association’s (CBIA) 2023 Human Resources Conference on March 21, 2023. The event offered an in-depth view of the most challenging workplace issues impacting management and HR personnel.

      • October 5, 2018

        Josh Mirer and Jen Shanley Co-author Article Published in Mobility Magazine

        • » more info

          Josh Mirer and Jen Shanley Co-author Article Published in Mobility Magazine

          Immigration Group lawyers Joshua S. Mirer and Jennifer L. Shanley co-authored the article “U.S. Employers: Is Your Foreign National Employee Internationally Recognized as an Outstanding Researcher? Let’s Find Out — Qualifications for an EB-1B Outstanding Researcher green card case,” published in the October 2018 issue of Worldwide ERC®’s Mobility magazine, the leading publication for the global workforce mobility industry. The article covers the qualifications for an EB-1B Outstanding Researcher green card case, case assessment and best practices for a successful EB-1B Outstanding Researcher green card case, tips for a successful petition, and presenting a winning case. Read the full article.

      • April 19, 2018

        Josh Mirer and Jen Shanley Co-author Article Published in Connecticut Lawyer

        • » more info

          Josh Mirer and Jen Shanley Co-author Article Published in Connecticut Lawyer

          Immigration Group lawyers Joshua S. Mirer and Jennifer L. Shanley co-authored the article “US Employers: Work-authorized Visa Options for Hiring a Foreign National Worker,” published in the March/April 2018 issue of the Connecticut Bar Association’s (CBA) member magazine, Connecticut Lawyer. The article notes that: “Employers in the United States increasingly seek to hire foreign nationals, as they possess unique perspectives and diverse backgrounds, and often have international experience, making them uniquely qualified for a particular position. The hiring process for foreign nationals, however, is different than the hiring process for US citizens.” In the article, Mr. Mirer and Ms. Shanley give a brief overview of some of the most widely used work-authorized categories, as well as their timing and other implications. Read the full article.

      • February 6, 2018

        Josh Mirer, Megan Naughton, and Jen Shanley Author Article Published in Business New Haven E-News

        • » more info

          Josh Mirer, Megan Naughton, and Jen Shanley Author Article Published in Business New Haven E-News

          Immigration Group lawyers Joshua S. Mirer, Megan R. Naughton, and Jennifer L. Shanley authored the article “H1B Work Visas Under Attack,” published in Business New Haven E-News on January 31, 2018. In the article, Mr. Mirer, Ms. Naughton, and Ms. Shanley describe the heightened scrutiny faced by H1-B petitions from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under President Trump’s “Buy American and Hire American Executive Order.” The article indicates that “foreign nationals can still qualify for the increasingly narrow H-1B category. To do so, the employer must understand the type of positions that qualify for an H-1B visa and describe the requirements for the position with specific, yet limited degree requirements, choose the most accurate prevailing wage category and wage level, and, present evidence that the position and the foreign national qualify for an H-1B visa.” Click here to read the article.

      • May 5, 2017

        Immigration Group Lawyers Publish Article for Mobility Magazine

        • » more info

          Immigration Group Lawyers Publish Article for Mobility Magazine

          Immigration Group lawyers Joshua S. Mirer and Jennifer L. Shanley penned the article "Hiring a Foreign National Worker: What U.S. Employers Need to Know," published in the May 2017 issue of Mobility Magazine. The topics they cover in the article include the process for foreign nationals entering the U.S. for business activities, assessing whether the foreign national qualifies for a particular work-authorized category, the timing and availability of the most widely used work-authorized categories for foreign nationals, what to do when a nonimmigrant petition is approved, and what happens after the foreign national enters the U.S. in valid nonimmigrant status. To find out more, click here to read the article.

      • June 6, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Sponsors George W. Crawford Black Bar Association's 2016 Annual Dinner

      • January 21, 2014

        Nicole Bernabo Organizes First CBA Labor and Employment Conference

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          Nicole Bernabo Organizes First CBA Labor and Employment Conference

          Nicole A. Bernabo, R+C labor and employment lawyer and chair of the Connecticut Bar Association's Labor & Employment Law Section, recently organized the first Connecticut Labor and Employment Law Conference on December 12, 2013, at The Farms Country Club in Wallingford. The program was a success, with an impressive lineup of exceptional speakers, including Markus L. Penzel, a senior trial attorney at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and representatives from the National Labor Relations Board, including Jonathan Kreisberg, regional director in Boston, Massachusetts, as well as top lawyers in Connecticut. R&C immigration lawyers Megan R. Naughton and Joshua S. Mirer also presented on immigration issues at the conference with William P. Sansone, special agent of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
      • April 5, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorney Elected to Board of Directors of the Village for Families & Children, Inc.

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          Robinson & Cole Attorney Elected to Board of Directors of the Village for Families & Children, Inc.

          Immigration partner Joshua S. Mirer has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Village for Families & Children, Inc. In his newly elected capacity, Mr. Mirer contributes leadership support to further the agency’s three core service areas: placement and permanency (adoption, foster care, and family preservation), treatment, and family and community support. To read the press release, click here.
      • March 5, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Immigration Attorneys Honored by Center for Children’s Advocacy

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          Robinson & Cole Immigration Attorneys Honored by Center for Children’s Advocacy

          Immigration attorneys Joshua S. Mirer, Megan R. Naughton, and Natasha A. Sharubina will receive the Center for Children's (CCA) Advocacy's Child Advocate Award this year for their work with the CCA since 2002 in resolving immigration cases, assisting the CCA to advocate for appropriate policies with the Department of Children and Families, and for providing legal research and training on immigration issues affecting juveniles. They will receive the award during an event in April.
      • November 12, 2008

        Robinson & Cole Announces New Partners

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          Robinson & Cole Announces New Partners

          Robinson & Cole is pleased to announce 3 new Partners in their Hartford, CT office: Wystan M. Ackerman of the Insurance and Reinsurance Practice Group, Michael J. Kolosky of the Business Litigation Practice Group, and Joshua S. Mirer of the Immigration Practice Group. Click here to view group photo.

      R+C News Releases

      • May 21, 2010

        Robinson & Cole's Naughton, Mirer, and Sharubina Named Pro Bono Legal Champion's by the Center for Children's Advocacy

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          Robinson & Cole's Naughton, Mirer, and Sharubina Named Pro Bono Legal Champion's by the Center for Children's Advocacy

          The law firm of Robinson & Cole LLP is pleased to announce attorneys Megan R. Naughton, Joshua S. Mirer, and Natalia A. Sharubina were named Pro Bono Legal Champions by the Center for Children Advocacy (CCA) for their pro bono case support to help CCA with immigrant children and family clients.
        • View article