Ian Wagreich Selected by National Law Journal as a 2023 Immigration Law Trailblazer

U.S. law firm Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP is pleased to announce that partner Ian Wagreich has been named to the National Law Journal's list of 2023 Immigration Law Trailblazers. The award recognizes attorneys who have "moved the needle" and been "agents of change" in the practice, policy, and technological advancements in immigration law. Wagreich was among 19 lawyers nationally to receive recognition.

"We are delighted that National Law Journal has recognized Ian for his leadership and accomplishments in influencing national immigration policy and his significant impact on employment-related immigration law," said Hinshaw Chairman Peter Sullivan. "Over the past two decades, he has provided knowledgeable and decisive counsel to companies facing the myriad challenges of employment-related immigration issues."

In his Trailblazers profile, Wagreich expressed the hope that government agencies will resume consulting the appropriate experts with in-depth knowledge of the field to ensure creative solutions to the current "state of crisis" in immigration policy are implemented "more collaboratively."

Read Wagreich's full profile (PDF)

Wagreich leads the firm's immigration team and has more than 25 years of experience advising multinational corporations, hospitals, universities, and athletic organizations on business-immigration-related issues. He has successfully assisted numerous clients with complex immigration cases and applications, advising hospitals, law firms, universities, professional athletes, and arts organizations in obtaining work authorization and permanent residence for employees. A highly regarded thought leader, he has published numerous articles and is a frequent speaker on complex immigration issues.

He also has initiated mandamus litigation against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State in federal court to successfully resolve longstanding immigration applications, which were part of the growing backlog of immigration applications in the United States.

In addition to his active practice, he has served as a liaison with various governmental agencies and has been an advocate for humane and just immigration policy and reform. He has worked tirelessly to advance creative and practical solutions to improve immigration procedures in the absence of legislative reform. He served for a decade as a liaison between the American Immigration Lawyers Association and various components of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, including their headquarters in Washington, D.C., working to promote policy changes. He also served as a liaison between the AILA and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Currently, Wagreich is a member of the government liaison committee of the International Medical Graduate Task Force, a group of immigration lawyers working to improve pathways for international medical graduates who have completed their training in the United States to become legally authorized to provide medical services to underserved communities across the country. In this role, he works with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Health and Human Services, and state and local departments of health.

Wagreich is also highly regarded for his work mentoring immigration attorneys. In June 2022, he received the AILA Sam Williamson Mentor Award, which annually recognizes one attorney for outstanding efforts and excellent counsel to immigration attorneys by providing mentoring assistance.

View the full list of 2023 Immigration Trailblazers.