The full-service immigration and global mobility practice at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP advises multinational corporations, mid-sized businesses, and high-growth start-ups, delivering business immigration support alongside a broad range of related services, including non-US visas and work permits, foreign employment laws, tax considerations, compliance, and the immigration implications of corporate transactions. Under the leadership of Shannon Donnelly, based in Washington DC, the practice also represents companies in audits, investigations, and compliance reviews, working with agencies such as the US Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. Donnelly advises clients on executive, managerial, and specialized professional mobility, providing visa program support as well as guidance on I-9 and right-to-work obligations, internal audits, and post-mergers immigration integration. Complementing this work, the Washington DC-based Eleanor Pelta counsels on temporary and permanent visa options for executives, technologists, scientists, and creative professionals, and specializes in expedited mobility solutions for key talent, including blanket transfer and blanket visa programs. Laura Garvin supports clients from the firm’s Washington DC and Miami offices on employment-related immigration matters, guiding them through US federal agency processes and worldwide mobility programs.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The firm always stays ahead of regulatory changes and provides highly personalized service. The collaborative team structure ensures that we benefit from collective experience rather than a single point of contact.'
- 'They have expertise and in-depth understanding of both US and global immigration laws, policies, and procedures. Responsiveness and proactive communication, whether addressing urgent questions or proactively providing updates about case status and changes in immigration policy.'
- 'Morgan Lewis's Global Employment & Immigration practice stands out for its deep bench of seasoned practitioners who combine strategic insight with real-world execution; Shannon Donnelly and Eleanor Pelta lead with a client-first mindset, delivering sophisticated advice with responsiveness that rivals any top US or international firm.'
- 'Shannon Donnelly stands out for her exceptional strategic judgment and steady leadership in high-stakes immigration matters, combining deep technical mastery with a pragmatic, business-minded approach that clients and colleagues trust implicitly.'
- 'This team has a passion for our unique industries, such as theatre, that makes it really helpful to navigate complicated issues.'
- 'They care about us and our work and our employees in a way that makes us feel supported as we navigate complicated issues. Eleanor Pelta has been amazing.'
Key clients
- Ameriprise Financial
- Walgreens
- Carl Zeiss
- CooperVision
- DHL
- Hunter Douglas
- The Hershey Company
- Leidos
- RWE Clean Energy
- T. Rowe Price
Work highlights
Advising T. Rowe Price on US inbound and global immigration matters, including managing visa applications, advising on C-suite and senior management relocations, and counseling on immigration compliance, workforce mobility policies, wage transparency requirements, and third-party placement issues.
Advising AMPF on evolving US immigration regulations affecting intracompany transferees and specialty occupation workers, strategic sponsorship for hard-to-fill roles, and global immigration compliance across jurisdictions including the United Kingdom and Singapore.
Advising DHL on the management of its immigration program, including immigration compliance counseling, administration of its rotational assignment program under a blanket L and E registration, and guidance on global immigration matters, including US - Canada transfers.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Shannon Donnelly
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Laura Garvin
Practice head
Shannon Donnelly
Other key lawyers
Eleanor Pelta; Laura Garvin; Eric Bord; Cindy Liang