Wright, Constable & Skeen, L.L.P.

Join attorney Jan Pederson next Wednesday, February 26, 2025, as she shares expert tips for successfully securing a J-1 Physician waiver. Key Points of Discussion: - Common pitfalls and red flags to avoid - Strategies for interviewing and contract negotiation - Effectively searching and applying for waiver positions - Green card sponsorship and long-term career planning Register below! https://lnkd.in/ev7VGUjP

It's J-1 Physician season! Join me and Benjamin Hu next Wednesday, February 26, 2025, for an in-depth discussion on successfully securing a J-1 Physician waiver. During the session we'll provide expert guidance on key aspects of the process, including: -Identifying and avoiding common pitfalls and red flags -Effective strategies for interviewing and contract negotiation -Best practices for searching and applying for waiver positions -Green card sponsorship and long-term career planning This is an essential session for J-1 physicians looking to navigate the waiver process with confidence and plan for a successful future. Register below! https://lnkd.in/ekY69CEE

DEPARTMENT OF STATE RETROACTIVELY ELIMINATES INDIA, CHINA AND MANY OTHER COUNTRIES FROM THE J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR SKILLS LIST Effective on January 9, 2024, the Department of State (DOS) made important and significant changes to the Exchange Visitors Skills List, which determines which J-1 exchange visitors are required to return to their home country for two years unless a waiver is obtained.??It is important to note that these changes do not apply to J-1 Alien Physicians,?but do apply to J-1 Physician Researchers and other researchers.?It also does not apply to exchange visitors whose exchange programs were funded by the United States government or home country government.?The Exchange Visitor Skills List, compiled by the DOS, is a list of skills which are needed in the listed countries. The list has not been updated since 2009 and will no longer rely on each country to advise DOS of the skills needed in the home country.?The Skills List is retroactive so that if a J-1 exchange visitor was subject to the Skills List previously and the J-1’s country of return or the skill the J-1 came to America to obtain has been removed from the Skills List as of January 9, 2024, the J-1 and J-2 dependents are no longer subject to the home residence requirement.?The reason for the rule is to make America more attractive to world class researchers, scientists, teachers and others. Noncitizens from the removed countries will have greater employment options in America, particularly in an era when H-1B visas are difficult to obtain because the demand far outweighs the supply of visas.?The cost of employing J-1s is far less than an H-1B in terms of government fees. It is hoped that the private sector and small businesses will be able to more efficiently access talent not available in America. Noncitizens from the deleted countries will be more attractive to employers.?Please contact us at [email protected] ?to schedule a consultation with Jan Pederson regarding a J-1, NIW or EB1A..?We will be holding a Webinar in early January 2025.? For more information, visit Federal Register :: Public Notice of Revised Exchange Visitor Skills List Most notable, India, Brazil and China have been removed from the Skills List.?Collectively, these three countries send the largest number of J-1 exchange visitors to America.?The list of countries deleted from the Skills List are as follows: ·????Albania ·????Algeria ·????Argentina ·????Armenia ·????Bangladesh ·????Bolivia ·????Brazil ·????Chile ·????China ·????Colombia ·????Costa Rica ·????Dominican Republic ·????Gabon ·????Georgia ·????Guyana ·????India ·????Indonesia ·????Kazakhstan ·????Laos ·????Malaysia ·????Mauritius ·????Namibia ·????Oman ·????Paraguay ·????Peru ·????Romania ·????Saudi Arabia ·????South Africa ·????South Korea ·????Sri Lanka ·????Thailand ·????Trinidad and Tobago ·????Turkey ·????United Arab Emirates ·????Uruguay

National Estate Planning Awareness Week: The federal estate tax law which established the current exemption level will terminate on December 31, 2025.?After that time, the exemption level will drop back to the exemption level that last existed in 2017, adjusted upward for inflation. Read on to learn more: https://lnkd.in/g9Xihfwn Article by: Mary Alice Smolarek

On the October episode of Surety Today,?your host, Michael Stover, and guest Michael Sebright, Senior Construction Consultant at Hudson International discussed?Understanding the Change Order Process. If you missed it,?you can catch up here: https://lnkd.in/eAVvtTj

Wright, Constable & Skeen, LLP is pleased to welcome Sandra Bruno as a partner in the firm’s Immigration Law Group. Welcome Sandra! https://lnkd.in/gXZ_rNF9

In this edition of the Wright Toolbox we consider the question of whether the dreaded and feared False Claims Act is Dead??Read on to learn more: https://lnkd.in/ebF54fuj Article by: Michael Stover

Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed into law House Bill 649, the Wage Range Transparency Act that took effect on October 1, 2024. The Act?imposes new requirements on all Maryland employers, regardless of size, relating to disclosure of wage information in job postings for applicants and to employees at certain times.?Read on to learn more: https://lnkd.in/evHPwnBn Article by: Michael Stover

WCS attorneys have been a staple within the maritime and transportation community for more than 100 years. They have the knowledge needed to assist in solving virtually any problem which may occur in the area of transportation of goods and people. Learn more at www.WCSlaw.com.

Elder financial abuse has become all too common. However, the growing need to protect the elderly and those otherwise unable to look after their own financial affairs sometimes finds itself in tension with financial privacy laws. With a recent law, Virginia seeks to enlist families and loved ones in the fight against elder financial abuse. Read on to learn more: https://lnkd.in/dZZnNzsK Article by: Thomas Moran